Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Gorya sighed but changed tactics. Maya was right. He didn’t want her to be, but she was. “Female leopards can be selfish and greedy. They’re leopard, just like males, Timur. If they get used to having too much and don’t want to let go of it, they’re just as capable of being cunning and manipulative.”
Timur switched his attention to Maya as he took Ashe’s empty plate and handed her a cup of coffee. “Are you even of legal age? You look about thirteen.”
Gorya bristled instantly. “What the fuck, Timur? Are you deliberately being rude to my woman?”
“She does look like a little kid. Am I the only one to think that?”
“I do look young, Gorya,” Maya said unnecessarily.
“He doesn’t have to sound so damn belligerent.”
“Is that how I sounded?” Timur asked.
“Yes,” Kyanite confirmed, smirking a little. “Maya, he always sounds like that. He can’t help himself.”
Maya sent Kyanite one of her sweet smiles. “It’s good to know he isn’t disapproving of me, since I’ll be with Gorya a long time.”
Ashe settled back in her chair and regarded Maya over the top of her coffee cup. Both Gorya and Rogue bristled protectively at the speculative look in her eyes.
“Since we’re on the subject, as you must be aware, Timur and Gorya are very close, so naturally, the family investigated you. We couldn’t find a single thing about you. Not one thing. Not even a birth certificate. You’ll have to forgive me, Maya, but that sent up more than one red flag.”
Maya didn’t change expression, nor did she blink. It didn’t matter to her that every shifter had their full attention on her. She looked as innocent and sweet as if she were sitting in a church. Gorya couldn’t help but admire her.
“She doesn’t owe you or anyone else an explanation,” Gorya said. He kept his voice low. Ashe was the closest thing he had to a sister, but he still couldn’t prevent the hint of menace from creeping into his tone. Rogue clawed at him, determined to get out to protect Maya.
Timur’s head went up alertly. “What the hell, Gorya?”
“There’s no need to defend me, Gorya,” Maya said softly, “but thank you.” She looked directly at Ashe. Her voice changed, became expressionless. “I gave Gorya what I believe is my real name, but it isn’t one I’ve used or heard in years. He gave it to you because you’re his family.”
Her gaze jumped to Timur. “I suppose you feel it’s perfectly fine for you to defend your woman, but for some reason your cousin shouldn’t defend his. Why is that, I wonder?”
There was a short, shocked silence and then Meiling laughed. “Nice call, Maya. I was wondering the same thing. Shifters have such short tempers. I think most of the time they should just pound their chests and crow like Tarzan in the jungle. That way everyone will know they’re a force to be reckoned with, and we’ll take notice and bow or something.”
“We don’t want you to bow, Meiling,” Gedeon corrected. “Just do everything we say.”
Ashe rolled her eyes. “Like that will ever happen.”
“Keep dreaming, honey,” Meiling said.
Gorya was always impressed the way Meiling defused a situation. He’d seen her do it more than once, and it was smooth and with humor. Gedeon followed her lead and others went along. He glanced at Timur, who looked a little rueful.
“What name do you normally go by, Maya?” Ashe persisted. Her voice was much friendlier.
Gorya wanted to strangle her. You don’t have to answer her. Every cell in his body was on alert. Rogue was prowling, as if he were caged and waiting to be released to attack some great threat to them.
She’s your family. Either we’re doing this or we aren’t. They have to know who I am eventually. It may as well be now. I’m not going to disclose more than my street name.
Even as she soothed him, he felt her uneasiness, that same ominous feeling as when their company had mentioned Jeremiah Wheating and Panama.
Maya’s inner turmoil didn’t show. “I assumed the identity of Teona Kyva when I was very young. I was able to perfect that identification over the years.”
Meiling and Gedeon exchanged a long look. “I recognize that name,” Meiling said. “You’ve done work for us.”
Maya nodded. “I do independent research work for a few select clients in this country and some overseas. Rene Guidry has been one of my clients for years. He investigated me, and before I ever take on a client, I investigate them. The moment I heard your name, Gedeon, I knew who you were, but I don’t reveal my clients to anyone. I had no idea whether Rene told you he used me for his research. I assumed that he did, but I had no way of knowing.”
Gorya held up his hand before Ashe or anyone else could ask more questions. “I didn’t interrogate you, Ashe, or Evangeline or any of the other women in our family. They answer to their mates. Maya answers to me and only to me. There is no need for her to disclose anything else of her past to anyone. As it is, we don’t want this information going beyond those sitting here. This is my inner circle and the people I trust.”