“Are we assuming that Ramón backed off so we’d slacken our security?” asked Gabe.
“I think it’s possible that he did back off for a while,” said Rhett. “Three healers in California died recently—one was a cougar, one was a bear, and the other was a fox. They all had brain hemorrhages.”
Tao turned to Taryn. “Could that happen to a healer if they burned out their gift?”
The Alpha female shrugged. “Probably, I don’t know. But it seems odd that three would die that way.”
Makenna leaned into Ryan. “The guy is obviously convinced you’re the one who can help his brother.”
“But I can’t,” said Taryn.
“People like him don’t accept ‘I can’t,’” said Ryan. “They’re used to having everything their way and to having people follow their orders without question.”
Taryn threw up her hands. “Surely watching three healers die would make him think that hey, shifters can’t heal diseases after all.”
“Maybe he’s just not prepared to give up on his brother and he’s willing to exhaust every possible option,” said Rhett. “In a way, you’re like an experimental drug to Ramón, I guess. From his perspective, he has nothing to lose.”
Trey squeezed his mate’s shoulder. “He’ll try again.”
Rubbing at her forehead, Taryn sighed. “Trouble seems to be coming at us from all sides, and it’s pissing me off.”
Taking Riley’s empty bottle from her, Tao said, “Come on, baby, you need to rest.”
Riley frowned. “I need to see Dexter.”
“He’s probably still sleeping,” Tao pointed out.
“I need to see Dexter.”
He held up his hands, sensing that this was a fight he wouldn’t win and that she was very close to freaking out. “I’ll take you.” With a hand at her back, he led her to the infirmary. Inside, Dexter was lying on a cot while Grace, Hope, and the other kids looked on. The cub’s eyelids were fluttering and he made a mewling sound.
Grace smiled at Riley. “I was just about to call for you. Your name was the first thing he said when he woke up. He’s not very alert, but he’s all right.”
Riley kissed his head. “Hey, little man.” Her raven wanted to tuck him under her wing. “You okay?”
“Tired,” he whispered, as if he didn’t have the strength to talk. “Balloon.”
Tao blinked, surprised. “You’re right, we forgot the balloon.”
Riley smoothed the hair off his forehead. “We’ll get you one next time.”
The cub let out a little purr and closed his eyes. In mere seconds he was asleep again.
“I don’t think he remembers anything,” said Tao.
Grace fixed the coverlet. “It’s not uncommon with some tranquilizers. I’ll keep watch over him, Riley. You go rest.”
“But—”
“You’re wearing a blanket and you have blood on you,” Grace pointed out. “Go on, he’s fine. Scoot.”
After she’d given the other kids a quick kiss on the cheek, Tao led her out of the infirmary and to their bedroom, locking the door behind them.
Pacing, Tao shoved a hand through his hair and squeezed his eyes shut. “When I saw that bastard dragging Dexter away, I swear my heart stopped. And then he pulled out the knife . . . I’ve never been so fucking scared in my life.” Opening his eyes, he froze. Her stare was blank, her chin was tucked into her chest, and her stance was completely closed off. “Oh hell no.” Advancing on her, he growled. “You don’t get to beat yourself up about this. It was not your fault.”
She swallowed, her rage and shame palpable. “I should have been watching him.”
“You were. We all were.”
“They couldn’t have taken him if I’d been watching.” Riley inhaled deeply, knowing she was close to snapping. She didn’t want Tao to feel the brutal edge of her anger, not when he hadn’t done anything to deserve it. If he was there, she’d take it out on him. “I need to be alone for a little while.” It wasn’t a request.
He growled again. “Don’t you fucking dare. Don’t you pull away from me.”
“I’m not.”
“I can see you doing it. When you’re hurting, you shut down. You retreat and pull away.” Tao wouldn’t allow that. “Talk to me.”
She flexed her fingers. “I just want a little time alone. What’s so bad about that?”
“Would you leave me alone while I was hurting?”
“This isn’t about me! It’s about a two-year-old cub who’s already been through enough!”
“And you’re hurting for him, but you’re also blaming yourself. It. Was. Not. Your. Fault. You hear me?”
“I need some air.” She whirled toward the balcony, but a hand snapped around her arm and spun her back to face Tao. Anger shot through her veins, making her extremities tingle. “Don’t you fucking manhandle me.”
“I didn’t hurt you, I never would, but I’m not letting you go. I won’t allow you to punish yourself, Riley. That’s what you’ll do if I let go. You’ll shift and fly all over the fucking land until you’ve overexerted yourself.”
He was right, she would. “Let go of me.”
“Make me,” he taunted. “Come on, Riley, rant. Get it out. If you don’t, you’re going to twist yourself up inside.”
“I don’t take my shit out on other people. That’s your thing.”
He smiled at the acerbic remark. “That’s it, baby, keep it coming. What else do I do that pisses you off?”
“You want too much!”
“Damn right I do. I won’t be satisfied until I own every part of you, inside and out. Don’t stop there. What else?”
“You try bullying me into doing what you want!”
“I do. I’m doing it right now, as a matter of fact. Let’s hear the rest.”
God, she wanted to smack that smug grin right off his face. Or maybe just claw it off. He thought he was so freaking smart. “There’ve been times when I’ve mistaken lust for love, but this bone-deep loathing I have for you is definitely genuine.”