Page 23 of Walking in Darkness

“Right. Well, then, since I have parents in-bound, I need to swing by the apartment and do some picking up. If I don’t, Mom will. She can’t seem to help herself.”

“That’s not a problem,” Hudson said, following Kit over to the patio table. “After you get done, we can grab lunch.”

“That sounds nice. Knowing my mom, they’ll be on a flight by this evening. She’ll text with a flight and arrival time, I’m sure.”

“When she does, tell her I’ll have a car waiting to pick them up from the airport,” Hudson said.

“Oh. I, ah, assumed it would be us,” Kit said.

“Your apartment is on the other side of San DeLain. Plus, we don’t know how late their flight will be or even if they’ll get in today. Let me see if Nelson can do the pickup.”

“Okay then.”

Hudson sent a quick text message to Nelson. Within a few moments, Nelson texted back, saying he’d be happy to do it.

“Nelson said yes. Tell your mother a Black man with red dreads will be their driver. He’ll have a sign with their name on it.”

“Please tell Nelson I said thank you,” Kit said. “Let me change into something a bit more appropriate for lunch, and I’ll be ready. I’ll meet you guys back here in a few minutes.”

“We’ll be waiting,” Connie said.

As soon as Kit left, Hudson turned to Connie. “Will you grab one of the cleaning staff and ask them to make sure the blue room has fresh sheets and the attached bathroom has toiletries?”

“Okay. You’re going to put his parents in your wing, though?”

“Of course. They are his parents, after all. Plus, it’s more private in this area of the house. Maybe that’ll make his shifter dad a little more comfortable.”

“Being the only shifter surrounded by dragons? I’m not sure anything will make him feel more comfortable,” Connie said.

“I know, but it’s safer for them to be here than at a hotel or Kit’s place. I’ll happily point that out if I must.”

“I’m sure. I’ll be back shortly. Is there anything else I need to do?”

“Inform Stella we’re going to have guests, and when they arrive, we’ll be eating in my quarters for at least that first meal. And please send a text to my inner circle informing them we’ll have guests coming and who they are.”

“Torres will probably run a background check on them,” Connie pointed out.

“He’s my head of security. I expect no less.”

“Got it. I’ll be right back.”

THIRTY MINUTES later, Kit returned, Connie with him. Kit wore a simple pair of jeans, a sage green T-shirt, and sandals. It was almost criminal how somber Kit was dressed.

Hudson had changed, and so had Connie. A small smile teased Hudson’s lips when he saw Kit and Connie were holding hands.

“Mom sent her flight information. They should arrive at the San DeLain airport tomorrow morning at eleven. I told her who to look for when they arrived.”

Hudson pulled out his cell phone. “Give me the information, and I’ll send it to Nelson.”

“How long are they staying?” Connie asked.

“Three days,” Kit said.

“Hudson, that means they’ll be here when the leaders meet at Isadora’s,” Connie pointed out.

“See if you can move the meeting to next Monday night,” Hudson said. “Check with Isadora first, and if she’s willing, then contact the leaders.”

“I’ll send Isadora a text message right now,” Connie said. “I’ll let you know what she says.”

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