“Speaking of calling…” Maverick looks at Ethan. “Did you get her phone set up?”
“My phone?” My brows shoot up, looking between Ethan and Maverick.
“Yeah, one sec.” Ethan disappears and I look at Maverick questioningly.
“When did you have time to get me a phone?”
“I ran out while you were at the lake,” he shrugs like it’s no big deal, “then I had Ethan make it untraceable and unhackable.”
Ethan returns, placing the sleek device in my hand. “I’ve programmed all our numbers into it, and no matter who you call, nobody will be able to trace it.”
“So…would we use it to contact my parents when we’re ready?”
Maverick frowns. “Are you sure youwantto do that?”
I stare at the phone in my hand. A window to the outside world that I’ve been denied for so long, now handed to me as if it’s nothing. “I’m not sure. I think…I don’t know if they’re even really worried about me, or if they just want another paycheck. But…it would really stick it to them if they heard how happy I am.”
Teddy grins. “Atta girl, Dove. Rub their faces in it.”
Ethan smiles at me. “I’m almost done compiling everything needed to back them into a corner. I managed to find the shipment you told Maverick about, and by going through your dad’s emails, managed to discern who the shipment will be sent to. An anonymous tip has been sent to the DEA, and we should see them on the news by tomorrow.”
“Right.” I nod, something in me settling at his words. That’s the first step. Get them scared. All we need to do is keep following the plan, and in no time at all, my parents will announce that I’ve been found, alive and well by the pack that saved me from Pack Caruso and I’m going to live happily ever after in Starbrook City withthem.
…Starbrook City.
Wait.
We haven’t talked about anything that comes after all this…living arrangements, if they even want to be an official pack. I haven’t even asked Maverick or Ethan if they watched my first interaction with Teddy like Brennan did. Well, I know that Maverick watched, but did hecare?
It shouldn’t matter. I mean, really, it doesn’t. But…if I don’t ask, the question of—“Are they only with me because of the scent match?”—will always be in my mind.
“What do you guys think of pizza for dinner?” Maverick asks, stretching as he stands. “I can order some from this pizza shop I saw when I was in town earlier.”
I frown. I’ve never been allowed to have pizza.
But I’ve always wanted to try it.
“Oh my gods,” I moan as I chew the cheesy, delicious heaven that is pepperoni pizza. “This is amazing.”
“You didn’t say you’d never had pizza before,” Ethan frowns. “I’m seriously debating the merits of murder right now.”
Is it messed up that the words don’t bother me?
Probably, but I'm not willing to examine that too closely at the moment, so I deflect.
“Can I ask you guys something?” I adjust myself in my chair.
“Anything, Baby Girl.” Maverick gives me a soft smile, and my heart flutters.
“What happens…after? After we get my parents to back off, after my heat…where do we go?”
“Well, do you still want to go to Starbrook City?” Teddy asks, tilting his head.
“Starbrook City?” Brennan’s brows raise.
“I mean…” I bite my lip, looking around the table. “It’s always been my dream to live there some day. Back when we were planning my getaway from my parents, that’s where I was going.”
Brennan glances at Maverick, who nods, and Teddy gets a huge grin on his face as Ethan shrugs. “I can think of worse places to live.”
