WYATT Three days later I had Kacela back to the castle where she belonged.  I knew that the doctors and nurses at the clinic were taking wonderful care of her, but I wanted her home where I could protect her.  She had told me the whole story, including the part about her brother.  I could tell she was hurt.  I suggested that she call her mom and ask her if she had any information, but she didn’t want to until she knew the whole story.  “It’s not fair to her,” Kacela argued with me.  “She just lost her husband, however much of one he was to her.  And now she’s going to lose her son.” “Not necessarily,” I said, trying to reason with her.  I thought her mom might have more information about who Charlie was working with.  “You know I’m right,” Kacela said sadly.  “He will fight me, and I will have to kill him.” “What if he’s not involved?” I argued.  She just looked at me and shook her

KACELAI rolled off the bed and slipped into sweats, after taking off the scratchy negligee.  It was fun but impractical, I thought ruefully.I grabbed my laptop and sat on the bed, cross legged, while Wyatt sat behind me and idly drew circles on my back with his fingertip.  He leaned over and watched me power up the app.“I don’t even know how to navigate that app,” he said, watching me. “It’s because you’re old and not cool,” I teased.  “It’s only for young kids like me.”He playfully pinched me, and I giggled, pulling up Chad’s profile.  I wasn’t interested in past posts and only pulled up the most recent. “Hmm,” I said, clicking on a selfie in front of the ocean.  “Looks like he’s on a beach somewhere.”Wyatt sat up.  “Can you tell where?” he asked.  I shook my head.

WYATTKacela was all business.  Nellie had found us a great suite at a hotel we don’t usually stay at and she put it under Earl’s name, thinking that his name would be the least likely to spark recognition if we were still being watched.  When we arrived, Kacela took the offered key card and let herself in, going straight to the table in the little common area.  She dumped out her bag and began making stacks.“How can I help?” Earl asked, observing her for a moment. “I’m dividing them into names,” she answered.  Nellie dropped her bag on the floor and came over to help, also.  Within a few minutes we had all of the DVDs divided.  Kacela was looking at them with a frown on her face.“How many do you think are here?” she asked, beginning to count.  After a moment, Earl answered. “Eighty-four.”She picked up a random DVD and looked a

KACELAEarl and I were on an early flight, so we left our luggage in the common area and we all went into our bedrooms.  I slipped into the bathroom to wash my hands; the chocolate and caramel were sticky and had gotten all over.I was brushing my teeth when Wyatt came in and gave me a hug from behind.  I paused with the toothbrush to squeeze him back and then continued my ministrations to my teeth.  He began kissing me on the side of my neck, sending tingles all the way down to my feet.  He started kissing my mark and I turned around, dropping the toothbrush into the sink.  I faced him and put my butt against the counter, wrapping my legs around him. He kept kissing me and then dipped his head lower, sinking his teeth into my neck, remarking me.  I arched my back, my mouth open in a silent scream as the mate bond flowed through me.  I felt rejuvenated and even stronger than before.  Wyatt kissed the mark he had left

KACELAHe didn’t look surprised to see us.  I don’t know what I had expected, maybe jumping up and running away or at least looking chagrinned.  He was neither.  He just grinned at me and waved the girl away.“Give me a minute, love,” he said, not looking at her.  I glanced at the girl, and she was pouting, her lower lip sticking way out and her hands on her hips.  I glared at her, and she raised a look of surprise at me, appraising me for a moment and then turning on her heel. “You’ve got my number,” she shouted over her shoulder to Chad.  He idly waved his hand, and she stomped off in a huff. “Took you guys long enough,” he said, reaching for his drink.  Earl moved when he moved, and Chad looked at him and laughed. “Relax, big guy.  I’m just trying to maintain my buzz.”“Where’s your dad, Chad?&rdquo