Not this time.

“Addison.” Kendrick felt the speech he was going to make to her slip away. He got himself up on the porch and pulled her into his arms, burying himself in her for a brief moment. He inhaled her scent and breathed out his mark on her. Mine.

“Don’t you dare get hurt,” Addison was saying, her whisper warm in his ear. “You hear me?”

Kendrick eased out of the hug and cupped her face in his hands. “I killed him before—I can do it again.”

Jaycee, standing in the shadows, already taking her bodyguard duties seriously, looked worried. “Make sure you kill him all the way this time, Kendrick.”

Kendrick shot her a look. “No worries there. Addison—you’ll be well with Jaycee. Look after my sons.”

“Of course.” Addison touched his face, her hand cool. “Go get ’em, tiger.”

At her feet, both Zane and Brett burst out laughing. “Go get ’em, tiger,” they repeated in their shrill voices.

Kendrick crouched down to them. “You two take care of Addison, all right?”

“We will,” Brett said. “If Lachy and his traitors come here, we’ll wipe the floor with them.”

“Yeah,” his brother said. “We’ll go all tiger on their asses.”

Kendrick gathered his boys to him, his heart aching. If he didn’t return . . .

No good thinking like that. Kendrick would take care of the problem and come on home.

He hugged both boys tightly and set them on their feet. “Tell you what—when I come back we’ll have a big cookout, Texas style, and pie. Lots and lots of pie.”

“Yay!” Both boys said. “We’ll help Addie make pies,” Brett said. “Even the apple one you like.” He made a face.

Kendrick hugged them once more then let them go. They’d focus on the celebration, not the danger.

“Robbie.”

Robbie, who’d hung back from Kendrick and his blood sons, now came forward. He was old enough to understand the kind of danger Kendrick faced and the consequences. He also understood that because he wasn’t Kendrick’s biological son, his position would be precarious if Kendrick died or was too hurt in the fight to resume leadership.

“Addison will take care of you,” he said. “No matter what. She’s my mate. So will Zander. Understand?”

Robbie listened, gray eyes round, and nodded. Robbie was so serious, having been forced to grow up too quickly. Kendrick vowed that he’d make a place where Robbie, the orphan he’d come to love, could be a cub, and play and run without worry.

Kendrick hugged Robbie and nuzzled his cheek. Robbie nuzzled him back, his body shaking, but he gave Kendrick a nod when they released each other, letting Kendrick know he’d be strong.

Kendrick unfolded to his feet again. Addison was watching him, understanding what it cost him to leave his cubs behind to go into battle. She also understood that the battle was necessary.

Kendrick slid his hand to the back of her neck and kissed her. “Goddess keep you,” he said, his heart full.

Addison rose on tiptoes and put her lips to his ear. “I love you too, Kendrick.”

The shock that jolted through Kendrick nearly knocked him off his feet. He blinked down at her, pulling away, and Addison slanted him a wicked smile.

“That’s distracted you from your tearful good-byes,” she said. “Go kick ass, Kendrick. I’ll keep the coffeepot warm for you.”

Kendrick growled, his heart pumping, triumph taking the place of rage. He crushed another kiss to her lips, turned, and leapt from the steps. His heart raced and was light at the same time.