Chapter 29
Evan
Me and Seb are huddled shoulder to shoulder in his office. We never shut the doors in our house, not even when we’re sleeping. For Ariana’s sake, it’s locked today. We wouldn’t want her to stumble in on anything that could hurt her, after all.
“Did you get all that?” He asks.
Nodding, I upload the pictures to my phone’s cloud library. “I’ll hit up everyone I can. Just give me the go when it’s time.”
“Perfect. Either they fold and break the bond, or we release it and it gets broken anyway in court.”
Spending so much together makes me forget who he can be. The conniving smile on his face leaves no room for misinterpretation today. Seb looks every bit the cold business shark others know him as.
A rap on the shut door gets our attention. Nico’s voice comes from the other side.
“Come have some breakfast, dumb and dumber.”
We give each other one last cheeky look before shuffling out. He must have called Ariana for the meal too, as she’s following behind him. I catch her eye and wink.
“I’m just dumb,” she raises her eyebrows next to Nico. Jerking my thumb roughly at Seb, I clarify. “He’s dumber.”
Breakfast is a quick and simple affair, but it tastes better than it ever has. Ariana helped make it after all. I can ignore the suspicious crunches that seem a little too much like eggshells for her.
The blonde omega doesn’t say it aloud, but I can tell she’s disappointed when the pack says they can’t stay home today. Her shoulders slump and her bottom lip juts out cutely at the news.
“There are some matters requiring our urgent attention, unfortunately.” Jason looks apologetic, despite his formal words.
If only she knew the matters in question were all focused on dismantling her pack. Being away from her is a necessary evil.
I rest my hand over hers across the table, stroking her knuckles gently. “Not everyone’s. I’ll be home too.”
She brightens at that, making my spirits soar. We’ve already agreed to have at least one of us with her everyday, in case her old pack tries something. Since I can talk to my connections over the phone, I’m first in line.
Seb leans close to her. “You’re in charge, Ariana. Make sure he doesn’t set anything on fire.”
I think she’s trying to wink at me. It’s more of an extended blink, but the awkward attempt is cuter than if she had succeeded.
“There go our plans.” Ariana laments ruefully.
Horrified, Nico stops in his tracks. “Evan’s rubbing off on her. Should I stay at home?”
“I was just kidding!” The blonde wriggles in her seat, doing a little shimmy with her shoulders. She’s joking and mischievous today, it’s cute to see her so happy. Her joy is infectious.
Seb raises two fingers to his eyes, then points them at Ariana. An I see you gesture. “Don’t cause too much trouble, you two.”
“No promises.” I grin as he squints at me suspiciously. Once they’re gone, I turn back to her. “And then there were two.”
“Sorry you’re stuck with me.”
There’s that dejected air again. It comes and goes, even when she’s joking around and having a good time. Well, I can’t expect her to be perfectly fine so soon after what she’s been through. I just wish she wouldn’t talk so poorly about herself.
“Nope, wrong mentality!” I make my voice more playful to encourage her. “We should get you out and about. Like Nico would say, that’s what being stuck in the house too long does to you. That’s why we go on all those walks.”
That, and to see her. I don’t voice that part aloud.
“What’s the plan then? Are we going for a walk?”
“Not interested in arson anymore?” Jokes aside, I consider her question carefully. For a troubled mind, exercise helps. “Are you a fan of sports?”