Page 68 of Run Free

He sighed and kissed me softly. “I’m not leaving your side as long as there’s a threat to Collier Pack. We’ll stay. We’ll help, but not at the diner. Now that we have Ruby in on this, she can pretend to come in for carryout, Wyatt and Kate will make the swap and give her the potentially contaminated food, then she can leave and bring it here. It’s close enough, but not in the firing zone. That’s my concession.”

It wasn’t what I wanted, and I feared we’d be wasting valuable minutes, but I could see his logic in it. Setting up the lab here would make things a lot easier and eliminate some of the possible problems I had been trying to prepare for.

“Deal,” I said, feeling the relief roll off him in waves. “Ruby, you in?”

“Definitely. You guys know I’ll do anything for this family,” my sister said.

“It’s settled then. That’s as much as I’m willing to compromise. I still say we need to rethink these scenarios too. We can’t heighten security without tipping off this Luke guy on Wednesday night if nothing goes down on Tuesday like we predicted. But I can stay close and be an extra pair of eyes and ears on the lookout for anything just in case. An announcement hasn’t been made about our mating, so the Larkens shouldn’t be expecting me in their plans, yet as rumors spread throughout the week, no one should question my presence,” Gage said.

I stared at him like he was an idiot. “Tell me you’re kidding. Seriously, Gage? We just finally conceded on me staying home safe and sound and putting Ruby at risk instead, and now you think it’s okay to plop yourself right in the middle of the action for Wednesday’s festivities? It’s not going to happen.”

“It is, I’m afraid. If we’re wrong and nothing goes down Monday or Tuesday then I need to be prepared to step in and protect your brother Wednesday night. It’s unfortunately the only plan that makes any sense at all, angel. If need be, he can even do a pack announcement to get me on stage and next to him at all times.”

I smiled sweetly. “Fine,” I said. “But you do realize that this means I’ll have to be there too, standing right by your side.”

“No,” he said firmly. “That’s not going to happen.”

“Sorry, Gage, but she’s right,” Lily jumped in. “Thomas can’t do a mating announcement without the both of you there. I like and appreciate that you’re willing to do that for my mate, but Clara will need to stay with the both of you to make that convincing.”

Gage swore under his breath and started to pace the room.

“Relax. If you guys are right, then Thomas will be in the hospital preparing to battle Jedidiah instead anyway. Let’s not get all worked up until we know it’s necessary,” Ruby said. It wasn’t like her to be the one with the level head of any conversation. Everything felt off and mixed up lately.

“Ruby’s right. It’s just a backup plan. We’ll worry about that if it comes down to it,” Gage said, though I could still feel his tension.

When the girls left, I sighed and flopped down on the couch.

“What’s wrong, angel?” Gage asked.

I giggled. “Nothing. I think I freaked Ruby out badly. She didn’t know what to think walking in on us arguing like that.”

He sat down next to me and wrapped me in his arms. “Why do they all seem to think you’re this meek little mouse that would never stand up for herself? That’s the impression I get from them anyway.”

I shrugged, “Because that’s all they know of me.

“But they’re your family, and that’s not you at all,” he said. “You’re passionate and full of life, loving and kind. You’re a strong leader with a very stubborn streak that you have no problems vocalizing.”

I laughed. “With you maybe. And when necessary for the protection of animals and shifters on the job, but not here. Here I like to curl up with a good book, stay home, and just recuperate after a job. I was a really quiet and somewhat shy kid. It’s sort of a habit to revert to her when I’m here. I don’t think any of them have ever fully considered what I do for a living. They probably don’t even know that they even put me in charge of things from time to time. You’re going to ruin my reputation with my sisters,” I teased.

“I’d prefer to think of it as showing them the truly amazing woman you really are,” he said sweetly, leaning down to kiss me.

A knock at the door interrupted what could have been some amazing makeup sex. I groaned, but not in the good sort of way and got up to answer it.

“Hi, Thomas. You just missed Lily and Ruby,” I said.

“Good. I needed to talk to you and Gage alone anyway,” he said, walking in and taking the chair across from the couch Gage was sitting on.

“This sounds serious. Is everything okay?” I asked.

“I’m not sure. Gage said something the other day that’s been weighing heavily on me and I just wanted to talk to you both about it and figure out what the hell’s going on.”

Gage and I looked at each other. He shrugged like he didn’t have a clue what Thomas was talking about either.

“So what’s up?” I finally asked.

“Tell me what you know about the Verndari.”

I rolled my eyes and glared at Gage.

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