Page 73 of After 5

We moved to the break room to wait it out. Marco sat down on the new sofa we had picketed for when the transporters were initially grounded to the base. If we were forced to wait on base, we needed a comfortable place to hang out. He clicked on the TV and found a baseball game.

Tina sat down next to him, playing solitaire on her phone.

I grabbed the most recent fashion magazine, also picketed for, and began angrily flipping through the pages, unaware of the contents.

Ace rummaged through the refrigerator.

“Dahling, never fear. Things will work out,” Ace said. He pulled a tray of premade deli sandwiches out of the refrigerator. “Tuna, ham, or turkey?”

I knew a turkey I wanted to shoot, I just needed to find a way to get to the range.

An hour later my key glowed, and the strong pull of the defender summoning me vibrated through my body. Ace’s key glowed as well.

“Looks like you guys are being called for duty.” Marco slid his hands behind his head and kicked back on the sofa. “I’ll be here if you need me.”

Ace and I reported to the travel lab. Al gave us the landing coordinates. Ace and I were both summoned by Campy. I prayed no harm had come to him and cursed Caiyan for not being here to help.

Ace winked at me as we boarded our vessels. Odd, he didn’t seem concerned at all.

We arrived in a clearing in the middle of what would eventually become England. Campy, dressed in the latest Robin Hood fashion, leaned nonchalantly against the trunk of a large ash tree. There wasn’t a brigand tied up, and he didn’t seem to be in distress. He pushed off the tree trunk when I walked toward him.

“What’s going on?” I asked him.

Ace left his vessel and joined us. “It was my idea, doll. Probably going to get us grounded, but me heart breaks for you.”

“We’re going to the wedding?” A huge smile spread across my face, and I pulled both of them in for a group hug.

Campy grinned. “The Crackys are getting a might pissed at the tavern. Gerry’s there, too. He’s naugh as drunk as they are, but close. If they decide to steal something, I’ll summon you, but I think Tina and I can handle tucking them in bed after they pass out.”

“Those Crackys are so predictable,” Ace said.

“Won’t the travel lab spot us?” I asked Ace.

“They will, but Agent Sexy Buns has to monitor the other travelers, and that leaves Marco to come fetch us. He isn’t welcome at the wedding since, ya know, he became a defender for the WTF.”

“This is a great plan,” I said, wishing I had thought of it.

“He’s clever, yeah?” Campy said, giving Ace a fist bump.

“Yep, that’s what I love about him.”

“And all this time I thought you loved me for my fashion expertise.” Ace moved toward his vessel. “Speaking of fashion, let’s go, doll. We’ve got disguises to pick up.”

I kissed Campy on the cheek. “Thanks.”

“Keep Uncle Cai safe. He’s in over his head this time.”

“I’ll do my best.”

We left Campy sending us a thumbs up and a set of adorable dimples.

The last wedding I attended at the Mafuso mansion was between a teammate of Marcos and a famous singer. It was a chaotic madhouse, and I expected the same for this one.

Ace and I pulled up in our rented car. Missing was a line of taillights waiting to attend the wedding of the century and a band of reporters lingering in the bushes. A few cars were being handed over to the uniformed valets.

Once inside, a man in a sequined, black tuxedo approached Ace.

“’ello, Marvin, how are you?” Ace asked as the man slid up next to him.

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