Epilogue
Two weeks later, Lina found herself standing in the executive offices of Kinkaid Industries in Houston, Texas, looking out over the city skyline and trying not to be intimidated by the sheer opulence of her surroundings.
“It’s a bit much, isn’t it?” Liam murmured in her ear, his hand warm on the small of her back.
She turned to give him a wry smile. “Just a bit. Does your cousin really need a corner office this big?”
“Sam likes to make an impression, and it’s sort of expected,” Liam said with a chuckle. “But underneath all the billionaire swagger, he’s a good guy. You’ll like him.”
Before she could respond, the double doors opened, and Sam Kinkaid himself strode in, and Lina had to admit that Liam’s cousin certainly knew how to make an entrance.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with the same golden eyes as Liam, and a smile that probably made investors throw money at him, Sam looked every inch the successful businessman the media made him out to be.
But there was something else there too. He had a hardness around his edges, a tension in his shoulders that spoke of burdens carried and battles yet to be fought.
“Liam!” Sam’s face lit up as he crossed the room to pull his cousin into a back-slapping hug. “About damn time you brought your mate to meet me. I was starting to think you were hiding her.”
“Just wanted to keep her to myself for a little while,” Liam said with a grin, then turned to Lina. “Sam, this is Lina. Lina, my cousin Sam. Alpha of the Kinkaid Clan and the reason we all have to hear about stock prices at family dinners.”
Sam laughed and extended his hand to Lina, his grip firm but not overwhelming. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Lina. Welcome to the family. I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from Uncle Nate.”
“It’s nice to meet you too,” Lina said, genuinely warming to him, despite the intimidating surroundings. “Thank you for seeing us.”
“Of course. I always have time for family.” Sam gestured to the sitting area near the windows where comfortable leather chairs were arranged around a coffee table. “Please, sit. Can I get you anything? Mineral water? Coffee? Tea? Something stronger?”
“We’re good, thanks,” Liam said as they settled into the chairs.
Sam took the chair across from them, his expression turning more serious.
“I wanted to meet you both before the celebration tonight. Partly to welcome you properly to the Clan, Lina, but also...” He paused, his jaw tightening slightly.
“I wanted to thank you both personally for what you did on Long Island. Taking down Mrs. E was a major victory, and I know it wasn’t easy. ”
“We were glad to help,” Lina said softly.
“The real thorn in my paw now is Abdul Kettering,” Sam continued, his eyes hardening. “That bastard has caused our Clan significant harm.”
Liam leaned forward slightly. “We want to help with that. Whatever you need, Sam.”
Sam’s expression softened with gratitude. “I appreciate that, cousin. I really do. And I’ll probably take you up on it once I get closer to making my move.”
Lina cleared her throat, drawing both men’s attention.
“I know I’m new to the Clan, but I want you to know that I’m offering my support as well.
I still have access to FBI databases, and I’m very good at research and digging up information that people would rather keep hidden.
If you need intelligence on Kettering’s businesses, his associates, his movements, or anything else, I can help with that. ”
Sam studied her for a long moment, something like respect flickering in his gaze. “That’s a generous offer, Lina. And one I just might take you up on sooner rather than later.”
“Please do,” she said firmly. “Kettering is an escalating threat, and I want to see him brought down as much as you do.”
A slow smile spread across Sam’s face. “Liam, I do believe you found yourself one hell of a mate.”
“Don’t I know it,” Liam said, squeezing her hand.
They talked for a little while longer, the conversation shifting to lighter topics.
Sam asked about Lina’s first impressions of Texas, the Clan’s various business ventures, and some not-so-subtle questions about where they might want to settle down and build their family.
By the time they left the office, Lina felt like she’d passed some kind of test, though Sam had been nothing but welcoming.
“That went well,” Liam said as they drove toward the Clan’s neighborhood on the outskirts of Houston.
“He’s very intense,” Lina observed.
“He has to be. Being Alpha of a Clan this size isn’t easy, especially with threats from the Venifucus and people like Kettering out there gunning for us all. Plus, there’s the whole lion king thing.” Liam glanced at her with a smile.
“Wait. I’ve heard the rumors, but is it really true? Is he the White Lion? King of all lion shifters? Lina asked in low tones.
