Page 52 of Tempting Jupiter (Arena Dogs #2)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Feeona woke in an unfamiliar bed. Unfamiliar but comfortable. A beautiful pixie with brown-gold hair and a friendly smile stood over her.

“How are you feeling?”

Fee started to sit up, but cushions had been wedged around her arm to immobilize it.

“Oh, let me help you with that.” The woman gently moved the cushions away. “There is a sling for you. You should wear it for a day or two.”

As Fee managed to sit straight and swing her legs over the edge of the bed, she realized she really didn’t feel too bad. “Thanks. I think I’m going to live.” She still wore the velvet outfit that really didn’t look sexy anymore. “I could use a change of clothes.”

The woman turned and lifted a set of Fee’s clothes from a table and laid them on the bed next to her. “Seneca picked them out.” She indicated the floor. “He brought shoes, too. And this.” The woman pushed Jacky the Unicorn into her arms.

Feeona smiled through the rush of happy tears. “I didn’t think he knew about Jacky.”

The woman shrugged, but she seemed happy with the effect Seneca’s thoughtfulness had on her. “I’m Samantha.”

“Mercury’s mate,” she guessed, squeezing Jacky tight.

“That’s right.” She smiled and the skin across her collar bones flushed golden.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Feeona.”

“Yes, I know. And I hate to rush you, but the rest of the pack is waiting for us. Would you like me to step out while you change?”

Feeona slipped off the edge of the bed. Her legs seemed to hold under her. The floor was cold beneath her bare feet. “Suit yourself. I’m not shy.” And she didn’t want to put Samantha in an awkward position if they’d told her not to leave her alone.

“I used to be,” mumbled Samantha mysteriously.

Five minutes later they were striding into what she hoped wouldn’t be a firing squad.

Lo followed them. He’d been waiting in the hall outside the med-bay.

Strangely, she knew who all of the Dogs were—had even worked with them in a life or death situation—but she didn’t really know anything about them at all.

The room turned out to be a large mess hall.

Dozens of circular tables were scattered around with some pretty comfortable looking chairs.

The walls and ceilings were decorated with tasteful art.

At least Morgan had used some of his success to take care of his crew.

The smell of recently cooked steaks made her mouth water and her stomach rumble.

The Dogs were clustered around the nearest table, but on their feet, not sitting.

Seneca broke away and came to meet her. He stopped so close in front of her they were breathing the same air. His lavender eyes were enormous. Then he reached for her, pulling her into his arms. Lips against her ear, he whispered. “It’s going to be okay.”

He released her and escorted her to the rest of his pack.

She only had eyes for Jupiter. His big body blocked everything, everyone from her sight.

She resisted the urge to fold her arms around her like armor, as if she could protect herself from the pain his words could inflict.

She’d worn the damn sling, but her shoulder was already starting to ache from the tension in her muscles.

Jupiter stepped closer and she had to look up to meet his gaze.

“So.” The worry inside her stretched so tight she thought she would break. “If you wanted to kill me, that whole emergency hatch, bomb thing would have been a good time.” She managed to lift one side of her mouth in a semblance of a grin.

His expression never wavered as he shook his head and held her gaze. “I can’t kill you now. That would be like slicing off a chunk of my soul.”

Feeona’s heart stopped… then beat like the wings of a hoverbird.

His arms opened and she leaned into him. As he folded her into him, she pressed her ear against his chest and listened to the solid thud of his big heart.

“When I saw you running with that bomb, I feared I’d lost you.” Jupiter’s chest rumbled as he spoke in that deep bass of his. His hand brushed gently up and down her back.

She clutched him tighter. “I’m sorry. For everything. For Petro-5. I should have found a better way.”

He loosened his hold on her and tugged on her hair until she looked up at him. “We’re mates. You’re not alone anymore. We figure out what to do together from now on.”

Seneca stepped up beside her and she was surrounded by them. “We’re mates,” he repeated.

The joy and the sorrow almost knocked her to her knees. To have everything she wanted offered and to be unable to accept. Her pulse raced. Her muscles tensed. She needed to get out of there. She needed to run. “I can’t. I… You deserve more than I can give.”

“We won’t let you go, Fee.” Seneca’s rich baritone stroked her insides. “We would never expect you to abandon the children of your world.”

“But… Your people—”

Jupiter put his fingers under her chin and his claws pricked gently against her skin. “We will work it out.”

“Your pack—”

“Would never stand in the way of mates.” The source of that voice stood nearby.

Mercury, their leader had tucked an arm around Samantha.

Lo stood on the other side of her. Midnight black hair in a silken curtain brushed their shoulders.

Alert ears flicked as she took them in. Lo was all dark brooding good looks with reddish black eyes.

Mercury was almost as big as Jupiter, but not as beautiful as Seneca.

He released Samantha and stepped forward with a smile.

“We haven’t been properly introduced. I am Mercury. Welcome to our pack.”

“Thanks, but—”

Mercury laughed, a sexy rumble that rolled through the room. “Stubborn.” He lifted his gaze to Jupiter. “You are blessed my brothers. A stubborn mate can bring great joy to your life.”

“We are well aware,” agreed Jupiter.

Mercury nodded then returned his attention to Feeona. “Jupiter and Seneca have told me about your world. Cruelty, it seems, is not limited to Roma.”

She’d seen far too much cruelty in every corner of the sector. “No. It isn’t, but there is also kindness everywhere.”

Over her shoulder, Jupiter muttered. “Optimist.”

“Thank you for that reminder, my sister.” Mercury leaned back and rubbed at his neck. “Nevertheless, it seems we have much work ahead of us. Both our people need us.”

“No matter what I do,” she said. “It never feels like enough.”

“I understand the weight of your burden. This I know,” Mercury met her gaze directly. “Together we are stronger. Together we will do more than we could do apart. Together we will find a way to free them all.”

They each understood the burden and they each needed to do more. It was a solid foundation for an alliance.

They all closed in around her. That’s when she realized Creek and Knock were missing, but she supposed someone had to be minding the ship.

Mercury barked loud and strong. “Together we will free your people and mine. We will do what it takes or die. As Arena Dogs.”