“What?” His tone is so irritated, I’m surprised at how much joy I take in my next sentence.
“No guards. Or the file goes out.”
I canhearhim grit his teeth.
“Three guards. You can’t expect me to be defenseless, especially if you’re bringing apack.”
Maverick nods, and I take a deep breath. “Deal.”
And then the call disconnects.
My legs buckle underneath me, my ass crashing into my chair. “Holy shit,” I breathe, my heart racing with adrenaline. “Did you hear me?”
Maverick gives me a dazzling smile. “I sure did, Baby Girl. I’m so proud of you.”
“Damn right,” Teddy adds, chuckling. “Fuck, ‘e sounded like a miserable old twat, di’n’t he?”
A shaky laugh leaves me. I can’t believe I just did that.
“That’s my girl,” Ethan grins, reaching over and taking my hand.
Brennan’s gaze is full of pride. “You were amazing.”
But…tomorrow.
I bite my lip. “Are we ready…for what tomorrow means?”
Maverick nods. “I’ll call in some old buddies of mine to set up a loose perimeter just in case they try anything.”
I sigh, leaning back slightly as my heart rate starts to slow. “Right. I don’t think we’ll have anything to worry about regarding the restaurant. Toscano’s is considered neutral territory, and is very discreet.”
Ethan taps his fingers on the table. “Once they see what we have on them, they won’t dare try to cross you.”
As the guys start to make plans for dinner tomorrow, my mind wanders to what it’ll be like to reunite with my parents. It hasn’t been more than about two weeks, but it feels like a lifetime ago that I saw them last.
I’ve changed so much since they sold me to Pack Caruso.
And they’re going to regret trying to make me feel ashamed of who I am.
“Hey Mav?” I turn to my alpha, and he tilts his head at me. “Is there a place I can paint where I won’t be in the way?”
He shrugs. “Anywhere. The dining room table, the fucking kitchen sink. Nowhere you exist could ever be ‘in the way’.”
Warmth fills my chest as I look at him. I shake my head as I carefully re-word my request. “I mean…is there a place I could paint where I wouldn’t be too…distracted by everyone?”
His face lights up. “I have a den downstairs—you can shut the door if you don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Wot are you thinkin’, Dove?” Teddy asks with a twinkle in his eye.
I grin. “I’m thinking…my parents are going to receive a parting gift from Sylvia Bloom.”
Chapter 40
Wren
My brush moves swiftly, the gilded prison on the canvas reaching its final demise.
Warm light from the sun shines through the window behind me, illuminating my piece in a way that seems almost prophetic. With each brush stroke, the chains of anxiety wrapped around my chest seem to loosen, making me anticipate a freedom that’s just out of reach.
