“Any luck on flushing out the ones who are in on his other plans?” she asked, not wanting to mention anything specific aloud, in case it was overheard by Marla or the maid who was roaming about somewhere.
“Not yet, but I have some leads that may get me there. As soon as I have that info, I can make things public and that will guarantee him not making it to Alpha status.”
“I meant to ask you. You said you don’t really care to be the Alpha, but you just can’t let him take over. Isn’t there someone else who can do it? I mean, not either of you, but a third person?”
“Of course, there is always another choice, but I think it is maybe time I stopped running away from my destiny.”
“What if it is a destiny you don’t want?”
“I don’t know. I just know that my pack is important to me. I may not have always seen eye to eye with them, may not agree with some of their antiquated ways, but they are still my pack and I owe it to them to make sure they are safe and secure. Perhaps this is what I was always meant to do, to see the world and understand more of it so that I could come back and do a better job of leading them into the future.”
She nodded, not sure of what else she could add.
“All right, well, I’m off. You and the girls have a good day,” he said, seeming like he was lost in his own thoughts now.
“Oh, before you go. I was thinking about making a real dinner tonight instead of all that frozen stuff the cook leaves.”
“I’m okay with the frozen stuff. It’s pretty good - and easy.”
“I’m not knocking it. It is good, but I thought something fresh might be a nice change of pace.”
“Whatever suits you. I’m not picky. If you make it, I’ll eat it. If not, that’s cool too,” he said nonchalantly, already on his way out the door.
Leslie felt dejected. She wasn’t sure what she had expected. Was he supposed to jump for joy at the thought of a home cooked meal? Now, she wasn’t even sure she wanted to make dinner, but since she’d said she was going to, she felt like she should, despite his saying that he wasn’t bothered either way. After rinsing her bowl and putting it in the dishwasher, she went up to change. Might as well go get what she needed for the meal. Perhaps she’d even treat herself to something new.CHAPTER FOURTEENStepping out of the large shopping center some thirty miles from Tucker’s place, she felt refreshed. There was nothing like a bit of retail therapy. In addition to several new outfits for herself, she had bought some for the girls, including bracelets with their new names engraved on them. They would be able to add links as they grew and wear them for a lifetime, if they wanted.
She had also replaced the burner phone Tucker had given her when she arrived with one that had a considerable data plan, along with an add-on tablet. As Constance, she couldn’t have these things. They could lead Blane to her, if he chose to even find her. Leslie, however, was a whole new person. Using the documents she had been provided by the agency, she had opened a bank account and purchased the phone. It felt like a second chance at life, though to most people it was just a small, everyday thing to do.
She was surprised when the phone rang but puzzled when the screen was blank. It took a moment to figure out that it was the old phone, the one that Tucker had given her. It was unusual for him to call her, as he had primarily given it to her so she could call him if she needed him.
“Hello?” she said.
“Hey, Leslie?” he said from the other end. “I need your help.”
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“I took the Barracuda and it shit out on me - won’t start. You want to come pick me up? Marla is still there with the kids, isn’t she?”
“Yes. You’re still at the clubhouse?”
“I am. Can you come fetch me?”
“Oh, sure. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
“Ten minutes? No. It’ll take a lot longer than that.”
“No. I came into town to do some shopping. I just came out of Roosevelt Shopping Center.”
“Ah, I see. Great. I’ll see you in ten then. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
Leslie returned to the car and drove toward the club, surprised that she even remembered her way there. Pulling up into the large parking area outside the clubhouse, she stepped out of the vehicle and looked around, unsure of where to find him, until she saw the Barracuda parked inside the opening of a nearby garage.