Page 28 of Keeper of All

Hot, muggy air didn’t register past the heat of the kiss. A voice did. “Pleaseee, you’ve had hours on the jet to fuck, and you’re choosing now to bump uglies with each other.”

Ekon found his mouth released and Mao cursing. “Fuck off Conrad. I’ve a long memory and recall you and Kylo making—”

“Do not fucking go there, brother!” Kylo shouted from his position leaning against the front of the jeep, booted feet crossed, watching them with an interest that had Ekon uncertain how to respond.

It was easier to look at the other man striding across the tarmac to meet him as he came down the steps. Conrad, tanned and glowing with happiness. Dressed for the humidity, in loose fitting cargo shorts and a black T-shirt, wearing sturdy boots on his feet. Probably to prevent a snake from biting!

Yellow Anaconda. Ugh!

Giant Parrot. Why the ever-loving fuck would someone name a snake that?

Forest Flame. Yeah, that fucker was probably lurking in the trees that surrounded them right now just waiting to take a bite.

Mao’s snort quickly came with a burst of chuckles that filled Ekon’s head. I’ll keep you safe in the forest.

You won’t need to I ain’t roaming in any forest…

Ekon then had a thought. “Your family, they do live in a house, right?” he asked aloud, panic-stricken when he recalled reading that some panther families lived in the wilds of the forest—not in houses.

Mao clutched his sides as he laughed. Conrad and Kylo exchanged confused looks as they grabbed the bags the steward had placed at the bottom of the steps.

“What the fuck do you think we live in?” Kylo questioned, like Ekon was being ridiculous.

“Forget it,” he mumbled embarrassed, doing his best to not make eye contact with anyone stomping to the Jeep.

“What’s with him?” he heard Kylo ask.

“He’s just worried about meeting the family,” Mao supplied.

It wasn’t a total lie, Ekon was.

Conrad jogged up to him and slung a heavy arm over his shoulders. “You’ll love Mom. You wait and see.”

Ekon relaxed at how easy it was to be around Conrad. He’d always been the one to make them all smile. “Where’s the tiny terror?” he asked, needing to get away from thoughts of snakes.

Conrad rolled his eyes at the grunting coming from Kylo. “He’s with his grandma being spoiled rotten.”

“The boy will have no teeth left if she keeps baking to keep the kid in cake heaven!” Kylo complained and despite it, wore a look of affection.

“He’s not the only one eating them!” Conrad pointed out, grinning.

“Whatever… pregnancy makes me crave sugar.”

Mao stopped at the side of the jeep, his head fired around and a bag thumped to the ground. “Again!” He eyed Kylo’s belly like a faulty detonator.

“Christ, you don’t have to make it sound like I’m pregnant every five minutes.”

Mao jabbed a finger at Kylo, and Ekon could sense the unease of his thoughts at being the one to get pregnant. “You’re an alpha!”

Conrad shook his head, huffing out a laugh. “Can you hear how stupid you’re being when you were there when Kylo went into labor last time.”

“Don’t fucking remind me,” he grumbled, climbing into the back seat, blushing a bright red. “I’ve tried to expunge that from my mind.” He shuddered, glaring at Kylo as he got behind the steering wheel.

“Who says you won’t be the next one to get pregnant?”

Ekon bit his lip hard enough to taste blood to conceal the desire to laugh at the outrage at such a preposterous thought coming from Mao.

Conrad didn’t hold back as he jumped into the front passenger seat.