“Who told her?” Didn’t she agree to step down?”
“I did after I talked to Rylee.”
“You called her before you called me?”
“I tried but you did not answer and I assumed you were in wolf form. So I called your soon-to-be mate.”
Damn it. He had left his mobile in his chamber, mostly to prevent the temptation to find Gaby’s whereabouts. “Sorry.”
“Just go. I’ll feel much better knowing you and Kiara are there for Margo.”
Chapter 22
Gaby and Hallie returned from the local farmer’s market and set their bags on the counter. A good haul of fresh fruits and veggies lay on the kitchen counter. “Does one refrigerate eggplants?”
“Nah. I’m making eggplant lasagna tonight. Leave it out,” said Hallie.
“Sounds delicious.”
Hallie’s mobile buzzed. “Rylee,” she whispered. “Yes, ma’am.” She frowned. “A couple days ago. Yeah, I did the first time, but she called a second time while I checked on Buck.” Her cheeks reddened. “Sorry, Auntie. Okay, here she is.” She handed Gaby the phone.
“Hello, ma’am.”
“Did you contact Tomlin while Hallie was gone?”
How the hell did she know? Besides, I didn’t record it. Gaby swallowed. “Yes. Only once. We talked about me returning to service under the condition I live on my own. He agreed to my terms. Why?” Surely, she trusted her enough not to have Hallie’s supervision twenty-four-seven.
“Did you know the king’s wife and daughter were on Wildwood Island?”
She recalled a brief conversation about the pair staying there for a bit. “Yes, why?”
“Do you know the location?”
“Off the coast of Washington. A place Steele and his family enjoyed vacations.”
“Did you tell Tomlin?” Rylee’s voice sounded harsh, accusatory.
“Of course not, ma’am.” How could she think I'd betray them?
“Ken attempted to assassinate Princess Margo and Queen Myra with exotic venomous snakes.”
Her scalp prickled. Steele mentioned the island offered them complete seclusion and well guarded. No way for Ken to find Wildwood Island and then infiltrate it. Shit. She thinks I told him. “I swear I had nothing to do with that.”
“With the exception of Dr. Becker, no human knows the king owns Wildwood Island. This is more than a coincidence.”
“I would never help him kill anyone. Especially a werewolf, royal or not. Are you sure it was Ken?”
“One of the guards who later died from the venom chased down and killed Ken. He was exactly as you described him.”
About time someone took out Ken. “Good.” If anyone enjoyed his evil work, it was the snake man.
“The only problem is your scent remained on his coat.”
Her pulse quickened. “Impossible. I was with Hallie the entire time. She can vouch for me.” Besides, she would have noticed someone’s scent on me. Although, she might have thought it was any number of people I bumped into at the market.
“Unfortunately, there was a period of time you were alone. You admitted you made a call while alone.”
“I’m not sure why my scent would be on his coat. Even when I worked for Project Sabertooth, I had next to nothing to do with him.” Ken repulsed her.