Hone checked his phone. “Eight thirty.”
Cassie placed a lettuce salad and a potato salad on the outdoor table. “No wonder I’m hungry.”
“Steaks are done.” Jack used a pair of tongs to transfer the meat to a platter held by Emma.
“I’ll get the garlic bread,” Cassie said.
Hone watched her arse until she disappeared from sight and Emma dug him in the ribs.
“You said you didn’t do serious.”
Hone turned to meet her gaze. “So everyone says.”
“And?”
“Cassie is different. I like her. She makes me laugh. She makes me happy.”
“She says she’s leaving,” Emma said.
“Yeah.”
Emma nudged his ribs with her elbow and almost lost a steak.
“Watch the meat.” Jack rescued the platter and placed it on the table.
“Well, what are you going to do about it?” Emma demanded.
“Not sure yet,” Hone said. “We haven’t known each other long.” He shifted his gaze, Jack’s jerk of head warning him of Cassie’s return, not that he needed the heads-up. His taniwha kept him appraised of Cassie’s whereabouts. “The garlic bread smells good.”
“My mother’s recipe. She uses herbs along with the garlic and tasty cheese. Mum doesn’t approve of me eating it.” Mischief lurked in the curve of her mouth, the tiny dimple digging into her cheek. “I might have more than one piece tonight.”
“I like your curves,” Hone said. “Although it smells so good you might have to arm wrestle me for seconds.”
Her laughter filled the air, and Hone had never felt happier.
You can’t let her leave.
He and his taniwha were of one accord. His phone vibrated, and he almost didn’t bother answering in favor of eating first. He followed the others to dig into the food before guilt and curiosity got the better of him. His phone ceased its summons. A missed call. Manu. He stood back and let the others fill their plates while he rang his cousin.
“What’s up?”
“Ma’s gone. She was here and seemed back to normal, bossing us all around. I left for two minutes to take a phone call. Dad was with her. He relaxed his vigilance and Ma disappeared. Hone, she’s vanished. Her vehicle is still here.”
“Is she walking?”Please let her be on foot.
“I think she’s flying.”
“Does she have one of your inventions?”
“No.”
“Crap.” A range of possibilities raced through his mind. Foremost, would June be stupid enough to shift and fly here? His aunt didn’t lack intelligence. If she hadn’t learned of Cassie’s location already, it would be easy enough to guess. Surely, she wouldn’t continue her crusade against Cassie? “What do you need us to do?”
“Stay where you are. I’ll call if I need you.”
Jack and Emma were watching him. Cassie, thank goodness, was serving up two plates of food. One for him. Her generosity and care filled him with pleasure, but the idea of June on the loose overrode the feel-good factor. Terror slashed him, gripped his chest, checked his breathing. He struggled to center himself, fighting the snarl of his taniwha. “Anything you need, Manu. Jack and I are here for you.”
“Thanks.”
