“I hope so.”

“Me too. I’d hate to think of a bunch of Vamps hunting him if we don’t find him by dark.”

The phone rang. Kira startled, then lunged for it. Lorn let her go as she yanked it up, noting that line two was lit. “Hello?”

“May I speak to Lorn, please? This is Trayis.”

“Of course. One moment please.” She hit the hold button and held out the receiver. “It’s one of the clan leaders. Trayis.”

Lorn slid off the edge of the desk. “I wonder what he wants.”

“I don’t know. I’ll go downstairs in case the main line rings if Veso calls back.”

Lorn snagged her hand. “No. I’ll get his number and call him right back. You don’t leave my side.”

“I’ll just be downstairs.”

“No.” Lorn shook his head. “You stay put. I think I’m going to ask him for assistance. Their border isn’t too far from the area Veso might be in. We could use some help.”

Decker never would have done that. Kira smiled. “You’re an amazing clan leader.”

”I’m trying my best.”

“You are.” She handed over the phone and took it off hold.

Chapter Nineteen

Kira took a seat on Lorn’s lap where he sat in his office chair. It had been a long day. Veso hadn’t called and none of the people Lorn had sent out to search for him had found him yet. She peered out the large windows, staring at the darkness that had fallen. Lorn brushed a kiss over her forehead.

“I’m sorry. You’re probably tired and just want to go home. I could have Davis or Lavos come back.”

“I’m right where I want to be. That’s with you.”

Lorn reached up and caressed her cheek. “Thank you for being here with me.”

“I’m your mate. We’re going to face a lot of things but we’ll do it together.”

“Yes, we will.”

A soft clearing of the throat had both of them turning their heads. Perri walked into the office carrying a tray of food. The VampLycan woman smiled. “I brought you both dinner. I hope you don’t mind. Others offered, but they weren’t sure if you’d eat food they’d prepared. You saved my children from death. I’d die before I’d poison or drug you.” Her gaze strayed to Kira and her smile broadened. “I heard how you stood up to Brista. You give my Elsa hope. She’s drinking blood eagerly and can’t wait for a few more days to pass to test her skin’s reaction to the sun.”

Kira climbed off Lorn’s lap. She’d always liked Perri and her kids. “Thank you so much. We’re starving. We had a sandwich for lunch but that was a long time ago. Lorn refused to let me go downstairs alone, and we rushed through eating so we didn’t miss any calls coming into his office.”

Lorn stood. “Thank you, Perri.”

“I brought my children with me. They’re waiting on the stairs. I don’t like to allow them out of my sight, either. With your permission, we’ll stay inside the lodge until you hear word of Veso. That way you can call to us if you need more food or drinks. It would be an honor to help you both.”

Kira blinked back tears. It was sweet of her, and it proved that Lorn was being accepted by at least some members of the clan. “That would be great. Thank you so much.”

Perri placed the tray on Lorn’s desk and blushed. “We’re honored to serve. Decker never trusted our family. My mate couldn’t conceal his contempt.”

It was on Kira’s tongue to ask if Decker had killed him, but she didn’t want to cause pain to the widow by discussing the death of the man she’d loved and had two children with. “We appreciate it.”

“We do,” Lorn agreed.

Perri backed away, head bowed. “I’m so glad you’re our new leader, Lorn. A lot of us are. They’re just too cautious to say anything yet, out of fear.”

Kira translated. “Because they’re worried someone will challenge Lorn, take the clan, and then punish them?”

“Yes.” Perri met her gaze. “We’ve dreamed for so long that someone would get rid of Decker. It will take time for all of us to believe it’s real and let go of some of that fear. We’ve lived as shells, hiding how we really feel and trying to fit in.”

“You can relax now, Perri.” Lorn stepped closer to Kira. “No one is taking the clan from me. I’m going to keep everyone safe and things are going to be a lot better. That’s a promise.”

Perri grinned. “We’re so grateful.” She fled toward the door. “Call out if you need anything!”

Kira turned and hugged Lorn. “Everything is going to work out.”

“It will. I have you.” He leaned down and brushed a kiss over her lips. “I’m motivated.”

“I want you.”

“I didn’t have time for Garson to buy us a couch.”

Kira grinned. “Think we have time to test out your desk before your men find Veso?”

He softly growled, his eyes lightening. They were beautiful. “We have a lot of time to make up for.”

“Yes, we do.”

“Let me lock the door.”

“Should we eat first?” She released him and glanced at the tray of food.

“It will wait.” He closed and locked the door. “I can’t. I love you, Kira.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m going to make you happy, sunshine.”

“You already do. I have everything I want.”

Lorn reached her and scooped her off her feet, carried her to the other side the desk, and gently sat her on the edge. “Life is going to be so good with us sharing everything.”

Kira nodded. An image came to her of her pregnant, her belly distended with child. It surprised her and she gaped up at him.

“What?”

“Are you picturing me carrying your child?”

He stared into her eyes. “Yes.”

“I’m able to grow claws. You know what that means…”

“We can have a family. And our bond is growing stronger. You just read my mind.”

“I did, and I loved what I saw.”

“The future is ours—and we can have one.”