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Well, that was a no-brainer. Shopping it would be.
But thinking of Nick told her that she owed him a phone call.
And as soon as she thought of it, Ying let her know it would be better to see Nick when she talked to him.
Lauren took ten minutes to get dressed in jeans and a button-up shirt, and to put her makeup on. She sat back on the bed with the shirt opened enough so Ying could see, and she initiated a video call.
Nick answered outside, with the forest behind him.
“What is it you need, Lauren?”
Wow, he was pissed. Hurt, too, but pissed. Ying’s information didn’t flow to her in words, but she knew what Ying knew without having to process the information.
“I needed time to calm down before we talked, and you pissed me off even more by not giving it to me. I’m sorry about the way last night happened, but our friendship is important, and it wouldn’t have been good for us to have fought it out last night.”
“Well, you’re going to have all the time you need to calm down now. If there’s nothing you need, I’ll get back to my run.”
“Can we have dinner this evening, before you go to work?”
“No, Lauren. No dinners, no breakfasts. We’ll speak as much as necessary for us to do our jobs, but no more. I’ve asked Queenie to come pack your things and take them to wherever you’ll be living, since I assume she has that information.”
“Wait, what are you saying? I got a tattoo so we aren’t friends anymore?”
“No. I’m saying that I’m the Rex of the Branson pride, and you sent me away as if I was a disobedient submissive. I told you when you came that I needed you to show me respect around my people and around outside supernaturals, especially those in power. I’m still solidifying my power base, and I can’t afford to be seen as weak.”
Hehadtold her that, and she’d been so pissed, she hadn’t considered the politics of her actions.
“I’m sorry, Nick. You’re right. I should’ve excused myself rather than demanding you leave.”
“So, staying in the same room with me wasn’t a possibility?”
“I was too hurt for that. I’d have lashed out. I’d love to say I’m mature enough to hold my tongue when I’m hurt, but it’s either lash out or cry, and I don’t cry in front of people. Youknowthis about me.”
Lauren’s hawk told her Nick knew but it didn’t matter. Nick’s face was granite, and only tiny movements around his eyes told her how hurt and angry he was. He’d shut her out. Put up a wall.
“I’m going to finish my run now,” Nick told her. “Queenie is supposed to come around five to pack your things. I imagine she set the time for later so she can check in with her Master when he rises.”
“I hadn’t fully unpacked everything, just the clothes I was likely to need in the coming month or two. I can come this evening once you’re at work and pack everything myself while you aren’t there.”
“No. You aren’t welcome back on the property. I can no longer trust you around my people. Gavin assures me Queenie is trustworthy, and I’ll have one of my people watch her while she’s on the premises. It seems the easiest way to resolve this.”
Lauren’s heart sank into her stomach, but she made sure her voice stayed neutral. “Fine. Your house, your rules. I’ll let Queenie know where to deliver my things.” She blew out a breath and forced herself to think politically. “I’ll tell anyone who asks that you broke up with me. Is there anything else I can do to help you out?”
“You don’t owe anyone an explanation. It didn’t work out. No one needs to know the details.”
“I’m sorry, Nick.”
“So am I. I need to go.”
They both said goodbye before disconnecting, at least. Lauren burst into tears and let herself cry and get it out. She noted that, even though her eyes were teary and the room should’ve been blurry, it was crystal clear in front of her and only blurry on the periphery.
And so, she stopped crying because she started considering her new abilities, thanks to Ying.
A few minutes with a cold washcloth on her face got rid of the blotchiness, and then she reapplied her makeup before she finally headed upstairs. Link was cooking bacon, and he smiled at her when she rounded the corner. “Excellent timing. We’ll have bacon, eggs, biscuits, and gravy. There are a few types of jam, if you’d prefer it to gravy on your biscuits.”
“Wow, you’ve gone all out. No bacon for me, but I can’t wait to dive into the rest.”
“I know you aren’t a vegetarian.”
