Avery stared down at his hands. "I'm okay, I guess. I am excited, scared, and nervous too," he admitted. When he looked up, Declan could see the weariness in his eyes. "What is he like?" Declan knew Avery was referring to Warrick.
"Warrick is the biggest softie I know," Declan said.
Avery's eyes widened. "Really? He's so big." Avery blushed.
Declan chuckled. "That is all that people see, and I think that makes him sad. Plus, his family are kind of assholes, well except for his aunt."
"I'd like to see him," Avery admitted, twisting his fingers together.
"He wants to see you too. Tomorrow in fact."
"Tomorrow?" Avery asked, looking excited.
"He's going to bring you lunch. He is really looking forward to it."
"What about Kari? I've never seen her cry like that." Avery asked looking scared.
"Don't worry about your sister. I'll talk to her. As soon as she realizes that Warrick will never hurt you, she should calm down."
"What about you know?" Avery asked, giving him a look. It took Declan a moment to realize that Avery was referring to sex. He stood quickly, clearing his throat. "Well, it's late. You need to get some sleep now." Declan turned to the door and then turned back Avery. "Hey, if Warrick tries 'you know', tell me so I can kick his ass."
"I thought you said he wouldn't hurt me?"
Declan gave him a wry look. "Oh, he wouldn't be hurting you, Avery."
Avery covered his mouth, giggling, then sobered. "Why would you fight your friend? You don't even know me."
"Because you're my baby brother now, and it will be a cold day in hell before I let someone hurt you."
Avery looked at him shyly. "Thank you."
Declan cleared his throat again. "Okay then, good night," he said gruffly stepping into the hallway. He closed the door, leaned against it, and exhaled. When he looked up, his mate was standing next to him. It was evident she had been listening in. He met Kari's eyes, and she simply held out her hand and led them to their bedroom.
"So I guess were staying in this room together," he said as he shut the door. He'd have to thank the Doc for putting him on observation for the night. Level One's guest quarters were impressive. He turned back to him mate and blinked.
She was staring at him with tears in her eyes. "He is all I have," she admitted brokenly.
His heart hurt for her. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. "Not anymore. You have me and my idiotic brothers now."
She snorted through her tears, the beginning of a smile on her lips. "If Warrick even breathes on him wrong, I will..."
He stopped her threat with a kiss. He put both hands on her shoulders and began rubbing her arms. "I will run interference until Avery is of age. Listen, I know Warrick seems intimidating, but he really is the biggest teddy bear I have ever known. I even got him to agree to wait until Avery is one hundred before pressing his claim. He would sooner rip off his own arm and beat himself with it than allow Avery to get even a paper cut. I don't think anyone will be more beloved or spoiled in the city, except for maybe you."
She wiped her eyes, looking less afraid. She started to say something and yawned.
"Let's get into bed," Declan suggested.
Kari nodded and walked over to the large guest bed. Declan realized with disappointment that she'd already changed into a pair of pajamas. They were silky to the touch, but unfortunately, they covered a lot of her skin. Declan simply stripped to his boxers and then climbed into bed behind Kari. He wrapped an arm around her waist, and they yawned at the same time. "I can't believe I'm too tired for sex," Declan admitted.
She reached back and poked him in the ribs. "You have not been cleared for sex yet," she reminded him.
Declan nuzzled his nose over his bite marks and noted with satisfaction that she shivered at his touch. "Best day of my life. I almost die, I meet my mate, she gives me an amazing orgasm, learned my family isn't as dysfunctional as I thought, kind of get promoted, get a new baby brother who ends up mated to one of my best friends, and end the day with snuggling."
She chuckled. "I met my mate with his intestines hanging out, he almost died, I took a new job, found out I have to permanently move away from my beloved condo, met my in-laws, receive an amazing orgasm, realize the city is more disturbing than I thought, lose my baby brother to a huge warrior..."
"You didn't lose him," Declan said, interrupting her.
"Whatever," she refuted. He licked her bite mark, and she moaned. "No extracurricular activity," she said.