After the reporter introduced herself, we started talking about my sudden fortune and the cause of it. I had to look appropriately upset since Richard had passed away scarcely a month ago. Thankfully, that topic was short-lived. They recorded most of our conversation, but I knew they’d edit the heck out of it to make it news worthy.
I answered as many questions as I could; and by the time we needed to go in, I’d committed to a charity and an amount. Though I invited the reporter to come inside with us, she declined. She already had the information she needed from the copy of the will she’d acquired and our talk.
Trepidation filled me as I watched her walked away. If the news crew left, were we still safe? Emmitt gently put a hand at the small of my back, a touch of reassurance. So, I smiled and waved as they departed.
When we walked inside, the posh reception area reminded me of Richard’s home office. The woman behind a glossy counter looked up at us with a friendly expression.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m here to see Mr. Nolan.”
“Michelle?”
“Yes.”
She glanced at the four of us as if not sure what to do with such a large group. “Please have a seat.”
She picked up the phone and dialed. As she spoke softly, Grey winked at her, a slow lowering of an eyelid accompanied by a slight teasing smile. She paused mid-sentence, obviously having lost her train of thought. I hid a smile behind my hand as she struggled to maintain her end of the conversation.
A moment later, she moved to lead us into Mr. Nolan’s office. Grey and Carlos stayed behind in the sitting area. I shot Grey a quick look, hoping he would behave.
When Emmitt and I walked in, Mr. Nolan stood and greeted each of us with a firm handshake. The decor in his office was more down to earth than the reception area. Pictures of his family, including grandkids, perched all over the shelves and desk.
I didn’t see Blake and glanced at Emmitt. He seemed completely relaxed. Could Blake have been telling the truth? Was I getting a reprieve? At what cost, though? His comment about parting ways for now, and Frank’s comment about getting my sisters worried me. If they were shifting their focus from me to some other poor unsuspecting girls, I’d rather they just stayed chasing me. After all, I had Emmitt. Who knows what the other girls would have for protection.
“Thank you for coming, Ms. Daniels. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but the reading is just an unnecessary formality. Everything is already in order.” He indicated we should have a seat and moved to take his own seat. “I have to admit the only reason I asked to meet was because Mr. Torrin wanted this meeting. I’ve worked with him in the past in conjunction with some of Mr. Daniels’ interests and know Mr. Torrin can be a bit insistent. So I’m surprised he’s not here.”
“He’s not coming?” I asked.
“No, he called yesterday afternoon to say he wouldn’t be able to make it. He wanted to reschedule, but I said we were already committed to this time.”
The lawyer didn’t read the will but did go over some of the details and some additional information Richard had shared with him before his death. He took his time explaining everything to me and provided some referrals to investors I might want to try. I smiled politely and accepted the information though I had no plans to use it. I wasn’t concerned about investing because of my premonitions.
As it stood, my net value was ridiculous. He helped me setup two trusts, one for the werewolves and one for my brothers. If anything happened to me, the money wouldn’t be easy for someone else to obtain.
Several hours later, he walked us to the lobby and shook our hands again.
“If you have any questions, big or small, and call me. I’ll be happy to help.”
“Thank you, Mr. Nolan.”
He nodded and went back to his office as the receptionist called us another cab.
While we waited outside, my tender stomach grumbled.
“Hungry?” Emmitt asked.
“More homesick than hungry. Can we just go straight to the airport and see if we can get an earlier flight?”
“Of course.”
The cab pulled up, and he opened the door for me. I carefully slid in, trying not to strain my bruised stomach.
Emmitt waited until I was settled before climbing in next to me. Both he and Carlos tried not to crowd me.
The complete contentment I’d felt this morning was still there, but something else was creeping in. It wasn’t quite worry but close. That, on top of Emmitt’s continued reserved behavior, worried me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as we drove toward the airport.
For the most part, the cab driver ignored us. Grey, however, swiveled in his seat to look back at us, a mischievous glint in his eyes. I ignored him and focused on Emmitt, pretending we were alone.
Emmitt glanced at me and shrugged.
I slipped my hand into his and leaned against him. “Is this something I have to figure out for myself? Because, if it is, I have to say it will be awhile. I’m fried. I just want to get home and be with you, my brothers, and...well, my family.”
I felt him smile as he leaned down to kiss the top of my head.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
I looked up at him. “Are you feeling neglected? Like it was a bite and run?”
Grey howled with laughter in the front seat. Carlos calmly told him to turn around or else. It was the most I heard Carlos say the whole trip. Carlos acted more like I thought an Elder should act than Grey.
Meanwhile, Emmitt rolled his eyes and gave a slightly pained grin.
“No.” He ran thumb over the back of my hand. “I’m just worried about you.”
I gave him a reassuring smile. “I’m here. I’m fine.”
I pulled his head down and gave him a long kiss to show him. When I pulled back, I noticed his teeth were starting to extend.
“Enough of that, I think,” I said.
He nodded reluctantly, flicking a glance at the driver and the quietly grinning Grey.
* * * *
The airport hadn’t yet fully come to life. Inquiring at the desk, we found a flight leaving in an hour that had four open seats. We booked the flight and checked in so we could look for somewhere to eat within the terminal.
We found a restaurant by following our noses. Both Emmitt and Grey were practically drooling as we crowded into a booth. Grey slid in first and patted the seat next to him while looking at Carlos.
“Come here, honey,” he said with a laugh.
Carlos sighed tolerantly and sat down.
I wondered about their story. Though Grey teased about being a couple, I didn’t think they were. It seemed like he enjoyed tormenting Carlos, and Carlos put up with it.
I sat across from Grey and shook my head as he and Emmitt both reached for a menu. This was probably the longest I’d seen Emmitt go without eating.
Looking over the menu, I debated what to try. With the ache in my middle, I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to eat. I settled for a BLT with fries. Emmitt, as usual, went big and ordered two half-pound burgers. The server thought he was kidding until Grey and Carlos asked for the same.
I waited until the server walked away then asked something I had been wondering since Emmitt burst into Frank’s hotel room.
“So how did you find me?”
“Your blood,” Emmitt said softly. His gaze turned troubled again, and I squeezed his hand.
Grey took up the story. “It was on your room’s door. We followed the scent trail out the side door. From there, we picked up the scent of the car. They had eyes watching the route, and we ran into a bit of trouble that slowed us down.”
“How many?” If Blake had taken men to the Compound, how many had he left here?
“Enough,” Grey answered vaguely. “Not too much for Carlos here to handle.” Grey nudged the other man with a grin. Carlos didn’t answer. Instead, he turned to look at the baseball game on the television.