Page 40 of Sergi
It could be an overwhelming job for anyone’s first few days, regardless of how long they’d been there. Cressa kept up with the security protocols, but she bored easily with the fine nuances Simone and Sergi added to the daily updates for the manor, Oasis, and both safe houses.
She answered on the first ring. “Devon? Is everything alright?”
He chuckled. She sounded a bit frazzled. “Everything is fine. We just arrived, and we’re in the vans heading for Deva.”
“Oh, thank god. I thought maybe something happened since Bella checked in.”
“Which was only twenty minutes ago.”
“Exactly. What if someone attacked right after she hung up?”
He grinned but held back his laugh. “How’s your first day going?”
Her growl was low, but he heard how tired she was, and it wasn’t yet noon in California. “I don’t know how Sergi keeps up with all of this. It’s not just updating, reviewing, and communicating the protocols, but everyone has a million questions. I’ve never seen Sergi break a sweat with this, and thank the stars he keeps immaculate records.” She was silent a moment. “Don’t you dare tell him I said any of that.”
This time, he did laugh. “I won’t say a word, but I’ll give you one secret if you’re not already doing it. Delegate.”
He heard her heavy sigh. “I know that, but why don’t they call their team leads?”
“Sometimes, the team leads haven’t read the updates yet. Other times, the team leads aren’t available, and, in either scenario, the guards tend to be impatient and don’t like to wait.But I think the reason you’re getting more calls than Sergi is because the guards like you and want to talk to you.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize that.” She went silent for a moment. “Alright. I don’t mind helping them at least once, then I’ll direct them back to their team lead. Thank you.”
He would have hugged her had he been there. She made it sound like she was helping, which she was, but the truth was more that she didn’t want to hurt their feelings and felt guilty she didn’t know most of them. “No problem. How are you otherwise?”
“Worried about you. Worried about Sergi and Carlos.”
“We’ll get them back. We’re going to go dark soon. No communication except for emergencies. I wanted to call before that happened.”
“I know you’re in the van, so I’ll make this easy on you. I love you, and I miss you. You take care of yourself, and if I have to come find you? Well, no one will like it if I show up.”
“We’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. And for everything you said before that—me too.”
“See you soon.” She hung up. Not surprising since he heard the tears in her voice, reminding him just how dangerous this mission was.
“Is everything alright with Cressa?” Remus didn’t bother hiding a grin when he asked the question.
“She’s fine and wishes us well.”
They fell into talk about the old days, the advancement of weapons, and how they both preferred hand-to-hand, or in Remus’s case, hand-to-fang combat over anything else.
As the afternoon waned toward dusk, the two fell silent, each experiencing the burden of the mission and what they would discover. Remus had lost many to secure the location of this facility, and Devon understood the pain of sending others to their deaths.
How did one put the life of one male over dozens of others? Sergi wasn’t just his friend, he had been a companion for centuries. He’d saved Devon’s life countless times. And while Sergi never wanted to be a House leader, his value to a House was immeasurable.
If it hadn’t been for the GPS trackers and Rafael’s survival, they wouldn’t have the slim advantage they had. They’d find Sergi and Carlos and, with any luck, maybe Remus’s other shifters.
When they reached Deva and the team stepped out of the van, Remus held Devon back.
“I have a request.”
Devon studied him, understanding whatever was coming was difficult for the shifter, but he could see The Wolf behind the haunted eyes, ready to fight—ready to die if need be.
“Anything.” Devon wasn’t sure what he was promising, but at this juncture, he didn’t see how he could deny the male who’d gotten Devon farther than he thought possible in his personal crusade.
“Whether we win or fail, I need this to be seen as a raid by the shifters.”
The request shocked Devon. “Are you sure you want that kind of heat from Venizi? He won’t take an attack instigated by shifters lightly, especially when we take what we came for.”
