Page 30 of Henri's Little One
“But you don’t wear it as proudly as I do.” Ian’s eyes sparkled.
Sean threw up his hands. “You’re incorrigible.”
Vitas ignored Ian and Sean’s spat. Remembering what Julio said about them, he giggled. “Let’s do as Ian suggested and go to bed. I mated last night. I’d like to get some sleep before Henri comes to the suite because when he does, I have plans.”
“What kind of plans?” Ian leered.
Vitas shrugged. “Just plans…” His cheeks heated.
Sean punched Ian in the arm. “Leave him alone. I didn’t give you a hard time.”
“No, you didn’t. You’ve just given me snark ever since.” Ian slapped Sean on the back. “Let’s go, buddy. Until you go to bed, the others will feel obliged to stay up to keep you company.”
Vitas turned to Mathieu. “Let’s stop at the kitchen before we go to the suite. I want to ask Aline for something.”
§ § §
Library
The council sat gathered around the leather-topped library table. Henri’s library wasn’t a fancy name for a men’s club room. It actually functioned as the library for the pack Alphas. Henri began the discussion. “Although I hesitate to put Vitas in danger, our home is the most logical choice. Chernof has to know we caught her when he got away. If he thinks she talked her way out of that situation, then logically she would stay with us so I could keep an eye on her.”
“If you want to use logic, she wouldn’t stay with you because Vitas is the target and in Manhattan, we live farther from Henri on Seventy-Third.” Alexei picked up a bottle of vodka and poured. He indicated with his head toward the bottles that he would pour a drink for the others if they wanted. Etienne, Rémy and Armand nodded.
“Cognac,” Armand said tersely.
“Jameson.” Etienne nodded to Alexei. After Alexei poured the whiskey, he handed the glass to Etienne who took a sip. He handed Rémy a double shot of rum. “Rémy is the farthest away, he’s in Brooklyn, and Armand is in the Village.”
“But none of Armand’s household, except Armand, speak Russian, and Russian isn’t one of the languages that Rémy speaks. My whole household speaks Russian, and I’m the farthest from Henri in Manhattan.”
“You make sense, Alexei, if they think we caught her. Chernof doesn’t know we did. If he thinks we caught her and she’s still working at Alexei’s, they’ll know we turned her. If she works for me, they’ll figure that we fucked up and she’s still in play.” Henri poured himself some scotch.
Upon reflection, Armand spoke. “What Henri says makes the most sense, and she’s not lying to us, Vitas would know. So, Chernof would assume she was never put to the question. It must be Henri’s. Henri, you planned to bring extra Betas home. Make sure you bring home Betas that speak French as well as Russian and English. Their only job should be to guard Vitas. If we do less, Chernof will be suspicious. If we do more, he’ll know we’re aware that there is a traitor.”
“It shall be as you say, Alpha. Aline will be tough on her and watch her carefully, especially since she didn’t vet her fully the first time.” Henri tightened his lips.
“I say we hit our beds. To get home at a reasonable hour, we need to leave early.” Rémy yawned.
“I filed a flight plan for us to leave at nine. That means we need to get to the airport at seven and leave here at six thirty. I’ll have the factotums wake us at five. It’s ten now, goodnight my friends. I’m seeking my bed.” Armand got up and left the room followed by the others.
Henri’s tread sounded heavy on the stairs. Again, he couldn’t give his little one the romantic night that was his due. The second showing of the mark dashed any hopes of making it back to Manhattan early enough for him to plan a seduction. When Henri arrived at his suite, a surprise waited for him. It seemed he wasn’t the only wolf with plans.
§ § §
Henri’s Suite
Vitas sat at the breakfast table in his silk pajamas, preparing brownie sundaes served with hot cocoa and whipped cream. “You’re here.” His Mate sounded delighted. Henri’s eyes met Vitas’ sparkling green ones that widened in greeting. “I thought that it’s never too late for dessert.”
Henri smiled. His little one planned to seduce him with ice cream, brownies, and cocoa. He must have spoken to Aline. Vitas wasn’t the only wolf who liked his sweets. Henri sat down with Vitas at the table, digging into his sundae. “Thank you, pet. I needed something cheery tonight.”
“The Mates and I talked about Kristina. The only logical place for her to be is with us. Anywhere else and we give Chernof information about how much we know.”
“You’re right, but I don’t want to talk loup garou politics tonight. I want to drink my cocoa, eat my sundae, and then make love to you.”
Vitas licked the whipped cream from his lip. “That’s exactly what I planned.”
“You do that to torment me.” Henri’s gaze raked over Vitas’ compact form.
“What?”
