Her father didn’t seem to notice her there, instead scooting closer to her mom. The New Species cut the last of the ropes, pulling them free. Her dad helped her mom sit up and to remove the gag.
“Jen, talk to me, baby.”
Her mom leaned into him. “I’m all good, Zack. That’s one adventure I could have done without. Getting tied up like a turkey on Thanksgiving and becoming a hostage was never on our bucket list.”
Mary went closer to them when the New Species backed away from her parents a little, to give them room. Lash stayed close to her. “Are you guys okay?”
Her parents stopped hugging but still clung to each other. Both looked up at her. Her father spoke first. “You’ve got some serious explaining to do, Bean.”
“Bean?” Lash pressed up against her back and slid his arm around her waist. “Her name is Mary.” He lowered his mouth closer to her ear. “Do they need a shrink? Have their minds broken?”
Mary leaned against him and turned her head to peer up at his face. “It’s a nickname they tagged me with before I was even born. Don’t ever call me that.” She focused on her parents again. “I have some explaining to do? Me? What are you doing home? You’re supposed to be in Vegas.”
“You were keeping something from us,” her mother accused. “We figured that out after you pushed so hard for us to leave a day earlier than planned.”
“We’re not naïve,” her father added. “Your apartment was broken into, and then you were pushing us take our trip early. You were hiding something. We figured you might have a stalker ex-boyfriend harassing you. Some of the men you’ve dated aren’t exactly nice or upstanding.”
“He said he was your mate,” her mother whispered. “Is that true?”
“Lash, right?” Her father frowned at the New Species holding her. Then her dad stared at Mary. “Now, as I was saying, you have some explaining to do. Like why that wacko came here looking for you, and then pulled a gun on us.”
“He made me tie up your father,” her mother informed them. “Before he tied me up. He was crazy. Did you date one of his sons?”
“No!” Mary denied. “I mean, no, I didn’t date either of the wacko’s sons. But Lash…”
She wasn’t sure how to explain to them how Lash had come into her life. It would be embarrassing to admit they’d met and she’d ended up doing him right off the bat. They’d lecture her about jumping into bed with a guy. Especially a lion man.
Mary was relieved when Mel stepped forward, holding Snow’s hand.
“I can totally explain,” Mel told them. “This is kind of my fault. You see, I was a total goner in my heart from the first time I saw Snow come into the diner, but Mary wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about us being together. So we started to date, all top secret like, and Mary was the bestest friend ever. I’m so sorry she couldn’t tell you, but a promise is a promise. You raised a good, trustworthy daughter.
“I’ve told you all about my mama. She didn’t take it so well when I told her I was marrying Snow instead of that old widower she wanted me with. Mary stepped in to be my family, and even helped me pick out my wedding dress and everything.”
Her parents listened raptly.
“Then I met Lash,” Mary added fast. “We started seeing each other, and I fell in love with him.”
Mel glanced at her and smiled. “Yeah. They sure did. It was like love at first sight. She couldn’t tell you anything because, you know…top secret stuff and being a good friend to me and all.”
Sherriff Cooper came over, clearing his throat. “I need statements from both of you, Jennifer and Zack. Do you need an ambulance?”
Her father untangled his arms from her mother and got to his feet before helping her mother up. “We’re sturdier than that. The floor and ropes were uncomfortable but it’s not as bad as that camping trip we took a few years ago in the desert, was it, Jen?”
Her mother chuckled. “That ground was harder than concrete. That’s why we bought the RV with a big bed.”
“There was a gunshot,” Sheriff Cooper reminded them.
“That wacko shot a bullet into the wood in the fireplace. He said it might scare you enough to comply.” Her father glanced at Mary, before studying Lash. “You two stick around. I’ve got a lot more questions.”
Mary watched her parents walk toward the sheriff’s cruiser. Then she turned in Lash’s arms, peering up at him. “Thank you for getting them out of there alive, Lash.”
He smiled. “I’d do anything for you, mate. You fell in love with me? Was that part truth?”
She nodded, blinking back tears. “I love you. You’re my lion man.”
“I am.”
She glanced over at her parents. They were standing close together, her dad with his arm around her mom, talking to the sheriff and a few of his deputies. More had arrived.
“They don’t act like prey anymore. I think they will be okay around our cubs. I’ll allow them to spend time with them.”
Mary turned, resting her cheek against his chest. “I’m going to let that go because you went in there for me and didn’t get hurt. I will point out that you’re being arrogant again.”
He nuzzled the top of her head and chuckled. “I like playing with you.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “Just don’t ever change your mind about us.”
“That will never happen,” he promised, kissing the top of her head.
Epilogue
Three weeks later
Mary was getting used to being around New Species. It helped that none of them got too close to her or tried to touch her when they delivered food. Lash was always at her side when someone knocked on the door. Her big lion man sometimes drove her a little crazy, but he always made her laugh in the end. It was hard to stay mad at him when he could kiss the breath from her and said super-sweet things.
They were days away from moving back into his basement. Living in the suite had been nice but she missed his cool waterfall. They’d gone there a few times late at night after the work crews had finished for the day, to see how work progressed on the corner of the basement now sectioned off.
The bed was on the floor, and there was enough space to add a few dressers for her clothing. She’d been thrilled when they’d brought her clothing from her apartment. Most of her stuff was being stored in another section of the basement, and she’d had the NSO donate her furniture. She hadn’t grown to love wearing sweatpants, but now she didn’t have to anymore.
Lash scooped her off the bed where she sat after getting dressed. He wore a his usual loincloth. She doubted that would ever change about him. Not that she minded. He did look super-hot wearing one, with so much of his amazing body on display for her to admire.
“I really don’t want to go,” Mary protested. “Let’s have sex instead.” That always worked. And she was more than willing to get naked with him.
“You are not distracting me this time.” Lash carried her out of the bedroom, toward the living area of the suite. “I am taking you to Medical. No Species will harm you. I’ll be right with you.”
“I feel fine. There was no physical required before I signed our mate papers.”
She finally understood how Mel wasn’t sure if Snow had a last name when Jaded Wild had delivered a single sheet of paper. It was a simple, short legal document stating she was willing to become a part of the NSO and to be Lash’s mate. Only his first name and the fact he was feline was listed for his information. Her full name and birthdate had been there. She’d signed at the bottom, officially becoming a New Species mate.
“You’re going to Medical, Mary.”
“We should talk about the wedding. I told my parents we’d actually have one.”