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It still smelled the same. The burning wood aroma mixed with cinnamon created an eternal fall season in Miles’s home.
Miles looked over his shoulder. “Sorry, the kids and Linda aren’t here to see you. They had soccer and hockey practice today. If I had known you were coming, I could have prepared something to eat.”
Cyrus clapped Miles on the back. “Miles, if you knew we were coming, you wouldn’t have been home either.”
Miles did not respond, but Cyrus could see his ears turn a scarlet hue.
When they got to the den, Miles motioned for Mila and Cyrus to sit on the wraparound black-leather couch. He brought a photo over to Mila. “These are my boys and the wife. Life is pretty good here.” He gave the den a sweeping look, and Cyrus smiled at how peaceful Miles seemed when speaking about his family.
His gut clenched, then firmed in the knowledge that Miles wouldn’t have left unless his family was in danger.
“Would you guys like anything?” Miles asked. “We have something to drink. Juice, water, soda.” He chuckled and rubbed his hand through his hair. “Anything really. It’s a bit early for wine or whiskey, but we have that too.”
“I’ll just take some water.” Mila took Cyrus’s hand. Her pulse had kicked up a little since they arrived. Cyrus assumed it was nerves and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
“If you have some Macallan, I’ll take a glass.” Macallan scotch was always something Miles and Cyrus used to break bread over, have a celebration, or just relax after a stressful project.
Miles nodded and left the room.
“How do you think it’s going?” Mila whispered.
Cyrus leaned forward and lowered his voice to almost inaudible. His lips almost touched Mila’s lobe. “Miles is a wolf shifter.” Mila shivered under his breath. Cyrus suddenly found it difficult to focus with her so close to him. He leaned over and kissed the arch of her neck, he nipped at it, and she leaned into his mouth and tongue.
The pleasure Cyrus gave her seemed to sate the polar bear as he licked his way back up to her lobe. With his lips pressed against her ear again.
“He has very good hearing. So, anything we say in private should be low. I think he is nervous. I think he’s relieved to see me, even though it’s not great for him that I’m here. I’m just not one hundred percent sure why yet.”
Mila pulled away from Cyrus and kissed his lips.
“Hey, guys, no making out on my couch. That’s a family spot.”
Mila smiled against Cyrus’s kiss and pulled away. “Sorry.” She blushed.
“It’s okay. I remember the draw of the fated mate newness all too well.”
Miles handed Mila her water and Cyrus his scotch. Then, he sat across from them. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, I’d really like to know why you left like you did.” Cyrus took a long swig of his scotch. The umber-colored drink was light over Cyrus’s tongue but heavy in strong caramel rye flavor. The heat poured down his throat and spread through his body. Cyrus relaxed in the warmth.
Miles’s eyes darted from side to side. “I have family stuff that needs my attention,” Miles muttered. His hands twisted around the crystal tumbler, and he turned his attention to his drink.
Cyrus sat forward. “I would like more details.”
Miles shook his head. “It’s a private matter.” Miles set his lips in a grim line.
“Privacy was never an issue before.” Cyrus studied Miles’s face. Miles’s features were filled with conflict and anguish. “I think that you were threatened. Not just you, though. Your family.” Miles didn’t respond but acknowledged what Cyrus said with his eyes. “Someone didn’t want you helping with the Arctic investigation.”
Miles still said nothing. He swirled his whiskey in his cup and stared stoically at Cyrus.
Cyrus wondered if Miles worried that someone had bugged his house. But Miles’s face told Cyrus everything he needed to know. Then, ever so slightly, Miles gave Cyrus a nod. Because of how faint the motion was, Cyrus wondered if Miles was also worried about being spied on. Or maybe someone was there? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
He couldn’t imagine living a life under that amount of pressure. Especially now with his mate at his side.
Cyrus swallowed his worries down. “Well, I am sorry to have lost you and didn’t come here to bug you about your leaving. I just wanted you to know that I will miss you. You have always done an incredible job for me. Luca is good too, but still a little green. I’ll never be able to replace you.”
Mila, sensing the weight of the situation, shifted. He could feel her relax against him. “I’d love to meet your family sometime.”
Miles smiled in response. “I’d like that too.” He turned his attention back to Cyrus. “Did you need some things for work?”
