Page 97 of Dash

“One distraction,” Thena emphasized. “All the suspects in the same room.”

“Color me head exploding emoji.” Mina burst her fingers over her head. “It’s brilliant.”

“It is.” Thena offered her elbow to Mina. “Join me fortea?”

“But of course,” Mina said in her best British accent, linking her arm with Thena’s. Together, they headed out of the room.

The invisible nutcracker around my head squeezed even harder. I couldn’t lie. I was pissed because it was a great idea, but it entailed risking Thena’s life, which I dreaded. To make matters worse, Thena stopped at the door and looked over her shoulder.

“My suggestion?” She challenged me with her best checkmate grin before she turned to go. “Run with that, boys.”

Chapter Twenty-seven

Thena

“These are so freaking good.” Mina stuffed a tiny cream cake in her mouth, licked her fingers, and went for a cucumber sandwich. “Tea is officially my new favorite meal. It’s like ‘honey, I shrunk the cakes.’ Does Cook have a hidden machine that turns big delights into mini bliss?”

I laughed. Mina cracked me up. I loved the way her whimsical brain worked. Being the beneficiary of her sassy sense of humor did wonders for my mood. Still, I was worried.

“Do you think I undermined Dash’s authority with my suggestion?” I took a sip of my Earl Grey and returned the cup to the saucer. “He seemed… I don’t know… a little pained at my idea? I want to help him build his team, but maybe I went over the top?”

“Maybe.” Mina never lied or shied from speaking her mind. “You kind of set him up in front of his team.”

“I know, but I figured he wouldn’t even consider my suggestion if I gave it in private.”

“You could be right.” Mina popped the little sandwich in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. “I think Omega’s worried about you. He’s a worrier if I’ve ever met one. All that salt in his pepper is no accident.”

“I know.” I knew very well.

“I don’t think he’s mad at you because you offered an excellent suggestion.” Mina picked up a little quiche and waved it in the air. “I think he hates the idea of you surrounded by potential enemies. He puts your safety above everything else. Trev’s the same with me.”

“So,” I ventured. “You do love our Trev as much as he loves you?”

“More than that. He’s the crayon to my coloring book, the brush to my paintings. I love him more than I love coffee, and you know how hard I love my coffee.”

“Wow,” I teased. “Imagine that.”

“He’s my guy.” She nibbled on her tiny quiche. “We’re in the forever business.”

“I love hearing that.”

“I don’t have to ask you if you love Omega.” Mina shook the crumbs from her hands. “It’s clear you’re the guacamole to his taco.”

I laughed so hard I almost choked on my miniature tuna delight.

“So don’t get mad at him when he ramps up his protector mode,” she counseled wisely. “Omega can’t help it. He was born to protect, and his training only strengthened his PAH DNA.”

“PAH DNA?” I blinked several times. “What’s that?”

“Protector Alpha Hero DNA.” She spelled it out for me. “My term for the men we love.”

I stared at my new friend in awe. “It fits perfectly.”

“Also, remember that Omega’s under a lot of stress and dealing with a team of hotheads.” Mina plucked a cream puff from the tray. “I’m sure the shitshow we all witnessed today contributed to his DRB—Diminished Receptivity to your Brilliance.”

I grinned. “You really do have a way with acronyms.”

“Can I ask?” Mina licked the cream from her fingertips. “Has Omega always been so protective of you?”

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