“Technically, I also need your signature on a contract, but this’ll work for now.”
At least, to keep her matters hidden and save me the headache that was sure to follow if Thomas found out what I was really up to.
“That’s an interesting way to run a business,” Caroline muttered.
“It works for us.”
Sharing a look with Connor, I shoved open my door just as the enforcer reached the van.
“Look who the cat dragged in,” Anton drawled as I stepped out. “Nice ride, by the way.”
“It’s Connor’s.”
“The salesperson said it was perfect for families,” Connor explained at Anton’s sidelong look.
Anton patted him on the shoulder. “I’m not sure you and he were talking about the same type of family.”
Connor greeted that information with a slight furrowing of his brow as Anton moved his attention to me.
Turned later in life, at a time when laugh lines had already been etched into the fabric of his features, Anton’s face contained a mature allure that would have been difficult to achieve when he was younger. When a woman—or man, for that matter—looked at him, they saw wealth and an urbane charm that made it hard to imagine the warrior he’d once been.
“What’s with the wolves?” Anton asked, jerking his chin at the trio that I hadn’t noticed waiting on the other side of the parking lot.
“They’re with me,” Caroline said, climbing out of the van. Deborah hopped down after her.
Anton sent me a look. “Since when do you keep company with mutts?”
Even from the distance that separated us, I caught the growls that came from Hank and Emmett.
“Considering my best friend since childhood is one of those mutts, I’d watch your words,” I warned.
An enigmatic smile toyed on Anton’s lips as he veiled his eyes. “Whatever you say, Lena.”
“I told you not to call me that.”
I don’t know where he’d heard it, but ever since then he’d been slipping the nickname in whenever he could.
“But it suits you so well.”
I didn’t dignify that with a response, heading to the back to unload the trunk.
“Leave it.” Anton gestured forward a pair of humans. “They’ll take care of your luggage.”
Despite the assurance, I didn’t move.
Anton arched an eyebrow at me. “They won’t steal anything if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“More like rifle through my belongings,” I grumbled as I reluctantly followed him toward the gate and the other enforcer waiting there.
Anton threw his head back, baring the column of his throat as he laughed. “They won’t do that either. Really, Lena, what kind of operation do you think this is?”
He didn’t want the answer to that.
Daniel, a giant of a man who looked like a blond Viking—probably because he’d been one at some point—nodded at us aswe approached. Turning to the punch pad next to him, he input a code to open the gate. “Aileen.”
“Daniel.”
“It’s good to see you again.”
