Alaskan Sabears 4: Match Point (Siren Publishing Menage Everlasting) Read online

  “No,” she groaned and rubbed her full belly. “I’m stuffed. That was amazing, Jenny. Thank you so much.”

  “You’re welcome, sweetie, but I didn’t do this all myself. My mates helped me.”

  “Thanks, Talon, thanks, Royal.”

  The two muscular handsome men smiled and nodded as they simultaneously said, “You’re welcome, love.”

  “You’re not as stuffed as Celeste is.” Tammy covered her mouth and giggled before she rolled her lips together as if she was trying to stop her humor.

  “Hey!” Celeste mock scowled at Tammy. “Pot, kettle.”

  “When are you due?” Pepper asked.

  “Tomorrow,” Celeste answered as she rubbed her big belly and then grimaced.

  Pepper didn’t know much about babies or pregnancy, but she suspected that Celeste would be giving birth before the night was over. She’d seen her wincing a few times, and she was constantly shifting in her chair as if she couldn’t get comfortable. Add in the fact that the baby was positioned way down low, as if in the opportune place ready for the birthing, and Pepper thought she might already be in labor.

  Tammy’s baby belly was nowhere near as big as Celeste’s, but since she was only just over halfway through gestation that was to be expected. Her baby was also much higher up than her friends.

  Kat was nearly four months along, and her baby bump was barely visible. If it wasn’t for the fact she was wearing a stretchy long-sleeve shirt that molded to her curves, her pregnancy wouldn’t have been noticeable.

  When she saw Tarik and Hodge frowning at their mate, she realized that Celeste was indeed in labor and trying to hide it, but since the trio was mated with a strong emotional bond, which allowed them all to feel what the others did, it wasn’t a surprise.

  Jenny must have noticed Celeste’s discomfit as well because she all of a sudden shoved to her feet, rushed around the table toward her daughter-in-law, and placed her hand on her shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze.

  “I have the spare room ready. Do you want to go lie down?” Jenny asked.

  “I’m good.” Celeste gave Jenny a tight smile and then groaned.

  “Yeah, and I’m a donkey’s uncle,” Jenny retorted. “Help your mate get comfortable in the spare room,” She pointed at Tarik and Hodge. “I’ll be right there.”

  When Jenny started grabbing up the dishes, Pepper rose to help. “Why don’t you let me clean up? Go and be with Celeste. She’s going to need you.”

  Jenny shoved the dishes in her hand into Talon’s stomach, making him grunt, and then cupped Pepper’s cheeks between her hands, kissed her on the forehead, and then smiled with so much love on her face, in her gaze that tears welled. She hated being so emotional, but Jenny was the motherly type who just seemed to have lodged into her heart from the first time they’d met. “You’re a sweetheart.” She released her cheeks and then hurried toward the doorway but stopped in the entrance and gazed back at her over her shoulder. “Make sure you put all these guys to work, too. Tammy, Kat, you just keep your asses in those seats, or better yet, go sit in the living room where you’ll be more comfortable.” And with that, she was gone.

  Pepper bit her lip to keep the bubble of laughter forming in her chest from escaping as the rest of the men jumped to their feet and began to help clear up. It was funny seeing big, strong men who could shift into animals hurrying to do Jenny’s bidding as if they were afraid of the repercussions if they didn’t.

  With everyone helping bar Tammy and Kat, it didn’t take very long to have everything cleared away. The two dishwashers in the massive kitchen were full and already on, and Pepper was in the process of scrubbing the big roasting pans.

  “Let me do that, sweetness.” Fin clasped her hips and moved her aside. Cal handed her a towel to wipe her wet hands on. “Why don’t you go and sit with Kat and Tammy? You look tired, mate.”

  She nodded with a tired sigh. Pepper wasn’t just tired—she was downright exhausted. Her two mates had only just claimed her together hours before, and with her belly full, she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

  Deciding a cup of tea might perk her up, she quickly filled three mugs with boiling water and added a green tea bag to each and headed into the living room.

