Page 171 of Heir of the Beast

Pierce’s voice startles us. “There are my two pregnant mamas!”

“Pierce!” we both say, and try to stand up.

“No, no!” He laughs. “Stay seated. I do not want to deliver a baby tonight—I am in my favorite suit.”

Laura and I exchange ~yeah, right~ looks.

He sits down at the table and is all smiles. “I cannot believe you both are having girls—and pregnant at the same time, no less.”

We both laugh and agree.

“Well, before you leave, I have gifts for you both.” Pierce beams.

“That’s so sweet! This place is amazing, by the way,” I say, meaning it.

“Isn’t it though?” he agrees, and flags a waiter for another drink.

“Where is Mort? I have to say hi to her,” I ask, looking around.

“Oh.” Pierce sighs and points at the stage at the far end of the hall. “She’s been at the karaoke all evening. Apparently she’s drunk off champagne.

“She really likes the bubbles. I had to hear all about the bubbles for twenty minutes.” He looks pained.

I place a hand over my mouth to stifle a laugh. “Is she singing to someone?”

I see Mort looking like her cute Sailor Moon self and wearing some sort of large Grinch hat that is about to fall off. Oh dear.

“Yes,” Pierce confirms as he squints in her direction. “I think that’s Phil from accounting.”

“I think he looks uncomfortable,” Laura says with a raised eyebrow.

“Most likely. I’ll grab her in a minute.” Pierce laughs. “Wait, too late, she sees us.”

Mort beelines it for us with a big smile and champagne in hand, hat fallen off somewhere. “My human!” she slurs, and wraps her arms around me.

“Mort!” I laugh. “That was some nice singing up there.”

“Yeah, I just gave what the audience wanted.” She stumbles to the left.

“Have a seat, Mort,” Pierce says.

“I’ll be back. I have to tell Phil how I feeeeel.” Then she is gone.

Pierce winces. “She will regret that. She despises that guy.”

I laugh. Only Mort.

Apollo and Tarren arrive with plates of food like we weigh two-hundred pounds. Now that I think about it, we might. But who cares. It looks and smells delicious.

Pierce stands and shakes hands with the men.

“Thank you. I hope some of this is for you?” I smile as Apollo sits next to me.

“Just a little.” He winks.

Pierce takes a sip of his drink. “I’ll let you guys eat. I have to prepare for our next mission.”

I take a bite of shrimp and bacon with zero guilt. “What’s this mission?”

---