When I brought them to Dad’s attention, thinking they were from federal agents or our enemies, he laughed in my face and told me to ‘stop being so silly’ and not to worry my ‘pretty little head about men’s work.’
It’s not my fault that my ‘pretty little head’ told me to look up the model of the security system. I found out it came from this littlesubsidiary, which I then found to be owned by the Cavanagh technology corporation, Clark Enterprises.
Since no one wanted me, a woman, to talk about the cameras, I didn’t think it was worth arguing over. And I let the information I discovered about the company go. Maybe it’s Valor showing Toni that they’ve been keeping tabs on us and still plan to.
Dad was so desperate to win the war with the Cavanaghs, and maybe it’s because he knew they were already so close to victory ahead of him.
The truce goes both ways.We’re supposed to play nice with the Cavanaghs, and they’re supposed to play nice with us. There really isn’t a reason Toni and I can’t hang out together anymore. I’ll have to make it happen myself.
5
ROYAL
CALL FOR CONFUSION? LINE 3
Margret knockson my office door. “Royal, I’m so sorry to bother you.”
I’m only in office at Clark Enterprises because there was a shareholders’ meeting, which ended three hours ago. I’m trying to pack up and get out of here for the day, but it’s one metaphorical fire after another.
“You’re not bothering me. Unless... Did you eat the last donut out of the conference room?” I squint at her, and it gets the sour look on her face to soften.
“No.” She cants her head and shakes it with a light admonishment. “I have a person on the phone, and I’m not sure how they were routed to me, but they swear they’re a vendor who has been personally working with you on a project that’s highly classified. And they’re giving me all sorts of technical specs but refuse to be transferred to the technicians?—”
“Margret. I’ve got it, you’re okay.” I demonstrate a big breath for her, and after she mimics me, I pick up my headset. “Go ahead and route the call to my phone. I’ll take over from here.”
The call comes through a few moments later.
I throw on my sweetest customer service voice. “Thank you for calling Clark Enterprises, this is Reuben Clark. May I know the person I’m speaking with?”
“Oh, thank god.” A woman’s breathy voice comes over the phone. It’s followed by an overdramatic sigh. “I knew if I kept trying, eventually I’d get a Cavanagh.”
It comes so naturally to use my pseudonym with that voice, I don’t even think twice about it. But it’s odd someone would know that the Clarks are really Cavanaghs in disguise.
I don’t confirm to the caller who I am. “Miss, you are?”
“Leticia D’Medici and you’re Royal Cavanagh,” Leticia says, and I can practically hear the smile in her voice.
It’s her.I sit back, a little shocked.
“I wouldn’t peg you for a Reuben.” She scoffs.
“Hey, what did a Reuben sandwich ever do to you? They’re delicious.” I’m quick to defend my cover identity.
“Mmm, no. No. No, they’re not.” She disagrees with ferocious adamance.
Strong-willed.My wolf is all the way forward, waiting with me for more from her.
Silence takes over the line, so I fill it. “So... you’re not a vendor, and we’re not working on a project together, let alone a highly classified one. What on earth were you reading to Margret for technical specs?”
“Oh!” Leticia giggles, and a smile pulls at my lips. “The manual to the toaster.”
“Who keeps a manual for a toaster?” I relax into the seat, at ease, smiling at her actions.That was a clever use of resources.
“Mmmm, my mother, but worse yet, we don’t even own this toaster anymore. The manual is from the eighties. And I’m not allowed to get rid of it.”
“That manual is older than both of us? I’m impressed.” I drum my fingers on the desk but can’t help myself.
I flip open my laptop, access the system to Casa D’Medici, and flick through the camera feeds. I find Leticia in the kitchen, sitting on a stool in the corner, with a pamphlet unfolded in her lap.
