Dai gave Chase a sympathetic glance and a slight shrug. It was clear he wasn't going to go against his Commander's orders.
Chase crossed his arms, slouching back in his chair. “Well, I'm not going to be on call,” he snapped at Ash. “I'll be busy with the race. You'll have to find someone else to drive the truck.”
“Chase,” Killian hissed. “Do you want to get yourself fired?”
The Commander made a slight, gracious motion with one hand, brushing aside Chase's rudeness. “Given the circumstances, I can extend Chase some leeway. But I too have superiors, and they are starting to ask questions about my driver. Chase, I have managed to keep you off the duty roster during the air race, citing extraordinary personal circumstances, but you must be available immediately afterwards. I cannot cover for your absences any further than that.”
Chase drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “You won't have to,” he said abruptly. “Because I'm quitting.”
“What?” Hugh and Dai exclaimed together.
Ash's neutral expression didn't change, but he went very still. “Chase, please do not make a decision in haste.”
Chase shook his head, his jaw set stubbornly. “You say that our responsibilities to the city have to come first. Not for me. My mate has to come first, every time.”
“Of course everyone here understands that, Chase,” Virginia said, touching his hand lightly. “But you can't just quit. The team needs you. And besides, you love being a firefighter.”
“After all, where else can you get paid for driving like a lunatic?” Dai added, his tone light but his green eyes deeply concerned.
“Ah, who cares about all that?” Chase waved a hand airily. “It's not like I need the job. All I have to do is call my dad, and I'm CEO-in-training of Tiernach Enterprises. Right, Killian?”
“Your father will be thrilled,” Killian said, though he himself looked extremely un-thrilled at the prospect of working for his cousin. “He's always hoped that you'd grow out of your reckless phase and take your rightful place in the family business.”
“Right. Can't play with cars and planes forever.” Chase straightened up, copying Killian's formal, business-like pose. “And I've got to think about providing for my mate, after all. Financial services pays a lot better than merely saving lives.”
Despite his flippant words, Connie could tell how much his resignation had actually cost him. His shoulders were set in a tight, unhappy line.
“You don't have to do this for me,” she said to him quietly.
He met her eyes levelly, his own utterly serious. “Yes, I do. I'm not losing you again. Whatever happens, wherever you go, I'm going too.”
Connie bristled. “Don't I get a say in that?”
His mouth quirked. “Well, you get to decide whether I'm in your bed or pining after you from a distance, but other than that… no, not really.”
“I'm afraid that really is how shifters are, when it comes to our mates,” Dai said, with a quick, tender glance at Virginia. “Once you've met her, that's it. There'll never be anyone else for you, ever.”
Connie folded her arms. “That's not my experience.”
Chase flinched. “That's why I brought you here. I want you to talk to Dai and Virginia about being mated, while I'm busy with Sammy. Please? It was difficult for them at first too.”
“I know how strange it is to us ordinary humans.” Virginia smiled sympathetically at Connie. “So I think I might be able to explain things better than Chase can.”
“A parrot can explain things better than Chase can,” Hugh muttered.
“Hugh, on the other hand, can't stand being touched and hates all of humanity. This does not make him a good source of relationship advice,” Chase told Connie as he stood up. “But he will protect you, along with Dai. And Killian, too. You'll be safe here.”
Dai's eyes flashed fiery gold for a second. “No mere wyvern will get past me. I can promise you that.”
Chase clapped him on the shoulder, then looked back at Ash. “I was going to ask for your help with Sammy Smiles. But given the circumstances…”
“Even if I will no longer be your Commander,” the Phoenix said, rising, “I will always be your friend. How can I assist?”
Chase grinned, though his usual bright sparkle was subdued. “You can eat dinner.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Chase found Sammy Smiles enjoying a lobster dinner at an upmarket waterside restaurant overlooking the Brighton Marina.