Page 189 of Beasts of Mine

“What exactly is the work face?” I asked Luca as I slipped the work pack from my shoulders and placed it carefully beside the table before pulling out the chair next to him.

“The one where you're thinking about several things at once and haven't decided which one you're willing to say first.” Luca explained as he shifted the repaired bag aside to clear more room for me, a small smile touching his mouth.

“That is disturbingly specific.” I told Luca as I lowered myself into the chair and rubbed one palm over my thigh, still feeling the walk in my legs.

“You do it often.” Luca replied as his glance moved toward the fruit still in my hand. “Did you eat dinner before Tavian found you?”

“I did.” I assured Luca as I held the fruit slightly higher. “This is apparently supplemental feeding.”

“She walked all the way here.” Tavian told Luca as he leaned against the edge of the table, his defense serious despite how ridiculous the argument sounded. “She needs more food.”

“I am standing right here.” I reminded Tavian as I looked toward him, though the concern underneath the words kept me from being annoyed.

“I know.” Tavian answered as he met my eyes, his voice quieter than the usual banter. “That's why I gave it to you.” I stared at him for a second before deciding there was no reasonable response to that.

Malek had left the wall and moved closer during the exchange, stopping across from me where cedar and damp earth joined the familiar mix around the table. He didn't demand an explanation for whatever Tavian and Luca had already noticed. He simply waited, golden-brown eyes resting on me with the patience I'd learned usually meant he trusted me to speak when I was ready.

There wasn't going to be an elegant opening.

“Wild Terrain offered me another assignment.” I told all three men as I placed the half-finished fruit on a broad leaf beside me and rested both hands against the edge of the table.

“The people who needed the photographs quickly?” Luca asked as recognition crossed his face, his attention settling fully on me.

“Yes.” I answered Luca with a nod. “They liked the emergency photographs enough that they came back with something much bigger.”

“What kind of assignment?” Tavian asked as he straightened from the table, curiosity replacing the last of his joking.

“It's in Patagonia.” I told Tavian as I looked between all three men, refusing to make the important part sound smaller than it was. “They want me there for twelve weeks doing a wildlife feature across several protected areas. Pumas, guanacos, condors, habitat work, conservation teams, and whatever else develops while I'm there.”

Tavian's face changed immediately, and the citrus-and-spice in his scent sharpened.

“Twelve weeks?” Tavian repeated as his brows pulled together.

“Yes.” I confirmed to Tavian as I held his gaze. “About three months.”

“How far away is Patagonia?” Tavian asked as he folded his arms loosely, his voice more subdued than it had been moments earlier.

“Very far from here.” I answered Tavian as I leaned my forearms against the table. “Different continent. Flights, probably more than one, depending on where they bring the team in.”

Tavian absorbed that before asking the question I could see forming.

“Will you be alone?” Tavian asked as concern tightened his face, the question protective without carrying a demand beneath it.

“No.” I told Tavian as I shook my head. “There'll be local trackers, conservation workers, researchers, field staff, probably drivers depending on the sites. I'm not being dropped onto a mountain with a camera and wished good luck.”

“I know you can take care of yourself.” Tavian said as he unfolded his arms and rested one hand against the table. “That doesn't mean I won't wonder who's around when none of us can be.”

The straightforward concern softened me.

“That's fair.” I told Tavian as I reached across and briefly touched his hand. “I'll know a lot more once the full field plan comes through.” Tavian turned his hand enough to catch my fingers for a moment before letting them go.

“What is a guanaco?” Tavian asked after a pause, genuine curiosity beginning to edge out some of his concern.

“A relative of a llama.” I explained to Tavian as a smile tugged at my mouth, already knowing from his blank face that I'd created another problem.

“What is a llama?” Tavian asked as his brows drew together, looking briefly toward Luca as though he might somehow have acquired knowledge of South American camelids without mentioning it.

“I'll show you pictures later.” I promised Tavian as I laughed softly.