Page 11 of The Defiant Curse

That made them both laugh.

With this castle, at least they had the right time frame for examples. That was period-related commentary if they ever heard it before.

He reassured the man.

“She’s not alone. Technically, once an Archangel, always an Archangel. My name was never retired, and I’m willing to pick up my sword and charge back into battle for this family.”

Oh, there was no doubt there. Michael was a good man, and they were lucky to have him in their family.

“Just love her for us. She’s pretty shattered.”

That broke his heart, but now, for Michael, the mission was set. It was ‘Operation Protect Mom’.

When Michael looked over at his husband to make sure he knew what was about to go down, Graham nodded, signifying he was on board.

“We will. I’ll update you and send texts when she lands, and if something needs to be communicated. If you hear nothing from us, consider it safe and going well.”

That was all Gene could ask.

He hoped he didn’t hear from them.

“Thank you, guys. We appreciate it.”

With that, he hung up, knowing he had a whole other shitstorm waiting for him.

If a case came up…

They were on their own.

That was going to be interesting since none of them had ever had to run a case alone but him, and he was definitely out of practice.

At the castle, there were plans to be made. Immediately, Michael put down his phone, and Graham was ready. He began doing what he did best.

It was all about preparing for another guest who needed to be healed. That was becoming a common theme here.

“We need to get the Master’s Suite ready. Looks like you and I are moving back to the caretaker’s apartment.”

At his words, something occurred to Michael, and he stopped him.

“No, we can’t. We’re going to need one of the rooms right outside that one so that we can pull double duty as hosts and bodyguards. We’re going to be hovering. Protection duty is twenty-four-seven,” he admitted.

He could feel the tension in his husband.

So, he reassured him.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said. “I know you’re stressed that this will put a damper on our newlywed phase. It won’t. There’s room for our mom here with us. I love her too.”

Michael’s demeanor softened.

Why wouldn’t Graham want to make sure she was just as safe with the Marines at home as she was here?

Elizabeth was a sweet woman—from what he’d learned about her through a few phone calls, he could tell she genuinely loved Michael.

And Michael loved her.

That meant he was all in.

Meeting her was something he was looking forward to. She was, after all, very important in Michael’s life.