“I thought you said you did connect?” Dominic added.
“I lied,” Steven rasped. “You think I wanted to admit I was a total failure as an Amoveo man? That I couldn’t join my mate and walk in the dream realm with her?” His voice hovered above a whisper. “I couldn’t save her at the Purist compound, and I can’t save her now.”
Dominic shifted his feet and adjusted the gun in his hands, feeling as if he’d spoken out of turn. It made him uncomfortable to hear Steven discussing his mating difficulties, but there was no way he would leave Tatiana alone, and she clearly wasn’t going anywhere. He saw that determined look—the way her jaw set and lines between her eyes deepened as she processed what Steven told her. Oh yeah, the woman had a bee in her bonnet about something.
“Steven?” she began tentatively and dropped her voice to above a whisper. “I have to ask you something, but it’s… personal.”
“What?” He swiped at his eyes with the back of his hand but kept his gaze on Courtney.
“I know that your baby was conceived through nontraditional methods at the Purist compound. Right?” Steven stilled but gave a curt nod. “Well, have you and Courtney ever actually… you know?”
Steven gave her a sidelong glance and let out a long breath before answering. “No.”
Now Dominic felt really uncomfortable, but Tatiana gave him a reassuring look that told her she had it under control.
“Okay, so then you never actually said the bonding rite, correct?”
“Correct.” He turned his head and leveled a serious look at Tatiana. “She was afraid to make love. She wouldn’t let me touch her, and I didn’t blame her, especially after everything she’d been through. The pregnancy was touch and go at best, and neither of us wanted to do anything to jeopardize the baby’s health or hers.”
Steven straightened the sheet over Courtney’s motionless body in a simple but loving gesture. “She’ll be fine,” he said adamantly. “She needs more time. That’s all. I’d like to be alone with her if you don’t mind.”
“I understand.” Tatiana rose from the stool and kissed the top of Steven’s messy hair. “Call me if you need me, or if there’s a change in her condition, okay?”
Steven nodded but said nothing.
Tatiana and Dominic opened the door to leave. She called to Casanova to follow, but the puppy refused to move and stayed at Steven’s feet.
“It’s fine,” Steven said without looking up as he absently scratched the beagle’s head. “Courtney always liked dogs.”
“Okay,” Tatiana said hesitantly. “If he gets in the way, let me know, and I’ll come get him.”
Dominic followed Tatiana into the hallway and found Layla and William waiting.
“Do you two want a break?” Dominic asked.
“No, we’re fine.” Layla jutted a thumb toward the stairwell. “We took turns showering, and thanks to the whole mate thing, sleep is desired but not required. Any change in there, sis?”
“No.” Tatiana sighed. “I can’t be sure, but I think her condition is complicated by the fact they aren’t officially mated. I guess all we can do is wait and see.”
“Yes.” William nodded, his expression grim. “We suspected that was the case, but obviously, no one wanted to inquire.”
“Hey, what about the horses?” Layla tucked her long, curly red hair behind one ear and changed the subject. “Did you get more ideas about who killed Spirit?”
“It was a Purist,” Dominic interjected. He sliced a glance in Tatiana’s direction.
“As I suspected,” William said haughtily.
“Not exactly.” Tatiana sighed. “There’s a traitor on the ranch.”
As Tatiana explained their theory, William’s face twisted into a mask of fury, and he pulled Layla into the shelter of his body. Dominic couldn’t blame him. He felt pretty damn protective of everyone, but especially Tatiana.
“We need to be extra vigilant once the prince returns,” Dominic said. “I don’t want him left alone under any circumstances. Either me, you, Dante, or Malcolm should be with him at all times.”
“Consider it done, but why don’t we simply corner Eric and Zachary and confront them?” Layla asked.
“I don’t want to rock the boat until after the prisoner swap tonight.” Dominic slung the rifles over his shoulder. “If Matt really has been taken against his will, I don’t want to do anything to put him in unnecessary danger. Besides, chances are the traitor in our midst will reveal himself during the exchange. Which is precisely why I need all of you to stay here with Richard while I do the swap with Moravian.”
The four of them confirmed their plans, determining when and where to meet that evening.
When Dominic and Tatiana reached the main floor of the house, a crashing sound came from the kitchen. They ran in to find a mess of cereal and milk on the floor along with a broken bowl.
“I’m not eating that shit,” Daniella seethed.
“Fine by me,” Zachary said through a mouthful of Lucky Charms. “But you’re missing out.”
Daniella sat at the kitchen table with her arms folded over her chest. Zachary sat at the other end, eating an enormous bowl of cereal with his gun in his lap. Kerry and Dante sat across from Daniella, but neither of them were eating. Dante, however, had his gun firmly in his hands.
“What’s going on in here?” Dominic asked in a calm, serious tone.
Daniella’s eyes widened with surprise when she saw Dominic standing in the doorway, but she quickly recovered and shot Zachary a look of contempt.
“I’m not eating that crap.” She stuck her nose in the air. “I’m on a hunger strike.”
“No one cares,” Zachary snorted.
“Zachary,” Dominic snapped. “She may be a Purist and a traitorous wretch, but she is still my sister. As much as I loathe what she’s done, she is my family.”
“Sucks to be you, dude.”
“Dominic.” Daniella turned her steely glare to him. “When is this prisoner exchange? I want to get the hell out of here. I don’t want to be around any of you or your half-breed whores.”
“The feeling’s mutual, sweetheart,” Kerry said sweetly.
Dominic growled as his eyes snapped to their clan form, and he walked slowly around the table, keeping his sister in his sights. He moved toward her with the purposeful steps of the tiger. Grabbing her chair, he spun it so she was forced to look him in the eye. Dominic leaned close, so his face was inches from hers.
“In spite of the fact that you are a Purist, I would not let them hurt you.” His voice rumbled through the room, and sweat broke out on Daniella’s forehead as he spoke. “However, if you refer to my mate as a whore ever again, make no mistake, I will think twice about keeping you safe. I don’t know what happened to you, Daniella, or how you became so full of venomous hatred. All I can do is hope that someday, you will find someone who helps you dig your way out of the darkness.”
Dominic pushed himself away from her chair and loomed over her.
“To be sure you don’t cause any trouble until the exchange, Dante and Kerry will stick close to you and Zachary.” He flicked his eyes to Zachary, wanting to see his reaction. “I’m sure you wouldn’t mind the help.”
“Fine by me, brother.” Zachary wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a loud belch. “She’s a pain in the ass, so I’m happy to share her sparkling personality with these two.”
“You’re a pig.” Daniella rolled her eyes and turned her chair back to the table.
“Sorry, baby.” He winked. “I’m all Lion Clan.”
Daniella made a sound of disgust, but Dominic didn’t miss the amused look on Tatiana’s face.