John Wylde sat musing, watching Dove sleep. She was alive, she was okay, and she was pregnant with his child. He drew in a deep breath, took in her essence. It swirled around his olfactory and sent warmth surging through his chest.
He hadn’t missed how everyone was suddenly calling him John instead of Wylde. Perhaps it was because he shared his last name with one of the most notorious criminals in history now. Or it could be they were starting to know him better. In any case, he liked it. John. It felt . . . human.
His father had treated him like an animal. He’d come to believe he was an animal. It had been a long road back.
And now he was going to be a father. He wasn’t sure exactly what that meant, but he had a shining example of the kind of father he would not become.
He’d marry Dove, if she’d have him. He just needed to find the right time and place to ask. He wanted her in his life now and forever.
A soft knock at the door pulled him from his musings.
Kayla poked her head in. “You have some visitors out here, John. I’ll keep an eye on Dove.”
Heather said Dove would probably sleep for the next few hours.
He rose as Kayla entered with yet another bouquet of flowers. Word had gotten out that Quantum miraculously survived the battle of Megopolis, and everyone was sending her gifts. Flowers, stuffed animals, and cards lined the walls of the room.
Kayla read the card. “From the super-new Quantum fan club. Signed by all thirty-seven members.”
Wylde shook his head and chuckled, as he exited the room.
Piotr perked up as soon as he opened the door. He sat with Wanda in the hallway. “Well? How is she?”
Evidently, no one had thought to pass on the word to his pack of wolves. “She’s going to be fine. Better than fine. She’s pregnant. I’m going to be a father.”
“Hey, cool. Me too.” Piotr stood up a little taller. “At least I think so. Yesterday, while you were gone, Wanda went into heat. It was amazing.”
Wanda rolled her eyes. It was okay.
Chapter 29
Trees budded, and the grassy lawns reappeared from under the melting snow around the Xi Force mountain headquarters. Dove breathed in the earthy aroma of the deep woods, on the trail that led from the headquarters’ exit up the side of the mountain.
As she walked hand-in-hand with John toward their cabin, she pushed the cowl back on her costume.
Almost a month since the incident and the discovery she was pregnant. They’d filled that time with lots of love, togetherness, and so much passion.
She ran her thumb over the bottom of the gold band with the brilliant diamond stone on her ring finger. Warmth infused her heart. Her parents had been so thrilled when she’d called them.
John pulled her up short, turning her to face him. “You are so beautiful.”
He was stalling. He needed to go. They both knew it. Xi Force was needed.
Under the leadership of Sheriff Roberts, the National Guard and police officers pulled from around the state began rounding up Red Guard agents throughout the Megopolis. The mayor and surviving city council members came out of hiding, rolled up their sleeves, and began to put things to rights. A new cooperative agreement between the city and Xi Force allowed them back in to aid law enforcement whenever they were needed.
Little by little, Megopolis was getting back to normal. Real police officers got their jobs back, under the watchful eye of a new council chaired by Chief Detective Harry Dickson and after a full review, they appointed, Casey Saddler as the new Megopolis Police Commissioner.
As his first official act in office, Commissioner Saddler asked Xi Force for help in dealing with a situation in Coal Town, where the last remnants of Red Guard were dug in at a heavily fortified location.
The meeting had gone as she expected. Aaron agreed to send in the whole team.
Well, everyone but her.
“I am not putting a pregnant woman into the field if I can help it,” he’d argued.
Everyone agreed, even John. The rat.
Not that she hadn’t expected it. Still, she’d worn her uniform just in case, though it was starting to get a bit snug around the middle. She’d need to ask Kayla for something a little more stretchy.
John said he would join the team in the Xi-1 hanger after he walked Dove home.
“Really, I can make it on my own. I’m not an invalid.” But she knew what his response would be.
“And have me miss out on some quality time with my family. What kind of example would that set as a father?” He was laser-focused on becoming a good father, even before their child was born. Of course she knew why, and she did love being with him.
His father, Port, Leonov, and Camille all sat in prison awaiting trials that were sure to have them locked away for the rest of their lives. The governor had even called for the building of a new prison. One build especially for super powered criminals. Certainly, there would be more.
And Xi Force would be here to stop them.
She paused a moment by the pond where she’d seen him naked that cold winter’s day, a vision still burned into her memory. She couldn’t help smiling as passion rippled through her core. Such a sexy man.
And then the pheromones started spinning in the air around her.
“What?” His smile was all passion.
That they both could detect pheromones in their own way had only enhanced their lovemaking. It was easy to tell when either of them was in the mood. Then again, lately, it wasn’t often they weren’t in the mood.
Well, a couple days, with that morning sickness and her mad rushes to the bathroom, hadn’t been real sexy. But even then . . . especially then . . . she found his quick and ready support so incredibly sexy.
Thanks to their child, Dove had healed at an amazing rate, up and feeling good in less than a day. Now, almost a month later, she was better than good. Still, Heather demanded she rest more and lined her up for more new tests every day as the baby matured inside her.
