Chapter Six #2
“Well, Amy will explain my little revenge plan. Well, not really revenge. I can’t rip off a dessert I have never seen, right?”
He covered his face. “I am very sorry about that. Really. It was me lashing out at your father, using you. It wasn’t well thought out.”
“No, it was cruel, and ten-year-old me is going to make you pay for that for the next twenty years.”
He sighed. “And I will take it. What are you doing, if I may ask?”
“You may not, but you will know on Sunday. Possibly Saturday night if folks post it.”
“Well, it will be restricted to the weddings, right?”
“Not if I give the method to Renatta for her teahouse. But they won’t have the personal twist that is currently happening.”
He looked at her. “Not Renatta.”
“Oh, yes. Renatta. I have a lot of rage regarding that dessert, so I am going to disperse it... until no one will order it off your menu.”
He winced. “Ouch.”
“If I feel less rage, I will give you a new dessert. When you talk to my parents, ask them about my revenge streak. It’s legendary.”
“And with a wolf, you are food driven.”
“Yup. And I am still the pup you denied dessert when I found out that I was moving up two grades. That pup holds grudges, even if the adult me has to temper things, so it will be extended revenge that will only tamper with your bottom line.” She shrugged.
“Sorry. Can’t stop it. But after I do damage, I will help repair it. ”
Normic looked nervous. “All right. What do you think will replace it?”
“I will tell you when sales slip. Not before.” She finished her second milkshake, and it flapped away to the garbage can.
Normic nodded. “That is still amazing.”
“Thank you. I will send the others down. This is a great view.”
She looked at Reynal, who tossed his milkshake container, and it rotated lightly and ended up in the trash. “Show off.”
“Let me practice my beverage cup butterflies.”
She grinned and heaved herself to her feet. She pulled Reynal up, and he slipped his arm around her waist. They walked to the others, and Krys said, “Peace has been declared... mostly. You can get details from the leader.”
Keel nodded, and he headed to talk to his spouse. Amy was hugging Emmers, and Krys said, “You are off, Emmers?”
“We are on Monday to Thursday, and then we are off until after the wedding.”
She looked at Emmers. “Do you get a plus one?”
“Of course. She and Iris are already coming, and Jerrik is going to be there with the babysitter.”
Amy snorted. “I get to dress up three times in two weeks. Big fortnight for me. Heck, I just got to use the word fortnight.”
Krys chuckled and said, “I am heading home. I have had all the frivolity I can stand for one day. Apparently, the mansion website has gone live. I have to make a spreadsheet.”
Reynal wrapped her in his arms. “And I get to watch.”
Amy blurted out a laugh, Emmers covered his eyes, and Krys was walked back to the limo, where they got into the car.
She looked at him. “So, why did you drag me through all of that today?”
“Well, I figured they had the best chance of survival while you were tired. And I don’t want any family animosity to raise its head while I am seriously courting you. I want the city to be an open space for us. Nothing hiding that can upset you on exposure.”
“Hm.” She scooted to the middle and leaned against him; her hands wrapped around his arm. “Thank you. Getting Normic alone for a meaningful conversation is almost impossible. His people keep jumping in to defend him. I have volunteered to be his enforcer.”
“Interesting hobby.”
“Yeah, well, normally, there is an overhaul when a new leader fights for the clan, but Normic didn’t want to draw more fire than what was already being directed at him. He wants to keep himself and his love safe. That’s fine, but you can’t let others suffer.”
“Right. So, you want to kick butt and take names?”
“Naw. I know their names.” She relaxed against him.
“Don’t fall asleep. We need to set up that spreadsheet.”
“Meanie.” She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder.
“So, back to your place, and I will help you set up and share that file so we can keep track of how much you are charging for your efforts. Honestly, how much would you have charged for your services?”
“Twelve thousand for that rush job. Five thousand if I had a month’s notice. Three thousand if I had three months’ notice.”
“Why the difference?”
“The amount of rushing, checking, double-checking, finding equipment and chairs that were not already rented. That was a full day of calls by itself. I had to flirt with the freaking florist, and we went out for two coffee dates to make her girlfriend jealous.”
“You are gay?”
“Nope. Just willing to go to coffee with a friend. Yes, she’s a friend; we took college business courses together.” She chuckled. “She and her girlfriend are candidates for the mansion, I think.”
“How do you think?”
“Well, her girlfriend pulled me to my feet, hugged me, and we started talking about the new herbarium at the zoo.”
He chuckled. “You knew her.”
“I did. Recognized the name when Mora mentioned it. Alita is fun. She’s all about the aromatics, and she supplies fresh herbs to my catering company.” She chuckled.
“So, you know a lot of people in the city.”
“You could say that. My mom made sure I experienced most societies in town. It’s why I am good at PR for the XIA. I know what sets certain races off, including the freaking mages.”
He chuckled. “You are half freaking mage.”
“Yeah, don’t remind me. My mom and dad are so well matched, it’s embarrassing.”
He caught her reference and laughed, stroking her arm. “You seem very cuddly all of a sudden.”
“Well, you have fed me three times, have had your tongue down my throat for at least half an hour today, and aside from a little nip, you haven’t done any damage, so I think you are safe to curl up with.” She looked at him. “I can go to the other side of the SUV if you want to.”
He slowly removed his arm from her grasp, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and pulled her in.
She snickered. “Thought that might have been it.”
Her phone was humming, and she stared at the newest text. “My aunt, uncle, and cousin have been arrested but are pissed and out on bail.”
“They know where you live?”
“Yup.”
“Hm. Please pack a bag.”
“What?”
“Pack a bag. You are going to be staying at the Grunwald mansion until they are charged, or we can get a restraining order.”
“What? Why?”
“Because they know where you live, have already assaulted you, and savaged your poor car.”
“You may have a point.” She winced. “I will send Vaia a note.”
He chuckled. “I have already contacted Azreen, and he is answering now. I believe he would be up for it.”
He held up his phone. “He’s up for it.”
“Crashing with newlyweds. I feel so tacky.”
He chuckled. “They have had their wedding night after fifteen years.”
They headed back to her place, and she grabbed clothing for the first few days of the week and her work outfits, and snagged her dresses for the upcoming events.
With everything on her front porch, she went to her bedroom and started warding.
She backed through her house, creating layers and layers of protection that would cause anyone with hostility to suffer hypothermia until she came to deactivate the charm or the XIA was contacted.
She went to move her stuff, but Reynal had already moved it. She turned to face her home and cast the last ward.
She walked up to him and said, “I am going to move my car to the mansion.”
He looked at her. “I will have someone bring it.”
“I can drive it.”
“Please.”
She looked at him, tapping her lips. “Kisses.”
He smiled and leaned down to press his mouth to hers. She looped her hands around her neck and held on.
Reynal stood up and lifted her with him. She kept her grip and laughed against his mouth as he got into the limo.
She heard a snort from the driver, followed by the heavy clunk of the door. They got moving, and she and Reynal continued their very long kiss.