Page 52 of Loki’s Spellbinder (Hunters Creek Archangel’s Warriors MC #14)

I knew things took time. Even though the Warriors had identified who to go after, it didn’t mean it happened instantly, no matter how much we wanted it.

Outlaw had gotten to work on finding Nelson Newman.

You would think it was easy to do. He was on parole, and his address was on record with his parole officer.

Outlaw didn’t need that to find out his address.

Checking in, it became clear Nelson hadn’t been there for a while.

The apartment was covered in dust and had a musty smell from being shut up for some time.

More nosing around discovered that a neighbor was picking up his mail and redirecting it to a P.O. box.

When questioned, the neighbor verified that Nelson paid him a hundred dollars a month to do it, and if he saw anything from Nelson’s parole officer or court, he would text Nelson to let him know, so he’d drop by to get it right away.

The neighbor also monitored for sightings of the parole officer and would pretend to have seen the parolee coming and going if asked, and again, to alert him so Nelson would call and claim his neighbor had told him that his PO was looking for him.

Nelson Newman could freely move around because the ankle monitor he wore after being released had been removed after a year of model compliance. No wonder he was able to sneak off to Georgia without being caught.

Outlaw unraveled the threads until he traced him to a different apartment closer to Nashville.

Since he had no phone in his name, Outlaw hadn’t been able to use that to find him easily.

However, when the names of the men from the Brutal Rebels that he’d served time with were searched, one had an active phone plan.

It was kind of hard to believe when he was still inside serving a life sentence.

He would never get out. He was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder.

It took three days for them to locate him, develop a plan to snatch Nelson, and then execute it.

That was where the team was at this very moment.

No surprise, Loki and Iceman were part of the team.

It meant I was here at the compound. I was too nervous to be sociable at the clubhouse.

I’d relax when they made it back safely. Until then, I was at home with Xander.

I’d fixed dinner and put some aside for Loki later. Xander and I were feeling each other out. He’d been wary of me when I showed up with his dad on Tuesday. Loki had sat him down and explained that I was back and would be living with them.

When Xander asked why I had left to begin with, we’d been truthful.

Loki told him that he’d messed up and hurt me, causing me to go home so I could think about it.

I hated to have him take all the blame, but Loki said it was on him, and he wasn’t faulting me for pulling away.

Xander asked if he was the cause of my hurt.

I told him that indirectly, yes. It was the fact that I hadn’t known anything about his mom and his dad, and I had agreed to be transparent about things from our past. I assured him I wasn’t upset that he was Loki’s son and was there with us. It was the way it happened.

I found Xander was a very intelligent kid.

He was mature and smart for his age. Some of that was probably out of necessity.

It sounded like his mom had more or less left the boy to fend for himself since he was small.

Clearly, he had no expectation of a mother taking care of her child.

And even if I hadn’t borne him, I would be his mom figure.

When I asked him to list what kinds of foods and meals he preferred, he asked why.

I explained so I could stock the pantry and fridge and prepare meals he’d enjoy.

Xander gave me such a shocked look that it hurt my heart.

I wanted to hug him, but it was too soon for that.

I noticed he was still getting used to his dad affectionately touching him.

With dinner over and the cleanup finished, which Xander jumped in to do without complaint or asking, I asked if he’d like to watch a movie or a television show with me.

We found common ground when I finally got him to tell me which kinds he enjoyed the most. I laughed when he said he assumed I’d like romantic movies, home decorating, and cooking shows.

“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with those kinds of shows, but it’s not all I like.

Crime shows are a favorite, but I deal with that daily for work, so I have to be in a special mood to want them.

Sometimes, a good comedy is my choice. Other times, I want pure danger and speed, so I go for action movies.

Though some adult cartoons and anime are based on games that I enjoy. ”

That admission led us to list our favorites.

I think he thought I was kidding. We’d found three we wanted to watch by the time we were done.

After some debate, we went for an anime one.

I discovered we both liked to point out the similarities between the game it was based on and the creators’ deviations.

Did we like the deviation or not? How would we have done it? It led to fun and lively debating.

