Page 84 of Never Submit

But this delicious stew Flora prepared for everyone is going a long way toward mending all those cracks.

“This is delicious.” I spoon another heaping helping up to my lips and smile through my slurp.

I’ve never really understood why people say food can heal a heart, but a few more meals from Flora, and I may start. The woman knows her stuff.

Flora preens, practically glowing from the compliment. “Thank you. It was one of my grandmother’s favorite recipes to share with us. We used to make it together.”

Torin prods the bowl with his spoon, his face sour. “This is venison?”

He says it as though the little omega is trying to force-feed him elephant ass.

Both alphas and betas are gathered in the penthouse dining room, on opposite sides of a massive table designed to give them enough space for their egos, too. But hell if it does. The last time they'd all been together this way, they’d hovered over me like overprotective hens on our trek up a mountain.

Now, the circumstances are still dire, but at least we’ve got a stew that might be the best damn thing I’ve ever eaten.

“Yes, it’s venison, and it’s fresh from our territory. I had Owen bring it in,” Flora answered, nodding at Mathis as though seeking his approval. “One of your men helped me, Torin. Henrickson?”

Torin grunts out something unintelligible and finally dives for the stew the same way I do.

If Flora keeps this up, it will be my favorite food, too, and I’ll weigh about seven hundred pounds because I won’t stop eating it.

“Flora, you're a godsend,” I say in the wake of Torin’s disapproval.

At my side, Noble squeezes my knee, a flicker of appreciation flowing down our bond.

“It’s not her kitchen.” Torin straightens. He’s still wearing his suit vest and tie, buttoned up to his chin in a stranglehold. “I have professional chefs on payroll for a reason. Surely they don’t appreciate having someone come in and boss them around.”

“What’s the matter?” Mathis asks through a mouthful of food. “Afraid they’ll never be able to keep up with her?”

Torin growls. “The pup doesn’t belong in my kitchen.”

Flora flitters around the table ladling out extra helpings to anyone who asks. “I haven’t been a pup in years.” Yet she smiles, turning the chastisement into a compliment.

She didn’t stop at the stew, either. There are several platters of roasted vegetables and a fresh salad with bright green lettuce and equally green dressing.

She also performed magic on some kind of apple and pear tart for dessert. I wouldn’t be surprised if she churned her own ice cream, if given the opportunity.

“This isreallygood,” I insist. “Can we keep her?”

“Absolutely not. If you want Flora to cook, you’ll have to come home with me.” Mathis winks at me. “There’s always room for you.”

I warm to the proposition. “It wouldn’t be such a terrible thing to see where you live. Well, to see it properly.” Since the last time I was there I had to sneak around and steal the Moonstone.

Noble squeezes my knee again but his emotions aren’t clear. And I like to think I’ve gotten much better at figuring him out through this mate thing.

Torin huffs. “Terrible, indeed.”

Dax leers at Torin, food stuck in his beard. “You say that like it’s a bad thing. Better than counting your dollar bills in your safe.”

“Like Scrooge McDuck,” I agree with a grin.

If the four of them would focus on the food rather than old wounds and antagonizing each other, they might actually be able to work together. They really aren’t so different. If only there was a way to make them see it.

You have me convinced, baby, Noble purrs in my head.

I hide my giggle in another bite.It’s called a sex haze. You’d agree to anything right now.

Not anything. But you certainly have me in a generous mood. Look. I’m sitting at a table across from Dax and I’m not trying to drown him in the stew.

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