Chapter 271

I recognized Penny’s light tone and then William’s voice as it joined in with another male.

“They’re back,” I said. I liked the other couple, but my voice was tinged with disappointment.

“They aren’t here yet,” Victor whispered. “They’re talking to the cook. We need to make it fast.”

He drove himself into my body, plunging deeper with each thrust. The urgency to satisfy ourselves before we were discovered was maddening.

The sensual suspense and Victor’s gyrations sent me over the edge. My womanhood pulsed around his rod, making him meet me in our personal paradise.

Our souls touched as we climaxed. I could feel how much he loved me as we held each other in the afterglow.

“You’re the only woman who can match my thirst for passion,” Victor said with a tender kiss.

But our friends would soon be back. He wrapped a small blanket around his waist and went to the door.

“You’re back,” Victor said to William. “You must have hurried.”

“We didn’t want you to be caught without something to wear,” William said. “The clothes are ours from the apartment I rented for the times when we want to stay in Denhurst. It’s not far from here.”

William handed Victor a bulging travel bag. “These things won’t fit perfectly, but they should be good enough to get you home.”

“I’m grateful for your help, my friend,” Victor said. “But please don’t mention this incident to anyone. I’ll get the situation with the rogue wolves in hand soon.”

“We won’t say a word,” Penny promised. “ But it’s strange. It’s like those wolves knew Daisy would be here tonight.”

“It is strange,” Victor agreed. “Give us a moment to dress, and we’ll walk you to your car. The red wolves may still be lurking nearby. We will be safer in greater numbers.”

Victor came into the apartment with the bag. He handed it to me, and I began to explore the contents.

“Who knew you were coming to the restaurant tonight?” Victor asked.

I shrugged. “You, William, Penny, and the restaurant staff.”

Andrew Archer’s name flashed across my brain. If he looked at the reservation bookings, he would have known I’d be there and at what time.

Plus, the timing of his departure was hinky. He was definitely a suspect, and I had to look harder into his story.

Victor and I dressed in William and Penny’s clothes, and the four of us made it to our cars safely.

The next day, Moose and Bert accompanied me to Lana’s. She welcomed us warmly and sent my bodyguards to her kitchen for freshly baked pie.

We settled in her drawing room with our own refreshments. Besides speaking to Penny’s mother, I needed Lana’s help with an important project.

Checking my calendar that morning, I was reminded Victor’s big day was only weeks away.

“Will you help me plan Victor’s ascension ceremony and the celebration afterward when he becomes the association's leader?”

“I’d love to help,” Lana gushed. “Imagine, my son will be the leader of the United Association of Alphas. It’s every mother’s dream come true.”

“And my nightmare,” I teased. “I know nothing about the ceremony or what’s expected of me after I become the Luna of an association leader.”

Lana patted my hand. “You’re not alone. After your mother died in that accident, the younger generations don’t remember what it was like to have a leader of the Lunas.”

I thought about her words for a moment. “Do you think I can live up to the expectations of the elders?”

“I think they’ll be grateful to have Luna again,” Lana replied. “You will be responsible for setting standards and rules of society, but you have enough common sense to handle it.”

She poured more tea. “Some of the duties you can make up as you go. Feel free to delegate responsibility to others. Good leaders know who to trust to help with their duties.”

I smiled. “Then I delegate you to help me put on an ascension ceremony and celebration worthy of Victor.”

Lana chuckled. “I was hoping you would say that. The ascension ceremony should be held at the association and be very exclusive.”

She took a paper and pen from her desk. “I’ll send you my list of who must be invited. You can have the celebration in Alex’s ballroom and garden. It’s large enough to accommodate most of Alpha society.”

“Then Benson will be happy to help with the planning,” I said.

“You already have excellent delegation skills.” Lana grinned. “Benson knows how to entertain the cream of society.”

“He is a gem,” I agreed. “I’ll ask him for his help this afternoon.”

With that critical business out of the way, I told Lana about the recent developments with my investigation into Deirdre’s disappearance and the red wolves.

“Tina, my maid, had an affair with Andrew Archer?” she whispered. “I can’t believe it. Was it before or after Deirdre?”

“Before,” I replied.

Lana’s mouth dropped open. “How do you know this?”

“Amelia Archer told me,” I said. “Tina’s daughter, Penny Carter, is dating William James. We had dinner with them at Gray’s restaurant last night before the red wolves attacked me.”

Lana moved closer so I could hear what she was saying. “We must see what Tina has to say. I’ll call her in here to clear the tea tray, and you can talk to her.”

“After we speak to Tina, I’m going to Andrew’s office and insist he tell me the truth.”

“Let me know if you need help talking to anyone,” Lana said. “I’ll be here working on the guest lists all day.”

She rang for her butler. He appeared at the drawing-room door in seconds.

“Saunders, please have Tina come here to clear the tea,” she said. “We wish to speak to her.”

“Right away, madam,” Saunders replied.

Tina arrived quickly to clear the tea. But when she had the tray loaded, Lana stopped her from leaving the room.

“Tina, this is Daisy Wilson,” Lana said. “She’d like to speak to you for a moment.”

“Of course, Mrs. Klein,” Tina said.

Tina was an older version of her daughter, except her hair was copper colored. I doubted she was one of the red wolves because they were Alphas, but she might have information that could help my investigation.

I got straight to the point. “Amelia Archer told me you dated Andrew when you worked for the Archer family.”

Tina’s smile faded. “That was a long time ago, Miss Wilson. But, yes, like any of the pretty young maids in that household, I briefly fell for Andrew’s charming demeanor.”

“How many of the staff did he date?” I asked.

“I know I wasn’t the first,” she replied. “His grandmother, Martha Archer, threw that fact in my face when I quit. And I knew he had a thing for the laundry girl, Deirdre.”

Tina’s tone told me she was still bitter about Andrew. “How do you know about Deirdre?”

“All the staff knew about Andrew and Deirdre,” Tina replied. “Even though we were together the previous week, he and Deirdre immediately acted like they’d been in love for years.”

“Did you know Deirdre disappeared, and their baby was found at the backdoor?” I watched her expression. She wasn’t surprised.

“I heard about it,” Tina replied. “I had already married my ex-husband, and we had moved to Hayburg. But news like that travels.”

“Andrew swears she was murdered,” I said. “He insists he and Deirdre were fated mates, and Deirdre never would have left him and the baby.”

Tina snorted and shook her head. “Being fated mates was one of his pickup lines. It worked well among vulnerable Beta and Omega girls who wanted a better life.”

The look in Tina’s eyes made me think there may be more to her story.

“I met your daughter yesterday,” I told her. “Penny is a lovely girl. She and William make a good couple.”

She grew wary when I mentioned Penny. “Do you know William very well, Miss?”

“Yes,” I replied. “We are good friends.”

“Do you think he’s like Andrew?” Tina asked. “Is he serious about my girl, or will he hurt her?”

“William is a good guy,” I insisted. “I can’t guarantee their relationship will last forever, but William doesn’t use people. And he is very taken with Penny.”

She nodded and picked up the tea tray. “Thank you, Miss.”

Something I hadn’t thought of before crossed my mind. “Tina, when is Penny’s birthday?”

“It’s August 23rd,” she replied. “Why?”

“I like to keep track of my friend’s birthdays,” I lied.

Tina left the room with the tray, and I turned to Lana. “Penny is older than Amy!”

Lana covered her mouth with her hand. “Do you think Penny is also Andrew’s child?”

“I think it’s likely.” I stood. “I have to go. I have a lot of questions for Andrew.”