Page 78 of The Safest Place She Knows

“Delun is inthe Rose Sloth with my brother Grigory. Their omega is Lexa. Shejust had twins.” Venka smiled. “I will be back in twentyminutes.”

Tamara clearedher throat. “Can I go, too? I would like to meet your family.”

Venka paused.“Of course.”

Lya smiled.“Off you go. We will be here when you get back. Promise.”

There was achirp, and Allor smiled. “Time for your meds.”

By the time Lyahad taken the pills, Tamara and Venka were off in Venka’s musclecar. It seemed her brothers weren’t the only ones who liked funvehicles.

The display wasstill on, and Delun was smiling. “You know, it took me over sixmonths to find out Venka was a lawyer. The family just treats herlike an absent addition. I am very happy to welcome you and yourden to the family. The girl is yours?”

Lya nodded.“Tamara. Yes.”

“I wouldrecommend her being adopted by one of your den. It will help hersocialization in school to have an alpha.”

Lya paused. “Ithink Venka really wanted to be a parent. I will ask her.”

Delun nodded.“I will mention it to them when they get here. We are only a fewmiles away, so it won’t be long.”

She was goingto say something, but her old phone chirped, and she checked it.She frowned. “I have to call Ford. He says it’s urgent.”

She got up andused her new phone to dial Ford’s number. She put him on speaker.“Hey, Ford. What’s up?”

“We need tomove the studio night to Thursday. Can you manage that?”

She looked atNoh, and he nodded. “Yes, I can make it. It will be me and myden.”

“Oh,excellent. There was a change, and Zelle has been disqualified butwill still be at the react filming.”

“Wait. What?Are you fucking kidding me?”

Ford sighed.“Out of my hands. She mated with the investor. She’s in arelationship with a member of the crew. She’s disqualified fromwinning, but don’t worry. He made a cash donation to the burncentre on the off chance that she was the one selected.”

She looked atAllor and saw that Delun was listening intently. He said, “Weare having a watch party on Friday night. I had no idea you were onthe show.”

She sighed.“Not a word, Delun.”

“I am goodat legal privilege. Have a great night.” He disconnected thecall.

Ford sighed.“I am on speaker?”

“Yeah, we justsigned the contract, and they would have to transport me thereregardless. On the plus side, I think the clothing issues aremostly taken care of.”

“I am notgoing to mention that. How are you feeling?”

“Good. Better.Copious painkillers and a lot of rest are doing wonders.”

He laughed.“Rest while you can. Bound alphas are exhausting.”

She smiled.“Venka is heading your way. Well, not yours, but she is bringingdocuments to Delun.”

“Nice. Iwill call them to send her over here to run Thursday night pasther.”

“Tamara is withher, so keep the language appropriate for a minor.”

Ford chuckled.“Of course. I look forward to meeting the young lady.”

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