A growl rumbled up my chest, and fur brushed against my skin. I loved how much Peppa’s team respected my mate and her abilities in the kitchen, but I didn’t like the possibility that some guy I didn’t know had traveled all this way for her. Neither did my wolf.
“It doesn’t matter why he’s here.” Peppa whipped off her apron and slammed it on the counter. “Because he won’t be staying long.”
“You want my help getting rid of him?” I asked as she turned to stare into the dining room, tapping her toe against the floor.
“Nope.” She flashed me a quick smile. “I totally have this.”
“Damn straight.” I dropped a quick kiss on her lips and lightly swatted her ass. “Go out there and give him hell.”
She straightened her shoulders before marching away. My gaze stayed glued to the sway of her hips. The sight was mesmerizing, and Bexley had to let out a low whistle to get me to look away. “Are you really going to stay in here while she handles that?”
“Hell no.” I grinned at him over my shoulder. “I was just giving her a head start since the view was so damn good.”
“Newly mated males,” Aero chuckled, shaking his head.
“They always have a one-track mind,” Bexley agreed with a nod.
I ignored their banter as I followed Peppa, angling myself so I could lean against the wall behind her after she led Armand to a table in the corner. When one of the waiters came over to ask what they wanted to drink, she waved him away while I eavesdropped without any shame. My mate was smart, and her senses were sharp. She knew I was near and was okay with me hearing whatever this asshole had come here to say.
“I never expected to see you in my restaurant, Armand.” Peppa leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re a big city guy, and the nearest airport is a two-hour drive away.”
Armand’s nose wrinkled as he huffed out a breath. “The trip wasn’t very convenient, but I felt as though this conversation needed to take place in person instead of on the phone.”
“What did you come all this way to say to me?” Peppa asked.
“Your talents are being wasted here.” Armand circled his hand in the air. “You belong in a Michelin starred restaurant, not some hole in the wall place where nobody can truly appreciate your culinary genius.”
Peppa leaned forward and hissed, “I would have to disagree about that. I feel a heck of a lot more appreciated at Timber Treasures, with an owner who trusts me to create the menu and run the kitchen, than I did when I worked at Castagna. You do remember why I left, right?”
“Yes, of course I—”
She didn’t let Armand finish whatever bullshit he’d been about to say before interrupting him. “Because you and William didn’t even trust me to cover the kitchen for two measly weeks, even though it was literally in my job description and the menu was already set. Instead, you insulted my abilities by bringing Martin in to do my job for me.”
Armand reared back in his chair as though he was shocked by how angry my mate was. “That was never my intention.”
“You know what they say.” Peppa shrugged. “The path to hell is paved with good intentions.”
“Please, Peppa. I’m trying to rectify my mistake,” Armand pleaded.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to need you to be a little more blunt.” Peppa dropped one of her hands on the table and started to strum her fingers on the hard surface. “I’m a mere female, after all. Sometimes I need to be man-splained, or at least that’s what Martin seemed to think when he bossed me around for those two weeks while William was on vacation.”
“I never thought you were an inferior chef because of your gender.” When Peppa didn’t react to his statement, he heaved a deep sigh. “I want you to come back to Chicago. We need you at Castagna.”
“You can’t have Peppa. She’s mine.” I rushed forward, glaring at the interloper who dared to try to take my mate away from me.
While Armand gaped at me, Peppa kicked the chair to her left out from under the table and gestured toward it. “You might as well sit down if you’re going to be a part of this conversation, Cason.”
When I dropped down onto the seat, Armand’s brows drew together. “Your new boss seems to be excessively territorial, Peppa. Coming back to Chicago may be better for your safety, too.”
“He isn’t the owner of Timber Treasures. He’s my husband,” she corrected, reaching out
for my hand and lacing our fingers together.
“Oh.” Armand’s gaze darted between us before his shoulders slumped. “And he’s from here?”
I lifted Peppa’s hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “Yup, your fuckup sent the woman of my dreams straight into my arms. I’d thank you except for the fact that your actions hurt her.”
“I suppose that’s fair.” Armand gave me a jerky nod. “If it helps at all, I’m already paying the price for my mistake.”