Gunn(Bayou Springs Alien Mail Order Brides #2)(6)

 

Gunn strode across the room, moving into the kitchen. Audrey and I followed, taking seats at the old mahogany table. He yanked the pantry door open, pulled out a plastic food container and tossed it in front of me. Then he worked the coffee maker, brewing a fresh pot.

 

I pulled the cover off the plastic bin and this time couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. "Chocolate dipped toffee. It's like you knew I was coming."

 

He froze, glanced back at me with a contemplative expression, and after a moment finally shook his head. "No. I just had a craving is all."

 

It was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "Since when did you ever crave chocolate anything?"

 

Toffee yes. Chocolate no. When we were teenagers, I'd taught him how to make the old family recipe. We'd often had friendly arguments over the chocolate portion. He liked the toffee plain, I liked it dipped. Usually we made half and half, but all the time I'd known him, he'd never liked his toffee with the rich coating.

 

Gunn just shrugged, not answering my question. A few minutes later, he brought three full coffee mugs to the table. I took a sip of mine, closing my eyes in pleasure when I tasted the French vanilla creamer and hint of sugar. "Thank you," I said with a sigh. "You have no idea how much I needed that."

 

He sat across from me, his mug sitting untouched in front of him as his intense eyes searched mine.

 

I put the mug down. "What?"

 

"Nothing." He shifted his gaze to Audrey. "Can we just get on with this? I have work to do."

 

"No you don't," Audrey said. "Not brewery work anyway. Zeke and Echo have it covered." She reached into her beat-up messenger bag and pulled out a file. As she passed it to Gunn, she fished a small box out of her pocket and handed it to me.

 

"What's this?" I asked, holding the white box in my palm.

 

"Open it." She glanced at Gunn. "That file has all the pertinent information on Echo's fiancée. She's currently trapped in Gravity Bay, and I need you two to go get her."

 

"What?" Gunn said sharply.

 

 

 

        

          

        

         

 

"Gravity Bay?" I asked, frowning. "Why did you have me come all the way home first? I could've just brought her with me."

 

"We've had a change of plans," Audrey said. "We weren't planning on extracting her until next month. I just found out this morning that she's gotten tangled up with a prominent Azurite. The longer she's in Gravity Bay, the harder it will be to pry her from his clutches. We can't send Echo to get her. Too many red flags would be raised at the entry point if he tried to cross borders without a cover. Kennedy, your lease is still active for your apartment and you have a history there. No one will question why you're coming back into town. Now open the box."

 

I frowned as I lifted the lid to the tiny box, then let out an audible gasp. Gaping, I held up the diamond and onyx engagement ring Gunn had given me eight years ago. The same one I'd left on his desk just before I fled north.

 

"Where did you-?" Gunn started.

 

"You two will pose as an engaged couple," Audrey said, cutting him off. "Your story is you're there to celebrate with friends before the wedding on the east coast. Echo's fiancée will be traveling with you to the wedding. Kennedy, if you run into anyone you know, you met Gunn online. Got it?"

 

"I … " Christ. I was going to have to pretend Gunn and I were a couple. Not just pretend, but sell it.

 

"Have you lost your mind?" Gunn said, his jaw clenched. "This is a joke, right?"

 

"Hardly." She stood up, draping the messenger bag over her shoulder. "You two belong together. Once you figure that out, you'll be unstoppable."

 

"No, we don't," Gunn spat out. "I seem to recall that's the exact reason Kennedy left in the first place."

 

Guilt formed a ball of unease in my gut. I clutched the ring between my thumb and forefinger, my grasp so tight my hand started to tingle. It was time to tell him the truth, but how could I? He'd never understand. Hell, I barely understood it myself.

 

Audrey sighed and shook her head. "You two have much to talk about. I just hope you both get past your bullshit tonight, because you're leaving for Gravity Bay tomorrow. And if you run into any trouble, you're going to need to rely on each other. The sooner you two rekindle your relationship the better." Moving toward the front door she called back, "Let me know if you have any questions about the mission. You'll need to be in Gravity Bay within forty-eight hours to meet Naomi at the rendezvous spot."