“Go and sit down,” Zach said gently. “I’ll bring food over in a moment.”
He grabbed a loaf of bread out of the freezer, threw some grilled cheese sandwiches together, and heated a few cans of tomato soup. It wasn’t a luxurious meal, but it was comforting and filling and would do in a pinch. He brought the food over and went to drag an ottoman over since they only hadfour chairs.
“It’s okay,” Drew said, and he stood up and gestured for Zach to take his seat.
Once he’d sat, Drew perched in his lap and leaned back against Zach’s chest. He wrapped his arms around him and pressed a kiss to the top of his soft brown curls. “Please, dig in,” he told everyone.
They were quiet while they ate, accompanied by the rumbling snores of the urco and the odd sleepy chirp from Leila. It was a relief to be home, and exhaustion from the whole mess was starting to sink in. Zach couldn’t wait to have a shower and get Drew into bed so they could sleep for the next two days.
“Do you think he’d planned it all along?” Cavendish asked out of the blue.
“Who? Tremblay?” Zach said.
Cavendish nodded, fiddling with his soup spoon.
“It’s hard to say,” Kensington mused. “Marcus could be manipulative, but he seemed genuine when he fought our suggestion that he accompany us. I doubt it was reverse psychology to get us to allow him to come. My guess is he took advantage of the opportunity as it arose.”
“I don’t know,” Zach disagreed. “From the sound of it, he was power hungry. I wouldn’t have put it past him to have known he’d never find that power here so he figured he’d have a chance to find it in Hell.”
“We’ll probably never know for sure,’ Kensington said.
“How could I not have seen this?” Cavendish asked. “He was never what you’d call awarmmentor. He could be a dick. But I never thought he’d betray me like this.”
“This isn’t your fault,” Kensington reassured him. “I was never Marcus’s biggest fan, but I didn’t see this coming either. It took us all by surprise.”
Cavendish took a deep breath. “Still, I feel as if I should have known something was wrong. I don’t believe I’m fit to be the head of Alberta anymore. I’m tendering my resignation.”
“No you’re not,” Kensington stated. “You’ve handled yourself impeccably over the past several days, Alastair. I’m impressed. I know I was hesitant when you were first elected, but you’ve proven yourself in my eyes. Therefore, I do not accept your resignation.”
“But I—”
“I won’t hear anything more about it. The matter is closed. Youdorequire a new mentor, though, to help guide you. Unfortunately, I do not have the time you deserve to dedicate myself to the role, but I believe Hua does.”
Cavendish stared with wide eyes. “Really? You think she’d take me on?”
Kensington smiled. “I do.”
“Wow. She’samazing,” he gushed.
“I would like you to visit several times a year so you can have some training with me and young Drew here, though,” Kensington added. “I believe it would be beneficial to both of you.”
Cavendish looked excited at this prospect. “Of course.”
Drew just looked confused. “I don’t know who half these people are that you’re talking about,” he grumbled.
“I’ll explain it later,” Zach told him. “For now, we need to make arrangements for Andras.”
Andras looked up from where he was soaking up the last of his soup with his crust. “Oh?”
“Yes. We’ll need to get you identification, sort out a place for you to live, a job, that sort of thing.”
“A job?” Andras looked disgusted.
“Yes, Andras. How else will you buy dog food for Princess?”
“I was hoping you’d be my sugar daddy?”
Zach levelled him a look, and Andras just shot him an impish grin in return.
