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Demi’s heart dropped and her stomach twisted as she recognized China’s voice from behind where she sat in the booth.
Turning slowly, she faced her bestie.
“China.”
“What’s going on?” China put her hand up. “Before you say something like it’s not my concern or I misheard you, just remember that we’ve known each other our whole lives and we both detest lying.”
Demi pursed her lips. China was right—there wasn’t much Demi hated more than lying.
“Sit down,” Demi said, gesturing to the end of the half-circle corner booth. When China was seated, Demi told her everything that had happened from the meeting with Benecio to Abbie’s disturbing vision.
China sat back and drummed her fingers on the table.
The waitress appeared and set everyone’s food down, then asked if China wanted anything. She shook her head. When they were alone again, China cleared her throat. “So, if I mate with this Benecio asshole, someone might die?”
“We just don’t know,” Demi said.
“To be fair,” her dad said, “Abbie said she saw death related to Benecio and that there was something off about the match. So, she’s not sure you’rehismatch, which is why she asked us to keep quiet about it.”
“Sorry,” Demi said. “We shouldn’t have been talking about it in public, I’m just so frustrated.”
“It’s okay, really. I’d rather know than there be this weird thing between us because you needed to keep it from me.”
Demi reached across the table and took China’s hand, giving it a squeeze. “You’re my best friend and I love you dearly. I don’t want you to get hurt in any way. I’d rather deal with Benecio on my own than involve you.”
Rafe and Rhaider both growled softly. Demi released China’s hand and touched both of theirs.
“I understand. I wish he’d never come to Kedrick,” China said.
Demi wished that as well.
“Don’t worry about anything,” Rhaider said. “We’re not going to let Demi get hurt. We’ll defeat him and send him packing, and it will be the end of things.”
“If Abbie wanted you to know, if she thought you were meant to be with Benecio, I think she would’ve contacted you,” Demi said. Which she believed, but she also kind of thought that Abbie hadn’t planned to tell China because she was afraid she was the one to die in the vision. Demi was glad that she didn’t have to deal with that kind of burden of knowledge.
“That’s a good point,” China said. She slid from the booth and stood. “Thanks for filling me in. I hope that he sees the truth that you’re mated and moves on. It’s pathetic that he’s been acting like a toddler who had a toy taken away.”
“Fact,” Demi said. She stood and hugged her. “Love you, bestie.”
“To the moon and back,” China said.
She said goodbye to their group, stopped at the counter and picked up a to-go bag, and left.
“She’s sweet,” Quentin said. “You’re lucky to have her for a friend.”
“I am.” Demi picked up the grilled ham and cheese sandwich. “We still need to talk about this fighting for me business.”
“Trust us to protect you and our mating,” Rhaider said. “Rafe and I were both trained to fight in our human and bear forms. He might be a powerful alpha, but we’re fighting for you and that means we’re going to do everything in our power to win.”
“Let’s just table things while we eat,” Quentin said. “All this fight talk is giving me indigestion.”
Demi smiled. “Sorry. Let’s talk about looking for a new place to live.”
“There’s a house near us that’s empty,” Quentin said.
“Really?”
“Yep, Clive Henderson moved down to Florida after his mate died. His daughter is in a pride down there and he was having some trouble getting around with his arthritis. It’s been empty since he left.”