But she didn’t need Heather’s test to know the baby thrived inside her. Her little man, she was pretty sure it would be a boy, found ways to communicate with her almost daily, by rearranging items around the cabin.
John’s action figures managed to walk out of their sealed and locked cabinet on a regular basis. Peotr’s remote control found its way into the refrigerator a couple of times. Crazy stuff like that.
“It could be Telekinesis or some sort of item phasing ability,” Heather conjectured. The poor kid would probably be a lab rat from birth, but Dove knew he’d be in the best of hands with lots of volunteer aunts and uncles already lining up to help take care of him.
The sounds of saws and nail guns filled the air as they approached the cabin. Her new laboratory was taking shape off the back of the building. They were also adding on a nursery and some extra rooms, just in case she and John decided to have more than one child. Aunt Mary had something to do with that.
Maybe she couldn’t go into the field with Xi Force yet, but she’d have plenty to keep her busy.
She entered the cabin to find Piotr and Wanda lounging on the couch, with the pups on the floor in front of the new, big screen television. Animal Planet never had such ardent viewers.
As John closed the door, Piotr’s head swiveled toward them. “We’re gonna need some more of that crunchy stuff, with the soft middle.”
Dove rolled her eyes. Just the unique wildlife in her cabin offered up enough study material to keep her busy for years.
John huffed. “Or you could go out and hunt some rabbits and squirrels.”
Cocking his head, Piotr snorted. “Dude.”
“Ugh. I give up.” John pulled her into his arms. “I’m sorry I have to go. I’d rather stay here with you.”
His lips drank in he
rs with a kiss so passionate it set her girly parts fluttering.
But she knew he couldn’t stay. She pulled back and patted him on his broad chest. “Go. Do your job. I’ll be waiting here when you get back.”
He stole one more quick kiss, then headed back outside.
She followed, flying up twenty feet to get a better vantage point to watch him lope away, her eyes on his sexy ass. His movements, so sleek, so powerful. His costume was just tight enough in all the right places to accentuate his assets. God, she loved him.
Leaping from the cliff, he popped the sails in his suit and soared. He’d found the right place, and the perfect timing, to take him directly into the Xi-1 hanger from here. Hopefully Maggie had the big door open.
After he disappeared from sight, Dove landed.
Moments later, jet engines roared and the Xi-1 rose vertically into view from below, then shot off toward Megapolis.
One day, she knew, she’d be on that plane with Xi Force. But for today, her adventures consisted of a bowl of popcorn, a cabin full of wolves, and Meerkat Manor.
Life could be worse.
Whiskey and Wild Irish Eyes
A Xi Force short
Paul Tomkins made a second trip around the Xi Force SUV, his gaze narrowing on the fenders as he passed. “Hey, Tex. You sure this is the one?”
Lukas “Tex” Granger, one of the new recruits, was on duty in the motor pool booth. The cowboy held a lot of promise. “Yes, sir. I was as surprised as you.”
Amazing. John Wylde had managed to return a vehicle to the motor pool without one dent or scratch. It was a good day. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for him yet behind the wheel.
Stifling a yawn, Paul continued his nightly rounds. The Xi Force compound was quiet tonight, for a change. Door guards all in place, vehicles all accounted for, and lights out in the control center, he headed up stairs to the monitoring station. From here he could check the video feeds from every hallway, lab, and public room in the complex. Surprisingly, every lab was dark. None of the scientists were working late tonight for a change. The only light in the upper chambers came from the hanger deck.
And that sexy ass sticking out of the fuel pump access hatch on the Xi-1 confirmed his suspicions.
“Maggie, Maggie, Maggie.” He shook his head.
As bullheaded as she was beautiful, the Xi-1 pilot had a tendency to do her own repairs and maintenance on the vehicle, despite the fact they had fully trained maintenance people provided by the jet’s manufacturer. This new breach of protocol had Paul stopping by his apartment to pick up his emergency kit on his way to the hanger. Her timing couldn’t have been better. The rare quiet night around Xi Mountain already had a smile spreading across his face.
“What is it this time?” He announced his presence as he approached. He’d learned early on not to surprise the fiery redhead by sneaking up behind her.
“Just a leakin’ hose-clamp. Nothin’ I’d be needin’ to wake Henry or Calvin to fix.” Her lilting Irish brogue floated out of the hatchway.
Already on the defense. Good.
“And probably nothing that couldn’t have waited until morning either, right?”
“Done.” She pulled herself out of the hatchway, closed it, then she patted the wing. “The government may think they own the Xi-1, but he’s my baby. I have to look after him.”
“So it’s a him? How can you tell?” The jet seemed to have more appeal to her than any of the guys around the base.
She drew her face into that mock-serious expression he’d seen often enough to recognize. “Of course he’s a man, he’s big, powerful . . .” Her eyes raised as if in thought.
He waited, pretty sure of what was next.
“. . . and dumb as a stump ‘til I tell him what to do.”
Zing. So Maggie.
