Lee: Emerson Wolves—Paranormal Erotic Wolf Shifter Romance by Kathi S. Barton Page B

bargained for…not that I mind having you all here, but there are so many of you. When Hannah and I were living in our apartment, it was just her and me and Fern, my housemate. Now it seems I have five brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law, a nephew, and a niece on the way. You, Mr. Cash, as well as an entire pack that will protect me with their life. And you want to know what the funniest part is? I’m not even married.”
    Her laughter was a little on the manic side, and Cash could understand that. He took her hand in his and said her name until she looked at him. Fear was there, and the overwhelmed feelings she’d been talking about. But Cash could see her inner strength too, and was glad for it.
    “You wanna marry my Lee?” She didn’t answer him. “I can see where you’d be a little upset on that front, but you two have already mated and bonded. You know that, don’t you? So marrying like humans do ain’t really that necessary. But we do it for the things that the law says we need to have. Like insurance, for one thing, and property. Understand?”
    “Yes. Dawn explained it to me. She also said that you all would be able to smell it on me.” She glared at Lee, who grinned like a fool back at her. “Someone should have explained that part before the pantry.”
    “The pantry?” Cash felt his face heat up when she got red in the face too. “You’ll have to forgive me, child. I’m just so proud of my boys for finding the right mates. And making sure that they’re marked.”
    “I don’t want anyone to get hurt on my account.” Cash wanted to tell her that wasn’t going to matter if she needed them, but she lowered her voice as she continued. “I don’t just have me to watch out for, I have my daughter too.”
    Cash looked over at the child. Good heavens, he’d fallen in love with her the moment she’d come up to him and asked if he really was her grandda. And taking her shopping had been the most fun he’d had in ages. He was looking forward to more outings with Kelly and her together. He had a feeling it would be a hoot. Cash looked back at Kimber.
    “You don’t have to worry none about her either. That girl has my heart almost as if she’d wrapped her little hand around it and took it from me. And that Kelly? Those two are going to get in the best kind of mischief, and I’m going to be right there egging them on.” Hunter laughed, and he looked at him. “You tell her, son. Tell her that we’re never going to let them get hurt again.”
    But Luke cleared his throat, and Cash nodded. She did need to know what she was up against so they could start keeping them safe. When he started to pull his hands free of hers, she held him tightly and he stayed right where he was. Cash had a feeling that of all his daughters-in-law, this one would take some convincing that she was stronger than she thought she was. Making sure that Lee was all right with him holding her hand, his son winked at him and he could have burst, he was so proud at that moment.
    “Your aunt has some things lined up for you that you need to be made aware of.” Mrs. Mantle, Addie’s grandmother Clemmie, came into the room then, and Luke waited until she was settled before he continued. “The things that you overheard today, that was only the tip of the iceberg on what she’s done to manipulate your life. Some of it…most of it isn’t even legal.”
    “She killed James, didn’t she? Or she had someone do it.” Luke nodded, and the fingers on Cash’s hand became painful for just a second. “He tried to tell me that he’d been doing things that he wasn’t proud of. But I was so happy with him and the baby that was coming. He kept Hannah’s conception from her on purpose, I guess.”
    Kimber kissed Hannah on the head when she came to sit by her mom, then asked Cash if he’d mind taking her into the other room.
    “Sure enough. Me and this one, we got us a mean game of some candy game going on. And I’m not even