“One of the guards hit me a couple of times when I first got there, just to show me what could happen if I fought them…”
“Oh, hell no.” Starry poked Des in the chest. “You are not sending him back there.”
“Of course he’s not,” Hamish put in. “Right, Boss?”
“No. No, you can stay.” Des grinned, an idea coming to him. “In fact, I need to make some calls. We can keep you as tribute, and then it’s your clan and ours against the Galandel.”
Yeah, that would work well. He grabbed another cookie, and this time Starry did smack him.
“That’s enough, you. Don’t disappear for days.”
“I won’t.” He talked around the cookie he stuffed into his mouth. “Kumar will handle most of it. I’ll be back to help. Good cookies.”
“Out.” Starry leveled the spatula at him.
He and Hamish left the kitchen, and Hamish glanced at him. “We’re not sending him away.”
It was a statement, not a question.
He chuckled. “Yeah. You can have him if he’s willing, Hamish. I see how it is with you two.”
“Thanks, Boss. But you’re right. This could be a big break.”
Des nodded and called his personal assistant. “Get your ass to my home office, Kumar.”
“Yes, sir.”
And forty-five minutes later, Des had negotiated a peace with the Haverness clan, agreeing to house and feed Reed and give him a job. Easy peasy. And they had pledged their support with the Galandel clan.
Boom.
Kumar waved him and Hamish away after that. “Shoo. I have a lot of paperwork to do.”
They left, laughing, and he nudged Hamish with his elbow. “Take Reed to supper early. Have fun.”
“What are you going to do?” Hamish asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Indulge my mate. I think a long, warm bath and dinner in bed.”
“Oh-ho. Lazy alpha.”
“Bah. Just enamored of my Starry.” He hurried to the kitchen. “Cookies done?” he asked Starry.
“Yes.”
“Reed, will you dine with Hamish? He’d like to take you to supper.”
“He would?” Reed flushed again, his cheeks burning with red spots.
“I would. Come on, sweet.” Hamish beckoned to Reed, who followed Hamish out the door like a happy pup.
“So, did you do all you set out to?” Starry asked.
“I did. We’re in a good spot, thanks to you. Would you like a bath?”
“Oh, my goddess yes. My back hurts. I would love to soak.”
“Come on, then.” He would text his dinner order to the staff while the bath was running.
