Chapter 6
Damnation, Major was fire with a capital F, and Tabitha couldn’t wait to take a week off with her mate.
That would have to wait, though. Even if they figured out the mess between Craig and Brad Campbell, that didn’t mean their job was done.
They would be guarding the actors until filming was finished.
One of the perks of being a Goyle was that Tabitha had more money than she would ever spend, which meant she and Major could travel anywhere in the world as long as Mason allowed them to take a vacation at the same time.
Then they could figure out living arrangements because she had no doubt they would be mated sooner rather than later.
She released a wistful sigh as she topped the steps and continued up to the second floor to tell Trista and Perry the coast was clear.
Before knocking, she listened in on Trista, and sure enough, the white noise machine was whirring.
Letting the female nap, Tabitha strode to Perry’s room next.
When she didn’t hear anything, she knocked gently.
“Come in.”
Tabitha eased the door open far enough to stick her head in. He was seated next to the window, reading. “The coast is clear. It was two teenagers hiding in the woods to drink some vodka.”
Perry closed the book and placed it on the small table next to the chair. Tabitha glanced at the cover, surprised to see it was Shakespeare. “How did Major know someone was out there?”
“He installed extra cameras around the property.”
“Oh, that’s a good idea. Not that I doubted your company’s abilities. While waiting, I called Don Adams and asked if he’d heard from the detective. Brad Campbell still refuses to talk. The man is looking at attempted murder, and he isn’t trying to defend himself.”
Actually, the charges were assault with a deadly weapon, but Tabitha didn’t correct him. “It’s possible he’s protecting someone.”
“Protecting them from what? He’s the one who came after Craig with a knife.”
“Yes, but why? Anyway, Florence is cooking supper, and Trista is napping. I’ll leave you to your book.”
Instead of heading back downstairs, Tabitha went to her bedroom and closed the door. She sent Major a text, informing him she was going to hop in the shower. Not so he could join her, as much as she wanted that, but so he could remain close by the house until she was finished.
She and Major had showered together when she spent the weekend with him at his home.
His was a modest house, but it fit the male.
Comfortable seating angled close to an oversized, deep sofa, which sat in front of a large-screen TV mounted above the fireplace.
A well-appointed kitchen he used often. A shower large enough for a man of his size plus Tabitha with plenty of room for them to move around each other.
Or for him to take her against the shower wall.
That had been one hell of an experience.
Major had grabbed Tabitha by her thighs, lifting her easily.
He held her aloft, then slid his cock home, lazily sliding in and out of her while she held onto his shoulders.
His gaze never left hers, even when her fangs dropped and she was tempted to sink them into his neck, sealing the bond.
Major angled his head, almost daring her to bite him, but she held off.
She wouldn’t do that without talking about what it meant.
After they both found their release, Major bathed Tabitha gently before washing her long hair.
It was as intimate as the sex had been, and she wanted so badly to blurt out that he was her fated mate.
Instead, she told him with her hands and eyes how important he was to her.
He had a king-sized bed with soft sheets and a fluffy comforter, where they spent much of their time. Major’s house felt like home, and she could see herself living there with him. What she couldn’t envision was leaving Tony and all her cousins behind.
Unlike the Gargoyles, the Hounds hadn’t amassed fortunes over the years.
They weren’t poor, but other than the mercenaries, most of them had regular jobs, like Major’s twin sisters who were bartenders.
Or Marshall, who painted custom bikes and sidecars.
Thinking of twins, Tabitha wondered how her own brother was doing.
She so wanted to be there for him when he went up against his mate’s sperm donor.
If Major hadn’t shown up in Atlanta, Tabitha would have bribed Cailín to take her place while Tabitha helped Anthony and Elle.
But now that her mate was here, she was only slightly miffed at not being able to join the fight.
Showered and dressed in fresh clothes, Tabitha returned to the kitchen where Trista was seated at the island, cradling a cup of tea.
Tabitha had never been a fan of the hot stuff.
She liked hers over ice with plenty of sugar.
Speaking of, she waited until she wouldn’t be in Florence’s way and grabbed a glass from the overhead cabinet and poured some of the leftover tea from lunch.
