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“Not up to your room.” His husky laughter curls my toes. “I’m headed to the bullpen to shower and change. I’ll meet you back here in thirty minutes. Is that enough time?”
“Plenty.”
With the briefest of the briefest kisses in the world, Zeb jogs off in the direction of the Guardian building, while I head upstairs to shower by myself and think about how amazing it’s going to be when Zeb and I finally have sex.
TWENTY-FOUR
Kaye
Less than an hour later,Zeb and I are on our way to Insanity with Brady and Booker. Carmen and Rosalie, with Rafe and Hayes, travel in a separate car.
My stomach flutters with a mix of excitement and nerves.
“I can’t believe we’re actually invited to have dinner here.” I place my hand against the window and press my nose against the glass.
My eyes widen in amazement as the gates toInsanityswing open. Our car meanders up a long, tree-lined driveway. Although I can’t quite imagine what such a prestigious estate might look like, nothing could have prepared me for the sheer size and opulence of the sprawling grounds.
Immaculately kept, with perfectly tended gardens that stretch on for acres and flowing water features that sprawl across the grounds, there’s a definite Zen vibe to the grounds, making me wonder who designed them.
As we make our way up to the front entrance, my heart races with excitement. Not only do I get to visitInsanity, but I get to meet the rock legends of Angel Fire.
This is definitely going to be an experience I’ll never forget.
“I’m excited to meet Angie and Izzy.” Trying to make conversation and ease my nerves, I catch Brady’s eye through the rearview mirror. “Although it feels like I already know a little about them through Carmen.”
Angie and Izzy will meet up with us atInsanity. Everyone from Bravo team will be here tonight, with the exception of two missing people: Barbi and Alec.
So far, there’s no word on them.
“Excited?” Zeb grabs my hand and raises it to his mouth for a featherlight kiss.
“Yes.”
But more so to meet the rest of the Bravo team family. I already feel connected to Angie and Izzy, even if I’ve yet to meet them in person. We make a very unusual, yet spectacular, family founded by circumstance and choice.
Angie and Izzy were taken hostage by theCoraloscartel in Nicaragua while working with Doctors Without Borders. They were unknowing pawns, carrying millions of diamonds hidden in rabbit’s feet. In addition, those rabbit’s feet held the accounting of hundreds of women trafficked by Maximus Angelo, Carmen’s father.
Carmen had been working for nearly a decade to take down her father’s network. When Matias kidnapped Izzy, to get the diamonds back, Guardian HRS launched a mission to rescue her. That’s the mission Carmen hijacked. She ultimately helped Guardian HRS crack the encoded list of names. That information launched a new mission; the one that brought Rosalie and Hayes together, eventually leading to Rosalie living with us.
Which makes me pause. I was supposed to start at UC Davis this fall. Which is why I gave up my room to Rosalie. I wasn’t supposed to need it anymore. But now, all that’s up in the air.
My assumption is my spot at Davis is gone; ripped out from underneath my feet by Scott and his rage. I’m going to need a job; something to pay the rent while I reapply to vet school.
“Hey…” Zeb gives my leg a little shake. “What’re you thinking about? Looks like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.” His brow furrows with concern.
“Oh, sorry.” I let out a weary sigh. “I was trying to figure out what I should do with my life.”
“Life?”
“Yeah, like what I’m going to do for the next year.”
“What happened to UC Davis?”
“I fully expect to receive a letter rescinding the offer. I guess I’m trying to figure out what to do next year while I reapply, but I don’t want to think about it tonight. Besides, we’re here to have a good time. I’m excited to seeInsanity, meet the band; maybe I can get them all to sign my boob.”
Zeb chokes at that comment. “No fucking way any man is signing any part of your body without going through me.”
Brady chuckles from the front seat. Booker nearly spits out his drink. I exchange a look with Brady through the rearview mirror and can’t help but grin. It was the perfect set up and Zeb fell for it.
