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The skinny black kid, who’d been snoozing away, rubbed his eyes. Seeing Manners, he fumbled excitedly with his seatbelt and bounded out. He flashed Manners a huge grin and bounced into his arms. ‘Greg!’ he cried, hugging him tight. I watched as Manners returned the hug just as warmly.
‘Fritz,’ he murmured. ‘It’s good to see you, kid. Thanks for coming.’
‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world. We can hang out and sort out a control centre for you, just like old times.’ The young boy pulled back, searching his face. ‘You didn’t even say goodbye,’ he accused softly.
‘Had to skip town before my mother got wind of me being there,’ Manners said lightly, ruffling the kid’s tight black curls. ‘Besides, saying goodbye to you is just too hard.’
‘I missed you,’ the lad said in a small voice.
‘Back at you.’ Manners pulled him in for another hug.
‘Is there a reason you’re still shirtless?’ Fritz asked with a mischievous grin.
‘Showing off my guns.’ Manners winked, making Fritz laugh. ‘Come on, I’ll show you where we need to set up.’ He turned back to me. ‘I’m going to set up in your office. It’s the most secure room and it makes sense for you to have primary access.’
‘Sure.’ I knew nothing about security, but they could do whatever the hell they liked if it would make the mansion more secure. I didnotwant another incident. I was aware that the attacks had probably been carried out by a pack mate, but hopefully the cameras would make them think twice about launching another. ‘Manners,’ I called. ‘Hallways and entrances and exits. We don’t want cameras in every single room. People are entitled to some privacy.’
He grimaced a little but nodded, then headed inside.
I was exhausted and I needed some down time. The mansion was crawling with strangers, and they were already banging and hammering and drilling. It was not conducive to a good sleep.
I knew just where to go. I got changed, grabbed a duffel of spare clothes and headed off to Rosie’s. It was early morning, and the breakfast trade and portal trade were booming.
I nodded to Maxwell, who was serving behind the counter. ‘Your boys are upstairs,’ he called.
I nodded.See you on the other side,I whispered to Esme, feeling a little morose.
I always come back,she reassured me gently.Sleep well, Lucy.
As I stepped into the portal, Esme faded from my mind and my triangle disappeared from my forehead. I went upstairs to the apartment and was admitted by an elemental I recognised from my last visit.
Archie and Liam were at the breakfast bar eating toast with a huge pile of scrambled eggs; they must have raided a farm. My tummy rumbled loudly. I’d been in wolf form all night and my hunger was crippling.
Liam pushed his plate towards me. ‘You get started on that. I’ll make some more.’
I didn’t need to be invited twice and sat down next to Archie. ‘Hey, Archie. Hey, Fred.’
Archie blinked. ‘Who’s Fred?’
‘Your wolf. He calls himself Fred.’
Archie’s mouth dropped open. ‘Fred?’ he said wonderingly. ‘That seems so … nice.’ He shuddered a little.
‘Fredisnice, he’s just a bit grumpy that you never let him have the reins.’
‘Because I’d be lost!’ Archie exclaimed. ‘He’d never let me regain control!’
‘Yet here you sit,’ I pointed out. ‘In control again.’
Archie looked confused. ‘He was in charge?’
‘He was. When you were injured, he took control and made you both change. He saved your life.’
‘Why?’
I shrugged. ‘I guess he might like you a little after all.’
Archie scratched his head. ‘I don’t get it. My whole life I was told never to trust my wolf, that he’d ravish and destroy everything if I let him.’
