“Well, don’t just stand there. Open the doors and check out your new office, Anna–Banana,” Talia says.
Anna turns to us, tears welling in her eyes.
“It’s locked, ya coot,” she says before tossing herself at us and throwing her arms around our necks.
Lynch’s whistle of appreciation has us pulling apart.
“You did good, ladies. This looks even better than the last truck.”
“It’s a little smaller,” I admit, chewing on my lip nervously.
“Oh, hush,” Anna says. “It’s perfect.”
Talia laughs. “You haven’t even seen inside yet.”
“That’s what she said,” Lynch mumbles.
Talia pulls the keys from her pocket and pushes a button on the fob to unlock the doors. A click sounds, and Talia steps forward, pulling the side doors open. They swing wide, revealing that the insides of the doors have been paneled with chalkboard so Anna can write her daily menu on them. A glass display case takes up half of the now empty doorway, allowing the gleaming chrome, rose, and white-colored interior to shine through above it.
Anna gasps.
“Sweet baby Jesus,” she says as Talia hands her the keys.
“You can enter the truck from both the cab and the back. Just like the last one, so take your pick,” I tell her.
Anna looks back and forth between the front and back, obviously torn, before finally deciding on the back.
She throws open the back doors, her hands flying to her throat as she takes in the interior.
“Come on, boys,” I hear Justice say. “Let’s give the ladies a moment alone. You can eyeball them from the balcony.”
I shoot Justice a look of gratitude, thankful he somehow knows we need this moment to be just the three of us.
He winks before steering Kash and Lynch inside, and I turn my attention back to my girls.
Anna’s already tearing up, and I don’t blame her.
Talia has spared no expense. Inside, the custom fridge, sink, and oven look adorably retro while also screaming “new” with their gleaming chrome finishes. A small fryer sits on the counter next to the stove; its pink and white enamel finish is also accented with chrome. It’s the perfect blend of all of the other interior pieces.
Talia and I have made sure to include things that would remind Anna of us in the new truck. The peach has been replaced by a shade of pink that perfectly matches Talia’s hair, and I’ve made sure to add my own touches.
Anna laughs through tears as her hand runs over one of those touches–the “potions master” vinyl that now decorates her new professional mixer.
Only when Anna is done going through each drawer and cabinet–cataloging each whisk, pastry cutter, and rolling pin–does she finally move to the front of the cab.
“So, it’s not as easy to climb through the front,” Talia says sheepishly. “But we thought having room for three up front was better. You know, for sentimental purposes.”
“It’s perfect,” Anna says, climbing through with ease. “Y’all know I prefer to go through the back anyway.”
I can practically hear Lynch’s voice ringing in my ear, whispering, “That’s what he said.”
Talia and I climb through after her.
The front seat is a long bench, allowing all three of us to sit in the cab–a feat that was impossible in Anna’s old truck. The back of the middle seat where I’m currently sitting is attached to the door, allowing it to open and close unobstructed.
Anna reaches forward, placing the key in the ignition, then pulls it out again. She holds the key chain up for closer inspection, the tiny charm finally catching her eye. The tiny hurricane glass is cut from a blue crystal that perfectly matches the shade of our signature drink.
“Midnight Kisses,” Anna murmurs before bursting into tears and starting a domino effect.
“So you don’t forget about us when you go off and conquer the world, one pastry at a time,” Talia manages to get out before her own tears start.
We fall into each other as the fear and uncertainty over what will happen to our little threesome after this is all over finally pours out of us.
And that’s exactly how the guys find us.
“What the hell happened?” Kash asks, fury and confusion lacing his words.
Justice snorts. “They’re strong, independent women, and they reserve the right to cry wherever they want,” he says. “Even if it is in the front seat of a dessert truck,” he mutters.
“Anna’s leaving us,” Talia hiccups.
“What?” Lynch exclaims. “She can’t. It’s still too dangerous. We need to stop Brody first.”
“She doesn’t mean now,” Justice says, rolling his eyes. “She means someday.”
Kash and Lynch shoot each other looks that make it clear they have no idea what is happening, but Justice ignores them. He turns to us, reaching a hand through the open window and patting Talia on the knee.
“It’ll be okay, girl. She’ll come back.”
“I will,” Anna promises, wiping the tears from her cheeks. “Always.”
I laugh, knowing she chose that word for me. A little bookish reference of her own.
“That’s better,” Justice says. “Now, when are we going to take this baby out for a test run?” he asks, wiggling his eyebrows.
“Oh, yes!” I agree, wiping my nose with the sleeve of my sweater. “I could really use one of those chocolate fudge brownies now.”
Anna laughs.
“Well, let’s get crackin’ then!”
“Dibs on licking the whisk,” Talia calls, pushing me into Anna so she can climb in the back first.
I grab the back of Talia’s pants, causing her to trip, and try to climb over her, but Anna squeezes around me, making it to the back first.
“Victory!” she cries as Talia and I laugh from the floor.
“What a sneaky whore,” Talia whispers to me, causing us to erupt into giggles that only make us cry harder.
“What the fuck just happened?” Kash asks from where he and Lynch watch us with confused expressions.
