Chapter 23 #2
“We did see a show,” Nick protested. “That woman with Kettering’s collection of evening gowns was quite the spectacle.”
“Marta sure had a flair for dramatic presentation,” Claudia agreed. “Among other things.”
The conversation shifted to lighter topics as their food arrived.
They discussed the various guests they’d met, the quality of the entertainment, Sullivan’s upcoming film projects, and Shelly’s architectural designs.
To anyone listening, they were simply wealthy people enjoying a leisurely brunch and discussing mundane matters.
But underneath the pleasant small talk, Sam could feel the weight of everything left unsaid. The battles they’d fought, the enemies they’d defeated, the alliances they’d strengthened. This weekend had changed things in ways that wouldn’t be fully understood for some time.
“So what’s next for you two?” Shelly asked as dessert was being served. “Back to Houston?”
“Back to Houston,” Sam confirmed. “We have a lot to do.”
“And a mating to announce,” Claudia added softly, making Sam’s heart swell.
Sullivan’s face lit up. “You’re mated? That’s wonderful!”
“Keep it down,” Sam said, though he was smiling. “We haven’t made a public announcement yet.”
“But you will,” Mark said. It wasn’t a question. “The Clan deserves to know their Alpha has found his mate.”
“Soon,” Sam promised. “Once we’re home and have dealt with the immediate aftermath of this weekend.”
“Speaking of which,” Nick said, leaning back in his chair. “Do you want our mutual friend to check in with you after?”
“Send him to Houston once everything’s wrapped up in Germany,” Sam said. “I’d like to hear his firsthand account of what he finds. And I suspect we might have work for him in the future, depending on what Marta’s intelligence reveals about the larger organization.”
“I’ll pass that along,” Nick said. “Though I should warn you, Seth’s not the easiest person to work with. He has his own way of doing things.”
“I remember,” Sam said dryly. “But if he’s still as good as you say, I can work around his quirks.”
“He’s that good,” Mark confirmed. “And more importantly, he’s trustworthy. In our world, that’s worth more than skill alone.”
The brunch wound down gradually, guests beginning to drift away in small groups.
Sam noticed several people approaching their table to say goodbye.
Diana Liu came by with warm wishes for Claudia, Lord Pemberton with a knowing nod, even the Laurent couple stopped by to express their pleasure at having met them.
Finally, it was just their group remaining at the table, lingering over coffee as the staff began clearing other tables around them.
“This was good,” Sullivan said, breaking the comfortable silence. “All of it. Even the scary parts. It’s nice to know there are people out there fighting the good fight.”
“Someone has to. The alternative is unthinkable.” Shelly shivered.
“Agreed.” Sam raised his coffee cup. “To allies. To victories. And to whatever comes next.”
They all raised their cups in a silent toast, then Mark stood, prompting the rest of them to follow suit.
“Safe travels back to Houston,” Mark said, clasping Sam’s hand. “And congratulations on finding your mate. She’s exceptional.”
“I know,” Sam said, pulling Claudia close. “Believe me, I know.”
Shelly hugged Claudia warmly. “If you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thank you,” Claudia said, her voice thick with emotion. “That means more than you know.”
Nick and Sullivan added their own goodbyes, and then, it was just Sam and Claudia standing in the elegant dining room as the others departed.
“Ready to go home?” Sam asked.
“More than ready,” Claudia said. “As beautiful as Monaco is, I miss Houston. I miss the guest house and my workshop and—” She paused. “I miss your house too. The home we’ll be sharing now.”
“Our home,” Sam corrected. “It’s ours now. Everything I have is yours.”
They walked through the hotel lobby, past the fountain where just hours ago Claudia had frozen time itself, and rode the elevator up to their suite one last time.
The packing didn’t take long. Most of their things were already organized, and the hotel staff repacked Claudia’s new wardrobe after cleaning.
As Sam closed the last suitcase, his phone buzzed with a text alerting him that everything was ready for departure whenever they were ready.
Sam showed the message to Claudia. “What do you think? Stay another night, or head home now?”
“Home,” Claudia said without hesitation. “I want to sleep in our bed, in our house, without the weight of threats hanging over us. Is that selfish?”
“That’s practical,” Sam said, pulling her into his arms. “And I want the same thing. Let’s go home, my love. Let’s start our real life together.”
As they gathered their things and headed for the door, Sam took one last look at the suite that had been their base of operations. So much had happened within these walls. They’d planned their strategies, discovered their passion, and forged a bond of love that would last the rest of their lives.
“No regrets?” he asked as they stepped into the hallway.
“Not a single one,” Claudia said, taking his hand. “This weekend gave me everything I didn’t know I needed. Especially you.”
“The feeling is entirely mutual,” Sam said, and led his mate toward the elevator, which would take them to the car waiting to take them to the airport in Nice and the plane that would carry them home to Houston and whatever future awaited them there.
Behind them, Monaco sparkled in the afternoon sun, beautiful and dangerous and full of memories they’d carry forever. But ahead of them lay home, family, and a life they’d build together.
And that, Sam thought as the elevator doors closed, was worth more than all the wealth and power Monaco could ever offer.