  Kat was sitting curled up in the corner of the sofa fast asleep, and while Tammy was sitting at the other with her eyes open, Pepper could tell she was struggling to stay awake, too.

  “Why don’t you stretch out and take a nap?” She placed the mugs of tea on the coffee table, taking her own with her when she flopped down into an armchair.

  “I’m worried.”

  “About Celeste?”

  “Yeah.” Tammy sighed and then covered her mouth when she yawned.

  “She’ll be fine, Tammy. She has her mates and your mom with her. Ward and Serge are here if anything goes wrong.”

  “I know.” Tammy threaded her fingers into her hair. “It’s just…I’m scared.”

  “Scared for you and Celeste?” Pepper asked.

  Tammy nodded.

  “You’re going to make a wonderful mother, Tammy. How could you not when you’ve had such a perfect role model?”

  “That’s not what I’m worried about.” Tammy leaned forward, grabbed her mug of tea, and took a sip. “I’m scared about all the pain. What if I can’t take it and end up screaming like a loon?”

  “What if you don’t?” Pepper countered. She felt so out of her depth right now, but she hated seeing her friend in such turmoil, so afraid. “Do you think women all over the world would be going back for a second, third, or more kids if they couldn’t handle giving birth? I know it’s easy for me to sit here and say these things since I’m not pregnant or experienced in childbirth, but it’s a logical question. The population wouldn’t be as large as it is if the pain was unbearable. You have to remember that there’s a purpose to the pain you’ll go through. Just think about the small adorable baby you’ll be able to hold in your arms, to love and teach them right from wrong so that they’ll be just as kind and loving as her mom and mates.”

  Tammy set her mug on the table and sniffed. “Come here.”

  Pepper rose, walked over to the sofa, and sat next to her. She was surprised when Tammy wrapped her arms around her and hugged her tight, and she had to blink back tears of emotion. Again.

  “Thank you,” Tammy whispered in her ear, and released her, sat up straighter, wiped the tears from her face, and drew a deep breath.

  “Tammy, what’s wrong?” Phelan asked as he rushed over to his mate. He didn’t stop until he was kneeling in front of his woman with her hands in his.

  “Nothing. I’m fine.”

  “Then why have you been crying?” Hopper asked as he hurried over to Tammy.

  “I’m just feeling a little emotional right now. Pregnancy hormones.”

  “You’re tired, baby. I think an early night will do you a world of good.” Phelan didn’t give Tammy a chance to respond. He leaned over, scooped her up into his arms, and strode quickly toward the door.

  Pepper looked up with wide surprised eyes when Hopper squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you for allaying our mate’s fears, Pepper.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask me or Phelan. Okay?” Hopper asked.

  “Okay. Thanks.”

  “Get your fucking hands off our mate,” Cal said in a growly voice.

  Anger surged through Pepper at Cal’s possessive tone, but when she gazed into his eyes, she saw a gleam of amusement. Why did men have to put on such a show? Maybe it was their way of being affectionate toward each other. She would never be able to figure them out. Hopper winked and waved before he followed Phelan and Tammy out.

  “Don’t be an asshole, Cal,” Pepper said.

  “You like it when I’m an asshole, baby.”

  “In your dreams, buddy.”

  Cal didn’t reply. He sat down on the sofa, lifted her into his lap, threaded his fingers in
to her hair, and claimed her mouth with a passionate kiss. Her simmering libido fired up, and although she wanted to make love with her mates again, she was running on empty.

  The last few days were catching up with her, and she was so tired she felt as if she could sleep for a week.

  “Cal, Fin, we have a problem,” Tarik said from the living room doorway.

  Cal broke the kiss and turned his gaze toward his alpha.

  “Is Celeste—”

  “Celeste is fine, Pepper.” Tarik scrubbed a hand down his face.

  “What is it?” Fin asked, looking tense with his hands fisted.

  “The DEA have just landed. They have ten men in total.”

  “What the fuck?” Cal lifted Pepper onto the sofa cushion and shoved to his feet. “Why didn’t we know they were approaching?” He looked at the portable radio on his belt. He and Fin carried them everywhere they went so they could leave the traffic control tower but still know if there was an aircraft nearby.