“Anything I can do to help?” she asked the cook after downing half the glass.
“Uh.” Florence frowned, but when she saw Tabitha was serious, she smiled. “If you want to set the table, I’d appreciate it.”
Tabitha figured the lady wasn’t used to having help or anyone offering.
Tabitha had been raised in wealth, but other than having housekeepers, most of them cooked for themselves.
Her uncle Rafael had Priscilla for many years, but once the human passed away, he and Kaya didn’t hire anyone to replace her.
Tabitha had learned to cook from her dad, who was awesome in the kitchen.
Tessa could cook too, but Gregor enjoyed it more.
Anthony hated being in the kitchen, so he left that to Tabitha and Gregor.
Instead of the smaller table in the kitchen area, she chose the larger one in the dining room, setting a place for Florence.
She was certain Craig would wrinkle his nose at the gesture, but Tabitha didn’t give a shit.
After that was done, Tabitha went downstairs to where there was a wine fridge and grabbed two bottles.
If the alcohol in the rental wasn’t part of the agreement, she’d reimburse them herself.
She opened both bottles, allowing them to breathe.
She didn’t care for wine, but she’d eaten with Trista enough to know the female preferred it with her dinner.
Tabitha was her mother’s daughter in that she liked beer.
And tequila. Since they were working, she and Major had to keep up the pretense that alcohol was off limits, even though neither would get drunk because of their shifter metabolism.
Tabitha refilled her tea and poured one for Major. When Florence announced that the food was ready, Tabitha helped her place all the serving dishes on the table while Trista gathered the males. Tabitha gestured to the additional setting, telling Florence she should join them.
“I’m not sure about this. I’ve never been invited.”
“I insist. There’s no reason you should eat alone when there’s plenty of room at the table.”
Major was the first of the men to find them in the dining room.
“Oh, this smells fabulous. Thank you, Florence.” He held out a chair for her, and the older woman flushed as she took her seat next to Tabitha.
Major sat on Tabitha’s other side at the head of the table with Trista sitting next to Florence, leaving the four empty seats for the men.
As expected, Craig bristled upon seeing Florence seated, but he kept his mouth shut.
He even grabbed his own drink without asking her to get it for him.
Tabitha counted it as progress. Other than most everyone praising Florence’s cooking, supper was a quiet affair, which Tabitha didn’t mind.
While Florence went to plate dessert, Tabitha and Major helped clear the table.
“You’re going to put me out of a job,” Florence huffed.
“Nah. You keep cooking like that, and I’ll hire you myself,” Major joked.
Major carried the tray that contained tarts and fresh fruit, and Tabitha helped with the coffee.
Both Trista and Craig opted for fruit, but everyone else dug into the mini blackberry pies.
Once again, Craig left his bowl on the table without offering to take it to the kitchen.
When Tabitha began gathering empties, Florence waved her off.
“I’ve got this, but I appreciate your help earlier. ”
Major inclined his head to the back door, and Tabitha followed. When they were outside, he kept his voice low. “I haven’t had a chance to talk to Craig alone, but I’ll try after everyone else goes to bed.”
“Why don’t you take to your Eagle and do a flyover of the empty houses? Make sure no one is squatting when they shouldn’t be.”
Major hesitated, and Tabitha popped a hip and crossed her arms. “If you think I can’t take care of them—”
“Of course you can,” he interrupted. “Like I told Trista, you’re a badass. My hesitation was in what you’ll tell Daniel or Craig if they’re looking for me.”
“I’ll tell them you’re patrolling by the lake. That won’t be a lie.”
Major rubbed the back of his neck, looking over her shoulder. “Okay. But I want to wait until it’s fully dark. Maybe you can leave your patio door unlocked?”
Tabitha kept her face impassive, although her Goyle was bouncing inside like a kid on a trampoline. “Why, Major Lazlo, are you suggesting you want to sneak into my room?”
“Why, yes, I am. Do you honestly think I’m going to let you go to sleep without a goodnight kiss?”
“As long as that’s all you give me.”
Major’s lips tipped at the corner, but his phone made a chirp and his smile faded. He tapped the screen of his phone. “Fuck. Someone’s close to the dock.”