Page 44 of The Lunatics

Around us, the conversation continued.

“And people who have good control, just in case the shield on her power slips for some reason,” Monica said.

“And people who are secure enough in their roles that they won’t try to challenge her,” James added.

“I can lead one of the teams myself,” Kevin said.

Ronald looked at him.

Kevin’s answering smile was bloodthirsty. “Imagine the possibilities for carnage. And if she does let loose and whales on someone, I want to be there to see it.”

Ronald harrumphed. “It’s the possibility for carnage that worries me.”

Michael tightened his tie, once more the polite businessman Ihad first met. He turned to me. “What was that memorable phrase you used at dinner last night?”

I kept my mouth shut and sank down in my seat, hoping he’d forgotten it.

A gleam appeared in his eye. “Ah yes, that you have enough strength to beat a young vampire to death with an affordable midsize sedan.”

Across from us, Kevin guffawed. “Please boss, let me lead a team.”

This was all going to end so badly, wasn’t it?

CHAPTER 10

Thank you again for this, Emma,” I said.

“I’m happy to help,” she answered.

We stepped into the elevator and took it down to street level. The security meeting had ended half an hour ago. Michael’s mother called while we were sequestered in the interrogation room and, in her message, made it clear in no uncertain terms that the only way I was getting my stuff back was if I came for it myself. With Michael.

Hard pass on that.

Emma volunteered to take me out to buy some essentials and a capsule wardrobe to tide me over until the alpha saw reason. I just hoped Mary didn’t set my things on fire in a fit of rage before then. College textbooks were expensive.

The elevator slowed to a stop. A soft chime announced the doors opening. Emma and I walked through them into an understated hallway. Three wolves waited for us in it. They were serving as my security team, with Kevin—Goddess help us—heading it up. He’d changed, now in a pair of cargo shorts and a long-sleeved,collared shirt that hid his scars and proudly displayed the emblem of a European soccer team on it. A hat covered his bald head, and with sunglasses on and a camera hanging around his neck, he looked like a tourist.

“This is Andrea and Sam,” he said, introducing the others.

We all said hello, shaking hands. Andrea was around my height, with the lean frame of a distance runner. She had her long dark hair pulled into a high ponytail and wore a sundress and gladiator sandals. Sam looked like he’d just stepped out of the Irish stronghold in Southy. He was a ginger, with pale skin and freckles, and wore a Red Sox T-shirt with faded jeans.

“We don’t plan on clinging to you,” Kevin told me. “But we’ll be nearby at all times. It’s daylight, so the vamps are safely tucked away in their vaults beneath the city. The witches are what concern me now. They’ve taken to cloaking themselves if they come into our territory, so we don’t know they’re here until we’re right on top of them.”

“I still don’t understand how that works,” I said.

Kevin took off his shades and put them on his head, resting them on the visor of his hat. His dark eyes bored into mine, all earlier signs of goading gone. Out here, he was in charge, he was responsible, and he seemed like a completely different wolf from the one I’d first met, to the point that I actually began to trust his ability to keep me alive.

“There’s a lot you don’t understand about living down here in the thick of it,” he said, but not unkindly. “Emma can fill you in as we walk. Ready? We need to grab everything and get back here in time for that dinner you and Michael have to go to.”

“I’m ready,” I said.

The three of them stalked down the hall on stealthy feet and slipped outside. Emma and I followed slowly after, giving them time to fan out ahead of us.

“Tell me more about this dinner?” I said.

She pulled her tablet up. “It’s at Henry Montague’s house, just outside of the city.”

Which is why I needed to go with Michael. The bond wouldn’t allow him to get that far away from me without throwing us into panic mode. “Is Henry human?”