Paul threw back his head and laughed.
She put a fist to her hip and scowled at him.
God, that frumpy, grease-stained coverall never looked sexier. Even with her hair disheveled, and a grease stain between her nose and rosy cheek, the woman was seriously too good looking for her own good. He’d had a hell of a time keeping the new recruits from falling over themselves to flirt whenever she was in the vicinity.
Her gaze narrowed on him. “Did you bring it?”
He held up his emergency kit. “Right here. Is that why you’re really working late?”
She harrumphed. “You think I’m just lookin’ for your company?”
Mischief danced in her emerald eyes.
No, he wasn’t naive enough to think she saw anything special in him beyond the Sexton single malt in the case he held. She could have any man in the tri-state area by just flapping her eyelashes at him.
He extracted the bottle and two glasses. “You off duty or not?”
She always seemed to work late. He’d developed this strategy to lure her away from her beloved jet. Everyone needed down time. And yes, it was also a good excuse to spend some quality time with her.
“Leak’s fixed, so yeah.” She took one of the glasses as he opened the bottle. “Two fingers at least or it’s not a proper pour.”
He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”
Pouring two generous portions, he settled down against the big front wheel of the Xi-1.
Maggie sat down beside him, and he placed the bottle between them.
When he’d just been one of Pike’s Rangers, he’d considered asking Maggie out dozens of times. So many of his brothers-in-arms had, and been rebuffed. He wasn’t sure what Maggie was looking for, but he was pretty sure it wasn’t him. They came from two vastly different worlds.
Now, as he was her commanding officer, dating was permanently off the table anyway. This little whiskey ritual was as close as he’d ever get to some intimate one-on-one time with her.
It wasn’t what he really wanted, but it wasn’t bad.
She sipped, swallowed, and sighed, closing her eyes and laying her head back against the wheel. “Now that’s a proper Irish whiskey.”
It had only taken him five tries to get that right. And the Sexton was available locally.
He pulled lose the rag from where she had it tucked into her belt. “You’ve got a . . .”
He’d been tempted to leave the grease smudge next to her nose. It had acquired a charm all its own, but he doubted Maggie would want to be seen heading back to her quarters with the black smear. Plus it gave him the opportunity to touch her, almost intimately, without crossing any lines.
~ ~ ~
The gentle touch of the cloth against her nose, the caring way he ministered to her. Did the man have any idea how sexy he was?
“Thanks.” For noticing. For caring. She probably looked a sight.
He raised his glass toward the open hanger door. “And why is the door open tonight?”
“I wondered when you’d get around to asking.” She pointed ahead, five degrees to the right. “In about ten minutes, the International Space Station will be coming over the horizon, for your viewing pleasure.”
“Ah.” He took a sip of his drink. “And I’m intruding on this special moment.”
“Heavens, no.” She clinked his glass with hers. “I needed you to bring up the whiskey.”
And also I wanted to share this moment with you.
Features like they’d been chiseled out of stone, so handsome. His dark eyes so full of mystery, ebony skin that pulled her in like a black hole.
Gran would not approve of Paul. Not because he was black, at least not mostly. He just wouldn’t be Irish enough for her little girl. Old country, old ideas, and too old to change her long held beliefs, but Maggie loved the woman who’d raised her after she lost her parents.
Then again, her Gran had adapted to using a cell phone to send email, so mayb
e she could even accept a guy like Paul for her granddaughter.
What am I thinkin.’ Her and Paul getting together was an impossibility anyway she looked at it. Now that he’d become commander of Pikes Rangers, he’d also become her de facto boss. And there were rules about superiors dating in the military, and in this facility.
But sure and begorrah[CY43], he was one sexy man, and she couldn’t help it if her imagination got the better of her now and again. Even back when he’d been just one of Pike’s rangers, and the others had been asking her out, she’d only had eyes for him.
But he’d never asked. Maybe I should’a asked him.
Even if it hadn’t lasted, a night or two in those big, musclie arms would’a been worth it.
In the star-filled night sky visible through the huge, open doorway, a blazing line of light shot across her vision before it disappeared. She pointed again. “Meteor.”
A smile lit up his handsome face. “Are we in a meteor shower?”
She shook her head. “The Lyrids aren’t for a couple of weeks. A meteor would be a fairly rare occurrence right now.”
They’d been lucky indeed.
A brilliant dot of light rose up above the horizon. “And there’s the space station.”
Paul glanced over to her. “Do you regret your decision?”
A hard question.
Two days before getting the offer to pilot the Xi-1, she’d received her acceptance letter from NASA. Turning down the offer had been the hardest decision she’d ever had to make. “It would have been a while before I could’a gotten up there anyway.”
If at all. Few people got accepted to astronaut training school, but even fewer made it into space.
Still, to be an astronaut. To be up there.
“NASA’s a pretty exclusive club.” He raised his glass to her.
She clinked his with hers, then took a sip. “Pilot for Xi Force is even more exclusive.”
Wylde Page 21
