And because I’m trying to be nonchalant with him, I do.
Leticia:
I’ll be home alone this evening. If you wanted to have another Late Nite Byte session, that’d be cool. Totally understand if not.
Our mate wants us.My wolf wags his tail, practically bouncing for joy.
“You don’t know what my first assignment is?” The mercenary draws my attention back.
I pocket my phone before answering. “Not my job. You’ll receive secured communications between three and thirty days in advance for consultations and seven days in advance for direct orders.”
“I was hoping for something more... express,” he mumbles.
“I’ll let them know you’re hoping to get your feet wet earlier rather than later,” I say to appease him, despite knowing it won’t matter. The jobs are assigned based on skill and expertise.
“Thanks.” He nods, looking over the last of what’s left in the back of the SUV, a couple of handguns.
“You’re the one who does the M-9 mods?” He indicates where the aftermarket hardware has been installed.
I nod, feeling frustrated with how long this is taking. I want to get back to stalking Leticia.
It takes ten more minutes before he’s loaded the equipment into his truck and is driving down the road toward the gate.
I don’t wait for him to clear it before heading into the house.
“Oh, Royal,” Mom calls before I make it to the stairs to my lair.
“Yes?” I bite back a groan because she doesn’t deserve my bad attitude.
“Your father and I are going out for dinner tonight. Did you want to come?” she calls from the living room.
“Depends.” I walk over to the living room entryway and give hera smile but stop when I see her sitting on the living room floor with a wild number of objects scattered around her. “What are you doing?”
“Oh! I’m preparing my robot for battle.” She thrusts a fork into the air for emphasis.
“That’s a vacuum.” I point to a pretty standard robot vacuum, clearly not fit for any sort of battling.
“Yes, Dad and I are having a battle. I’m getting some practice in. I’m going to kick his ass.” She seems so proud of herself that I nod along in her excitement.
“Dinner is where tonight?” I ask, knowing that, unless it’s my absolute favorite restaurant, nothing will keep me from leaving the basement where I can watch Leticia on high-def screens.
“Ellery’s,” she answers while picking up a hot glue gun.
“Just bring me back a half-roast duck?” It pains me to watch her hot glue a switchblade to the robot vacuum, but I stand here nonetheless.
“And sweet potato fries?” Mom asks, looking up. Her gray hair falls into her face, and she’s quick to brush it away with her free hand.
“Yes, please.” I turn around before I’m forced to watch her create more of this Frankenstein’s monster robot.
I know it’s probably against the rules to ask me for help, but it almost feels like an insult to not be included.
20
LETICIA
PARTY ANIMALS
“Hello.”I wonder if Royal can hear my smile when I greet him on the phone.
