Page 52 of Fate Awakened

Dante: Quinn, please grab an ice pack for Jake.

Quinn: Yep, on it

“Let’s get started. Brielle is being delivered to the Marlo Pack today at 3 pm.” I start, noticing Cain’s eyes flaring with the news.

“I’ll be contacting their Second shortly after, to negotiate her return. I’ve been told that Deacon’s headed back to Reno today, so we need this sorted out tonight before he’s filled in on everything. Especially before he can meet with her to ascertain her Unawakened status.”

“What’s your play?” Cain asks. “There’s no way he’d believe you’d trade a human girl for an Alpha legacy. Kole may not actually be given the reins anytime in the future, but that doesn’t take away his lineage. He’s not only Deacon's nephew, he’s the only male descendant of his family line since Deacon himself never had any kids. It’s not an equitable trade,” he finishes, pointing out the exact problem I’ve been playing through my head all morning.

“I’m aware. I won’t be pitching an even trade. In fact, I’m not pitching Kole at all. We’re just bringing him as backup, but I’m hoping that I don't need to let him go. I’ll present Ms. DelaCourt as more of a problem than an asset. One we’d be doing him a favor by taking her off his hands.” It’s not the best plan, but it's more believable than the alternative.

“You could use her McCoy connections to stir the pot. Mention that they’re sniffing around in her absence and use that to imply you’d send them straight to the Reno Pack,” Elijah adds.

“Having political and legal heat headed their way would certainly not be the best for them. Especially if the newly appointed Second allowed her to stay,” Pres adds, a gleam in her eye as she paints the pictures for us.

“I think it could work. Erik,” I continue shifting focus to the other side of the table, “where are we with transport?” As he starts to brief us, Quinn walks in, now dressed in a spotless powder blue top, and places the folders in front of me along with a fresh cup of coffee.

She hands Jake the ice pack, which he begrudgingly takes with a quiet thanks in her direction. Quinn smiles at him before she crosses to the other side of the table, toward Pres, and slides her a white sugar-free Monster energy drink, winking at her best friend as she quickly heads out.

The look on Presley's face makes me chuckle under my breath. That girl needs an IV for the amount of caffeine she consumes daily.

Dante: Thank you, Quinn.

“James took Yelena’s flight team in the Gulfstream after our meeting yesterday, so we'll be using the Cessna. It's fueled, and Ben’s flight team has been alerted for a noon departure.”

“Good. Jake, teams?”

“Theo, Gabriel, Max, and Jay from the black team. Wyatt and Jess from the blue team. Carter and Colt from the red team. We're all prepping and will be standing by on the tarmac at eleven thirty.”

“Pres?” I question, nodding at Jake before shifting to her. She takes a long sip of her energy drink before continuing.

“I’ll head up the green team. Mason and I will be your eyes and ears. The equipment’s packed in my office and will be loaded with the machinery. The flight plan has been simulated, and Erik sent in the cover flight information. No trace of take-off or landing will be tied back to us. I have Mason pulling up possible trade locations with isolation and exit routes. Those will be ready by the time we depart.”

I slide the folder with the territory maps over her way.

“My guess is he’s going to want to use home-field advantage. Make sure we have a contingency. Once we have the location, we'll lock down a more solid plan. Next, how are we mitigating her absence?”

“After running into her roommate last night, I made sure to respond to her text through the mirrored phone since her original one was smashed. I let her know Bri is staying with me for the rest of the week. Additionally, I emailed her professors through her school email, letting them know that she 'came down with the flu' and will be working from home. That should get us some time. Pres, can you have Keith call in sick for both of them in a few minutes since Bri doesn’t have her boss's phone number in her phone? I’m guessing she doesn’t use that to call out.” Cain turns to Pres, waiting for her nod.

“How are we handling Mr. Anderson?” My next question falls between Cain and Pres as I’m not entirely sure if we have a plan in place for him.

“I made him a deal. He can be involved in finding her, but we can’t have him at the trade in case things go sideways. As much as I’d love a carefully placed accident, he’s human and Brielle's best friend. He can’t know about us, and there are too many intangibles that could reveal our world, which would sign his death certificate.”

“Pres, can he ride with Mason on this one, stay busy with his Marlo projects, or scan perimeter traffic?” I offer as a way to silo him away from the action.

“Mason’s on counterintelligence measures during the trade. I need him to be able to focus. The thieving hacker can stay with me. My role is less obvious and easier to conceal.”

“Then I want an extra body in there to ensure he doesn’t turn on you,” I state, not asking.

“I can handle myself,” she growls, “he's a human for crying out loud. I train with the black team weekly. I don’t need a babysitter.”

Her stubbornness is infuriating. I’ve spent her entire life keeping her safe. She’s never unprotected. Even when she was off at college, I had guards on her floor, in her classes, and at every damn frat party she went to. If only she knew the lengths I’d go, and have gone, to ensure her safety. I won’t lose her like I have everyone else.

“You won’t be set up alone with a grown man who has already proven he’ll work against us if it fits his intentions.” I grow angrier as I continue. “It would only take you losing focus at the wrong time, or paying too much attention to something else, and he could best you. Not because I think you’re weak, but because any of us could get distracted. Everyone has backup. Period. Jake, pull one more for the trip,” I order, leaning back in my chair and bringing my fingers to my beard.

Pres sits with anger radiating off her, arms crossed in defiance, and biting the inside of her cheek as she fights her urge to continue.

Dante: You’re the only blood I have left.

---