Chapter 8
Tabitha and Major snuck outside and hid in the shadows.
As they suspected, Daniel was on the patio, but instead of continuing down to the dock, he took a seat, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing his ankles while tapping at his phone.
Soft music sounded from the device, which he placed on the table, then pulled his jacket together before resting his hands on his stomach.
“Well, that was anticlimactic,” Tabitha whispered.
Major tugged Tabitha until her back was resting against his chest. Wrapping his arms around her, he tucked his chin against her shoulder.
“Yeah, but maybe he’s waiting to make sure everyone is in bed for the night.
He knows about the cameras, so what if he’s trying to figure out a way to get down there undetected? ”
“Should we go back in?”
“Not yet. I say we take advantage of the music.” Major began swaying with Tabitha in his arms. Her mate loved to dance, and she had no problem being hugged from behind while he did so.
They were lucky Daniel liked jazz instead of something more upbeat like punk rock.
After a couple of songs, Tabitha turned so she was facing Major and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Major pressed their cheeks together and continued moving to the music.
When the jazz cut off an hour later, Major continued holding Tabitha as they waited to see what Daniel did next.
When he returned inside, they remained hidden, still holding one another.
After another few minutes, Tabitha pulled away.
“Will you set up the alarms on my phone so I can help check the cameras?”
“Sure, but that means you have to come to my room.” Major wiggled his eyebrows.
“You’re incorrigible.”
“If that means completely head over heels for you, then yes I am.”
Tabitha stepped into his body and tilted her head for a kiss.
Major complied with lots of tongue. Before they got too carried away, Tabitha followed Major to his bedroom where they kept the door open while he set up the app on her phone.
Once complete, she reluctantly bade him goodnight and headed upstairs to her room. Alone. Being professional sucked.
Sunday morning came quickly considering Tabitha hadn’t gone to sleep as soon as she went to bed.
She lay awake, thinking of her future with Major.
She didn’t want to leave Atlanta, especially since Anthony had found his mate too.
And Major had his own siblings he would want to remain close to, so Tabitha figured they could compromise, asking Mason to give them cases together, or at least in the same town.
They could split their time between Atlanta and New York.
Mason was adding new employees to both offices, so he wouldn’t want to lose either one of them.
She didn’t see him having a problem with her plan.
After freshening up and getting dressed, she made her way to the kitchen, the aroma of coffee and bacon enticing her steps. Florence was at the stove and turned when Tabitha reached the entryway.
“Good morning, Miss Stone.”
“Morning. And please call me Tabitha.” She helped herself to a cup of coffee, reaching out with her senses to see where everyone was.
The house was unusually quiet considering the number of people staying there.
Even though they hadn’t completed the bond, she felt Major getting closer, so she poured him a cup as well.
“Morning, Ladies,” he announced, making a beeline toward Tabitha.
She couldn’t help but admire the way his cargo pants melded to his thick thighs.
When Major cleared his throat, Tabitha raked her gaze up his torso until she met his eyes.
His lips twitched, but she didn’t care. He was alpha incarnate, and he was all hers.
She could look if she damn well pleased.
After taking his mug from her outstretched hand, Major pressed a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Thanks.” His stomach growled, and he chuckled softly. “Florence, what’s that amazing smell?”
“I have a breakfast casserole in the oven along with biscuits. For those who are minding their calories, I’ll whip up some egg white omelets to go with the cut fruit.” Pointing to the cake stand, she said, “Looks like you two enjoyed your special treat.”
Major growled, and Florence’s eyes widened. Covering his faux pas with a cough, he nodded. “We did, but so did Perry.”
As if the mention of his name conjured the man, Perry sauntered into the kitchen looking less put together than usual, wearing faded jeans and a hoodie.
He was focused on his phone, grumbling. Perry poured himself a mug of coffee, then proceeded to turn off the alarm and exit the back door.
Tabitha and Major both moved together to the window, watching as he set the cup down on the low wall, then typed furiously on his phone.