“Women,” Lynch says with a shrug. “One of the eight great wonders of the world.”
“Why do I have to wash the dishes?” Justice grumbles from his spot in front of the sink. “When I helped you whores convince the guys to let Anna work her truck tonight, I thought it would be fun. I didn’t know getting away with the girls meant I would be forced to do manual labor for the night.”
“I’m literally right here helping you,” I tell him with a roll of my eyes.
“Yeah, but Talia got to use the nitrogen,” he pouts.
“Talia bought the nitrogen,” Talia calls from her place at the fryer where she’s making the shells for Anna’s ‘Let’s Taco Bout It’ dessert.
“Besides, you’re just mad because the only manual labor you want to be doing involves a certain blond-haired cousin we all know,” I say, blowing bubbles into Justice’s shocked face.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Justice mumbles, a blush rising on his sharp cheeks.
“Sure you don’t,” I snort. “I’ll just keep pretending that I didn’t see–”
“What’s this button for?” Anna asks, drawing my attention to where she’s crouched next to the oven. “I must have missed it earlier.”
“Don’t touch it!” Talia yells.
I jump, splashing water down the front of my shirt. Anna freezes, her finger hovering over a red button.
“What the hell, woman?” Justice asks. “You almost gave us all heart attacks.”
“That button,” Talia says, motioning to it with her spider strainer, “is for emergencies only. If you’re ever in trouble, just push that button and a very scary Russian man will be there faster than you can bat your pretty little lashes.”
“Seriously, Tal?” I groan. “You can’t just go around equipping people’s cars with the assassin version of Onstar.”
“Yovstar,” Talia snorts. “I should trademark
that.”
“What’s she supposed to do until the assassin gets there?” Justice asks, not even remotely thrown off by this new information.
“The truck is bulletproof, and all the locks are reinforced and military-grade,” Talia says with a shrug. “All she needs to do is lock herself inside until help arrives. I left a little something in the glovebox just in case though.”
She lifts the waffle shell, checking to see if it’s ready to be removed from the oil, completely oblivious to our shocked silence.
She looks up, finally noticing our stunned faces. “What?” she asks.
“You’re the scariest woman I’ve ever met,” Justice says.
“And don’t you ever forget it,” Talia says with a smirk.
The alarm on Anna’s phone chimes, letting us know it’s time to open the window. After Kash had consented to our plan and promised to station pack members all over the area, Anna had sent out a social media blast letting all of her followers know that Just Desserts was back for a one night only engagement on the edge of campus to christen her new truck, Marie, which she named after Talia.
Despite the security risk, none of us are particularly worried. After days of classes and no sign of a werebro, it’s unlikely Brody’s going to come out of hiding for a cookie.
Anna’s truck has always had a great turnout, but when Justice throws open the back doors to walk around and open the window, the crowd outside is beyond anything we’ve ever seen.
Talia whistles. “Hold on to your tits, ladies. Looks like we’re in for a wild night.”
For the next two hours, we bust our asses, making dessert after dessert. Anna’s experience cooking for the pack comes in handy as she creates new desserts on the spot, making use of every item we’ve stocked her new truck with until eventually, we’re wiped clean.
“That’s it, folks,” Talia calls. “We’re officially sold out! As always, we hope you all enjoy your Just Desserts!”
The crowd groans, but somewhere out on the lawn, a cheer goes up. Soon the whole crowd is chanting Anna’s name. We push her to the window so she can wave at the crowd, tears streaming down her face as we all crowd around her.
This is where she’s meant to be.
And with the crowd of people chanting her name, I vow to do whatever it takes to end Brody and get her back to the life she’s meant to be living.
“Holy shit. That was crazy!” Justice says as we begin the cleanup. “Is it always like that?”
“Not quite that bad,” Talia admits. “But pretty close. Anna’s desserts always sell out. They don’t call her a master baker for nothing.”
“Except y’all are the only ones who call me that,” Anna says, rolling her eyes.
“To your face, maybe,” I mumble under my breath, causing a fit of giggles.
“All right, I’m gonna go check in with the guys,” Justice says, tossing aside the towel he’s using to wipe down the display case. “The crowd has finally parted enough for them to move the car closer.”
I don’t argue. Kash paced for half the night out of sheer worry. I can feel his anxiety through our mate bond as if it were my own, and my own wolf could use the reassurance of his presence just as much as he needs mine.
“Tell Lynch he owes me a foot massage,” Talia quips from where she’s started mopping the floor. “Mama’s dogs are barking.”
“I refuse to call you mama because that’s disturbing AF, but I’ll pass along the rest of the message,” Justice says with a slight shiver. “Remember. Stay inside the truck, and call Yovstar if you need it,” he says before hopping out of the back and closing the door behind him.
Talia, Anna, and I fall into the familiar routine of cleanup, not needing to speak to make sure it all gets done. When we finish the last of our tasks, Talia glances at the clock.
“I wonder what’s taking the guys so long.”
“They’re a little indisposed at the moment.”
I jerk around at the sound of the familiar voice coming from the other side of the open serving window.
“Brody,” Talia growls, disgust lacing her voice as she reaches for the weapon she undoubtedly has in her boot.