“Yeah, he is. After wars in Africa took out all the white lions there, he was the only one left to lead. The African lions actually came here and asked him if he would take up the mantle of kingship. He wasn’t too pleased about it, but he’s taken his role seriously, though he lives mostly in the States.
He’s been quietly rebuilding the African part of the Clan and setting them all up in business ventures so they can be self-sustaining, though for now, he’s still subsidizing them a lot through Kinkaid Industries,” Liam explained.
“I’ve heard legends about how the Kinkaid selkies ended up with lions in their families, but what really happened? Are the stories of an African lion princess falling in love with a traveling Kinkaid selkie true?” Lina asked.
“They are. That was many generations ago, but all of the Kinkaid lions and quite a few of the selkies in our Clan can trace their lineage back to that couple. They were the ones that first came to America and settled here. They were trailblazers, and out of their love grew the Clan you see today. The Clan you’re now part of, sweetheart,” Liam told her, squeezing her close for a quick moment.
“The princess had white fur in her lion form and was part of the royal family. Their children were a mix of selkies and lions. They had a lot of kids for a shifter couple, but only a few had the white fur in lion form. From there, it showed up every now and again in subsequent generations, but Sam is the first white lion in a long time. They say the Goddess chooses which of the lions will have white fur, and that is Her blessing and sign that they are fit to lead all lions. I understand the tigers have something similar, and it’s a white tiger that leads the Tigre d’Or as their king. ”
“I’ve heard that too. In fact, I met him once, well before he became king of the tigers. Nice guy and very skilled in hand-to-hand combat. We were taking a master class together from one of the tiger royal guards. They let me in as a special favor because of my FBI connections,” Lina explained.
“You have a wide network, don’t you?” Liam said, looking at her with wonder in his eyes.
“It pays to know people when you’re an investigator,” she said, only half-joking.
“Hell, I’m glad you’re on our side,” Liam quipped, then sobered a bit. “And I think Sam is, too. He liked you. I could tell.”
“Good,” she said, settling back in her seat. “Because I meant what I said about helping with Kettering.”
“I know you did.” His hand found hers, their fingers intertwining in a gesture that had become as natural as breathing. “That’s one of the many reasons I love you.”
*
The Kinkaid Clan’s secure neighborhood was unlike anything Lina had ever seen.
Nestled on several acres of land outside the city, it was a self-contained community of houses ranging from modest family homes to sprawling estates, all connected by winding streets and dotted open spaces and common areas.
Tonight, every inch of it seemed to be dedicated to celebrating.
Multiple barbecues had been set up at various houses, smoke rising into the evening air and carrying the mouthwatering scent of grilled meat.
Children ran through the streets in laughing packs, their shifter energy evident in their speed and grace.
Adults congregated in clusters, talking and laughing, while music played from speakers set up throughout the neighborhood.
As Liam pulled into the driveway of his cousin Gavin’s house, Lina’s stomach fluttered with nerves. She’d already met quite a few of the Clan privately here and there, but being surrounded by what looked like hundreds of Kinkaids and their mates was downright intimidating.
“You okay?” Liam asked softly, turning off the engine.
“Just a little overwhelmed,” she admitted. “There are so many people.”
“They’re all here for us,” he reminded her gently. “To celebrate what we’ve found together. And I promise, every single one of them is going to love you. I’m just sorry Dad couldn’t get away to come to the party.”
“That’s okay. I know he’s doing important work setting up a new base for all the shifter soldiers who had to leave Plum Island. The more delay on that project, the more time the enemy has to run amok without our people being ready to stop them. We’ll go meet him when he has time.”
Liam leaned over and kissed her temple. “I’m so glad you understand. He feels really bad about the whole thing, but he just couldn’t get away.”
“I know.” She gave him a soft smile. Then, she took a deep breath and nodded, as if making up her mind. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
The moment they stepped out of the car, they were surrounded. Liam’s kin. A veritable parade of cousins, aunts, uncles, and extended family members were all eager to meet the woman who’d finally captured Liam’s heart.
Uncle Nate appeared with a beer for Liam and a glass of wine for Lina, his eyes twinkling with amusement at the chaos. He’d made the trip down from New York specially, to be part of the celebration.