She didn’t look at Gedeon. Hawkins had made a terrible mistake when he’d hired him. He’d asked a friend who the best in the business was. He hadn’t done research into Gedeon’s reputation or what Gedeon was about. He should have avoided Gedeon. Jake had clearly investigated him. Drake had. Even the criminal families hiring him to do work for them knew enough to be very selective of what they asked him to do. There was a reason Gedeon had his reputation.
“I appreciate you allowing us to come here, Jake, to sort things out,” Gedeon said. He took the photograph and file and slid both inside his jacket. “Edge, if you wouldn’t mind making certain that Laverne stays wherever she is and doesn’t try to reach out to anyone, I would appreciate it. Also, for the time being, if you could continue to stay off Hawkins’s radar just a little longer, it would give me a chance to set a few things in motion.”
Meiling stood at the pressure of his fingers on her nape. Gedeon stood with her, shaking hands with Jake and then Edge. “We’ll take that helicopter ride you offered to Evangeline’s bakery. Our rental car was delivered there. We don’t want McGregor to realize we were ever here. Again, we appreciate you accommodating us.”
Jake walked with them to the door of the office, where Tavin waited to walk them out to the helicopter pad. “It was a pleasure to meet you both.” He handed his card to Gedeon. “My private number. You need anything at all, give me a call. Next time you’re visiting our town, give me the heads-up and Emma and I will meet you for dinner. She’s going to be disappointed she couldn’t meet you this time around.”
Meiling flashed him a smile. “We’d love that. Please let her know we come to San Antonio often and will make it a point to call.”
She found herself resting her head on Gedeon’s shoulder during the ride to the bakery and nearly falling asleep. Apparently there was a helipad on the roof of the bakery.
Meiling was worn out from the long night Whisper had spent with Slayer, running through the swamp together and mating every fifteen to twenty minutes. She had bruises and bite marks marring her skin, and truthfully, she was sore. Very sore. She wanted to be with Gedeon physically when she woke up, but she was grateful they had to hastily pack a bag, board the small plane Rene had rented for them and go. Now she just wanted to sleep.
Timur has a house for us to stay in tonight. You can rest this evening, as soon as we get there. It isn’t very far from the bakery.
I wanted to visit Evangeline for at least a few minutes while we were at the bakery. Whisper is going to rise no matter what, Gedeon. Whether I’m tired or not.
Other women had done this, and she refused to be a complainer. She loved Gedeon and she loved Whisper. This was Whisper’s time, so for the next week Meiling could handle whatever life threw at her, even if it meant she couldn’t walk. She did intend to ask Evangeline if there was a special soak that helped heal her fast, so she wouldn’t be quite so sore the next time she and Gedeon had wild sex together.
She must have fallen asleep, because she was jarred awake when the helicopter set down on the roof of the bakery. Gedeon guided her off the helicopter and down the stairs to the entrance, where one of Timur’s men waited for them. She recognized the shifter immediately.
“Rodion. Good to see you. How have you been?” She managed to flash him a smile.
Gedeon tucked her under his shoulder, her front to his side, one arm around her possessively. She glanced up at his set features. He looked as if he’d been carved in stone. I’m not sure that finding your mate has improved your mood, Leopard Boy. You’re supposed to be friendly now.
She felt his amusement, although it didn’t show on his face. I am? To Rodion he gave a nod. “Things good?”
“Yeah, quiet for once. I see you two are a bonded pair. I expected that.” If the shifter was upset about it, he kept it to himself. “You carrying weapons?”
“Naturally.”
“Had to ask.”
“Meiling?” Rodion persisted.
She nodded. “I don’t go anywhere without them.”
Rodion texted one-handed as he walked ahead of them down the stairs toward the door leading into the building. Meiling, out of habit, scanned rooftops and the alley, every door and alcove she could see, committing them to memory. She knew Gedeon would be doing the same. Rodion opened a door to a hallway. Instantly, the aroma of coffee and cinnamon mixed with apples and spices greeted them.
Kyanite waited at a side door in the hallway for them. “Nice to see you two. Evangeline is serving her rush-hour customers, but if you give me your orders, I’ll slip them in. We reserved a table for you.”