He growled and began walking again.

“I’m okay. Lake got his niece back. That’s all that matters, right?”

“Damn it, Dusti.”

She heard his tone soften, some of the anger fading. It encouraged her to try to lighten his mood more. “Think I’ll get that official clan title after this stunt? Dusti, the Master Bullshitter.”

He snorted. It almost sounded like a harsh laugh. “Shut up.”

She closed her mouth. He took her home, slammed the front door after entering, and then eased her onto her feet. She couldn’t help but stare at his naked body. A smile played at her lips.

He reached out and clasped her jaw, lifting it. “Don’t you dare try to distract me. Sex isn’t going to calm me down.”

“I wasn’t going to do that. I was just admiring the view.”

“You shouldn’t have left our home.” He eased his hold and caressed her cheek. “You drive me crazy.”

“It’s more human nature and I am mainly that.”

He frowned.

“We generally have this overriding desire to help someone, Drantos. My grandfather kidnapped a little girl. The easiest way to get her back was to give him what he wanted.”

His lips pressed into a firm line, relaying his displeasure.

She studied his eyes. They were beautiful and dark blue at that moment. “Don’t be mad. It did work out. That little girl is safe and so am I. Look on the bright side.”

“I’m afraid to ask what you think that is.”

“I shot him. Bat and Kraven can come home. She’s safe now.”

“You could have been killed. That’s all I can think about. Do you know what that would have done to me? You’re my life, Dusti. My mate.” His voice deepened. “It’s my job to protect you. I can’t do that if you defy me and put yourself at risk.”

“Do you want a mate or a trained pet?”

He scowled.

“I have a mind of my own. I don’t take orders well. You don’t either, or you would have let me go in the first place.”

“Are you blaming me for this stunt you pulled?”

“No. Don’t get bent out of shape. I’m just saying we’re two people in a relationship and we both have our own opinions. We’re not always going to agree with each other. You can’t expect me to always do what you say.”

“I can when it comes to your safety.”

“You said it yourself. You live in a dangerous world. I’m living here with you now.”

“God! You drive me crazy.”

He suddenly lunged and took possession of her mouth, kissing her hard. She pressed her body against his, clutching his waist.

The sound of the door opening broke them apart and Dusti twisted her head to see who had interrupted them. Crayla entered.

“You’re alive.”

“No thanks to you,” Drantos grumbled. “She’s my mate. Don’t ever pull rank when it comes to her again. You have no business helping her do something foolish.”

“Stop!” Dusti turned, blocking Drantos’s body as best she could from his mother.

Crayla crossed her arms over her chest. “Asha will be returned to her mother alive and well. We can thank your mate for that.”

“You helped her leave my home and talked Lake into going along with it.”

Dusti sighed. “Did anyone hear me say stop? I meant don’t argue, if that wasn’t clear.” She turned her head to stare up at Drantos. He moved closer, wrapping an arm loosely around her middle. “Please don’t do this. Be mad at me.”

He held her gaze. “I am mad at you. I’m furious with her.”

“Where’s your father?”

He broke eye contact to glare at Crayla. “He and some of our men are tracking the enforcers that are with Decker.”

“I killed my grandfather,” Dusti added.

Crayla gaped at her. “What?”

“She took my gun.” Drantos held her tighter. “It’s a miracle he didn’t smell it on her or take it from her.”

“Where did you hide the weapon?”

“In my underwear. Actually, Drantos’s underwear. I had to borrow his.”

“Close to your body and hidden under a few layers of clothing. That was smart.”

Praise from Crayla was nice and appreciated. “Thanks.”

“Don’t encourage her, Mom.”

“She did well. She survived and the child is safe.” Crayla’s tone softened. “How are you handling your first kill, Dusti? I’ll assume you’ve never taken a life before.”

She’d been running on so many emotions that the reality of shooting Decker Filmore really hadn’t sunk in yet. She admitted as much. “He was a bad guy though. I doubt it will keep me up at night.”

The door opened again and Velder strode in. He sported a pair of faded jeans and nothing else. He went to his mate and pulled her into a hug. They held each other close.

“What happened?” Drantos was the one to ask.

Velder nuzzled Crayla’s cheek with his nose before he looked at his son. “They had a zip line rigged. They got away. I wasn’t willing to risk our men following them in case they cut the line from the other side. It was a steep, rocky ravine below. The fall could have killed them…but I do have worse news.” He dropped his gaze to Dusti. “We saw signs that Decker survived.”

“No way. I shot him six damn times!”

“I found a bloody set of prints near where they crossed. They were his. They carried him for a ways but he definitely walked to the edge of that cliff.”

“Son of a bitch,” Drantos cursed.

“Unbelievable.” Dusti was in shock. “He wasn’t breathing. I’m sure I got his heart or his lungs. Four of them were chest hits!”

“We’re really hard to kill.” Crayla sighed. “You should have placed every bullet in his head.”

“I would have had to lift the gun up higher to hit him there. I kind of hid it between our bodies so he didn’t see it until I’d already opened fire. I didn’t think to keep shooting once I thought he was gone.”

“We also heal fast,” Drantos reminded her.

“From being dead? It’s not my fault you VampLycans are freaks of nature. Don’t give me that aggravated tone, Drantos. Nobody takes four hits to the chest and two to the gut, then gets up. That’s just wrong.”