“Sometimes it’s a lot easier to see a problem as an outsider looking in. Kingsley hasn’t had to run a tight ship before now, but he must know that Austin Steele could take this pack out from under him at any time.”
“He knows Austin wouldn’t do that.”
“Wouldn’t he?”
I squinted at him. “You think he’d leave everything we’re creating in O’Briens?”
He gave me a sidelong glance. “They aren’t yet seeing eye to eye about how to face the coming attack, and unless they get on the same page, it’s going to lead to a standoff. Austin Steele will win that standoff.”
I scoffed. “This is so annoying. All of it, including my having to play a damsel in distress when I am plenty capable of knocking out the threat on my own.”
Tristan laughed softly as he pulled into a parking space facing the square. Austin waited near the gazebo with our gargoyles and shifters lined up in front of him. My crew were nowhere to be seen, and I heaved a little sigh of relief. We hadn’t gotten an opportunity to talk to Kingsley about Edgar’s flowers, and I knew he’d ask about it. And probably look dejected or mope. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him, especially since the fate of the flowers was out of my control at the moment.
“Sometimes role playing can add a little spice to a relationship.” Tristan’s wicked grin was back.
“You play damsel, and he plays the big protector. Tarzan and Jane.”
We cut through the grass, beelining for Austin as a line of black vans showed up, carrying the second wave of our people from the motel in the border town. Buses had been acquired for the basajaunak.
Austin’s gaze roamed over me as I neared him. Then he reached out a hand and drew me close.
“How was the rest of your day?” he asked as the vans came to a stop and doors swung or slid open.
“Fine. Uneventful. Yours?”
He didn’t respond and I didn’t push, instead watching as Broken Sue walked around the front of the leading van. His eyes were hard, his bearing straight and tall, and his movements graceful. He
scanned the square and took note of each person, a silverback gorilla sizing up his new surroundings.
People around the square slowed in their walks and turned in their chairs, spying him.
The shifters and gargoyles lined up around him, and then the basajaunak crowded in behind them, all of them cutting across the grass to meet Austin.
“Where’s Kingsley?” I asked. “I’d thought he might want to meet the rest of your team.”
“He’s meeting with his people and hammering out some defensive measures. He saw our preliminary defensive setup and wanted to get with his people to discuss it.”
“Was he pissed?”
“No. He was proud of my ability to structure and lead a team. He taught me, after all. It’s a reflection of his abilities as well as my own.”
“And yet his people were pissed about it.”
He squeezed me a little. “Luckily, their respect for him outweighs their dislike of me. Hopefully it’ll be enough for a solid working relationship.”
He didn’t sound so sure.
“Did you mention the flowers when you saw him?” I asked as Broken Sue neared us.
“Yes, and he tensed up. I decided not to push the issue today. We’ll address it tomorrow morning when we go over everything. I let Edgar know so that he wouldn’t bug you.”
I smiled and leaned harder into him. “That is the nicest present you could give me.”
“I know.” He didn’t smile at me—he wouldn’t, not here—but I felt it through our links. “His questions about why Kingsley didn’t immediately see the genius of those flowers started to warp my brain. His logic goes in odd loop-de-loops. Thankfully, Indigo was there to distract him.”
“Where are they all, anyway?” I asked. “I haven’t been in contact with any of them. I’m sure Mr.
Tom is beside himself with annoyance. It didn’t even occur to me to ask, though, I’m embarrassed to say.”
“They’re all lying low, most of them sticking to their hotel rooms. Edgar and Indigo are babysitting the flowers, and Niamh and Phil are drinking in the bar. I was going to tell them they couldn’t, but…it’s Niamh. I didn’t feel like arguing.”
“Sir.” Broken Sue stopped in front of us wearing jeans and a T-shirt. He’d gotten the memo not to dress up. “Jessie.”
“How was your trip?” Austin asked him. “Any problems?”