Chapter 739 Chapter 739
Oaklyn flipped through the folder slowly. They had come up with all of this in a few hour’s time? The Alliance people were on top of their game. She had to give them that. Going back to the first page, she smiled. She was going to be Mrs. Jeggins. It wasn’t like she wasn’t used to having a new name. Marsha. Did she even look like a Marsha? She wasn’t sure. She looked up to see Zain walking toward her. He had a folder in his hand.
When he was close enough, she smiled. “Hello, William.” She chuckled. “Or do you prefer Bill?”
It took him a few seconds, and then he smiled back at her. “I have no idea.” He sat down on the other side of the table and set the folder down. “Have you read through it?”
“Skimmed it. I was just trying to decide if I looked like a Marsha.”
He held her look for a moment. “Not really, but I guess you are for a few weeks.”
She leaned over the table. “I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do in that time exactly.”
He nodded. “I asked.”
“And?” She leaned back.
“We’re on holiday. We go shopping, to fancy restaurants—” He blew out a breath and looked skeptical. “Brock, a friend of Shaelan’s is going to be on the inside and going to get us some invites to things leading up to the party.”
“We’re pretending we’re rich people?”
Zain tapped the folder. “We come from money. Oil.”
She raised her eyebrows and looked down at the folder. “I hadn’t read that far.”
He patted the folder again. “I have no idea how to pretend to be a rich person.”
Oaklyn had pretended to be a lot of things. “Well, you just have to wait for others to do things for you, get annoyed if they take too long, and tip everyone.” She shrugged.
“You’ve done this before.”
She shook her head. “Not like this.” She looked at his folder. “I’ve done it to get out of places before, without questions.” She shrugged. “No one questions people handing them free money.”
“I suppose.” His forehead puckered. “I’m worried about putting you in danger.”
She was surprised. “Oh.” Had anyone ever worried about her like that before? She didn’t think so. “We’ll have each other’s back.”
He nodded slowly, but she could see he was thinking about something else. “I spoke to Calum and Devin about your clan. They’re going to look into it.”
Her heart started beating faster.
“Don’t worry, they’ll do it in a way that won’t lead to you.”
She exhaled, not having realized she’d been holding her breath. “What are they going to do about it?”
Zain lifted his shoulders slowly and then let them fall. “Whatever needs doing.” He glanced around and then leaned over the table. “Shaelan’s clan was doing some really strange shit when Calum found them. The Alliance put a stop to it.”
“Strange how?”
“Forcing people to have babies with someone that wasn’t their mate.”
She felt her face blanch. It wasn’t just her clan. It should have made her feel better, but it didn’t.
He reached over and put his hand over hers. “If that’s what’s been happening, they will put a stop to it, and they’ll find out who is responsible and take the clan under their care and direction.”
His hand was warm, and even though it was a light touch, she found it comforting. She bit her lower lip for a second. “Thank you. For asking them.” She nodded. “I thought about it a few times, but I was afraid I’d have to go back.”
His expression hardened. “No. You don’t have to go back—ever if you don’t want to.”
She nodded. “Some day, maybe if things change there. To visit.”
He held her look and she could see the emotions flashing in his eyes but wasn’t sure what he could be thinking about. He squeezed her hand again and then pulled his away and put it on the folder. “I guess we need to study this and pretend we know who we are when we get there. We’re going to need clothes that look like we’re rich.”
She smiled. “Miss Rayne already spoke to me about that, and before we fly there, we’ll be going shopping.” She’d never been one for shopping, but if it was someone else’s money and she got to buy anything, she was going to enjoy it.
“We’re flying?”
She nodded. “Do you see Mister William Jeggins the third driving himself there?”
The corners of his mouth quirked up. “I guess not.” He blew out a slow breath. “I haven’t been on a plane since Shepard flew me in circles when I became Zain.”
“I’m sure this time will be more enjoyable.” She needed to level with him, owed him that much. “Listen, I need to do this, Zain. I need to prove that I can be what the Alliance needs so I have place in it.” She nodded. “I can do solo. I have been for years, but I’d like something more secure.” She tilted her head and gave him a half-smile. “I need a home again. Do you understand?”
He sat there and held her look without faltering. “Okay.” He looked down at the folder and then back to her. “Who knows, I may need a new position in the Alliance. I guess I better see if I’m good at this.”
Oaklyn gave him a big, friendly smile. “You will be. I will be right beside you, making certain we both succeed in this.” She nodded. “Now, how about we go rustle up a snack and hot drink and then get down to business with this.” She patted the folder.
“Absolutely.” He looked over at the window. “I’m told the ladies in the kitchen will make whatever we need.”
She turned and looked at the window. “I suppose they’re used to team members coming and goin’.” She snapped her head back around to look at him. “Do you know where they’re from? The ladies.” She jerked her head toward the window. “I’ve been hankering for hush puppies since I fled my clan.”
Zain grinned. “I have no idea what that is, but we can ask.”
She slapped her hand on the table. “Yes, we can.” He sat there smiling at her, and she had no choice but to do it right back. She liked him. He wasn’t a warrior and all full of himself. He was an honest man doing what needed to be done to survive. Another place and time, and she would have been proud to be on his arm as his only. Unfortunately, now wasn’t that time. Turning, she swung her legs out of the bench seat and got up. “Maybe we could find an office or quiet space to practice being Marsha and William.”
He got up and grabbed the folder. “Just as long as you don’t expect me to speak with an accent or a twang.” He shrugged. “I suck at it.”
Oaklyn laughed. “I believe I sound Southern enough for the both of us, sweetie pie.”
He laughed. “Yes, you do. Just toss in a frog’s behind and a wet hen from time to time, and we’ll pull it off.”
Oaklyn chuckled. “I can do that.”