“My plan will work. I promise. Have a little faith.”
“Speaking of work,” my father probed. “When do you start the CA officially?”
“In a week. I’m actually excited. Major Wilcox wants me on the investigation team until I take the intelligence unit’s exam. There have apparently been a few women who have gone missing, and they want additional help. The major wanted me sooner, but the forms for enrollment in the CA take a while to get approval through their system.”
My father’s brows furrowed. “Can’t Mr. King ask them to put a rush on it?”
Godric muttered, “Poppy is being very difficult—”
I poked his side. Hard. “You will not interfere with my job. No matter what.”
Godric shrugged, his attention on my father. “See? Difficult.”
“Promise me, Godric,” I demanded.
I pouted. He had better not interfere.
My chin even trembled and my chest constricted.
I wanted to do this on my own. I needed it.
Godric instantly set his utensils down and cupped my cheeks. His thumb ran over my lower lip, his forehead crinkled in dismay. “I won’t. I promise, pet.”
I heaved a sigh of relief, my eyes lighting with joy. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Godric leaned down and kissed my lips softly, and then he lowered his hands from my face and picked up his utensils again.
My father instantly started laughing.
Both of our heads snapped in his direction.
He shook his head and pointed his fork. “You, Mr. King, are screwed. My daughter already has you wrapped around her little finger.”
Godric lips trembled. “Her little fingers are cute.”
I cleared my throat pointedly to shut them down. “Father, what happened with Brandon? Was he behind the photo, as I suspected?”
“He was.” Father ate another potato.
“What did you do with him?”
My father grinned, calm and happy. “I buried him.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
“Shift for me.” I bounced on the balls of my feet near the shoreline. We were back in New City at our home. My plan had worked as I’d hoped—all was good with my father and Godric now. And I was ready to see a lion. I wiggled my ball cap, adjusting the bill. “Come on. Show me.”
Godric’s brows rose. “Right here?”
“You’re a lion. Is anyone around?”
He cocked his head, listened, and inhaled deeply. His head tipped back into the late afternoon sun, closing his eyes, beautiful in all ways. The man was in his element, wild and fierce as he used his inhuman senses.
“So?” I asked with excitement.
Godric opened his golden eyes and stared into the very heart of me. His lips curved as he scanned my face with entertaining delight. “No one’s around.”
I punched a fist into the air. “Let me see, big man.”
“Fine. But don’t be frightened. It’s still me.”
He kicked off his tennis shoes and removed his t-shirt at the same time. My little claw marks on his shoulders were still there, scabbed over, healing normally. His shorts were taken off last, and he wore no underwear.
He was glorious naked in front of me, the water lapping gently near our feet.
An explosion of white sparkles erupted.
I skittered backward.
That was much more than Cassander’s had been.
I blinked. A lion sat before me.
“Oh my,” I whispered in awe. “You’re big.”
The lion pushed up to all four paws.
And proceeded to strut in a circle, his tail flicking.
I snickered. “You are so damn vain.”
His tail twitched.
I wasn’t frightened at all. I trusted my man.
I moved forward, placed my hands on his tawny fur, and stroked down his massive mane. “It’s coarse but still soft. Like your normal hair.”
Large golden eyes closed as I scratched my fingers down into his fur, rubbing all over him. He huffed an odd purr, it starting and stopping in spurts. It was completely adorable.
The lion ducked and moved far back.
Then he started a low creep, almost on his belly, the muscles working under his fur. He hunted me, his eyes watching my every move, while he came closer.
I started backing up, grinning from ear to ear.
I turned…and tripped.
But I shoved myself up quickly enough and raced down the shoreline. I laughed and glanced over my shoulder, watching as the lion galloped at a slow pace behind me.
Then he raced past me and turned.
He started his slow creep again, low to the ground.
I pivoted and raced back the way I’d come.
The lion galloped around me in circles.
Again and again.
I held up my hand, breathless. “You’re making me dizzy.” I pointed to the sand. “Let’s take a break.”
The lion instantly rolled to his side.
The sand was cool beneath my touch as I sat down in front of him, and then I leaned back to rest my head on his shoulder. The water rippled, and the sky was a brilliant shade of purple on the horizon.
Content with my life, I whispered, “The sunset is beautiful.”
His tail flicked twice, whacking onto the sand. We watched the sunset, as we were, peaceful in ourselves together. The warmth of his body was enough to keep me toasty warm against the chill.
*
Dinner was surprisingly nice with his father. I couldn’t understand now why everyone acted like it was such a hindrance. His father had been quiet, but everyone else had talked and enjoyed themselves.
And damn, his father could cook.
Godric took off his dinner jacket and dropped in on the back of his father’s couch, getting comfortable for drinks afterward. He untucked his shirt and unbuttoned the top button, and as an afterthought, he removed his weapon from the back of his pants and stuffed it in his jacket.
He kissed my cheek. “What would you like to drink?”
“Just a beer.” My stomach was so full I didn’t want anything hard on it.
The muscles under his shirt flexed as he walked with Finn to the long sidebar on the far side of the room. The rest of the gang already had their drinks and were now sitting down.