We were so into the series that I was startled when the door alarm beeped, announcing it had been opened.

The sound of footsteps reached our ears after I paused the show.

Moments later, Loki appeared in the great room.

Xander and I both came to our feet. Xander had no clue where his dad had gone tonight.

All he was told was that his dad went out on club business.

I ran my gaze down Loki, checking to ensure no injuries.

His clothing looked as clean as before. My anxiety lessened.

I went to him and eagerly accepted his kiss.

I noticed how Xander studied us when we kissed each other.

I wanted to ask if his mom and her boyfriend showed affection, but I felt it wasn’t my place to ask.

When we were done, I stepped away to allow father and son to acknowledge each other.

They exchanged a hug, one in which Xander was more hesitant.

“Did you two have a good time without me? How was dinner?” Loki asked when they were done.

“Dinner was great. We left some in the fridge for you. Braelyn and I have been watching a great anime show. She and I like some of the same things. Can you believe it?” Xander asked.

“I can, though I have to warn both of you, I know nothing about anime.”

I glanced at Xander, gave him a pained look as I shook my head. He did the same as I poked at Loki.

“Can you believe it? Xander, I don’t know if we can allow him to touch the television. What will he watch?” I pretended to shudder.

Xander played along and screwed up his face like he smelled something terrible, then he began to gag. “Some sickening thing that’ll make us throw up,” he replied. I gasped as if horrified at the thought, then started laughing, which caused Xander to join in.

“Hey, that’s not fair, two against one,” Loki groused.

“Do you have more work to do with the club, or can you sit and eat your dinner?” I asked casually.

“I do have more work, but we’re doing it later on. Food sounds wonderful. I’m starved,” Loki said.

“Why don’t you educate your dad on anime while I warm up his food. Maybe we can improve his taste,” I teased Xander.

I left them in the great room, talking and debating.

I chuckled a few times at their antics. When the food was warmed up and on the table, I called Loki to the table.

Xander came with him. I already had another plate ready for him.

What I knew of boys and men was that they always could eat.

As they dug in, I moved away from the food. Loki saw me do it.

“Xander, did Brae eat dinner?”

“Yes, she did.”

“Did she eat very much?” Loki asked next.

“No, she didn’t.”

“Wait a minute, I did eat enough. It’s not like I can eat the way you two do. If I did, I’d weigh a ton,” I protested, though in reality, I hadn’t eaten much. The thought of food made me sick.

“That’s it. We got sidetracked with the return and club business, but I’m having you see Zara. She can run some tests on you. You’re not eating enough, Brae, and you’ve already lost more weight than I want you to.”

“Loki, there’s no need to do that. I told you. I’m stressed.”

“Well, I don’t care if you are or not. If you continue not eating, you’ll get down and really ill,” he grumbled.

The next thing I knew, he had his cell phone in his hand.

I tried to snatch it away, but he stood and was too tall for me to take it away from him.

My five-foot-eight didn’t beat his six-foot-four.

He tapped away with his thumb until he was satisfied.

I huffed at him, but all it earned me was a kiss and then a smack on the ass.

To show him I wasn’t to be messed with, I smacked his ass.

Loki winked at me. “Don’t get all flirty in front of our boy. I’d hate to have to explain sex to him now.”

“Gross. And I know what sex is. They taught it this year in my school. Aren’t you guys too old for that?” Xander asked as he screwed up his face.

That resulted in Loki and me protesting and ganging up on him until Xander ruined it by laughing at us. I told them to finish their food. While they did, I went to get a sweater. I was feeling cold. When I returned, Loki was standing by the door.

“Are you leaving now?” I asked.

“No, I’m waiting.”

“On who?”

“Zara. She said she’d be right over.”

“Loki, it’s nine o’clock at night. She should be at home with Demon and Alex, not traipsing over here in the dark!” I exclaimed.

“I didn’t tell her she had to do it tonight. I asked if she had time tomorrow. She offered to come tonight. Alex seems to be staying all night with Bear’s boys, River and Ryker. Wait, that reminds me, Xander, Tank asked if you’d like to stay one night with Easton? You guys are close in age.”