Something had him in a huff. He took a sip of coffee while staring at his phone.
Since Tabitha was a shifter, the ping of an incoming message was clear, and once Perry read it, he raised his head, staring off toward the water.
He shoved his phone in the back pocket of his jeans but remained where he was.
Trista entered the kitchen. “Good morning. Is something happening?” She joined them at the window, standing closer to Major than Tabitha.
Major stepped back and went to refill his coffee, warming Tabitha’s heart that he respected their relationship enough to keep some distance between himself and the pretty actress.
Maybe to prove a point, he took Tabitha’s cup and refilled it while topping off his own, added creamer, then handed it back.
He now stood on Tabitha’s side opposite Trista.
Both their phones chimed with the camera alarm, but Tabitha let Major look since they knew it was Perry.
Major held the phone up so she could scan it with him.
Trista left them alone and asked Florence for a cup of tea.
Perry strolled down the dock and stopped at the end, drinking his coffee.
He looked out over the water for a few minutes.
He turned and started back, and when he got to where the box was located, Perry passed right by it.
Either he knew he was on camera and wouldn’t risk grabbing it, or he hadn’t ordered the drugs.
Tabitha muttered, “huh,” and Major responded with an “mmm hmm.”
Tabitha tugged Major away from the window so Perry wouldn’t see them spying on him. She leaned against the counter close to Florence. “Everything okay?” the older woman asked.
“Yep. Just Perry taking a stroll.”
“Good. Breakfast is ready.”
Tabitha began gathering plates, while Major helped with silverware and napkins.
Florence sighed but didn’t argue. Perry entered the house, remembering to reset the alarm, and refilled his cup before taking a seat.
The table was set for those eating the casserole.
Florence whipped up an omelet for Trista, who sat beside Perry.
Daniel entered the room with a muttered, “Morning.” Craig was the only one not present, but no one mentioned going to get him.
Perry scooped a big helping of the casserole when it was passed to him.
“Uh, no other issues with trespassers during the night?” Tabitha cut her eyes to Major who was frowning at the manager.
“I only ask because Adams messaged that if everything remains calm, we’re to head to the park in the next couple of days. ”
Daniel’s head popped up from where he was focused on his empty plate. “What?” He tapped at his phone that was on the table. After scrolling a few seconds, he muttered, “Oh.” Pushing his phone away, he dished out his own helping of casserole and dug in.
Trista, who had been silent since sitting, asked, “Are we going in covertly with the prosthetics?”
Tabitha swallowed her food and wiped her mouth with the cloth napkin. “You and I shouldn’t need them. We’ll travel separately just to be safe, but as for Craig…” She waited for Major to answer, but it was Perry who responded.
“I don’t think that’s necessary. The security firm won’t let anyone through the gate without proper credentials.”
Daniel dropped his fork onto his plate with a clank. “That’s well and good once we arrive. It’s getting there undetected I’m worried about, even if you aren’t.”
“Oh, please. You aren’t wor—”
“Gentlemen,” Major interjected. “I will get Craig to the park safely. He can wear the mask during the ride, and once we arrive, he can remove it so the guards know it’s him.
I do need the name and number for whoever’s in charge of that security company.
While we’re at it, we should all share our numbers just in case there’s a need to contact each other during filming.
I don’t expect there to be issues, but on the off chance there are, it would be better to already have the numbers programmed into our phones.
” Major shoveled the last of his food into his mouth and stood from the table.
He handed Tabitha his phone. “If you’ll get everyone’s numbers, I’m going to speak with Craig. ”
Tabitha hoped “speaking with” was code for voicing the male.
Major hadn’t had the opportunity so far.
By the time he returned, everyone had finished eating while exchanging numbers.
She forwarded them all to Major. His face gave nothing away regarding the conversation, and she wanted to know what was said.
“Florence, Craig asked that you please leave him a plate of the casserole and some fruit. He needed to make a phone call, then he will be ready to eat.”
“I can do that.”