“I don’t care. I have no choice, I’ll do whatever. Just let me testify at his trial.” She looked up at me through tear soaked lashes. I hated how sad she was. I hated that she seemed to be drifting farther away from me. She wasn’t the same Mary Anne anymore, and I was beginning to worry that it was all my fault.
“Let’s go home.” I held open the door to the truck. “It’s late, and the last thing we need is to attract any more attention.” I’d gotten word to Chet to make sure no one shifted. If The Society came sniffing around this way, they needed to believe we were just wolves.
Mary Anne nodded and got in. I didn’t wait for her to buckle before going around. If she didn’t want me to be a gentleman, I wouldn’t be. She seemed to like arrogant and reckless men more.
She dashed out of the truck as soon as I parked back at the homestead. I started to follow, but Denny held up his hand to stop me. Normally I’d have been annoyed at a pack member for telling me to stop, but Denny had likely saved all of us with his quick thinking, albeit he only had to do it because he had taken Gage out.
“What is it?”
“What good are you going to do by chasing after her?”
“She’s upset.”
“And you think you are going to help her?”
“She needs me.”
“She needs space right now. Trust me on this.”
“And you’re such an expert on what Mary Anne needs? You just met her.”
“How much longer have you know her?” He asked after a slight hesitation. “I know you’ve been dreaming of her, but she hasn’t been with you in the flesh for long.”
“That doesn’t matter.”
“It does to her.”
“What do you suggest I do?”
“I’d tell you to run, but that’s out of the question. We all need to stay close for the next few days.”
“It’s going to be a long couple of days.”
“What’s your guess, are Jocelyn and Isaac packing already?”
“My guess is they’re long gone.”
“I’m sure you’re right.” Jocelyn could talk the talk, but when the possibility of trouble appeared she’d hit the road. I guess something positive could come from Gage’s stupid actions. I definitely didn’t need her adding any drama to the mix.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Mary Anne
I waited nervously outside the large New Orleans courthouse. I was a little confused at first about why we were at a human courthouse. There was no way a paranormal king could be presiding there, but Denny explained we’d be going to the basement.
“There are no basements in New Orleans.” The city was built below sea level after all.
He smiled. “Is that so?”
Hunter had gone in ahead. As the Alpha he was responsible for checking us in. Marni, Chet, and Semi were following a few minutes behind us to avoid attracting too much attention. Denny was waiting for a call from Hunter to tell us we were good to go.
Denny pulled out his phone, glanced at the screen, and leaned in. “It’s time.”
I nodded, and followed him up the court steps.
“You need to be careful.” Denny whispered. “Remember not a word about what we are, and better yet don’t even say a word until you’re on the stand answering questions.”
“Better seen than heard, huh?” I tried to smile, but I’m sure it still looked like a frown.
“Those are your words not mine.”
Denny made eye contact with a large security guard who gestured for us to walk around the metal detectors. At first I thought they were going to let us through, but instead he used a wand to check us. Even better.
“And remember your name is Jane,” Denny reminded me to use the name on my fake ID. My real name was currently plastered all over the news.
I nodded in acknowledgement.
The security guard waved us on, and we walked toward a set of stairs. Denny walked down a hallway and pushed the button on the elevator. My stomach growled. I’d skipped breakfast out of nerves, and now I was regretting it.
“He’s going to be okay, right?” We walked out of the elevator onto the bottom level. It was one of those buildings where you walk in on the second floor.
Denny looked both ways as though he was making sure no one was watching us. “He needs to stay calm. We would have heard if something had happened while he was being held. The king is supposed to be reasonable. Let’s hope the rumor is true.”
I nodded. “Gage will stay calm. He knows what’s at stake.”
Denny mumbled something under his breath.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He took my elbow. “We’re going to have to do the standing room only thing until Gage’s trial. You okay on your feet?”