Page 24 of The Thief

“I’d be honored to protect you,” he finally said. “And help with the kitchen. I can’t promise I’ll keep the job, but maybe trying something new will be good for me.”

I excitedly drummed my hands on the table. “I’m never gonna sleep tonight. Calvin hates me to death, but working there has been the most fun. You don’t have to make a complicated menu that requires a ton of prep work—something simple and easy is fine. Even if you only make sausage, I’m sure they’ll be the most delicious meat anyone’s ever put in their mouth.”

Archer laughed, then scooted back his chair and stood. “Do you guys need me for anything else? I need to crash.”

Tak waved him to leave, and Archer stumbled over his chair before making his way out of the room.

“I want you to see Atticus tonight,” Tak said. “The sooner the better. Only a Vampire can confirm Salem’s suspicions. You should figure out what your memory situation is before contacting this stranger.”

Remembering the card in my purse, I said, “He gave me his business card, and there’s a number on the back. No matter what his intentions are, I deserve the truth. He’s the only one who knows me, and he might have answers.”

“I understand. You have every right to know. But it’s my duty to protect you. Even if you talk to him on the phone, I want someone with you.” Tak squeezed my hand. “No packmate will ever walk alone. Do you understand what that means?”

My head might have been nodding, but my brain was buzzing with confusion on how readily Tak had accepted my situation.

“I’ll call Atticus.” Tak rose from his seat and stretched out his arms. “We’re leaving tomorrow. If anything happens, Montana’s in charge. I trust him with pack matters in my absence. Don’t call me unless you want my father-in-law to make a coat out of you. Family time is important to us, and I’m still trying to win his favor.”

“He let you marry his daughter,” I said.

Tak pushed in his chair. “Yes, but will he ever let me pay for dinner? Everything is a competition, and he doesn’t want his son-in-law to best him at anything. This is an important time for our families. Hope’s father and I need to bond more so he can see that I’m a catch. Bonding with that man is like riding a wild boar.”

Salem also stood and directed his comments to me. “Do let me know if there’s anything you need. I’m afraid I can offer little advice on the matter if it’s not health related. But if it is, I’ll consult with a few Relics and see if there’s any treatment available.”

“I appreciate that.”

Then I realized I was about to talk alone with a Vampire. Can I trust this guy just because they do? What if he starts poking around in there and finds out things? What if he drinks my blood and charms the memory away?

Tak lingered at the table. “Bear, I want you to drive.” His dark eyes shifted over to mine. “I’ll talk to Calvin and let him know that Bear starts tomorrow. Are you sure he’s hiring?”

I suppressed a smile. “He won’t say no.”

“If this man enters your bar again or if you feel unsafe, get Bear. If he wants to speak to you in person, he can do it in the bar. Not in the parking lot, not at a hotel—not anywhere but inside that bar. And only during business hours. I also don’t want him in my house. We needn’t be concerned about him returning again, not unless he’s a fool. A Mage knows better than to show up at a pack’s doorstep. Our wolves will tear him apart, and he knows it.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

He grinned at my slippers. “You might want to change before you leave.”

“Can I borrow that cute little sarong you wore when we first met?”

Tak tossed back his head and laughed. “That’s a funny story. My mate believes in first impressions. By the time the last group showed up, I was tired of trying. You should have heard the shriek that came out of her mouth when she saw me take off my trousers and put on the wrap. Everyone was already outside, so she had to paint a smile on her face and pull her little wagon of treats out there,” he said with a wolfish grin.

“You should have listened to her.” I stood and patted his arm. “I heard everyone got more than an eyeful that day.”

As I made my way back to my room, Tak’s sonorous laugh rumbled behind me.

Chapter 6

“This is a real nice SUV,” I said, surprised by the roomy interior. Then again, I was so used to riding on a scooter that I didn’t spend much time in other people’s cars.

The extra seating could fit half our pack. If only he’d chosen a different color. The black exterior had a nice polish that, unfortunately, picked up every speck of dirt on country roads.

“Are you cold?” Bear reached over and tilted the vent upward. “You can adjust the temperature or shut it off.”

“If you fiddle with that thing one more time, I’ll smack your hand.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He chuckled softly before turning in to the parking lot on the left.

A few lightning bugs blinked in the dark woods but not many.

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