“While they’re off on an important mission, we women get to defend the fort.” Olivia tried to tease, but her tone was hard and flat.
Jessa straightened, that odd tightening on her face again. “I’m happy for the company.”
Olivia swallowed her temper. None of this was Jessa’s fault. Considering the amount of stress the woman was dealing with, Olivia could keep her cool. Jessa was doing her best to act like she was fine, but Olivia suspected it was a brave front. And if Jessa could be brave, so could she. She sucked in a long, slow breath and tried to speak without sounding like she wanted to hurt someone. “Maybe you can give me a few cooking lessons—you know, to pass the time?”
Jessa nodded, smiling. “Oh good. I’m craving some chocolate mousse, and I have a pretty simple recipe.”
She forced a smile. “Sounds yummy.” It did. And, as she always was after earth-shattering sex with Mal, she was hungry. Making mousse would take care of that. But not her anger. If she was going to bond with her wolf, to hunt and fight and—if necessary—kill, maybe staying home to make chocolate mousse wasn’t the best idea.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Got my big guns and my little guns,” Gentry said, all smiles. “And a few knives, too.”
“Knives?” Anders asked, grinning.
“A man can never have too much silver around them sons of bitches.” Gentry nodded.
“Then watch where you’re sticking them.” Anders clapped Gentry on the shoulder. “Our wolves aren’t too fond of the silver stuff, either.”
“Intel, Gentry, intel.” Brown expression remained stony, as always. “If done right, you won’t need weapons of any sort. I’ve got three shooters, all men I trust with my life, waiting to meet you when you land in Chicago.”
“Well, that sounds like no fun at all.” Gentry frowned.
Mal watched the exchange, wishing he could get as amped up as the rest of them. Instead, he was painfully aware of how absent Olivia was. She’d left the room without a backward glance and hadn’t been back since. Because he was a stupid shit.
“Get your head straight, Mal,” Dante murmured.
Mal nodded. Olivia was pissed. She had every right to be. But there was nothing he could do about it now. Now, he had to focus.
“About two hours from Jackson Hole to Chicago. No more than four hours there, then straight back.” He looked at Dante. “You can’t get a meeting or, if we’re really damn lucky, information on shipments, you walk. Understood? I don’t want this to turn into a fight.” Finn leveled a hard look at each one of them before continuing. “Mal, you and Brown’s recruits will take exits. You’re here,” Brown said, pointing at the rear door. “Two will cover the front. The other stationed here.” he pointed at a tower with a wider range. “In case. Gentry, Anders, and Dante are all going in.”
“They’ve seen Dante,” Mal argued.
“In Alaska,” Finn said. “If there’s one thing we know about Cyrus it’s that he keeps his pack regional. The chances of one of them recognizing Dante are slight.”
“I fucking hope so,” Dante mumbled. “But if not, I don’t mind taking a few of them down with me.”
Finn sighed.
“He must think you’re a big spender,” Ellen said as she sat on the corner of the desk. “He will want to impress you.”
Dante nodded again. “Wanna come along as arm candy?”
“No,” she answered.
“They’d know her,” Mal said. “It’s not safe.”
“You care?” she pushed.
“About jeopardizing the mission? Yes.” Mal snapped. He wasn’t really pissed at Ellen. She’d told Hollis. And Hollis, being who he was, had told Finn. In the end, this was better…except for Olivia’s reaction.
Focus.
“You have”—Finn glanced at his watch—“ten minutes before takeoff.” He glanced at Mal. “This can’t be about revenge.”
He nodded. Finn was giving him an opportunity to repair the damage he?
?d done. He’d shaken the trust his Alpha had in him. He owed Finn—and Olivia. His mate. The person he loved most. He’d lied to her. No matter how good his intentions were, it had been a jackass move and he knew it. Which meant he had ten minutes to say good-bye. He carried his bag outside to the waiting truck, tossed it into the back, and stared at the lodge.