  “The head guy I called in regards to the drugs, just called my cell phone. He said that they didn’t want anyone knowing he and his men were here.”

  A knot of dread lodged into Pepper’s chest and her stomach began to roil. This was all because of her. Celeste was in labor, about to give birth, and danger was on their doorstep. Guilt assailed her, and while she knew she wasn’t really responsible for this situation, she felt responsible anyway.

  “They’ve had a tail on a guy suspected of being mixed up with a new drug cartel in Russia. They think he killed a guy in Anchorage, but since he’d managed to slip his shadow, they aren’t certain.”

  “Fuck!” Cal began to pace. “They think that asshole’s here, don’t they?”

  Tarik nodded. “They know he is.”

  “He has to be at the resort,” Fin said. “Cal and I can go and get the fucker.”

  Tarik shook his head. “No, you can’t. The DEA wants to catch this prick in the act.”

  “So what?” Cal threw his hands up in the air. “They’re going to let this asshole get the drugs and ship them off?”

  “That’s the gist of it.” Tarik rubbed at the back of his neck.

  “That means that all those drugs will be sold on the streets. Innocent people could end up dead.”

  “The DEA are going to put a small tracker in all the bags. They want to know where those amphetamines end up. They need to get the head guy so they can take down the whole cartel.”

  “And we’re supposed to sit on our hands when this fucker was involved in almost getting our mate killed?” Cal roared.

  Kat startled, sat up, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Ward and Serge, who’d still been in the kitchen, hurried toward her.

  “You okay, baby?” Serge scooped her up into his arms and cradled her against his chest.

  “Yes, just tired. What’s with all the yelling?”

  “Things are about to go down with the drugs,” Ward replied as he caressed up and down Kat’s back.

  “Oh.” Kat met Pepper’s gaze. “Are you okay?”

  Pepper nodded. Her throat was constricted with anger and fear. Anger that her plane had been used to cart illegal cargo and fear for Kat, Celeste, Jenny, Tammy, and all the guys.

  She wanted to scream her rage at feeling so useless, but losing her shit wouldn’t help anyone.

  Maybe it was a good thing the DEA were here. If they had everything under control, then maybe no one would get hurt.

  Hopefully if everyone stayed inside, they would be safe.

  So why was she feeling sick with worry? Why didn’t she believe everything would go as smoothly as she hoped?

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Is that a fucking helicopter?” He peered out the window, his heart flipping in his chest when he saw lights in the dark sky and heard the whop, whop of blades in the air. “Who the fuck would be landing at this time of night in the middle of fucking nowhere. Shit! This can’t be good.” He rubbed his hands together in agitation. He turned from the window and hoped like hell the people on the chopper weren’t here because of him.

  He drew a deep breath and pushed that disconcerting thought aside. No way in hell did anyone but his boss know he was on St. Lawrence Island. It was probably some rich bastard deciding to take a break from the daily grind. Why anyone would pick this place was beyond him.

  Once Borya had showered, eaten, and had a nap, he was eager to go. While it was still way too early to make his move, he decided to do some reconnoitering to get the lay of the land. Thankfully, he’d also packed a powerful scope that fit his ACR as well as night vision goggles.

  Since he didn’t want anyone seeing him leave the resort, he unlocked and shoved the window to his room up and climbed out into the snow. He sank knee deep into the stuff and cursed at the cold, but he wasn’t about to turn back to change his jeans for his snow pants. He closed the window to his room and keeping to the shadows crept toward the airport.

  Just as he got to the last house before the wide-open space of the airport and grassy, rocky plain, he heard the helicopter powering down.

  He tensed as he put his eye to his scope. The first man off the chopper had to be a cop, and when other men began jumping from the craft, Borya’s heart began to race.

  Why the fuck was the DEA here, with military backup no less? There was only one explanation. Someone had found the fucking drugs and called them in.

  Sweat broke out under his arms and on his brow. He was fucked no matter which way he turned. If he didn’t get those drugs to Fyodor, he was a dead man. There was no way he could get to the contraband now that the law was here. He was screwed either way. What a fucking mess. He wished he could kill Darryn all over again. That bastard had fucked up big time and because of the dumb-asses stuff up, he was now in it up to his neck.

