“Okay then. Since this was impromptu, the jet won’t be ready until early afternoon, but we have to leave before then-say around eleven. Is that okay with you?” I asked her.
“Yes, that’s fine,” she said, but she sounded distracted, like there was something else on her mind. But I didn’t want to push.
“Lena also told me that this disease was planned. So how are you planning to keep the pack safe, especially me and the kids, while you’re gone?” Zoey asked.
“Well, that’s where I come in, sweet cheeks,” Zeo answered her.
“Don’t call me that,” Zoey practically growled at him.
“Forgive me. Leo and I have already upped the pack security and talked to the men. There will now be constant 24/7 security at every entrance and exit. The men will have shifts, so they won’t get tired and will always be alert. As for you and the kids, you’ll get only the best, which is me. I’ll be staying with you guys until they get back,” he said, and the idiot had a huge grin on his face while Zoey just glared at him.
“You’re lucky that Lena likes you and you’re the only one she trusts with the kids. Because if there was another option, that’s what I would be taking,” Zoey told him, and that immediately wiped the grin off his face.
“Let me tell you something, sweet cheeks. It would be over my dead body before I let another man into this house to protect what’s mine,” he told her, and that seemed to shut her up. She tried to speak, but no words came out of her mouth.
“Alright, you two, that’s enough. Everyone play nice,” Lena told them, and after a long staring contest, they both looked away.
“I’ve already talked to the kids, and they know that you’ll be staying with them until I’m back. Judging by the success of this dinner, they seem to really like you,” Lena told Zeo.
“Everyone likes me. I’m a hard man to hate,” Zeo said, and Zoey scoffed.
“Okay, I think that’s everything, right? Everyone is up to date on everything. Is there anything anyone would like to add?” I asked them, and they all shook their heads.
I actually wished they would add something because that would give me a reason to stay here longer, to stay with the kids and Lena.
“Okay, if that’s all, I guess we should be taking our leave then,” I said, and then made a move to get up, but Lena’s hand landed on my arm.
“The kids still have an hour before their bedtime, and with all that sugar running through their veins, it’ll probably be two hours. So, you can stay if you like,” she told me.
“I’d like that very much,” I told her.
Lena’s POV
The kids were sugar-crazed; there was no other word for it. Turns out, after they were done with their dessert, they helped Emmett with his. Like I said before, it was like I had four kids.
But thankfully, unlike before, this time the adults outnumbered the kids, and we were able to get them to bed an hour past their bedtime, just like I predicted.
“Goodnight, sweet cheeks, I’ll be seeing you soon,” Zeo told Zoey and blew her a kiss. She just glared at him and stormed off.
We walked out of the house.
“Zeo, you have to take it easy with her,” I told him.
“I know, I know,” he replied, but he still had that grin on his face. I think the only time it slipped all night was when Zoey said she would let another man into the house.
“But wait a minute, though. Is this really happening? Are you guys mates?” I asked him. I mean, seeing them together tonight already proved my suspicions right, but I had to hear it from him.
“Yeah, we are. Trust me, I was as surprised as you when I first found out. But when you think about it, it all makes sense,” he told me.
“Yeah, you’re right, it does. I’m so happy for you, Zeo,” I said, and then I stepped forward and hugged him. After a few seconds, I pulled back.
“But you have to be careful with her, okay? Or you might push her too far,” I told him.
“I know, I know. She’s human, so she doesn’t feel the mate bond the same way I do. I understand,” he said.
“Okay, then.”
“I don’t want you to worry about a thing. I promise to keep all of them safe while you’re gone,” he told me.
“I know that, Zeo, but the thing about being a parent is that you always worry. But with you and Zoey here with them, I’m a little less worried,” I said.
He gave me a smile and then walked to the truck, leaving just me and Leo.
“I really had a good time tonight. Thank you for inviting me,” he told me.
“I’m glad you had a good time. I thought the kids would be too much, but they really like you, especially Liam,” I told him, and he smiled, that huge smile that brought out his dimples.
“Yeah, I really like them too. They each have their own personality, and it’s amazing,” he said.
“Yeah, it is. You never know what to expect from them,” I told him, and we just stood there, staring at each other.
“So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow by eleven,” I said.
“Yeah, but you don’t need to drive out. I’ll just come here and pick you up,” he replied.
“Okay, that sounds great,” I told him.
“Goodnight, Lena.”
“Goodnight, Leo,” I said, and then I turned around and walked back to the house, even though every cell in my body was telling me not to. I didn’t look back. I opened the door, closed it behind me, and then leaned my head against the door.
How am I going to survive when it’s just the two of us in New Orleans? Maybe this isn’t a good idea. Maybe I should send Emmett with Leo instead.
Speaking of Emmett, I checked on him in the living room, and he was passed out on the couch. I took the blanket and covered him up.
I went to the kitchen, and just like I expected, Zoey already had a bottle of wine open, and she had a glass in her hand as she sat on one of the bar stools.
I took a glass, poured myself some wine, and sat next to her. “So, you wanna talk about it?” I asked her.
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