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“Then, don’t sass me.” I sit back in the chair and shrug.
She shakes her head. “Okay, Mom. So, wait. You still didn’t explain why you had to go into that trafficker’s lair.”
“E.A. has a secret that’s been destroying him inside, too. It’s all linked to this case, and it’s been tearing our pack apart. We needed that evidence to end this whole thing once and for all.”
“Well, now you’ve got it,” she says. “Was it worth the risk?”
I nod, not having to think twice about it. “It was. I knew it would be, because I followed my heart. I didn’t have the courage to do that after I had you. I’m never making that mistake again.”
Secret puts the cheese puffs down on E.A.’s desk, and I hear a bunch of them crunching under her chairs wheels when she moves it forward and leans over to hug me.
“Ugh, you smell like cheese dust!” I feign disgust as I hug her back tightly.
“Deal with it,” she tells me. “I’m your kid.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “You’re my kid.”
Chapter One Hundred Six
Toshi
I was not prepared for this impromptu pizza party, and it shows. Everyone else is chatting as if they’ve known each other forever, while I pretty much stuff my face with pizza and count down the minutes until I can head back to my desk and my laptop. It doesn’t help that I’m an unwashed mess today, wearing yesterday’s clothes.
The four Alphas are at one table, swapping war stories or something like that.
I’m sitting with Ryan, Dylan and Echo, but I might as well be invisible, or a ghost.
“Wait,” Echo says. “Tell me you’re playing the new Instant Combat.”
“We just got it,” Ryan mutters, shrugging.
“I’ve been bugging Ryan to give it a try,” Dylan says. “I’m not super into that stuff, but it’s supposed to be amazing. The most immersive storyline ever, right?”
“We think so,” Echo says, motioning to me. “We’ve played a few campaigns together, but it would be awesome to meet you guys online sometime. I’ve heard the online gameplay is next level.”
“That would be cool.” Dylan nods and looks at his cup in disappointment. “Give me a second. I need more soda. Anyone want a refill?”
“No thanks,” Echo tells him.
Ryan shakes his head, and I do the same.
“I feel like I should get back to checking those meetings,” I tell Echo. “The sooner we can gather all the info, the better.”
“I’m ready to get working,” Ryan says. “What meetings are you looking into? Maybe I can help.”
“I guess you could use Spencer’s PC and we could both re-check the dates,” I tell him, not super thrilled that I have to sit in an enclosed space with a virtual stranger while I feel kind of gross.
I wouldn’t say I’m usually this anti-social. It’s definitely a situational thing.
“Great,” he gets up. “Lead the way.”
Echo sits back. “I’m going to cram a couple more slices down. This pizza’s too good not to make sure there’s no leftovers.”
I doubt we’re going to have no leftovers. There are two unopened boxes, and I’m pretty sure everyone’s almost done eating. I mean, besides Leanne and Secret. They step back into the room as I get to my feet, ready to show Ryan what I’m working on.
They walk over to us.
“Tell me there’s still pizza,” Leanne says.
