\[Denali’s POV\]
The next morning, I lay with Rosco, basking in the feel of his sturdy body against mine. Sighing, I attempt to snuggle in closer, but stop as a growl of warning escapes him.
“Careful, mi reina.” He warns, giving me a smirk. “If you push too much, I may not be able to control myself.”
“Why does that sound so familiar?” I muse, remembering the first time I ever lay together in bed with him. “It seems like ages ago.”
Even if it was just a little under a year that passed, so much has happened, but here we were alive and together.
“I hope six weeks goes by quickly." Rosco grumbles, beginning to ease his hand up my shirt.
“Be good.” I warn, though I don’t stop him. “You’re acting like a fiend.”
“I am a fiend when it comes to you.”
Shifting his body, Rosco begins to lift my shirt while preparing to take a nipple into his mouth, but stops as a knock sounds at the door.
“Who the hell?” He huffs, looking from my exposed breast to the door. “Maybe we should...”
“I know you’re awake.”
As Hamilton’s voice rings out around us, Rosco tenses, but he continues to not move.
“If you don’t get your ass up and open this door for me, I will break it down.”
“Dammit!”
Grumbling to himself, Rosco gets up and waits until I pull my shirt down. Only when he is sure that I’m decent does he move.
“What the hell do you want so early?” He demands when he yanks the door open, allowing Hamilton to come into view. “And what is with you being so pushy?”
“Your mother is awake.” He snaps.
At his words, I am moving, jumping out of bed, and grabbing Serenity.
“Naomi is awake.” I gasp, coming to join the two men. “How is she feeling?”
“She asked to see you and Serenity.” Hamilton responds, eyeing the infant in my arms. “She seemed worried.”
Of course, she would be worried. The last thing she saw before suffering a hit to the head was someone trying to take Serenity.
“Go,” Rosco says as I look at him. “I know my telling you to stay here while I talk to her won’t work.”
“Thanks.” I grin, making my way out of the room and hurrying toward the infirmary while both men follow me.
When I arrive, I rush inside and feel a wave of relief slam into me as I take in Naomi, who is sitting up in bed.
“Denali?” She gasps, mirroring my feelings. “I’m so happy you’re alright.”
“Me,” I manage, moving forward and taking a seat beside her. “I should be the one saying that. Especially after…”
“I’m fine.” She insists before I can continue.
“You were unconscious.”
I knew that arguing with her wasn’t a good idea, but I couldn’t quite get the image of her lying there motionless in her own blood out of my head. All of this was because of me and Serenity. It was like all we were good for was trouble.
“Whatever is going through your head, get rid of it.” Rosco announces, making his way toward me. “I can see those wheels turning.”
“I’m not.” I try, but he shoots me a look that says he knows better. “Fine, maybe I was.”
“I’m sure you’re blaming yourself.” Rosco pushes.
Opening my mouth, I want to argue with him, but I know that he is right. There was no pretending with this man. He knew me too well by this point.
“I’m really fine, honey.” Naomi says, joining our conversation. “I’ve gone through worse, and if it helped protect my daughter-in-law and grandbaby, then it was worth it.”
As she speaks, she looks so damn serene that I can't help but feel the pang of pain that shoots through me. Why wasn’t I more capable of defending myself and those closest to me?
“Next time, you need to think more about yourself.” Hamilton says, taking up his wife’s other side and grabbing her hand.
“I’m not so fragile.” Naomi counters with a smile. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Nonsense.”
Remaining silent, I watch the two together and can’t help but see Rosco in Hamilton. Even if he insisted he was nothing like his father, his devotion to the one he loved was the same. I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.
“Since you’re awake, we should get going.” Hamilton announces. “I’ve stayed away from Crystal Fang long enough.”
“Leave.” Naomi repeats, shooting Serenity a look. “But what about...”
“I’m already handling it.” Hamilton assures her. “William will be staying here for the next month to assist Rosco in locating the enemy. During that time, I will send our best men to accompany him.”
“WilliamWillliam?” Naomi gasps, her eyes widening. “But will…”
“I’ll handle him.” Hamilton says. “Now, do you feel well enough to travel?”
“I do,” she responds. “But shouldn’t we stay a few more days?”
“We can’t leave things in Crystal Fang for that long.”
“Is there trouble taking place there?” Rosco asks, not missing the shift in Hamilton’s mood.
“Nothing for you to concern yourself with.” Hamilton responds. “You should just focus on what is going on here and leave my pack to me.”
“But…”
“Rosco,” I murmur, reaching out and touching his arm. “I’m sure he has things under control.”
Growing quiet, I wait as Rosco looks at me and then back to his father. By the look in his eyes, it is clear that he wants to continue questioning, but after letting out a breath, he nods and doesn’t ask anything further.
“You be safe on your way back.” He finally says, turning his attention to his mother. “And make sure that the medic in Crystal Fang gives you a good examination when you arrive.”
“I know.” Naomi smiles. “I’ll be sure to make sure to heal properly, and you be sure to not get yourself into too much trouble.”
“No promises.” Rosco sighs. “With everything going on, trouble is inevitable.”
Giving a slight nod, Naomi doesn’t argue with her son; instead, she gives him a look that screams worry.
“Will you grant this old woman one request?” She suddenly asks.
“A request?” Rosco says, raising a brow. “And what might it be?”
“Let me send you a tracker who should be capable of leading you to your enemy.”
“A tracker?”
“That’s right, I might know of one.”
“You don’t mean,” Hamilton growls, causing all eyes to come rest on him. “Why would you bother that bastard?”
“Because Rosco is his nephew, and I’m sure he would be more than willing to help him.”
“Who is this tracker?” Rosco asks, clearly confused by the sudden change in subject. “I don’t have any other uncles, do I?”
“You do,” Naomi responds. “My eldest brother. He has been traveling abroad until recently, and since he has returned, he has been wanting to meet you.”
An uncle that Rosco didn’t know about and one that Hamilton didn’t quite like. It seemed things were about to get more interesting. Would this man be kind like Naomi or butt heads with Rosco like Hamilton? I guess we would find out soon enough.