The night before, I’d seen a news story about a couple of scientists who had worked for Viola. They’d been ID’d on the videos we’d leaked. Both of them had been high-ranking members of the company and had been found dead over the last week.
They’d been staged as suicides, of course. We could see that, but only because we’d seen what they were capable of. Viola was running in the shadows, trying to tie up loose ends. There was no way to know exactly what she had planned, but it had to be horrible. I wished I could say I was surprised by the report, but I wasn’t. If Viola had proven anything over the last year, it was that she was capable of terrible things.
It only took about a month for the local anti-shifter activists to finally stop crowding around at our gates. More than likely, itwas the fact that they were getting tired of bouncing off Sinthy’s wards. There were only so many times one could get bounced five feet back into the dirt before giving up. It had been three weeks since we’d seen anyone, but Sinthy wasn’t about to drop the wards.
“Those people could come back at any time. Plus, it’s kinda fun watching them flail around and flop into the grass.”
“I suppose we don’t know when or how the royals will attack again. I guess you can leave it up.”
She’d grinned. “Oh, I’ve planned on it.”
There had been a lot going on, and I knew I needed to do something special for Maddy. For months now, we’d really had no time or chance to breathe. The last few weeks had been the quietest and most relaxing time we’d had since the night I found her beaten body in her bar. It was time for me to get creative.
Javi’s pack had returned to their lands after holing up at their spot until they were sure things were settled. I knew, in passing, that one of his guys was a chef and owned a restaurant in Tampa. A few calls and texts and I had something set for that Friday. The next thing I had to do was get everyone else out of the house.
Abi and the rest of Maddy’s family hadn’t really been out of the house in weeks. It was time for them to get a little air. Eliza and Francisca decided, with a little prodding from me, to host a big movie night and dinner at the communal hall. I made sure they chose a nice long movie and had dinner at the end. Maddy and I would be assured of at least four hours of quiet while they were all out of the house.
Sinthy had no desire to see the movie but told me she’d head out into the woods to forage for herbs. “Certain toadstools only develop the correct toxins via moonlight. I’ll be gone until at least one or two in the morning. You and your lady can have all the time you need.”
Javi’s guy, Romeo, got to my place around five in the afternoon, along with a load of groceries. Maddy was out with Abi. When she finally got home, the surprise on her face almost made me laugh.
“What’s all this?” she asked, pointing toward the strange man chopping chives in the kitchen.
Romeo looked up and gave Maddy a bright smile. “Hello. I’m Romeo. I’ll be your chef tonight.”
“My chef?” Maddy turned to look at me. Abi hid her grin behind her hand as she headed to her room.
I shrugged. “Go get dressed. We’re having a luxurious night in.”
“I thought we were doing the whole movie night thing your cousins set up?”
“Who do you think had them set it up? Go on, get dressed.”
Maddy looked at Romeo again as he slid a rack of lamb into the oven to roast, then headed upstairs. Everyone else filtered out for the neighborhood party before Maddy came back down. I had candles lit around the room and on the table.
“This is amazing,” she said as she took her seat.
Romeo walked over and set a small plate in front of both of us. “Javi told me you wanted something special, which means special you shall have. A tasting of caviar with all the accouterments. Enjoy. The salad course will be out next.”
The plate had a beautiful scoop of caviar along with finely chopped egg, creme fraiche, diced chives, and toast points. I’d actually never had it before but decided to go with it. Maddy took a bite, and her eyes widened in pleasant surprise. After trying some, I had to admit that it was surprisingly good.
The salad was great as well, and when Romeo brought out the rack of lamb, it literally looked like a work of art, along with the roasted potatoes and grilled asparagus. I’d already decided to make a reservation at Romeo’s restaurant the next time I wasin Tampa when he brought out the dessert—a warm chocolate tart and gelato.
We were eating as Romeo finished filling the dishwasher and packed up his items to go. “Did it live up to the hype?” he asked.
I sighed and put a hand on my stomach. “Romeo, I can’t thank you enough. This was amazing.”
“Seriously,” Maddy added, dabbing at her lips with a napkin. “I’m stuffed, but I can’t stop eating.”
Romeo put his backpack on and picked up the big tote he’d brought. “I leave you now to enjoy your night.” He gave me an awkward grin. “I believe Javi will send the bill.”
I laughed. “Whatever it is, it was well worth it.”
He smiled brightly and left out the front door. Maddy finished her last bite of dessert and tossed her spoon down beside her plate. “You better be glad that guy is nowhere near as cute, sexy, or charming as you. Otherwise, you’d be in trouble.”
Putting my own spoon down, I said, “I mean… I’d have a hard time holding it against you. Wanna watch a movie to wind down?”
“Sure.”
