Simon delicately kissed Celeste’s forehead. “I must accompany my mate to our quarters and then will speak with you regarding the events of this evening. Would you meet me in the briefing room at twenty-one hundred?”
I checked my watch. Thirty minutes. Time for a shower.
When I made it to the briefing room, Simon had his arms crossed and was staring out the window. He didn’t turn around as I rushed in.
“My apologies for addressing you so rudely earlier, Breanna. I was not expecting you to be out.”
“No biggie. What’s up?”
He motioned to a chair and pulled out another for himself. “The Italian Alpha was at the security gate earlier tonight. He was not happy one of his wolves was transported to the hospital without his permission or knowledge.”
WTF? “Well, that’s stupid. Lucas was hurt and needed medical attention. I had the list of approved supernatural hospitals and that’s where we took him. What’s the issue? Would he have preferred I wait for permission and let Lucas bleed to death?”
“Actually, yes. Alpha wolves are very much about control of their pack.”
I slammed my hands on the table. “He was going to die!”
“I know, Breanna, but you need to understand the ways of the wolves.”
“Galen would have expected me to take one of his wolves to the hospital.”
“Yes, but Galen is an American Alpha and is much more open-minded than other Alpha werewolves.”
“So the Italian Alpha was mad because a witch brought one of his wolves to the hospital?”
“No, he was angry because I did not call him.”
Damn. I’d gotten Simon in trouble again.
“I’m sorry, Simon. I didn’t mean to cause trouble. I just wanted to help Lucas.”
Simon smiled sadly. “I know you meant well, Breanna, but these are the things I’ve been talking about. There are repercussions for any and all actions.”
I snorted. “He’s just doing that ’cause you’re a vampire.”
“Perhaps, but it matters not what his motivation is. There are protocols in place for dealing with situations such as these and one of us should have consulted the Alpha before transporting the injured wolf.”
“Couldn’t you have called him when you called the chopper?”
Simon pretended to ponder my question. “Ah, yes, I could have and then a livid Alpha werewolf would have been waiting as you disembarked the Medivac. Since you saw fit to travel without any Bravo soldiers as backup, what would you have done had he attacked?”
I was an idiot.
“Damn, Sime. I’m sorry. I only wanted to help Lucas. He was holding my hand and his wolf kept pushing for a change and I didn’t know what to do. I should have called you but I couldn’t leave him. I just couldn’t.”
I met Simon’s eyes and then looked away. That excuse was pathetic but it was the truth.
“You felt something for this wolf?”
I shrugged since I was nothing but a slug. “I didn’t want to leave him alone.”
“You attacked two Malandanti in order to save a werewolf you didn’t know. You hopped willingly and alone into a Medivac to accompany this same unknown werewolf to a hospital where you could have easily been in danger. I would say you felt something for this wolf, my dear.”
I sucked in a breath before answering. “He said I was an angel.”
I braced for Simon’s laughter but none came. “And what did you say?”
“That he must have hit his head really hard when he crashed the bike.”
Simon chuckled. “I assume a simple ‘thank you’ would have been too much for you?”
Not a response I’d even considered.
After a never-ending pause, Simon continued. “The injured wolf was asleep when Lieutenant LeCavalier visited. Apparently the Alpha took exception with Christopher’s presence as well.”
Damn. Chris had gone to the hospital for me. I wasn’t a slug anymore. I was the trail the slug left behind.
“The Alpha also said the injured wolf mumbled the name Breanna.”
My heart stopped. Lucas remembered me?
I glanced up at Simon before quickly regaining my composure. It didn’t matter if he did remember me. Lucas was an Italian Pack wolf who could have anyone on the continent. We’d be leaving in a few days and I’d never see him again. Tell that to my heart that was threatening to beat out of my chest.
“Did you tell the Alpha about the Malandanti?” I asked, taking a deep breath and trying to calm my heart.
“Yes, but Ezekiel had already phoned him. The Alpha’s reaction was very much the same as Ezekiel’s.”
“He didn’t believe you?”
Simon shrugged. “No proof.”
Damn.
“Breanna, about this wolf. Do you wish to speak with him before we leave Italy?”
Yeah, sure, I’ll just call him right up and tell his girlfriend to put him on the line. “Nah, he’s got a mate.”
“How do you know?”
“A woman answered when I called the hospital.”
Simon tented his hands and stared at me for several moments. “As you wish, my dear. The Alpha, while perturbed with my breach of protocol, was indeed grateful for our intervention. He invited the wolves of Bravo to a pack run on his property Friday night.”
That was classic. Werewolves invited. Witch and vampires, not.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Celeste and I are going to find a quiet place for dinner. The other vampires are planning an evening trip into the city as well. You are welcome to join us.”
“I think I’ll hang out, maybe go see a movie or something.”
Simon nodded thoughtfully. “Whatever you would like, my dear. We will leave for Wisconsin when the next transport is available.”
A few hours later, a quick check on the internet gave me a list of movie theatres in the area. Nothing grabbed me so I opted for a walk. It was nice to have some time to myself. I loved the soldiers in Bravo but after three weeks with them twenty-four-seven, a little me-time was good.
I found a nice walking path and dodged the abundance of handholding couples. There was a low vibe of a vampire somewhere nearby but no worries. It wasn’t a master vampire and a little fire zap would scare a young one.
The path led me into the business district of the city central. Most offices were dark, their hardworking occupants either at home or out on the town. The buildings were older but stately. The brick facades watched over weathered cement sidewalks teeming with humans.
I ordered a pasta plate to go and found a single bench in a tiny park near the center of the city. It was a little oasis, complete with oak trees, grass, and a reflecting pool. I settled onto the bench, opened the Styrofoam plate, and inhaled the incredible smell of lobster ravioli. Chasing a string of cheese into my mouth, I noticed the sign across the street.
BENELLI ENTERPRISES
A single office light burned on the second floor, but the foyer was dark. I took a bite of ravioli and watched the window. Too far away to smell or feel anything, but how common was the name Benelli?
I finished my ravioli and never saw any movement