Page 19 of Fennick’s Fortune (Sentinels of Apollo #2)

It didn’t take us too long to arrive in town. Fennick gave me a cursory drive-through of the main parts, and then we parked downtown and got out to walk. He took my hand and held on to me. I had no objections. I felt cared for.

Not long into our walking tour, he took me into a coffee shop called CaféCrave .

The delicious smell of coffee and sweet pastries mixed.

We grabbed three coffees and several pastries.

I asked him who the third cup was for. He grinned and told me I’d see.

I found out when we went down a block and crossed to the street’s opposite side, where we stopped outside a building.

I saw the sign read Branson Law Offices . This must be Banner’s office.

Upon entering, I found myself in a tastefully decorated office.

There was plenty of comfortable seating and a spacious reception area at the front.

A woman sat behind it. I estimated she was in her mid-to-late fifties.

Her hair was a gorgeous cloud of silver twisted in a French twist. Her brown eyes crinkled at the corners when she saw Fennick.

“Look at the trouble that has walked in the door,” she teased as she smiled.

“Hey, you know you would have me no other way, Genevieve. However, maybe keep that to yourself for now. I don’t want you to scare her off.” He indicated to me with a tilt of his chin.

Genevieve’s eyes sharpened as she focused on me. “Hmm, who might you be, and why are you with this one? Seeking legal advice? Please don’t tell me he’s knocked you up. If he has, I’ll have to ensure he’s straightened out.” She frowned at Fennick.

“Whoa, hang on, I did no such thing. Not that I don’t want to have babies with her, but we’re taking our time. She’s not sure if she can trust me. You should be talking me up. Just for that, you don’t get what I brought you,” he said, pretending to pout as he shook one of the pastry bags at her.

“You can’t buy me with sweets, though you can maybe persuade me to tell her some of your finer points,” Genevieve stated.

When Fennick handed her the bag, he kissed her cheek. She laughed and patted his hair-covered jaw. “You know you’re going to make me fat, bringing me this kind of thing.”

“It won’t happen, but you’ll still be beautiful even if you put on some weight. And Harris will agree with me. That man knows what he’s got. Let me stop being rude and make introductions.”

He glanced at me, then waved to Genevieve, who came to her feet. “Sweetness, this is Genevieve. She’s the true brains behind this operation, not Banner.”

“Hey, I heard that,” Banner lightly hollered from the back, making me giggle.

Fennick continued as if he didn’t hear him. “Genevieve, this is Akiva. I wanted you to be one of the first to meet the woman I hope I can convince to be mine for good. So if you have any ideas, text them to me.”

I saw the surprise on her face, which quickly changed to delight.

“It’s about time you and your other friends begin to settle down.

Brax was the first, but I’m happy he’s not the last. Tell the one in the back to get his behind in gear.

He’s been single for too long. A good woman would make him more unstoppable.

It’s a pleasure to meet you, Akiva,” Genevieve said, holding out her hand so I could shake it. As we did, Banner came walking out.

“Don’t you have better things to do than talk about my love life?” he asked her gruffly as he slapped Fennick on the back.

“No, I finished all my work and yours for the day.” She smirked.

“I swear, Harris needs to spank you more,” he muttered.

“He does it plenty,” she replied.

“Well then, he needs lessons. I’ll speak to him,” Banner retorted.

“He needs no lessons, believe me,” she said, smiling more.

“God, save me from sassy women. Come, let’s go into the back. You, behave,” he told her before winking and chuckling.

“It was wonderful to meet you,” I told her.

“Same here,” she replied.

Banner groaned as he took the coffee Fennick handed him. We followed him into what could only be his office. Banner shut the door behind us and motioned toward his seating area. Fennick led me to the loveseat. We sat together on it. Banner took his seat across from us in a chair.

“So, I see you’re getting the tour of the town, corrupting my assistant with sweets, and causing trouble. She’s like the other sassy women in our lives,” Banner grumbled.

“So who would that be besides Genevieve?” I asked.

“Cerys, Twyla, who else. Don’t let their sweet looks fool you. They’re like you.”

“Me? I’m a perfect angel. I should take the coffee away from you for that,” I said without thinking.

He grinned. “See, just the same. And I hate to fight you and have my friend kick my ass, but for this coffee right now, I’ll battle for it.”

“Has it been a bad day?” Fennick asked. He’d been busy laying out napkins and my pastry. He handed Banner a bag and then kept one for himself.

“Not bad so much as busy. I had court this morning, and I’ve had several calls and in-person meetings since I returned from court. This is the first break I’ve gotten all day.”

“Then the weekend can’t get here soon enough,” Fennick countered.

“True. And I’m starting it by kicking back with my friends and getting to know this one better.

I can’t believe you’ve gotten her to agree to give your ugly mug a chance that fast. You’ve clearly drugged her or bribed her.

Tell me. How much is he paying you, Akiva?

” Banner asked with a deadpan expression.

I wasn’t sure I knew how to respond. I wasn’t used to so many people getting along and teasing like they did. Before I could come up with an answer, Banner laughed.

“Forget it, you can tell me later. Did you get the text from Cerys? Tonight, they’re hosting dinner at their place.

It seems Twyla and her want to feed us. I can never say no.