  Borya turned back toward the resort, and even though he kept to the shadows, he wasn’t as stealthy as he’d been earlier.

  What he needed to do now was find a way off this fucking island. He needed to disappear—otherwise his life would be over. But there was no way off. He was fucking trapped, and the only way out was to put a bullet into his own brain or shoot his way out.

  He wasn’t and had never been a coward, and he wasn’t about to turn yellow now. If he died, so be it. At least his boss would know that he’d tried to do his bidding. A fat lot of good that was when he’d end up six feet under.

  Borya climbed back in his window and pulled the blinds down. He put his rifle back on the top shelf of the closet, under the blanket, and discarded his jacket. As he paced backward and forward, he tried to think what to do.

  He had two options, fight and die or run.

  His loyalty had earned him a promotion with Fyodor, but he wouldn’t be able to reap the benefits if he was dead.

  A light bulb lit up in his head. There was a third option. If he could get a message to the yacht waiting out at sea, he might have a chance. That would mean he’d have to contact his boss and tell him that things had gone fubar.

  No matter what, he couldn’t fight the DEA and the soldiers with him by himself. Other than the airport, there was no way off the island. If he got whoever was on the boat to come help him take out the law, he would also have another means of escape.

  Borya nodded, sat on the edge of his bed, and pulled his phone out.

  He just hoped that things didn’t go anymore pear shaped than they already had.

  * * * *

  Cal glanced at Pepper and noted the tension in her body and her pale complexion. Her shoulders were up around her ears, her lips were pulled in a tight, straight line, and she was so pale she looked as if she was about to pass out.

  He sat down next to her, slung an arm over her shoulders, and pulled her up against his side. He kissed her head, breathed in her delicious honeysuckle-and-vanilla scent, and tried to figure out what to say to calm her down.

  Tarik had gone back to be with his mate as she labored through childbirth. Talon and Royal were gathering towels, sheets, and other
things Jenny had ordered them to get.

  Ward and Serge were sitting on the other large sofa. Kat was sound asleep curled up in Serge’s arms. Neither man was leaving the house in case they were needed to help Celeste.

  Cal had informed Hopper, Phelan, and Tammy of the danger lurking in town through the stealth link, but right now there was nothing any of them could do. It was up to the DEA and whoever they’d bought with them.

  He’d been having so much fun with his mate, best friend, and stealth members, he hadn’t even heard an aircraft go overhead, let alone land. However, he was glad they were here since there was a criminal at large in their small town.

  “Shit!” Fin scrubbed a hand over his face. “Someone needs to go to the resort and get the staff and other guests out.”

  “We can’t do that, Fin. That would be like waving a red flag in front of a bull.” Cal sighed.

  Talon and Royal entered the room. Talon had a fierce scowl on his face, and though Royal looked calm and relaxed, Cal knew better. Tension was emanating from both their retired alphas.

  “I’ve already contacted Wakanda,” Talon said. “She was manning the reception desk this afternoon and tonight. As soon as she saw the guy the DEA were watching, she made everyone leave. The locals have taken the tourists into their homes, so they’re out of firing range.”

  “This is so fucking frustrating.” Fin turned on his heel and paced over to the fireplace. “We could take this bastard down without anyone getting hurt.”

  “What is the DEA waiting for?”

  “Tarik already told you,” Royal stated impatiently.

  “Keep your voices down,” Ward ordered in a hard tone. “Kat doesn’t need you lot disturbing her sleep.”

  “Let’s take this to the kitchen.” Talon nodded in that direction.

  “Will you be okay for a bit, baby?” Cal asked.

  Pepper nodded.

  Cal lifted her to her feet, wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her lightly on the lips. “Stop worrying, mate. Everything will be fine.”

  Fin pulled Pepper into his arms when Cal released her. “He’s right, sweetness. You have no control over this. None of it’s your fault.” He cuddled her for a moment longer before he, too, kissed her on the lips.