Hone snorted as he slid into the booth beside her, effectively trapping her against the wall. Their thighs brushed and suggestive tingles roared to life in Cassie.
“I was scared shitless. I didn’t think I would be, but I had to force myself to walk on stage. I don’t know how Cassie does it.”
“Both of you were awesome. I enjoyed the show,” Emma said.
“Thank you. That means a lot to me.” Cassie studied her friend, then her attention slid to Jack. “What’s wrong?” Despite Emma’s enthusiasm and Jack’s words of encouragement both of them seemed off.
“Our house burned down.” Emma snuffled, and a tear rolled down her face. “We…we’ve lost everything. The fire brigade couldn’t save it.”
“What happened? How?”
Emma did some silent husband-wife communication with Jack, shrugged. “Maybe an electrical fault.”
“You’re insured?”
“Yeah,” Jack said.
Emma sniffed. “It’s only stuff, but…but…” Her lip wobbled and Jack growled in the same way Hone did when he became emotional.
“Why don’t we visit the ladies’ room before dinner arrives,” Cassie said. “I wouldn’t mind checking my makeup. I didn’t have time before I left the vineyard.”
Emma sent her a grateful glance.
Hone stood and brushed his fingers over her cheek. “Shout if anyone gives you any problems. Jack and I will be there in a flash.”
“We’re just going to the restrooms. We’ll be quick because the smell of that food is divine.”
The minute he and Jack were alone, Hone pressed for details.
“June set your house on fire?”
“She wanted you and Cassie. When we refused to tell her anything, she ceded most of her control to her dragon. God, Hone. Smoke was coming out her nose.”
“Where was Samuel? Manu? They usually rein her in when she loses her temper.”
Jack grimaced. “Not this time. We left before they arrived.”
“She still searching for us?”
“As far as I know. I haven’t contacted Manu in case June learns something she shouldn’t. Hone, I’ve never seen her like this. She is out of control.”
“Manu needs to step up.”
“Yeah,” Jack said grimly. “He has to stop playing inventor-boy and acknowledge he’s next in line to rule.”
“He doesn’t want to lead.”
“Too bad.” Jack scrubbed his hands over his face before he met Hone’s gaze. His expression told of his anguish, his taniwha bleeding through the human half of his psyche. “Fuck, I thought we were going to die. June considered it. I saw it in her body language.”
“Do you have somewhere to stay tonight?”
“Not yet. I decided it was best to get out of Auckland. I rang your father to tell him what happened. He suggested we stay under the radar.” Jack frowned. “George sounded worried. Without saying it, he told me to guard both you and Cassie.”
“Crap.” His father always remained calm under pressure. Always hard to read, he gave away only what he wished to reveal. “Stay with us. There’s a spare room. I’ll square it with the management. Did you save anything?”
“We have our vehicle plus the clothes on our back. Fuck, if she has hurt my cat…”
“Tom will be fine,” Emma said, appearing beside them. “He’s a tough tomcat.” Emma had fixed her makeup although her bloodshot eyes gave away the fact she’d cried. She squeezed Jack’s shoulder before she slid into the booth.
