LIZA
After checking on the mixer, I scooted to the left and twisted the knob on one of the fancy ovens to preheat it for the cookies. The kitchen was a dream to work in. I’d worked in a lot of private kitchens in Presley Acres, but my new home base was better appointed than any of them, and better equipped, even, than some commercial kitchens.
I’d spent longer than I’d planned mixing the ingredients, but I had some time, so it was the perfect opportunity to try a new recipe I hoped to include in the fall menu. The base for the cookies was the same as any other sugar cookie, but I added cinnamon, cranberries, and a hint of orange zest for an extra kick.
The mixer stopped just as the chef walked into the kitchen. “What are you preparing today, Mrs. Keller?”
My immediate reaction to being called Mrs. Keller was to cringe, but I tried to mask my discomfort by standing up tall and composed. To me, that was Ty’s mother’s name, not mine. My new name was another one of the many things I still needed to get used to, including having my own personal chef. Beforemarrying Ty, others had hired me to be their personal chef, so the whole thing was fucking odd.
“I’m trying out a cookie recipe. Want me to save a few for you?”
“Absolutely. It smells delicious in here; my mouth’s watering. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Nah.” I waved him off. “I’m in my element, Chef. You can leave me be.”
I loved being in the kitchen. Some people used meditation to soothe their frayed nerves. I cooked. After the morning I’d had, I needed to release my pent-up energy.
He smiled and walked away, giving me my privacy to cook uninterrupted in the expansive kitchen. There were multiple pantries and more cabinets than I could count. Hell, it had taken me twenty minutes just to find the cooling racks.
While I rolled the dough into individual balls, I thought about Cecily’s parents. Their reaction hadn’t been a huge surprise. I’d fully expected the backlash, to be blamed in some way. What I hadn’t anticipated was Mr. Banks lunging at me. The sudden, explosive movement coupled with the predatory look in his eyes had terrified me, I had to admit, and I wasn’t sure how I’d summoned the strength to play it cool. Perhaps having Ty by my side had worked with our bond and given me some sort of subconscious sense of safety. One thing I was sure of? If Ty had been a millisecond slower in his reaction, Mr. Banks would’ve mauled me to death. The whole meeting, witnessing their grief and anguish, had been a horrific experience.
I glanced at the oven clock and saw that it was a quarter past one. I picked up the pace, quickly shoving the baking sheets into the oven. Ty had asked me to sit in on his interviews, and I wasn’t about to be late. There were days when I found it difficult to envision myself as the alpha’s mate. Today, though, I wasstanding by Ty’s side while he delivered crucial information to pack members and interviewed potential employees who would hold our safety in their hands.
As soon as the cookies were cooled enough to be consumed, I hurried to Ty’s office on the second floor. The door was open, so I took a moment to just take in my husband. He struck an imposing figure sitting behind what had been his father’s desk. His dark hair was tousled from running his fingers through it as he sat at his desk, deep in concentration.
“Knock, knock. Do you have time for a cookie?”
He perked up and smiled, sending my heart fluttering. My mate was so damn handsome, it was hard for me to keep my hands off of him during the day. I tried to remind myself that he had important matters to attend to, though I would’ve much preferred he tended to me and my constant aching need for him.
“My schedule always allows for something sweet, but since I can’t have you right now, a cookie will have to suffice.” Ty took a cookie from the platter, then made a move to swipe another with his other hand.
Laughing, I pulled the plate out of his reach. “Tut, tut, Ty. Don’t be so greedy. These aren’t all for you. They are for our interviewees.”
He grabbed my free hand and pulled me in for a tender, lingering kiss. “These smell delicious. Thank you for whipping them up.”
I feigned outrage at his words. “I wouldn’t quite call it whipping up. It’s a science, meticulously choosing ingredients, balancing the flavors, and carefully baking them at the right temperature for the perfect amount of time.”
“Eh, you say poe-tay-to, I say puh-tah-to.” Ty shrugged, then laughed before he took a bite, moaning in approval.
I took a few minutes to set everything up, then glanced around the room, satisfied with my handiwork. The aroma offresh baking filled the air, and a pitcher of cold water and glasses sat invitingly on the table next to the plate of cookies. Normally, I would have left such tasks to the staff, but Ty had asked me to be part of these meetings, and I wanted to add my own personal touch. A vase of bright flowers from the garden adorned the center of the table, providing a splash of color against the otherwise serious-looking office.
A member of the staff knocked on the door, and Ty stepped out, poking his head into the room a few minutes later. His gray eyes focused on me intently. “The first guy’s here for the interview.”
Unsure of what was expected of me beyond observing, I decided I’d treat it like I would an interview for my own business. I might not be the one asking the questions, but I could take notes on each candidate so Ty and I could consult after.
I retrieved a notepad and pen from the drawer and settled onto a chair at the side of the desk. “Okay, I’m ready. Bring him on in.”
Moments later, a tall, skinny shifter entered, and Ty gestured for him to take a seat. The man introduced himself as Orlando, and an involuntary shudder ran down my back. I recalled how Nico had been terrifying, but something about this guy was downright creepy. His speech held no inflection. His monotone words flowed almost robotically from his blank-eyed face. I kept watching to see if he’d blink, and if it’d be like those aliens in the movies with his eyelids sweeping horizontally rather than vertically? I wondered if he had a soul, or if he might be some weird life form… perhaps even a reptilian shifter. My lips twitched as I suppressed a giggle, and I had to lower my head, letting my hair fall in a curtain over it to hide my reaction while Ty began asking Orlando questions.
“Thank you for coming in.” Ty’s face was expressionless, no doubt wanting to stay neutral toward the candidates. “Why do you want to be an informant?”
Orlando shifted nervously in his seat, and I wondered if he truly understood the implications of the job. “I’ve been looking for work for a long time and figured this would be as good a job as any.”
I bit my tongue to avoid interrupting Ty’s interview. This guy was a fucking joke. He didn’t have the first clue what would be expected of him, hadn’t even taken the time to find out the bare minimum the job would require. Ty should just put an end to the whole charade. Ty’s expression glazed over as he cracked his knuckles. If I had to guess, he had already discounted Orlando as a potential employee.
“Orlando,” Ty said evenly. “I understand you come highly recommended by Nico. What is your connection to him? Have you worked with him on security detail somewhere?”
“Nico is my uncle,” Orlando said.
