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Lucian gulped his tea and then set the glass down. “He doesn’t make Chinese food that often—American or authentic. And his version always has some fancy shit thrown in. It’s nothing like the dives up north.”

“Up north, you say?” My father set down his fork. “Where are you from?”

“Cognito. It’s by the coast?—”

“I know where it is. I used to live there in…” His gaze fixed on the table. “Was it 1750? Long time ago. I bet it’s changed.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Lucian replied matter-of-factly. “I’m only in my eighties.”

“Cognito was one of the first Breed-only cities. Did you know that?” My father shook his head. “They tried, but they couldn’t keep the humans out.”

Lucian looked across the table at him. “Whose side were you on?”

My dad finished the last of his rice. “I had no problem with humans. But they had a lot of problems with us. All them witch hunts.” He shook his head. “It was the Vampires who drove them out. They wanted power and control.”

“A tale as old as time.” I leaned back in my chair and knew where this conversation was heading. He needed rest more than giving a lecture on the trouble with our society. In the end, it always gave him heartburn. “Come on, Dad. Let’s get you downstairs so I can paint the house.”

While I helped him to his walker and grabbed the portable oxygen tank handle, he muttered, “If I were a younger man, I would paint the house.”

“I know you would.”

“I should be the one fixing things around here.”

He was especially tired this afternoon, so once we were downstairs, I dimmed the lights and adjusted the thermostat to a cooler temperature.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was sound asleep.

I kissed his forehead, grateful that we’d had a good day together.

Maybe after his nap, we could play checkers like we used to in the old days.

I padded barefoot across the room and filled up a thermos with water and a few ice cubes. After setting it on the bedside table, I collected the trash and headed upstairs.

When the elevator doors opened in the kitchen hall, loud voices startled me.

“You gotta be fucking kidding me,” a man grumbled from outside the door.

Lucian braced his hand on the doorjamb. “I’ll leave her a message.”

“I’m sure you will, Lucy. But I’m here on business.”

I rushed to the door and was met by a very muscular man with a grey shirt so tight that his tattoos looked like they wanted to jump right off his arms. “Mr. Shaw. What are you doing here?”

Deacon pushed his sunglasses on top of his head. “Hamish sent me.”

“Lucian, I’ll be a minute.”

When Lucian pivoted away, I could’ve sworn I glimpsed his fangs.

After stepping onto the front porch, I closed the glass door behind me. “What’s this about? Mr. Macgregor always calls.”

“He tried, but it went to voicemail.”

Of course it did. My phone’s turned off.

“Please give him my apologies. It’s my day off work, and I don’t get many vacations.”

He stroked his short beard and gave off powerful energy for a beta wolf. Deacon was the newly appointed second-in-command of Hamish’s pack, but I remembered him from last year when Tak sent him to me for legal counsel.

I mused over his gargantuan size and how he could’ve been a professional wrestler. He had that same air of confidence in the manner he lifted his chin, anchored his hands on his hips, and shifted balance between his feet as if he were bursting with energy and about to jump into a wrestling ring.

Deacon’s smile put me at ease. “Lucian ain’t giving you trouble, is he?”

“Not at all. He’s working on my security.”

“You don’t say.”

“Is there an emergency?”

He leaned against a post that supported the covered porch. “Nothing like that. Hamish needs you to officiate another mating ceremony.”

“What about the other Councilmen?”

“He likes the way you run them.”

“When?”

Deacon scratched his dusty-brown hair. “Sunday. You free?”

“I’ll have to check my schedule since it’s short notice. Um… does he want to do it on the property or at the jail?”

Deacon chuckled. “Nothing more romantic than getting mated at jail.”

“My office is perfectly comfortable. No bars. We’ve also performed a few outside.”

He glanced at my outfit. “Sorry for catching you off guard, but if you don’t mind me saying, I like this look on you.”

Perfect. Why doesn’t the whole town pop in and see me at my worst?

I crossed my arms. “I wasn’t expecting visitors.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who should apologize for taking up your time.”

“How’s everything going as the new beta?”

His chest puffed out. “Good! I’ve been busting my ass to get the pack in shape, but I’ve got years of experience under my belt.

From what I’ve seen, the last guy didn’t know what the hell he was doing.

He cared more about people liking him than delegating responsibilities.

Now I’ve got to clean up his mess, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. ”

That was admirable. Betas had crucial roles in the home.

Packmates often went to them with their issues instead of bothering the Packmaster.

The alpha’s role grew increasingly busy over time as the pack grew larger.

He managed pack affairs, handled financial decisions and investments, built alliances with neighboring packs and leaders, resolved conflict, mentored packmates on their career path, and vetted new members.

Betas were problem solvers who kept the pack in line and supported the alpha.

They oversaw tasks around the house and property to make sure the house didn’t fall down and packmates stayed in line.

He took the mirrored sunglasses off his head and twirled them around.

“If you can free up a few minutes on Sunday, Hamish will bring them up to your office. Just let him know the time so he can schedule around it.” Deacon stepped forward and stood two inches taller.

When he spoke, his voice softened an octave.

“It’s always a pleasure seeing you, Miss Thompson.

” He flicked his attention behind me before strutting back to his car.

I watched while he pulled out of my rather desolate yard and left behind a cloud of swirling dust.

When I turned around, Lucian was standing in the living room.

“I wasn’t expecting so many visitors today,” I said after opening the door.

He erased the distance between us and reeled me in with his eyes. “On that note, I’ll be out of your hair.”

I seized his arm. “Wait.”

We locked eyes, and my breath caught from the intimate stare.

Undeniable sexual tension crackled between us, and I wanted to bury my nose in his chest and breathe him in.

Lucian had tasted me, and now I was curious to see what he tasted like.

All this male energy today was making my animal stir.

Even Deacon had made a feast of me with his provocative gaze.

“I shouldn’t have stayed this long,” he added.

“How soon can you start working on my security?”

“Now.”

“Great.” I released my hold. “When can you have the proposals ready? My schedule is tight, but I can always fit you in.”

I know where you’d like to fit him , my inner voice chimed.

“Tomorrow.”

“That fast?” I bit my lip while mentally recalling my schedule. “I’ve got meetings all day, but I’ll be back at the jail by five. Does that work?”

“Yeah.” His nostrils twitched.

“I’m glad you stopped by, Mr. Cross. It was a pleasant afternoon, and I know my father enjoyed meeting you. Hope I didn’t take up your time. I’m sure your schedule is as busy as mine.”

With a curt nod, Lucian took off. Once I had the house to myself again, I brought the ladder out and painted the trim, lost in a reverie of the day’s events.

Especially the tongue bath.