Kristina cocked her head and shrugged her shoulders as if to tell him she didn’t care what the others thought.
Derrick decided to continue with the rational reason why. “If authorities discover us, we can escape, you cannot. We—okay, I’d rather you not ever be put in a position where you would have to lie more than you already have to.”
She released a sigh as if she understood, but still didn’t buy it. “So, I just sit around and wait while you discuss using me as bait?”
He squeezed his fingers around the steering wheel. He should have never told her that Michael wanted to draw the rogue out by leaving her unattended. “We are not using you as bait, Kristina,” he said with finality. “Besides,” he continued, not giving her an opportunity to argue, “my mother has never been involved. She understands that she isn’t a superhero.”
A burst of laughter shot out of Kristina’s mouth. “A superhero? Is that what you are Derrick?”
At that remark, he found himself pouting slightly. There wasn’t a UFC fighter, boxer, or creatus that could take him out with their bare hands, but somehow, this tiny woman could bring him to his knees. “Some would say so,” he offered. “I don’t go around trying to act like one, and I may not be able to fly, but I can leap tall buildings with a single bound.”
Kristina leaned over the center console, draping her arm around his waist and resting her head on his shoulder. “You’re my superhero, Derrick. Always have been.”
Pacified, he kissed the top of her head, breathing in the raspberry scent, which he’d discovered was the shampoo she used. She could also lift him up faster than anyone else could.
After pulling onto his parents’ driveway, he drove around to the rear of the house this time. He threw the gear in park and jumped out, anxious to get the day over with and get home.
Kristina jumped down when he opened the door and marched off toward the house without a glance backward. She was such a firecracker. Spunk, as he’d always known, the girl had spunk.
He heard his mother greet Kristina when she walked into the kitchen, and then the kiss she’d certainly placed on her cheek. “Don’t forget they can hear us, sweetheart,” his mother chirped, but if you want to go for a walk, we can go down to the lake, out of earshot. I’d love some girl time.”
“I’d love that too,” Kristina said. “And I love you, Derrick, but I’m going to go find out all I can about you.”
Derrick shook his head and walked off toward the barn, smiling, listening as his two favorite women walked out the front door chattering to each other. He was thrilled they were getting along so well, even if they planned to talk about him. He stopped in his tracks. No. They couldn’t go off on their own, he realized. He took off in a sprint and leaped the house, landing in front of them.
His mother threw her hand over her heart. “Oh, my word, Derrick. You scared the—I’m not used to you showing off, and you know better than that,” she lectured.
“I’m sorry. I really am. And I swear you can talk about me all you want. I promise I won’t listen, but you can’t walk to the lake by yourselves.”
“Why on earth not?” Sabrina retorted, folding her arms over her chest in defiance. His mother wasn’t the type of woman you told what to do, he knew.
“The rogue was here, Mom. At the lake when Kristina and I went for a paddle. He’d like nothing better than to take the two most important people in my life away from me, I’m sure.”
“Oh…” his mother said, and Derrick exhaled in relief, thankful that she didn’t plan to argue with him. Sabrina focused on Kristina and nodded. “He’s got a point, sweetheart. We’ll walk down together later, the four of us.”
“Okay, Derrick,” Kristina conceded. “But I’m taking a sign language course, and then I’m going to teach your mother.”
Derrick leaned in and kissed his mother on the cheek and Kristina on the lips. “Works for me.” He took off in a hurry, listening as his mother locked up the house. He’d make a conscious effort to tune them out, except of course if they were in danger. But he doubted the rogue would come anywhere near the house. Unless he or she was already in the barn waiting.
Michael intercepted Derrick at the door. “Good call on Mom. I’d hate to think she was in danger just because she was next to Kristina.”
Derrick crossed his arms, tucking his fists beneath his arms, resisting the urge to punch his brother. Michael was really getting on his last nerve. “So, you couldn’t care less what happens to my future wife as long as Mom is okay?”
Michael rolled his eyes. “You know that’s not what I said. Man, you’re in an awful mood these days. Still haven’t had sex, I take it.”
Rolls of laughter emanated from inside the barn.
Unable to resist, Derrick smacked Michael upside the head. At least he hadn’t punched him. “I don’t think you said that loud enough for the Mid-West family to hear you. Want to borrow my phone so you can call them?” Derrick stopped talking as he heard a familiar voice. “Jonas is here?” He slammed past his brother, understanding why he’d met him at the door.
Michael hurried up alongside of him. “Chill, Derrick. He’s cool. It’s not as if we banished him. Jonas left because he wanted to leave.”
Then why is he back? Derrick seethed internally. And how long had he been back? he wondered. He knew he was his brother’s best friend all through high school and college, but Derrick had never cared for him. Unlike his brother, Ryan. Derrick had always liked him. Ryan was about seven years younger than Derrick, but they’d always gotten along. Probably because Ry wasn’t a hothead like Jonas. They’d wrestled, but it’d always been good-natured, a chance to blow off steam.
Jonas lifted his head in acknowledgement, a cocky smile lifting one side of his mouth. “Hey, Derrick,” he called. “I heard you need help.”
“We don’t need your help, Jonas,” Derrick reminded him, his words coming out almost in a snarl. His gaze bolted to Vic sitting next to Jonas. “You call him, Victoria?” She’d always been fond of him. Derrick always thought she’d fall for Jonas if she’d take her focus off him. Looks as though she decided that’s what she needed to move on. Derrick just wished it’d been anyone but him. Jonas was a loose cannon. Yeah he’d protected humans, but he’d also left witnesses, and that was something his family couldn’t allow. Humans wouldn’t care that most creatus protected them; they’d only see them as a threat. Michael and he agreed on that one issue anyway.
Ryan stood up. “I called him, Derrick. We needed help, and my brother is one of the best.”
Derrick narrowed his eyes at Ry. It was bad enough that he had Michael and Vic questioning his every move, but now Ryan was giving him a hard time. So much for liking the kid. Not wanting to lose his temper, Derrick walked toward his desk without responding. His father and Dean followed behind him.
Lynford raised his hands to get everyone’s attention, and the entire room fell to a hush. “In all the years we’ve lived here, we’ve never had a problem,” his father started, “because we’ve always elected an overseer, and we’ve always adhered to our rules. Nothing has changed. As head of the council, Dean, Matthew, and I will continue to stand behind Derrick and his decisions. Anyone who does not want to abide by the same rules can leave. Is that clear?” His father plopped down on a chair, waving for Derrick to continue.
Internally, Derrick wasn’t certain how he felt about his father stepping in, but he was still head of the council, even if Derrick was overseer.