Chapter 942 Chapter 942
Webb watched Rhogue count the boxes and then write the number down. His bear moved closer to the surface. He’d been doing that constantly since she’d come and found him. Each time, he would have to focus and settle him down. If it kept happening, he wasn’t going to be able to function.
Webb knew the idea of marking her to erase that other man’s bit was his animal's idea. At least, he was ninety percent sure it wasn’t his thought. He wouldn’t rush her. She had a lot to deal with right now. She didn’t need him pushing her.
Once this was finished, his inventory would be one hundred percent up to date. Other than a few shipments going out, he wasn’t sure what he was going to do to distract himself from crowding Rhogue.
His phone buzzing in his pocket brought him out of his thoughts. He checked the number and smiled as he answered, “Zain.”
“Have you lost your mind? Jesse just told me about you wrestling a jaguar.”
Webb sobered. “I had no choice.”
“Not placing yourself in that situation would have been a good choice.”
Webb glanced to see Rhogue moving down the aisle to the next items on the list. “I couldn’t let him find the factory or Rhogue.”
Zain sighed loud enough that he heard it. “You guys are going to be the death of me.”
Webb smiled. “You love the adventures we go on.”
“Yeah, I did before life got a little more intense and scary. Amari’s account of it was very graphic by the way, but she was only relaying what Blair told her, so I’m sure it was worse.”
Webb chuckled. “I’m sure he colored it up a bit.” He had no idea how much Blair had seen. Honestly, he didn’t want a play-by-play of what happened.
Zain sighed again. “Just make sure none of the colors he uses are blood red next time.”
“There won’t be a next time.”
“Good. So, you found your mate. How’s that going?”
He looked at the aisle she had gone down. “It’s, uh—”
Zain scoffed. “There will be a lot of that, overthinking and rationalizing to come.”
Webb had never asked him about the details of when he found Oaklyn. Considering Zain had taken off and they had no idea where he was at that time, he was sure that what Zain had gone through was more dangerous than what Webb had done.
“Are you there?”
“What? Sorry. Yeah.”
“I said, I found two suppliers that were companies that Tomas tried to drive out of business.”
Webb grinned. “We should definitely use those.”
“Oaklyn says no one will think twice about our orders because of the shelter.”
Webb forgot that they’d renovated the lower floors of Aiden’s building to help people. “That’s great. Email me the list of what they have, and I can take those off the shipments to you.”
“I just did that before I called. Konner is having some supplies shipped here for the water clan, so you can take those off the list, too.”
“One of the women from Cassius’ group is from a sea clan.” Their calls used to be all the gossip before all of their lives changed.
“Really? How is that possible? Don’t they need the salt water to live?”
Webb shrugged. “Maybe because she was young when Cassius found her, that I guess her body adapted.”
“That makes me wonder how many more are out there.”
“He’ll search the entire earth until he finds them all. How is Gia’s brother doing with the rogue groups down there?”
“Finding them is a challenge,” Zain said something away from the phone. “Gia says Deacon’s guy—Grifter?”
Webb nodded. “Yeah.”
“She said he knows a way that the rogues communicate. If Walker knew how that worked, he could find more.”
He heard Rhogue humming and moved the phone away from his ear a few inches.
“More would be good. Have you heard from Deva?”
He put the phone to his ear. “No. I thought she was off the grid with whatever Taggart is doing.”
“She is. I just worry.”
Webb grinned. “I’m pretty sure she’s safe with Taggart around.”
“I know, but it was my job to worry about you guys for so long, I can’t break the habit.”
“I’ll see if anyone here has heard from her and let you know.”
“Good. I have to go. We have some arriving for the training program, and Oaklyn wants me to be present to meet them.”
Rhogue came out of the aisle and started walking toward him. She smiled at him, and Webb almost forgot he was on the phone. “Do what you have to,” he said.
“Stay safe.” The way Zain said it was more like an order.
“Yes, sir.”
Zain sighed. “Bye.” He hung up.
Tucking the phone back in his pocket, he smiled at her.
“Was that family? You looked happy talking to them.”
“No. One of my teammates.” He frowned. “Old team, I guess, he’s in charge of the US headquarters now.”
“That’s exciting for him.”
Webb chuckled. “Zain probably doesn’t feel excitement about it, but he’s good at that sort of thing.” She stood there, hugging the clipboard to her chest, her eyes locked on him, and once again, his animal stirred.
“Do you have family? I never asked.”
“I do. Four sisters and two brothers.”
“That’s a lot of family.”
He felt his bear settle just listening to her. He didn’t know why, but it calmed him. “Family gatherings are busy. Three have mates. I have a niece and a nephew.”
“Uncle Webb.” She smiled, he eyes shining.” “It suits you.” She blew out a breath. “I have family. I never thought I’d say that.”
The anxious tone in her voice caused a reaction from his animal. “Still nervous?”
She nodded.
“I don’t think you need to be. Griffin is a good guy. I don’t know much about your mother, but I do know she looked after one of my teammates when she was undercover to get information for the Alliance. She protected a lot of women over the years, as far as I know.” He shrugged. “As much as she was able to being a prisoner herself.”
Rhogue’s eyes rounded. “A prisoner?”
Webb thought someone would have explained all of that to her. “I thought Rayne told you about her.”
Rhogue shook her head. “No. I know she was, and my father helped her escape.” She drew in a shaky breath and then exhaled. “She was captured again. That’s why she never came to find me.”
Webb nodded.
“They had her all of these years?”
His bear didn’t like the emotion in her voice and Webb had to focus harder to keep him under control. A sudden shift would scare Rhogue and the animal quieted down again. He was still there, but less intrusive.
“Webb?”
They both turned to see Gia standing at the door.
“Devin wants everyone in the cafeteria for a meeting.”
“Be right there.” He looked at Rhogue. After the meeting, we can go talk to Rayne if you want. She’ll have more details about your mother. They interview everyone who’s freed and keep track of places and people they may have seen.”
“I don’t want to bother her.”
Webb took the clipboard out of her hand and set it on the shelf. “Rayne always finds time for others.” He put his arm around her and guided her toward the door. With each breath, he took her scent into his body. It calmed his bear, but had the opposite effect on him this time. All her wanted to do was hold her close to him and kiss her for hours. Meeting first and then speaking to Rayne. If Griffin wasn’t back until morning, he hoped to find some time to talk to her about them. Maybe once he did that, his animal would back off on the co-piloting of this body—before Webb lost his mind.