Page 100 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“Good. You do know that no one believes you, about you stopping because the insurance didn’t cover it.” His look grew smug.
I scratched my nose with my middle finger. “You’re not telling them you saw me, right?”
“Your dads? No. Matty, yes–but only that I saw you, and that you’re okay.”
The second part was most likely a partial lie, but I was a beta, so I couldn’t smell them. I was sort of okay with him telling my oldest brother about me. As long as no one came for me.
“Matty’s the only one who knows I see you sometimes. But if your dads ever ask me directly, I won’t be able to lie to them.” He took a piece of bread and dipped it in olive oil.
That I believed.
“Do you want to talk about Austin? Last time I saw you, you were hopeful about hockey finals and Austin getting signed.” He held up his half-eaten bread. “This is good.”
“I guess.” I gave him the short version as I ate too much bread and drank my wine.
“So he disappeared? He owes you money. He hurt you. I’ll find him and he’ll pay.” His look grew intense.
“Alphas like Austin get away with everything, you know that.” I pressed back memories of another entitled alpha that got away with too much, until it was too late.
“We don’t have to let law enforcement handle it.” He cracked his knuckles. “That only complicates things.”
I rolled my eyes at his alpha posturing. Part of me was honored he’d make such an offer. At the same time, fear struck me. Acting against people could haveveryunexpected repercussions.
“I don’t know who he actually is. While I hope his family runs a pig farm or a plumbing service, it could be someone we don’t want to mess with.” I shook my head.
Lenny looked unimpressed. “I don’t care who he is. If you want to know, I’ll find out. It doesn’t mean we have to act, but it’s an option. No one is going to hurt you. Never again.”
I scowled, not liking that he kept bringing that up. “No one can make promises like that.”
The server took away the empty appetizer platter and brought my salad and his soup.
He took a sip of soup. “Not your nonna’s, but not bad.”
“This place reminds me of her. The sauce is not as tasty as hers, but still good,” I admitted, taking a bite of salad. “Enough about me. What’s new with you?”
Lenny caught me up on his antics. Some of which might be true. Though I wasn’t sure about him being chased across Paris by super model spies in sports cars. But who knew? Besides restoring paintings, he was a procurer of things and information. Which was why I fenced shit through him.
Our dinner came, and I gazed at my eggplant parmesan, then at his chicken fettuccine.
“What do you think, Buttons?” he asked.
“I can do this.” I took a bite of the eggplant, the deliciousness of the sauce making me dance in my chair.
Lenny grinned. “Now that’s a good sign. Last year of university? I’m proud of you. Not to mention, unlike your brothers, you got into a top school all on your own.”
“I’d never thought about it that way.” My three alpha brothers were pretty smart and hardworking. As I tore through my dinner, he asked me about classes, hockey, and the like.
“Do you want news about any of your siblings?” he offered.
I shook my head. “I… I don’t think so.”
Lenny frowned. “Okay. Do you ever listen to true crime forensic accounting podcasts?”
“Are you talking about JoeCountant and Its Accrual World? That is Joe, right?” I’d know my brother’s voice anywhere. “That is so weird that he does those, but fascinating.”
They were great podcasts and my classmates loved them.
“I think he does it for you, hoping you’re out there listening. He pulled away a lot after you left. Not to mention heisan accountant.” He took a bite of his food.
