Chapter 83

“In there,” Governor Kruck continued, explaining the paperwork, “Are the details of your new personal security team.”

He heaved a huge sigh. “Rather extravagant for a reporter, but there it is.”

He’d muttered this, but not too quietly for Elena to hear. Charles clearly heard as well because a fresh frown settled on his face.

“Anyway,” Governor Kruck pressed on, his tone overbright and sticky sweet, “having you settled in the city of Lupinton will allow us to protect you like the asset you are.”

I scowled at this barely veiled disrespect. How could he? Suddenly, facing him directly wasn’t the trouble I thought it might be. I straightened my back and glared at him with disapproval.

What right did he have to talk about me like one might discuss a slug? If anyone was slimy, it was him. Yet, I managed to treat him with basic decency.

“No,” Charles clipped across him.

“No?” Governor Kruck echoed.

“No,” Charles repeated more firmly.

Governor Kruck shook his head. “Excuse me? I must have misunderstood. No, what?”

“We’re not moving to Lupinton.” Charles folded his arms across his chest, his expression imperious and very alpha.

“It’s not a choice,” Governor Kruck argued.

“Last I checked, we have the freedom to choose where we live.”

The governor’s face went white, then red with anger. “Freedom is a gift you’ve been given by the Alpha King. And you’re just going to take advantage of that gift? Do you realize the depth of your disrespect?”

Someone behind the curtain coughed. Governor Kruck turned away from us, his shoulders heaving and trembling. He rubbed his face with both hands, then slowly turned back.

“Look, I know this isn’t what any of us wants. But sometimes sacrifices must be made. We’re talking about Elena’s safety here.” He locked his gaze on Charles. “You do want Elena to be safe, don’t you?”

I choked back a little gasp. Had Governor Kruck just threatened me to Charles?

Charles caught this, too. He growled at Governor Kruck. “Threaten Elena, and you threaten me. And believe me, you don’t want to do that. You may be a governor, but you’re not an alpha.”

A vein in Kruck’s temple pulsed. “I am aware. But I’m not threatening Elena or you. You’re not worth the trouble.”

He caught himself, visibly changing directions again. “I was referring to the Culpepper trial. It’s happening in Lustrum. The son of a prominent politician? With a grudge against you both? If the evidence is too weak or bail is set low enough, he could be out on the streets of your city. Can you keep Elena safe? I believe you were struggling with that already.”

Charles clamped his mouth shut, jaw twitching over the tension in his bite.

Governor Kruck’s face shone with triumph. “Good. Now that we’re all in agreement. Elena, in this packet, you will find a temporary press pass so that you can operate in this city. You’re welcome to freelance.”

Charles scowled at the man, who flinched and then tried his hardest to return an alpha stare. “I realize that I have plenty of money,” Charles started, “but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to put it into moving here. None of this feels right. One minute, you’re berating us, practically threatening us, and the next, you’re offering to move us here and giving Elena a temporary press pass. How stupid do you think we are?”

Kruck yanked the handkerchief out of his pocket and mopped his face yet again, the skin on his neck going rather pale and pasty. “Let’s not get hostile. Like you, I have people set above me. And these are the orders handed down. I haven’t had a chance to read all of the details for myself, just the outline. But I’m sure that whatever decisions have been made are the proper ones. If I’m being told that the information gathered shows Elena to be an asset to the national security, welfare, and benefits, then who am I to argue?”

He gave Charles what was supposed to be a commiserating look. “You know how these things go in business. One minute, things are up. The next, they’re down. Then they’re back up just as fast. Your fortunes just went up.”

Charles’ expression stayed stony, but the Governor continued regardless. “As I was saying, the paperwork has the details about your security team. It includes the press pass and regulations on doing freelance journalism in the city limits of Lupinton.”

He rattled through points so fast it set my head spinning again. Everything was changing so fast. I couldn’t keep up. Was he going so fast because he couldn’t stomach what we’d been given because he didn’t want to betray the real game or to keep us from responding to more orders?

“Also included,” Governor Kruck blazed on, “is all the information you need to settle into a new residence.” He made a choking noise. “One we’re providing at our expense, evidently. The moving costs will be up to you.”

He shot Charles a challenging look. When Charles didn’t respond, Governor Kruck continued, gaze skimming down the top paper.

“If you’re unhappy with the housing we provide, you are free to relocate, but any additional cost in monthly rent will need to be covered at your own expense. As well, your security team will have a say in any housing you select. After all, they have to be able to guard you.” He stood the papers up and tapped them on the smooth surface of the wooden table with a click.

“Any questions?”

His words sounded inviting, but his expression and body language said he’d rather skydive without a parachute than continue answering our questions.

Charles and I exchanged brief looks, and then both of us shook our heads. Governor Kruck’s shoulders slumped in relief.

“Thank the goddess. We’re nearly done. Then I can send you on your way. But first. Let me introduce you to your new security detail.”

As if on cue, the doors at the back of the room we were in opened, moving silently on well-polished hinges. Four very no-nonsense government agents marched in, looking like they had stepped straight out of a movie script, complete with black suits, severe haircuts, and grim expressions.

Governor Kruck motioned for them to join us, and the four marched around to his side of this table, standing at attention with their hands tucked at the small of their backs, ramrod straight. All I could think was how much fun it was going to be to have these four men in our lives on a regular basis. They were nothing like the kindly security that Charles had hired back home. In fact, there were metal light posts outside that were less stiff and more open to conversation.

Governor Kruck smiled at them and then at us, his grin toothy and wicked. For the first time, he actually looked like he was enjoying himself.

“May I present four of our best government agents?” he started the introductions.

“These are Agent Bell, Agent Woolworth, Agent Malik, and Agent Tang. They will be in charge of your health and well-being until all threats to your person have passed. You’ll find that the accommodations we’re providing for you are large enough to house at least one security officer at all times in addition to the pair of you. Don’t worry. We will be providing them a stipend to cover the cost of their food.”

Charles and I exchanged a glance. It was clear he was thinking the same thing I was. These security agents were going to be living with us. That could get awkward.