“Or worse, find ourselves fighting them.”

“We don’t know who they are or what angle they’re taking. This could be bad.”

“My darlings, leave Glorianna to me.”

Akane jumped. She should have caught that wild, intense scent before the man spoke, but Robin had a way of creeping up on even the most sensitive noses. She turned to face her boss, her expression deliberately bland. “Good evening, Robin.”

Robin Goodfellow, aka Puck, aka the Hob, one of the scariest men on the planet, was a tall, slender man with the wiry build and broad shoulders of a swimmer. He had waist-length, red hair that danced around him in a fiery halo, and laughing blue eyes in a face that would have made Michelangelo weep. The Hob was dressed tonight in a caramel-colored silk shirt that complemented his bright hair and tight leather pants that showcased his slim build. Leather boots completed the look. He looked like a fairy-tale prince with a modern twist, and he reveled in it. The Hob smiled at her, green fire flashing in his eyes.

“Good evening, Akane. Shane.”

Shane smiled back, totally at ease with Robin’s presence. “Hey, Robin. I’m sorry about that. I didn’t know she was working. Blame me for any screw-ups back there. If she’d told me, I wouldn’t have interfered.”

Robin looked up at Shane through his lashes. “Truly? You could have stood by and watched as your—”

“I. Am. Not. His. Mate.” Akane poked Jethro in the chest with each hissed word. She was getting tired of repeating herself.

“Whatever you say, darlin’,” Shane drawled back. He caught hold of her hand and held it there against his chest. “You’re just my sweetie, right?” And he gave her the biggest, most gooberish grin she’d ever seen on a person’s face.

Gods, he was so good at looking stupid it was frightening, especially since he was one of the cagiest men she’d ever met. She looked over at Robin, desperately trying to hide the panic growing inside her. “Can I kill him now?”

Robin threw his head back and laughed.

Shane just shook his head, his grin lightening to something much more natural. “Robin, if there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”

She didn’t like the speculation in Robin’s eyes. She didn’t like it one little bit. She spoke without thinking, protecting him. “He’s not Blade material.”

That green fire flashed in Robin’s eyes once more. “I believe I am the best judge of that.”

The gentle rebuke was made more chilling by the green light that refused to leave Robin’s face. Akane bowed low, baring her neck, eyes respectfully downcast. “My apologies, my lord.”

She waited, head bowed, for either the blow or the caress. She breathed a sigh of relief when Robin’s hand tangled in her curls. “Forgiven, of course. One must make allowances when mates are involved.”

She lifted her head once more. “You’re so certain of that?” She was careful to keep any challenge from her voice. Robin’s temperament could be volatile; she didn’t want to test the levels of his affection for her.

He tilted her face up with one black-nailed finger. “Of course.” He winked at her, the green fire gone, once more the laughing rogue rather than Oberon’s personal Blade. “Am I ever wrong?”

She bit her tongue until it bled.

Robin nodded as if she’d agreed with him whole-heartedly. “Very well then. Shane, I’ll keep your offer in mind. For now, we know that Tristan is less than pleased with his Malmayne cousins.”

Shane’s fists clenched. “And Henri is thinking of harming Ruby.”

Every light bulb in the parking lot burst, plunging them into darkness. Robin’s voice floated out of the darkness, mildly curious. “I’m sorry. What was that again?”

The only light now was from passing cars, and Akane was grateful for it. She didn’t want to see Robin’s face just then. The last time he’d used that particular tone of voice they hadn’t even been able to identify the body via DNA. The Hob had managed to tear even that apart in his rage. She inched closer to Shane, placing herself between him and Robin, knowing even as she did so it would do no good.

Apparently Robin was very fond of the human female.

Etienne spoke after an audible gulp. “Tristan overheard something that leads him to believe Henri’s planning on making a move on Ruby Dunne, something that would force Leo’s hand and give them what they want.”

“Ah.” The soft sigh Robin gave sounded sweet and gentle. “Then Ruby, above all, must be protected. Akane, you and Etienne will continue to court Tristan. Shane, I may require your assistance, but for now, allow Akane to protect you.” When Shane made a sound of protest Robin’s eyes glowed, bright enough to see, eerie enough to raise goose bumps on her arms. “Shane, you are still a child of Dunne and therefore in possible danger. Allow my Blade to do her job, if you please.”

Shane bowed beside her. “As you wish.”

Robin’s hand reached out and patted Shane’s cheek. “Good. You all know what you must do.” A gust of wind kicked up, swirling around Robin in a mini tornado, and yet his voice was as clear as ever. “And so do I.” With that, the Hob disappeared. The wind died down. The only sounds in the parking lot now were the breathing of the three remaining fae.

Akane’s damn knees had gone weak. If Robin had lost it, Shane could have died. Her reaction to that thought was something she was going to have to think long and hard about. The knowledge that she’d been willing to place herself between Shane and Robin-fucking-Goodfellow was life altering. “That went well.”

Etienne touched her shoulder. “Indeed. We still breathe.”

Shane blew out a breath, possibly just to prove he could. Robin had that effect on people. “He does know how to make an exit, doesn’t he?”

She refused to join Etienne in his slightly hysterical giggles. A woman had her pride, after all.

When they got back to the farm, cars were parked out front. Shane grinned. His mother had managed to pull it off, and Shane couldn’t be more pleased. It was one more step in giving Akane the family she so desperately craved, even if she didn’t understand why.

It was enough that he did. He had no problems sharing his family with his future mate. Hell, he wanted her to claim them as her own, because they’d already begun to claim her.

“What’s going on?”

He opened the car door and helped her out, hiding his smile as her covetous glance ran over Bumblebee. The bright yellow Corvette had caught her eye immediately. The low growl in her throat when she realized it belonged to him had been priceless. Since she’d flown to the bar rather than trust her Boxster in the parking lot, he’d been more than happy to give her a ride home, and she’d loved every minute of it. He’d opened up the muscle car on the road, letting the roar of the engine and the sounds of the wind drown out the need for conversation. “Let’s find out.”

He led her up to the front porch, noting her frown when she recognized Duncan’s M6 and Leo’s brand new Land Rover. “Wonder what they’re doing here? You think Robin contacted them?”

He almost laughed, keeping a straight face with difficulty. “You mean about Henri and his probable villainous intent to harm Ruby?”

She glared at him. She did that a lot, but this time was different. She was eyeing him like she didn’t quite know what to make of him and it was freaking her the fuck out.

“Yeah.”

“Maybe.” He opened the front door, enjoying her gasp of surprise. “Then again, maybe not.”

Over the green sofa in the living room, his mother had strung a Happy Birthday banner. Food, drink and presents littered every available surface. Family filled the air with chatter and laughter, warming the happy home even further.

“Akane! Happy birthday.” Ruby, Leo’s bubbly mate, darted out from the shelter of her man’s arms and gave Akane a hug.