Page 4 of Sassy Embrace

Claude also felt a warm sensation in his chest. His cousin’s love for her growing baby was always touching, and now she was using it to make her point even firmer.

“And my friend, Maree. She mated with a wolf. Two healthy, beautiful vampire children… and one wolf she had to give up after her mate’s death. Can you imagine? Giving up your daughter because you don’t know how to raise her?”

Aria was becoming overly emotional, invested in the spiral of despair she was painting. Claude tried to reason her back to reality, but she continued.

“If we had a shared community, that never would’ve needed to happen! And what about Trevan? I know he’ll be a wonderfuldad, no matter what our child is. But what if she’s a wolf? I can’t stand to think of her as being hated by her own community. Her own family!”

“Aria, you know the coven will support your child no matter what,” Claude said.

“You say that now. But unless we do something, anything, to repair relations, there’s no guarantee. And you know that.”

Claude folded his arms and, realizing there was no dissuading his cousin in this, nodded.

“What do you need me to do?”

“I’m so glad you finally asked. I’ve already taken the liberty of speaking with Emma. She’s brokered Tristan and Barbara Wolfe. They’ve agreed to lend their resources and support to rebuilding my club.”

“Embraced?” Claude asked. “Why would they agree to do that?”

“Because, believe it or not, they’re good people. And Emma wants this alliance to work just as much as I do. As for you.” Aria stood, a little unsteady on her swollen ankles, and pointed at Claude. “I want you to take point on this project.”

Claude took a step backward, brow raised and mouth agape. “You want me… to manage a construction project?”

“A refurbishment. And then management of the finished venue,” Aria said with a warning.

“I don’t… Aria, am I not doing my job as your advisor?” he asked.

Aria rolled her eyes. “Of course, you are.”

“Then why waste my skills on a nightclub?”

“Because this is more than a nightclub,” she said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Claude, listen to me. This project is about building trust. Relationships. You working with the wolf shifters is a way to start building rapport with them. They've already agreed to it. There’s a master plan for you tofollow. All you need to do is play nice and try to use some of that fantastic brain on your shoulders.”

Claude opened his mouth with one last attempt to change her mind but stopped when she flinched and bent over.

“Augh, fuck, she’s kicking,” Aria said through clenched teeth. Claude helped her sit again. “I swear, I have a future Rockette growing in here. Which brings me to my next point. This baby is coming and soon.”

Claude nodded. He needed no reminder of that fact.

“Which means I’m going to be busy taking care of a helpless newborn. And while I’m doing that, I’ll need you to step up as more of a leader for our coven.”

Claude swallowed hard. He knew this was coming. Aria valued family over all else, so she wouldn’t trust anyone else with the task of interim leader.

“This rebuilding project will put your face in the spotlight and let people start to see you like the leader I need you to be. God knows you’re such an introvert, barely anyone even knows you at all. But that will change after this.”

Claude clenched his fists. He wanted to argue, challenge her logic, and point out the flaws in her argument. That was his job, after all. As much as he was in awe of his cousin and her marvelous leadership skills, his purpose was to be the one who made her think twice about important decisions.

Like making him take charge.

But there were times when even the best argument would fall flat, and Claude knew this was one of those times.

“If that is what you wish,” he said.

“It is.”

On cue, the front door opened, and Aria’s mate stepped in. Trevan Stone, the love of her life and a wolf.

“Hey, baby,” he said, closing the door and walking to her. He leaned down to give her a long, lingering kiss.

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