“Still sounds like flirting.”
“Have you updated your dad?”
“I’m not comfortable with that segue.”
“I’m not going to buy him gummi bears.”
“Well, that’s a relief.” He walked toward me, offered his apple. “Bite?”
If Eve had been half as tempting as Connor Keene with a Red Delicious, I felt a sudden sympathy for Adam.
“I’m . . . fine,” I said.
He cocked an eyebrow, smile spreading slowly. “Are you?”
“I am. Why are you flirting with me? Do you need gummi bears?”
He snorted, took another bite of his apple. “Yes, the Pack has been updated. Pops is irritated by the Obsideo, but fine with the result.”
“You fix the clan?”
“No,” he said, and took a final bite. “We fix the clan.”
* * *
* * *
We found Alexei still on the steps, chewing on the end of a scarlet red rope of licorice. And staring at a wall of gleaming white aluminum.
“What is . . . ,” I began, taking in forty feet of vehicle. “Why is there a motor home parked in front of our cabin?”
“It arrived two hours ago,” Alexei said, taking another bite. “Hasn’t done anything since it arrived.”
“So it’s probably not an immediate risk?” I asked flatly, as he chewed, watched the door contemplatively.
“Not unless you’re waiting to be attacked by retirees.”
The door opened, and we looked into the green eyes of a very pissed-off-looking cat.
“Shit,” Connor muttered, stepping behind me. “Devil cat.”
Eleanor of Aquitaine hissed at the sight of him. Which made me feel a little better about our tumultuous relationship, but didn’t make me any less surprised to see her sitting there.
“Did she open the door?” Connor’s question was soft, and there was a cautious edge to it. Smart boy.
“I doubt she’s mastered that without opposable thumbs,” I said. “She does look pissed at you, though. What did you do?”
“I exist. That seems to be enough.”
As if in agreement, the cat swished her tail while Lulu stepped behind her. She wore a white ringer T-shirt with red at the collar and sleeves and “Lovers Love Minnesota” across the front.
“Hello, Minnesota!” she said brightly, then looked down. “Pardon me,” she said, and the cat turned around, flicked its tail in the air, and trotted deeper into the RV.
“Your cat?” Alexei asked.
“Ah, he deigns to speak to me. And no, Eleanor of Aquitaine does not admit to ownership. She allows us to live in her loft.”
“You brought a cat into a compound of shifters,” Connor said.
“She brought herself,” Lulu said, stepping onto the asphalt. She opened her arms, and I gave her a hug.
“I’m really glad to see you,” I said. “But why are you here?”
Theo stepped into the doorway. “We’re the roaming Ombudsman’s office.”
“Anyone else in that clown car?” Connor asked.
“Just us,” Theo said, stepping onto the asphalt. He nodded at me and Connor, then at Alexei.
“Alexei, Theo,” I said, introducing them. They exchanged nods. “And why is the Ombudsman’s office here?”
Theo glanced at Connor. “It was his idea.”
“Was it?” I asked.
“I thought we could use some allies,” Connor said. “I just didn’t think they’d come in . . . that.”
“Recreational vehicle,” Lulu said.
My heart sighed at his sentiment. “Thank you,” I said, and Connor smiled back. “But is it safe for them to be here? All things considered.”
“No safer than for us.” Connor smiled, lifted a shoulder. “But no less safe, either. We’re a team on this one. And we could use some investigators.”
“That would be me,” Theo said, raising a hand. “Although I did fill in Lulu and Eleanor of Aquitaine on the basics during the trip.”
“Which you should have done,” Lulu said, punching me lightly on the arm. “Lot of drama.”
“That’s why I didn’t tell you,” I said. “And since you don’t like drama, why are you here?”
“It’s a recreational vehicle,” Lulu said again. “I’m here to recreate. Or recreationally work, anyway. I brought my supplies, and I’m going to do some plein air painting. I want no part of your magical drama. But I am available for cheese curds and hot dish.”
I was glad to see her but worried, too. “You have to be careful. Most of the county is pissed at us.”
“I take it seriously,” she said, shifted her gaze to Connor. “And I take him seriously. He’s not going to let anything happen to you.”
“No,” Connor said as if she’d been asking him the question. “I’m not.”
I pushed down irritation, because I knew she meant well. “I don’t need protecting.”
“Two Sups are better than one,” she said, then shifted her gaze to Alexei. “Usually.”
She stared at him. He stared back at her, silently.
I just watched them, fascinated.
Beside me, Connor said, “Alexei.”
“Yes?”
“Have you met Lulu?”
“Sure.”
Another moment of silence passed.
“Classy,” Lulu said.
“Moving on,” I said, looking at Theo, “do you have anything to report?”
“Wait,” Lulu said, and held up a hand. “That’s my cue to not be here.” She pointed east. “Lake that way?”
“It is,” Connor said. “And that’s our cabin if you need anything. Keep your eyes and ears open.”
“I will.”
But as she walked past Alexei, he took her arm. “You shouldn’t go out there alone.”
She looked down at his arm, then slowly shifted her gaze to his face. “I go where I want. And I suggest you take your hand off me.”
Alexei watched her for a long, smoldering moment before raising his hands, holding them both up as if showing his innocence. “My apologies,” he said, and we all exhaled.