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“Their security is meeting me in NahleCheile. I’m not crazy. You should be happy, Frank. You can go home and have dinner with your kids tonight. I’m sure they miss your smiling face.”
“Let us all drive you over.”
“No, I’m good. I have Mark.” She didn’t wait for that answer, only pushed the button on her garage remote, and hopped into her Jeep, which she’d already loaded with her bags. Backing out of the driveway, she didn’t slow down when she almost ran over Frank, just kept rolling, so Mark had to hustle to jump in the blacked-out SUV and keep up with her.
She led him over to the restaurant, pulling up to the back door where one of the hosts began loading boxes of catering into the trunk. She was still standing there when Mark finally pulled up behind her, and she met him at his door, smiling widely.
He frowned at her, then closing his eyes, leaned back wearily. “So, I’m betting you don’t actually have permission to go to Tuisa.”
“Not yet, but I will.”
“So, you called me over because you know I’d give in to you.”
“I called you because you’re the smartest of the warriors, and you know I’m perfectly capable of good decision making.”
He muttered under his breath, giving her a long look. “And you need all this food because…”
“The fastest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Well, one of two ways, but the other clearly isn’t an option. This will work.”
“I’m not going to ask why you’re so hellbent on getting back over there. I’m just going to claim ignorance when Nicholas tries to kill me.”
“That’s a good friend right there. Want some? There’s plenty.”
“No. I can’t have Italian food breath when Nicholas questions me. Seems a little suspicious.”
She laughed at that, but he wasn’t wrong. There were two sets of at least ten different dishes from the restaurant, along with bread, salads, desserts and four bottles of the good wine. Nobody turned away free food, especially from Mariana’s Italian Restaurant.When the host finished, closing her hatch and waving, she turned back to Mark.
“Ok, then just follow me over, like you’re my escort. I’ll do all the talking.”
“Whatever you say.”
“And for fuck’s sake, put some sunglasses on and look intimidating. Can’t look like you’re afraid of them. The Tuisa warriors will know something is up. Get your shit together if you’re going to be my co-conspirator.”
“Not a co-conspirator. Just an unwilling casualty of a Bailey hurricane. But hey, it’s easier than all the shit Ava would make me do when I escorted her around the country. So, let’s go.”
She hopped into her Jeep, and in the shade of the building, she shivered, regretting that she still had the top off her Jeep. It was getting a little too cold for that, combined with the tiny jean shorts she was wearing, but she didn’t think anyone would mind.
Digging around her suitcase, she threw a big hoodie in her front seat, popped on her aviators, and checked the mirror. Crop top, check. No bra, check. Tiny shorts, check.
When she pulled up to the road that led into Tuisa from NahleCheile, she was stopped by the same border patrol that was there on Friday. Perfect. That would work in her favor.
“Hey there, cutie. Headed back to the packhouse.”
He looked at her hesitantly, then over at his partner. “Sorry, we don’t have any orders for new arrivals, not even you.”
“Ah, that’s because it’s a surprise. I’m not supposed to come back until tomorrow morning, but I catered dinner. Wanted to thank the Alpha for all his help this week.”
“I don’t know…”
“Oh, come on. It’s just me. My security is staying in Aisling. He wanted to make sure I got here safely.” She waved at Mark, and he nodded, almost comically serious from his driver’s seat.
“You can link your Alpha if you want, but it will ruin the surprise.” She opened the door, hopping down to look up at the guard flirtatiously. He only gave her a quick up and down, but she knew it was enough. His eyes had lingered on her tits just long enough. “What exactly are you worried about? The Luna knows. Otherwise, I would be ruining her cooking.” She smiled up at him innocently. “And I’ve got plenty to go around. You know you want some.”
She strolled around to the back of her Jeep, unfolding one of the boxes. “You like veal milanese? Or some ragu in tagliatelle?”
She pulled out two of the to-go containers, handing one to each of the guards. When they looked unsure, she took a container back, popped it open, and swiping her finger through it, sucked the sauce off.
“Mmmh. Divine. It’s from my family restaurant, so if you don’t take it, you’re basically insulting me. Go on. And look, Lana texted me back.”
