Page 34 of Brody
“Bessie’s has the best pies in Alaska,” he said, and I found myself staring at his mouth longer than was professionally appropriate, wondering for a second about all the wicked things his lips and tongue could do to my body.
“Damn right,” Bessie said while drawing a small square in the air over our table, her fingers leaving faint golden traces that shimmered momentarily before fading from view.Her mouth moved in silent incantation, and the ambient noise of the café suddenly became muted, as though we’d stepped into a bubble separate from the rest of the world.The air between us felt denser, charged with subtle energy that raised the fine hairs on my arms.“There, I just cast a privacy spell so you two can talk in peace without being overheard.Strongest one I know, blocks even shifter hearing,” she added with a wink that suggested she knew exactly what secrets needed protecting, then she walked away.
Brody leaned forward, his expression shifting to something more serious.“We need to establish security protocols, especially after the OIA’s warning that Tabia is behind the upcoming attempt to kidnap you.”
The shift to business territory was a relief.“I received Quinn’s text about it.I’m not worried about my grandmother.”
“Why not?”he asked.
I shrugged.“Tabia has been plotting, sabotaging, and stealing my research for years.This plan to kidnap me reeks of desperation.Besides, I can take care of myself.”
“That’s not the point.You could get hurt.Worse—killed.”
“I’m not reckless, Thornbern.I don’t have a fucking death wish.I just refuse to cower like some damsel in distress.I’ve been fighting her all my life, and I’ll continue doing so until I find a pre-feral solution that obliterates her entire business model.”
I thought of Tabia’s pharmaceutical empire, built on the suffering of unmated males, her monthly subscription treatments that cost thousands but only temporarily alleviated symptoms.The cruelty of profiting from pain while actively blocking research into permanent cures.
“That’s why she wants me dead or contained,” I continued.“Not just because I’m her granddaughter who rejected the family business, but because I’m genuinely close to creating something that would make her billions worthless overnight.”
“I won’t let her kidnap you,” he replied, a shadow crossing his features as his gaze flicked toward the window.For a split second, his focus shifted to something, or someone, outside, his eyes narrowing with predatory intent before returning to me.
“Neither will I,” I said, following his gaze but seeing only ordinary townsfolk passing by.Still, a chill ran down my spine, the distinct sensation of being watched prickling across my skin.My cheetah growled a warning deep in my consciousness.Danger wasn’t just coming; it was already here, circling us like invisible smoke.
Bessie returned with our coffee, and I almost moaned at the rich aroma that rose from the cup.I doctored my coffee with oat milk and raw sugar.The ceramic mug warmed my palms as I lifted it to my lips.My first sip confirmed it—this was possibly the best coffee I’d ever tasted, complex notes of chocolate and berry dancing across my tongue.My eyelids fluttered closed for a millisecond before I caught myself.Damn it.The last thing I needed was to give him the satisfaction of watching me melt over coffee.
“Good, right?”Brody asked, looking absurdly pleased by my reaction.
“It’s acceptable,” I lied, taking another sip to hide my expression.
His laugh was unexpected, deep and rich and alarmingly attractive.Something in my chest fluttered in response, and I ruthlessly squashed it down.
“So,” I said, desperate to maintain professional focus.“Tell me more about your laboratory setup at the Brewstillery.”
Brody leaned back in a way that made his broad shoulders stretch the fabric of his Henley.“Your equipment integration is complete,” he said.“We finished installing everything yesterday.”
“I’ve been curious about how you’ve adapted brewing equipment for experimental research,” I said, genuinely interested despite myself.“Tell me more about your tonic?”
“It’s really my grandma Una’s tonic recipe.I’ve tried to replicate it.The crazy thing is that I had her journals tucked away in boxes after she died while I was serving in the military.When I retired and came to live in the Ridge with the pack, I decided to find her recipes and revive her business of selling Home-Brew.”
“So you’ve been working on your tonic for years with no progress?”I asked.
“Nope.I only found the journal with her tonic recipe about seven months ago, completely by mistake, after finally deciding to sort through boxes of her stuff to give away to charity.Call it luck or happenstance, but once I started reading and piecing together what she was trying to create, a way to ease pre-feral sickness symptoms, I knew I had to recreate her tonic in my Brewstillery.”
“For sale?”I asked.
“For free,” he replied.“Tabia is already bleeding the Others’ community dry with her pre-feral symptoms drugs.Unmated males need help, and she damn sure doesn’t give a shit about anything but profit.”
“Truth,” I said.“Tell me more about the damage to the journal.”
“Fading ink, deterioration of paper, and damage from water, mold, and insects.It’s almost unreadable, but there are sixty years of traditional knowledge that complements your brain-chemistry research perfectly.I think the key to the tonic is the hot spring water, but I don’t know for sure.From what I could make out from the journal, it calls for the hot spring water among other ingredients, but honestly, my tonic recipe is a crapshoot.”
“I’ll take a look at the journal when we get to the lab,” I said.“Honestly, the possibility of combining Una’s traditional knowledge with my modern science might be groundbreaking.”
“Exactly.”His voice carried equal parts hope and desperation.“And that’s why your research is so crucial, Rozi.You’re not just improving on what Una did, you’re helping me figure out what she actually did in the first place.”
Rozi.Not Dr.Dhahabu.My name in his mouth was like something precious he’d been afraid to say.
Our food arrived, saving me from having to respond.The baked two-cheese-and-bacon grits looked like heaven on a plate.One bite and I nearly groaned aloud.Bacon, cheese, and grits together created a harmonious blend of flavors.The grits provided a neutral, creamy base while the bacon added a smoky, salty, and crispy element.The cheese contributed a rich, sharp, tangy note.
