Page 28

So what good was my wolf form?

Instead, I mastered utilizing its speed, strength, teeth, and claws to give me the advantage whenever I needed.

Javier watched me carefully. “It’s not that simple. You can’t just practice. Some shifters can partially shift, but the vast majority cannot.”

Cruz deflated. “Dammit.”

Marco still watched me like a mystery he couldn’t solve. Good luck. Many tried. All failed.

“Coffee?” Javier offered as he refilled his mug.

“Yes, please.” I moved around the island and opened the fridge, hoping they had creamer.

“There’s caramel or sweet cream.” Cruz offered me a small, apologetic smile before reaching in and taking the caramel bottle.

“Or half and half.” Javier placed a fresh mug on the counter next to me. “Sugar is next to the machine.”

“Thanks.” I pulled out the sweet cream and poured a dash before taking the spoon Derek held out. I eyed them while gently stirring my drink, pondering why they were suspiciously well-mannered.

“So, what do you want to do today?” Cruz asked as he jumped and sat on the counter.

“Do you need anything before tomorrow?” Javier asked me.

I swallowed and nearly groaned as the first dose of caffeine hit my veins. “I have a dress for the event. I’m not sure what else I would need.”

My stock of potions and powders was well-stocked, and my knives were sharpened. Those were my top priorities.

“Do you want to go see Miami?” Derek asked.

I took another sip and shook my head. “In general, yes. But I don’t want to risk anything happening. I want to lie low until it’s go time.”

Even going out to eat was risky. Every single move I made needed to be thought out and strategically planned. What if I ate at the same restaurant as our target? What if I went to the wrong place, somewhere high society viewed as outdated, and earned a reputation that conflicted with my persona? What if we ran into someone who ended up having an issue with any of us? No fights, no attention, no accidents.

“We could go swimming,” Cruz suggested.

In the ocean? Weren’t there a lot of shark attacks around here? I was afraid of very few things in the world, but the mysteries of the big blue were right at the top of the list.

It probably stemmed from growing up in the middle of nowhere and only visiting the coast twice. Too much lived under the surface we didn’t know about.

I might be a killer, but so were sharks. I respected them enough to stay in my lane.

“No, thanks.” I took another sip to keep from having to say more.

“Are you sure? We have a private pool on the roof.”

Well, why didn’t he start with that? “Oh.”

Javier crossed the room and rinsed out his mug. “You guys can head up and brief her on what you found out. Marco and I have a few things we need to do, then we’ll join you.”

Derek nodded and turned toward our room.

“Sound good?” Cruz asked as he slid off the counter.

“Sure.”

He rinsed his mug and loaded it into the dishwasher before holding his hand out. “Are you done?”

“Yeah, thanks.” I gave mine over, and he repeated the process, leaving nothing in the sink or sitting around on the counters.