They felt guilty that they weren’t inviting Asa and the others, but we’ll do that on Sunday and have them over at my house. ”

That remark got me talking. “How are they doing? I feel so bad that I haven’t seen anyone since the other night.”

“From what we’ve heard, they’re doing well. All except one.” Banner rolled his eyes when he said the last bit.

“Who?” I asked anxiously. Was someone ill?

“Hadar demanded that he be taken to Brax and Cerys’s house this morning so he could check up on you.

I told him you’d ask if you wanted to see him.

He wasn’t happy. Asa wanted to know if you were alright.

I assured him you were being very well looked after.

Imagine Hadar if he knew Fennick had you at his tender mercy all night. ”

I shuddered. I could picture it, and I hated the thought.

“He can demand all he wants, but she doesn’t want to see him. It’s one thing if it’s a get-together with the whole group, but even then, if he doesn’t behave, he’s out. I won’t have him bugging Akiva with his nonsense,” Fennick muttered.

“I appreciate you wanting to shield me, but I can stand up for myself. I don’t need you to do it for me. As for the invitation to Cerys and Brax’s house, I should go there and help them prepare if we’re invited. Even if it’s not everyone, it’s still close to ten people.”

“I got the text while you were admiring the pastries. I was waiting until we got here to tell you. As for helping them, they would take it if you wanted to do it, but they’re more than capable of doing it themselves. Plus, we offered help from those who are off today and were politely told no.”

“But could it be due to your abilities in the kitchen? You may be able to cook decently, but can all of you?” I asked Fennick while darting glances at Banner.

“I refuse to answer that since it may incriminate me or my friends,” Banner interjected, then chuckled.

“See, that’s why you’re probably one they don’t want. Are you planning to cook on Sunday?” I asked.

“I’m barbecuing. I’m getting the sides from town. It won’t be as good as what Cerys and Twyla make, but I don’t want them to do it. They have enough to do.”

“Points for thinking of them. However, if you trust me, I can make them. I’m more than a decent cook, or so I’ve been told. And it seems that I’ll be at loose ends. Oh, wait, you’ll miss it. You work on Sunday,” I exclaimed, recalling Fennick’s schedule.

“We’ll do it later so he can get some. He may have to eat after everyone else,” Banner said.

“I’ll make sure to save you everything,” I pseudo-whispered to Fennick.

He took my hand, squeezed it, and smiled. “Thank you for looking out for me. I appreciate it. This cretin would leave it to fate whether I got any.” He gave Banner a miffed look.

“Don’t play this woman and make her think you’re a poor neglected soul,” his friend joked.

Their playful banter made me smile and even chuckle. It was nice to see people who were comfortable with each other. They jabbed back and forth for a few minutes before it got serious.

“Okay, enough joking around. Akiva, if you want to help, I know Twyla and Cerys won’t say no, but it’s not expected. We still have a bit more sightseeing to do first. I’m letting her get the lay of the land, like we did yesterday with the others,” Fennick explained to Banner.

“Good idea. Thanks for stopping by and bringing me a coffee, but was that the only reason you came?”

Both men’s gazes landed on me. “What? Why are you staring at me? This was Fennick’s idea. I just went where he did.”

“I stopped by so Akiva could see where your office is and to let her know that if there are legal issues she needs addressed, you’re more than capable of doing it.

Although he may work in this small town, Banner is a highly sought-after lawyer.

It’s why LA, Las Vegas, and other major cities have clients trying to get him to move to their towns.

They can’t understand why he’d work here. ”

“From what I’ve seen so far, it’s ideal for shifters. So clearly that’s one reason. As for needing legal help, no, I don’t know of anything that requires it,” I informed them.

I wasn’t sure how I felt about Fennick dropping that on me. I sat there, letting their chatter flow over me. I made one-word comments here and there, but that was it. When Fennick indicated it was time to go, Banner smiled and said he’d see us later. I nodded.

Outside on the sidewalk, Fennick was quiet for a minute or more as we continued our tour. Finally, he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and turned me to face him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It smacked of an ambush, which wasn’t my intention.

I just want you to know we’re all here and will help you no matter what your mess is.

I promise, no more stops like that. Will you forgive me?

And hold my hand for the rest of this? I’m feeling kinda lonely here. ” His playful smile made me give in.

“It was low to do it, but I’ll forgive you if you don’t do it again. My issues are complicated, and I won’t get into them where anyone can hear them. However, since your hand is so lonely, I’ll hold hands. Just don’t think your cute charms will always get you out of trouble with me.”

He snatched up my hand and brought it to his mouth. He slowly kissed and scraped his teeth over each knuckle. That simple contact made me shiver, and it was due to need. As I met his gaze, I saw that Fennick was just as turned on as I was.

“You’re so dangerous,” I whispered.

“Not any less than you are to me. No, wait, I believe you’re more dangerous to me than I am to you. You could so easily destroy me, beautiful.”

“I don’t want that.”

“I don’t want it either. We’ll make the pact right now. Neither of us will destroy the other,” he vowed.

“I pray we don’t. Here’s to never hurting or harming each other.”

With that said, and my hand clasped in his, we resumed our walk.

I had to fight to pay attention this time.

So many things were crowding into my head.

We spent about another hour in town before Fennick and I headed over to Brax’s house to see what we could do to help prepare for the evening.

He took me a different way to get to their house, allowing me to see more of the area, which I appreciated.