Page 23 of Jared

The smile disappeared from Dale's face. “Those guys at your mate's work? Well, some men fitting that description showed up outside about half an hour ago, sitting in a car for all the world as if we wouldn't notice them.”

“Shit.” Steve grabbed one of the coffees and motioned his brother in. “Just keep your voice down, Jared's asleep.”

“Oh ho, he moves into the building and first night, you get him into your bed. Nice one, bro.”

“They were still moving Desmond in, you idiot. I had him stay so he could get a good night's sleep before his shift today.”

“Uh huh, whatever you wanna tell yourself, man.”

“You're infuriating, you know that?”

Steve got another of his brother's shit eating grins by way of reply.

“Back to the important matters. Other than waking me up to tell me about men sitting outside holding a stake-out or whatever, what else is happening?”

Dale looked serious. “Rather than just watching them with the cameras and the doorman, or confronting them with the betas, Dad thought it might be an idea if you and I went and sat in the lobby, drinking our coffee while staring at them. To, you know, let them know that we know they are there. He reckons it'll show the pack you are taking pack safety seriously and personally and also make the guys either leave or try to come on in. The betas are on standby, waiting in the security office in case we need them.”

Steve looked down at himself. “Let me throw on some clothes,” he mumbled.

“Those sweatpants will do fine, just grab a shirt. Time's awastin'.”

“Yeah, okay. Think there's some in the dryer from yesterday.” he strode over to his utility cupboard, relieved to find he did indeed have a clean t shirt amongst the items he'd left in the dryer after getting Jared's frantic call from work the day before. He hastily pulled it over his head, grabbed his coffee from where he'd sat it on top of the dryer, and wiggled his feet into a pair of sandals by his door.

“Let's go,” he said, running his free hand through his hair in attempt to tame his bedhead. The two men headed for the elevator.

“So, here as my brother or as a Council rep?” Steve asked as the doors slid closed. He pushed the button for the lobby.

“Both,” Dale replied, meeting his gaze briefly.

“Cool.” Steve found that reassuring.The pair stood in silence until the car came to a halt, opening doors to reveal their destination.

Giving a curt nod to Jeff, who was manning the reception desk, Steve strode over to one of the lobby's large glass windows. Dale stood beside him, staring with him at the car parked across the street. They stood, saying nothing, merely taking occasional sips of coffee as they unwaveringly watched the men in the vehicle. Once eye contact was made, as one, Dale and Steve moved to lounge on a leather sofa that faced the window. A few minutes later they were joined by Lee, who entered the front door carrying a box of pastries and his own cup of coffee. He placed them on the coffee table in front of the sofa and sat down in an armchair placed at the side, with full view of the front door. He angled himself so that he too was looking out of the window.

Steve reached into the box and pulled out a bear claw. He took a careful bite, never once removing his gaze from where it was locked on to the pair across the street. He could see them excitedly talking now, one of them gesticulating and casting glances their way. He grinned as he tore off another bite. Whatever they were saying, neither man appeared happy that they'd been spotted. What, they didn't think nobody would notice their piece of shit car parked across the street with them just sitting there staring at the building? Really? Then again, they probably don't realize that most of the buildings on this block and the next belong to the pack.

“Looks like that's that,” Dale said with satisfaction as the car suddenly pulled out and drove off, the two men within it still deep in discussion.

“I got the plates and texted them to Tim. Hopefully they'll tell us just who we are up against and what they want with your mate,” Lee said. He wiped his hands on a paper napkin the bakery had provided. He sighed. “I love A Bite of Heaven's danishes. The cheese one is divine, I tell you.”

“It was a great decision to allow the Cheswick coven to rent the space and open a bakery,” Dale agreed.”

“They said they are looking to expand, add some tables and chairs so people can eat in and not just carry out, maybe extend the counter and add barstools. I told them you'd stop by this afternoon to talk it over with their Prince. Seeing as you'll take over as Alpha quite soon, I thought it just as well it be you.”

“Me? Yeah, okay,” Steve said.

“They said he'd meet you at the bakery, after they close at six. You can bring Jared if he's not working. It'd be good for them to get to know him.”

Steve nodded and rose, tossing his empty cup into a trashcan placed discretely in the corner. “Sure thing. Speaking of Jared, I left him alone up there, and he might be awake wondering where I've gone. I best get back and let him know everything's okay.”

9

Inside the car, James was busy fuming. “I told you that was a stupid idea.” His partner cast him a disdainful look.

“And I told you that it didn't matter if they saw us. We were just getting the lie of the land. I'm going to say it again, there is something decidedly hinky going on.”

“Hinky? Do you hear yourself, R.? All we are supposed to be doing is speaking to regulars at Club Paradise. This Desmond is a regular so that is why we were supposed to track him down. Just to see if he recognized our guys or knew if anyone had the misfortune to run into them. Nothing else.”

R.W. scrunched up the now empty takeaway coffee cup and threw it angrily into the footwell, despite knowing that litter and the state of the car's interior was a pet peeve of James'.