Barely Winging It (13 page)

With that announcement, everyone put down their
papers.
“
Kace
!”
Alphy
growled.

Nix hid his smirk in his coffee.
Kace
was slow in putting down the comics. “Aw, man, I was just about to read Stone
Soup.”

“Then you should have read it before Garfield.” Slate
chuckled.

Kace
inhaled dramatically. “
Gasp,
sacrilege. I love Odie. He’s my hero.”

“And Marmaduke,” Slate teased.

“Hey, I’ll have you know they are both very
respectable K9s to look up to.”

Enzo let out a derisive snort.
“Odie?”
 

“Yes, Odie.
He’s brilliant, and he’s always happy no matter what Garfield does to him.”

Everyone laughed then sobered up when
Alphy
signaled to them to. “Let’s get started. Seamus
wanted me to report to everyone that he got the results from the autopsy done
on Slate’s father. He was addicted to some kind of unidentified drug.”

“That would explain a lot about what Elise said about
how he had gotten worse the last couple of years.” Slate said.

“Yes, well the doctor is still investigating the drug
and will continue to keep us updated. Now, pertaining to the blood spilt last
night, I have reports that it ruined the carpet and some bedding. Luckily they
didn’t find any blood on anything else that couldn’t be cleaned.
Kace
and I have discussed it and decided we should rent the
room long term. During that time, we can discreetly replace the bedding and
even carpet. It could also help when others arrive and need a place to stay
until a more permanent place can be bought or rented. Does anyone have anything
else to add to that?”

Slate raised his hand slightly, earning their
attention. “We haven’t had time to interrogate the prisoner we took last night.
I wanted permission for Matteo and me to march him further into a more secluded
spot on the property and start questioning him.”

Alphy
nodded. “Good idea. Take him out as soon as we’re done here. No need doing that
around here close to the girls and cubs. That brings up a point of security.”
Everyone looked up at Ryker as he entered the room, but
Alphy
kept talking and everyone continued to listen. “We should find a place to build
holding cells somewhere away from the house.
Kace
,
add that to our plan-to-do list. Welcome back, Ryker. What did you find out?”

“The wires connecting the cameras were faulty. I need
to run to town today to get some. They’ll be down until I get new wires, and
connect them to the cameras.”

“Do you need any help with that?”
Alphy
asked.

“Uh, a little.
I would like to ask Gale’s dad, Tom, to help.”

“That will be fine.”

A bit of a ruckus sounded from the kitchen.
Kace
stood up. “Sounds like my crew. Permission to go out
and say a few words to them, sir?”

“Granted.”
As
Kace
slipped from the room,
Alphy
turned to look at Nix. “I got a call from
Bronya’s
parents just before the meeting. He let me know of a plane we might be
interested in, and we made an appointment for today. While on the phone with
him, I also let them know we had to move
Bronya
because of an attack but that she suffered no damage. I told him we would bring
Bronya
. That puts Nix in to accompany us.”

The meeting continued on, mixing the discussions from
planes to interrogation techniques to use on the prisoner. They were all
surprised to hear the doorbell ring. The room went silent. They heard Havana
shout that she got it. “Damn it, Ryker, do what you
gotta
do to get those damn cams up.”

“Will do, alpha.”

Everyone looked at Havana when she opened the door.
“Enzo, some guy with flowers is here for you.”

Everyone seemed to have the same shocked look that
displayed over Enzo’s face. They all followed him, crowding the entryway, and
watched Enzo open the door. A nervous delivery man fidgeted but quickly turned
his attention to the open doorway.

“Can I help you?” Enzo sounded doubtful.

“Uh, are you Mister Enzo Boyce? I have a delivery for
him.”

“I’m Enzo Boyce, but I didn’t order any flowers.”

The young man’s cheeks colored slightly. “No, someone
else did, for you. These are chrysanthemums. The person who ordered them sure
knows their flowers.”

Nix looked around at the guys and saw they were all
fighting just as hard to suppress their snickers as he was. Enzo’s shock was
just so funny, and the dumbstruck awkwardness he had holding the flowers nearly
did Nix in.

Enzo’s tone sounded as if he was lost when he asked,
“I’m sorry,
I
don’t. What are chrysanthemums?”

“Uh, these are.” The man briefly looked puzzled, but then
obviously comprehended what Enzo really
meant
.“
Oh
, yeah, they mean secret admirer. Uh,” clearing
his throat with a light cough, he said, “there’s a card.” He pointed to a tiny
envelope sticking in between the fragrant blooms.

By the look on Enzo’s face, he didn’t know what to do
or say. Gale and Havana were giggling, but Connie took charge. “Seriously, men,
you would think it was a three headed horse. Give them to me, and I’ll quickly
put them in a vase while you tip the kind delivery man.”

While the girls laughed harder, some of the guys
joined in, unable to hold back their snickers any longer while a stunned Enzo
handed over his bundle. After witnessing him hand the driver a twenty dollar
bill, at which the driver was understandably shocked, before closing the door,
Nix couldn’t hold his laughter in any longer.

The arrival of the flowers was the end to their
meeting. Everyone headed to their assigned task. He briefly saw Slate and
Matteo heading out as he ascended the stairs to wake his napping mate for the
long trip to the city. He hated waking her. Even though he needed sleep just as
much as she did, he felt driven to take care of her, putting her needs before
his own.

The talk in the car sent him on a serious
rollercoaster ride of emotions, but by the time they reached her father’s
airfield, he couldn’t have been happier with the outcome.