“I wouldn’t if I were you,” Brody says smugly. “Not unless you’d like to lose that mate you’ve only just found.”
A feral snarl falls from Talia’s lips, but she straightens without the weapon.
“Good girl,” Brody says, and I have to reach an arm out to stop Talia from launching herself at him through the window.
“Don’t,” I hiss under my breath. “He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.”
I turn a withering glare to Brody.
“What do you want?” I spit out.
“I don’t want anything from you,” he growls. His eyes dart to where Anna stands frozen near the sink. Talia slides in front of her, causing a growl to fall from Brody’s lips.
“Never gonna happen,” Talia seethes. “Anna’s lost her appetite for losers.”
Brody snarls, his teeth gleaming in the fluorescent light spilling from the truck. My heart pounds wildly. The desire to attack, to rip out his throat, is overwhelming. I ball my hands into fists and strain against the urge to jump through the truck window and end him right here and now.
“If you want Anna, you’ll have to go through both of us,” I say, anger fueling my words.
Brody laughs, his eyes gleaming with a hunger that makes my stomach clench as he watches Anna.
“I can smell your pathetic wolf on you,” he says without bothering to look at me. “That doesn’t mean this will go any differently than the last time you got in my way.”
His eyes finally meet mine, and I have to hold in a gasp at the crazed look in them.
“Actually, scratch that. Maybe this time when I leave you for dead, you’ll stay that way.”
“Protect Anna,” I scream as Brody shifts and launches himself toward the open window.
Anna screams as I brace myself for Brody’s attack, but it never comes. Before he can make it through the window, he’s snatched from the air by Justice’s muscled arms and thrown against a nearby tree.
“Get Anna into the cab,” Justice calls before shifting and sprinting to meet Brody’s wolf head-on.
My eyes are glued to the fight happening outside the window, but I hear the sounds of Talia coaxing Anna into the cab, followed by the sound of the lock clicking into place.
“Da,” a deeply accented voice rings out from the speakers.
“Cowabunga,” Talia says, and the line goes silent.
I don’t have time to question her about her ninja turtles call for help because Brody manages to slip behind Justice, ripping his hind leg until it dangles awkwardly.
My vision goes red as Justice’s howl of pain rips through the night air.
I rush to the back of the truck and throw open the door. My only concern is getting to Justice. Behind me, Talia curses.
I round the truck and skid to a stop. Justice, human again, lays naked and bleeding, his leg hanging awkwardly from his knee as Brody stalks toward him.
“Stop!” I scream as Talia stumbles up behind me.
Brody rounds on me, eyes gleaming. I start forward, calling up my wolf.
“Romy, no,” Justice cries, reaching out to grab Brody by the tail.
Brody whirls around, nipping at Justice’s hand. Before his mouth can close around it, a silver chain wraps around his muzzle, slicing through his fur.
“Looks like it’s three against one, asshole,” Talia says, yanking the whip back to her. Her eyes slide to where Justice lays panting on the ground. “Well, two and a half, but the odds still aren’t looking good for your psycho ass.”
Brody snarls at Talia, his eyes darting toward the parking lot. His form shimmers as he shifts back into a man.
Two wolves run up behind him, and he grins maliciously, blood dripping down his naked body.
In the distance, a familiar howl rips through the night air.
Brody cocks his head
, cursing as a scowl forms across his face.
“Looks like I’ll have to be satisfied with a consolation prize,” he says, reaching down to grab Justice by the hair.
“No,” I scream, diving for Justice’s leg. My fingers close around his ankle, and I do the only thing I can think of.
I use my power of compulsion.
“Tell him what he wants to know,” I say, as lights from an approaching vehicle shine on our little gathering.
With a grunt, Brody kicks me in the chin before tearing Justice out of my grasp. My friend’s shocked, blue eyes are the last thing I see as he’s carried off into the night.
Chapter 13
Yovstar is not happy to be told to go home without killing anything first, but Talia merely places her hands on her hips and tells him to get here faster next time or she’ll hire someone who’s actually useful in an emergency.
His Russian curses follow him back to the sleek black car that he arrived in. His untimely arrival helped Brody to flee with Justice, and for that, I have to fight the urge to take my rage out on the shady hitman himself.
My rage is limitless, but there’s no clear target. Once again, Brody and his pack of assholes have vanished into thin air.
“I’m gonna go let Anna know that it’s safe to come out,” Talia says, and I nod my agreement.
I watch as the Russian pulls away, narrowly missing Kash’s arriving SUV. Kash screeches to a stop and rushes out of the driver’s side, leaving the door open.
“Romy.” Kash reaches me and pulls me into a fierce hug. “I thought he was going to take you.”
“Not me,” I tell him, fighting tears as desperation sinks in.
“Who?” he asks, his body stiffening all over again.
“Justice.” My voice is quiet, my shoulders sagging with defeat.
“Shit. Pepper, I’m so sorry. A dozen werebros ambushed us. We were distracted so he could– Shit,” he says again.
I wait until he releases me to check him over for injuries. “Are you hurt?” I ask.
He shakes his head.
The Girl Who Cried War Page 12
