Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
“She’s how she always was.”
How she always was—still putting the territory ahead of herself, even after stepping down from the alpha role. He’d expect no less, not from any of the Barazzas, and he knew Mimi wouldn’t either. He’d been the only one to disappoint in that way. Hopefully now he could return with a little pride after finally stepping up into the role he’d been born and bred for. Trained for.
Mimi left it at that, and so did he. Now wasn’t the time.
“I can arrange travel—”
“No need,” she said. “Just send me the address. I’ll come as soon as everything is arranged. Don’t send me pictures of the house. I’d like to see it for the first time without preconceived notions. Get together a list of vendors in the area. Ones that can handle big orders. Ones that’ll jump all over themselves for a good client. Do you have an idea of the budget?”
“Unlimited.”
Her tone turned disapproving. “I have no need for monetary theatrics, Austin. Even the richest people have budgets. Make sure your mate has some idea—”
“Mimi, you are not working on a commission. I’m not worried about you going crazy where you don’t need to. But she’ll need you to go crazy when the situation warrants it. There is no budget. The house came with more than enough riches to cover any renovations you might dream up. The wealth randomly stuffed in drawers would probably cover it, and that’s only the few drawers in the attic I’ve seen. Lord knows what else is lying around this place.” He paused, and couldn’t help the thread of pride weaving through his words. “This house is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. There is a lot of history rolled up in these walls. A lot of stories to tell. You’ll know what I mean when you get here.”
Her silence felt different this time. He suspected she was intrigued.
“Fine,” she said. “I’ll be there in a couple of days, probably. Get some sleep. You sound exhausted.”
The phone went dead. His heart beat rapidly.
Part of him couldn’t wait to see her. He’d leaned on her through the years when the others had thought him too dangerous, too volatile, and too like his father. She’d been his shelter, his quiet support when he was trying to get his life on track.
But she was also a hard woman with exacting standards. She’d scrutinize Jess without meaning to. She’d have opinions on Austin’s house, his bar, his restaurants—opinions she considered as good as facts. Anything she thought was out of place…she’d force back into her perceived order. Her world existed in a series of squares and rectangles, and she was about to enter a circus of circles.
He needed her, though. He trusted her. She was family.
At least they’d have a little practice for the stubbornness of the gargoyles.
SIX
Nessa
Two days after the gift opening, Nessa stood in front of Ivy House, just barely off the property, waiting for Sebastian to arrive so they could tally up the house’s goodies. They needed to know what Jessie was working with so that they could come up with a cohesive strategy for the gargoyles.
She had an electric notepad and stylus in hand, ready to jump into action. Jessie had mentioned there was a lot of wealth lying around, but Nessa had no idea what exactly to expect. Were there gold coins sparkling in the bottom of bathtubs like pirate booty? A cauldron filled with gems at the end of a rainbow Mr. Tom had randomly painted across an attic wall? Swords and cleavers and other bloodied weapons decked out in sparkling jewels and mugs crusted in gold? She could envision all of the above.
“Captain,” Sebastian said as he walked briskly toward her, right in the middle of the street.
“What took you so long?”
Sebastian shook his head. “I met Patty in town. She told me her life story. Or maybe I told her my life story? I can’t be sure. Every time she stopped talking, it seemed like a terrible void that had to be filled. There was a dinner invite in there somewhere, and something about the Porsche. It’s all very confusing on this side of it. Anyway, doesn’t matter. I’ve got news, and then I need an update.”
Her excitement drained away immediately. She recognized that tone.
“What happened?” she asked. “What’s going on?”
He shook his head, stopping beside her on the sidewalk. “I just heard through our network the kind of numbers Momar is pulling in to attack Kingsley. It’s more than he’s used for anyone else. He clearly knows what sort of power he’s up against, and he’s not taking chances.”
“How many more?”
“Lots more. He’s also approaching this attack more cautiously. He’s systematically testing Kingsley’s defenses and mapping out the terrain. He’s getting his game plan in order so that when he finally attacks, it’s going to seem like the thunder of God. The shifters won’t stand a chance.”