After getting out of the car, Nix held his mate’s hand
as they headed into the building. He couldn’t stop the hard-on from the mass of
butterflies that took over his body as he internally celebrated his mate’s
acceptance. As mates went, he’d lucked out big time.
Thank.
You.
Fate!

He noticed her face light up as they approached Zeke
at the desk,
who
looked up at their approach and
returned her smile.
“Hi, Zeke.
You know you don’t have
to let my dad slave
ya
like this.”

The flamboyant
twink
winked
at her. Nix quelled his falcon’s protests at the flirtatiousness. Zeke eyed
Alphy
and Nix. “But I can’t find good looking hunks like
this anywhere else. It’s truly my pleasure.” He nodded his head at her hand
secured in Nix’s and winked at her again. Picking up the phone and pressing a
button, he spoke into it. “Mister Webber, your two o’clock is here with a
glowing Miss Webber.
Yes, sir.”
Zeke hung the phone
back on the receiver “Give me just a minute to lock the door and I’ll escort
you to the conference room.”

Zeke pulled his lanyard off as he made his way to the
door and locked them. Pulling them back over his head, he grabbed some files
off the top of his station and indicated the hallway he wanted them to venture.

“Why did you lock the doors?”
Alphy
asked.

“Oh, we are only open today to work your case. Now
that you’re here, we can close everyone else out. Don’t want any unwanted
visitors during the meeting.”

“Zeke, did Gates call or come by again?”
Bronya
asked. Nix tensed as he was concerned about the same
thing. It made him sick to see his new family have to take so many precautions
because of some sick prick. He couldn’t help squeezing her hand just a little
tighter in slight worry for her safety.

“No, and we aren’t taking any chances.”

“Is Mom here?”

“Yes, but I offered to come in and help with the
paperwork. She was having problems with that new program again.”

“Oh that was sweet of you. Thank you.”
Bronya
smiled at the smaller man. Nix tugged lightly on her
hand,
which had her slightly stumbling into his side.
He wrapped his arm around her as they continued through the building. She
glanced up at him and teased, “Jealous much?”

Nix nuzzled her ear, his hot breath heating her skin
as it puffed over her skin as he whispered, “Sorry, Dove, I really can’t stop
it.” He brushed his lips over her cheek before he pulled back into a more
comfortable position for walking. Feeling the shiver run through her body, he
mentally fist pumped the air. He loved the effect he had on her body.

Entering the large conference room, he saw
Bronya’s
parents were at the far end of the table. Both
looked and stood up as they entered and introductions were made. “This is Ralph
Kaska
and his fiancée, Gale Brooks.”

“Mister
Kaska
, Miss
Brooks.”
Bronya’s
father shook their hands. “I’m Richard Webber, and this is my wife, Della.
We’re very pleased to meet you.” Richard indicated the chairs. “Please make
yourselves comfortable while I properly greet my daughter.” Turning to her, Nix
let her hand go to let her father give her a hug. “I’m so happy to hear you’re
all right. Mister
Kaska
told me, over the phone,
about what happened.” Her father pulled back and let her mother take his place.
Nix noticed the pointed look her father was giving him. All Nix could do was
give the man a reassuring look and nod. When his mate was through, Nix held her
chair for her and then sat next to her.

Richard sat at his seat and opened a folder that sat
in front of him, examining its contents as Della offered coffee and Zeke placed
similar folders in front of each of the others. “Now, let’s talk planes. I’ve
learned the small airstrip in Bancroft isn’t a sufficient length. Would you be
using this airstrip or did you have another in mind?”

Nix watched
Alphy
turn
serious. “We have plans to build a private strip on our property and just asked
your daughter to head the planning of it. It may take some time, and we would
be happy to use this port if you’re ok with that.”

Richards’s brows rose as he looked over at his
daughter. He opened his mouth to say something, but
Bronya
interrupted him. “I’ve also agreed to be their pilot. I hope you don’t mind, Dad.”

Richard sat slightly stunned for a moment, as did
Della. He seemed to be thinking over it seriously. Nix fought the urge to
fidget with the nerves he started to develop. If her father refused, it could
cause problems with his mate’s happiness. He wasn’t about to let her go for any
reason, so her father’s acceptance was important.

“Zeke, would you show them the specs on the
comparisons?” The rest of the meeting went along well for
Alphy
,
but Nix couldn’t help but feel like an ant under a magnifying glass. His mate
didn’t look or even smell like she had any worries. She was perfectly relaxed
and helped explain several things to
Alphy
. Nix, on
the other hand, fought his nerves, doubts, and worries. But he made sure they
didn’t show. He felt if he did, he would fail some kind of test in her father’s
eyes.

Bronya
reached over and threaded her fingers through his. Feeling her touch instantly
brought his anxiety under control. It even made his falcon preen a bit watching
his mate make pointed looks at her father.
Bronya
was
outwardly claiming
him
. Taking
another deep breath, he relaxed and paid more attention to the meeting, all the
while rubbing his thumb over her skin.

The sound of
Alphy’s
cell
giving off a wolf’s howl interrupted their meeting. That was Enzo’s tone.
Alphy
slid his cell to Nix. He nodded his understanding to
his alpha. Standing up, he leaned in to plant a quick kiss on the top of his
mate’s head before excusing himself and heading out into the hall, swiping the
screen to answer it as he did. As soon as he closed the door, he put the device
to his ear. “This is Nix.”

“Nix, there’s been an emergency. Get
Alphy
on the phone now.” Dread filled his gut, and his
heart began to race. Growing up with Enzo, Nix knew his tones. This one worried
him. It was one that spoke of urgency and serious bad news.

Nix opened the door and walked back into the room,
“Excuse me, there’s a serious emergency,
Alphy
. You
need to take this.”