A Jaguars Touch by Lacey Thorn Page A

“How long do you think they’ve been gone? We’ll need to move quick if we’re going to catch up.”
    “Wait,” Vic said. “Wouldn’t you be able to smell if she was pregnant?”
    “If she were here, in front of us, then yes,” Zane answered. “When she came back, all we could smell was the fact she’d…mated.”
    “I can head out, now,” Reno offered.
    “Stop!” Vic yelled.
    “Did you not hear me? She’s might be pregnant,” Zane said.
    “So, being pregnant means we can’t trust her to be smart? To stay safe?” Vic asked.
    “I don’t think that’s what he’s saying,” Logan said. “You heard what Clara witnessed with her aunt. None of us want that for Kenzie.”
    “No, we don’t. But we don’t get to lock her up and keep her prisoner just because she might be.” She turned her attention to Tah and Abby but addressed her question to Abby. “Would you have done anything to harm Regan while you were pregnant?”
    “Of course not,” Abby answered.
    “It’s not the same,” Zane said.
    “Why? Because Kenzie doesn’t have her mate with her to protect her?” Vic shook her head. “If what Gideon told us earlier doesn’t change anything, then this shouldn’t, either. You know Kenzie. You know how capable she is. Hell, you sent her out there alone with Diane to find Zane.”
    “And she was captured,” Zane thundered.
    “And it wasn’t your fault,” Vic said. “We all made the choice to be here, and in making that choice, we accepted any consequences. You don’t get to take responsibility, not for us or from us.”
    “She’s right,” Abby said. “As much as I want you to go after Kenzie, Vic is right. You gave everyone the choice to leave instead of going with us. That choice isn’t negated because of something Kenzie may or may not be.”
    “I promised her mate we would keep her safe,” Tah stated. “We owe him for what he’s done for us.”
    “You promised Kenzie, as well,” Vic argued. “I’d say you owe her more than you do a mate who walked away.”
    “Vic,” Zane said.
    “I don’t give a fuck what his reasons were,” Vic stated, letting her anger pour through her voice. “All I know is Kenzie isn’t the same woman we’ve always known. That bastard broke something inside her, and if she needs a little bit of time to deal with it, then we’ll fucking give it to her. She’s more than earned that much from all of us. I don’t know what he said to you, and I honestly don’t give a shit. I know what I saw on Kenzie’s face, what I heard when she spoke.” She stopped and blew out a rough breath. “Don’t be another one of the people who let her down,” Vic warned softly. “She deserves better from us.”
    “She’s right,” Abby agreed. “If it eases your mind, call her or Holt, but don’t go after her.”
    Tah looked torn, as if he wasn’t a hundred percent sure of what choice to make. Vic decided to press one more time.
    “Give her the benefit of the doubt here,” Vic urged. “If she doesn’t show up in Oklahoma like she promised, I’ll go after her myself.”
    Tah sighed. “We’ll give her a little time. For now,” he said, glancing between Vic and his wife. “Reno, see if you can reach either of them on a phone. Make sure they know to get in touch if they need us. And let Kenzie know we support her, no matter what, but we expect her to keep in touch and let us know exactly what the hell is going on.”
    Reno nodded. “We need to adjust our plan then. That leaves Vic with Ariel, and you know that’s not a good idea.”
    Tah snorted and shook his head.
    “What?” Vic said. “I won’t kill her.” She’d made no bones that she didn’t trust the other woman, but that didn’t mean she’d do anything stupid. Besides, Ariel was the last person on her mind at the moment. Gideon was front and center with Kenzie not far behind.
    “Take Ariel with you,” Tah told Reno. “Vic, you go with Murphy, Finn and Griffin. That gives an extra