Winter's Dawn (29 page)

“I’m too tired for Chinese,” Max moaned, also speaking in Italian because the switch was easier on his tired mind than translating her words and speaking in English. “You are a better linguist than me.”

“Yes, I know.” Susie laughed and then asked, “Is the sky falling?”

“A bit,” Max admitted. “You are going to have to endure Adam and I until the running.”

“The running?” Susie gasped. “That’s in three weeks. I don’t mind your company, but there’s not enough room for both you and Adam to operate out of my townhome. Are you taking a vacation from work?”

“No, I wish. There’s a rogue uprising near you. We’ll need to be there. Either Adam or I will have to escort you to your classes until the break. I’ll likely be busy, so it’ll probably be Adam.”

Susie was silent for a long moment and then grumbled, “How embarrassing, an armed bodyguard. How will I possibly explain Adam? He doesn’t exactly blend and Radcliffe is a girls’ school.”

“I blend,” Adam growled. “Better than you. There aren’t that many seven foot beasts walking around the human world.”

“Okay, stop listening to our conversation before I kick you out.” Max narrowed his eyes at Adam. “And I’m not seven foot, thank you.”

“You do stick out,” Susie agreed. “They all gape at you when you come down.”

“It’s because I’m so handsome,” Max told her smugly.

“True, but tell Adam I don’t appreciate his bad influence,” Susie sniffed. “Vanity is not an honorable trait for a wolf.”

“Says the Head Queen of Werewolves.” Adam rolled his eyes. “You and I are not the only ones that suffer from vanity.”

“Do you have a death wish?” Max asked him incredulously. “You are going to stay at her house. I suggest you check your attitude.”

“Did you ask me if I wanted to go to Boston?” Adam said, using a Boston accent with extra flair. “Hanging around spoiled human puppies is not a joy for me.”

“He does need to check his attitude,” Susie snapped, her voice low, but not unnaturally so, probably because John was there. “I have exams before the holiday and I feel like tripping over Adam about as much as I want to dine with real silverware.”

“Tell the queen I apologize.” Adam fell back against the chair in defeat.

“Noted,” Susie said, before she sighed. “Is John in danger?”

Max growled, looking at Adam, who was shaking his head adamantly. “Probably,” he admitted in a low voice. “They could think he’s bait material if they have been observing you.”

“John.” Susie switched back to English. “Would you like to stay with me for a few weeks so we’ll have extra time to study before our exams? Max is coming down. It could be fun.”

“Sure, Sue,” John said. “Is that Max?”

Susie hesitated for a moment before she said, “Yes, he needed someone to practice Italian with him again.”

“Well, not everyone is a genius like you.” John’s voice was still bright and full of adoration. “Tell Max I said hi.”

“I heard.” Max attempted to choke back another growl. “Things could get complicated if I have to be around him closer to the running.”

“I am not staying with that human,” Adam cut in. “It is unnatural for her to be seeing him. Are they having sex?”

“Is that his business?” Susie asked sharply, switching back to Italian. “Why do they all feel that is an appropriate question?”

“They aren’t having sex.” Max glared at Adam again before he also switched back to Italian. “Are you?”

“No, Maxwell, we aren’t.” Susie gave a snort of amusement. “He enjoys my company.”

“He is a strange human.” Adam’s amber eyes were narrowed with suspicion. “Why spend time with her for little reward? I know their males aren’t that different from us.”

“I happen to enjoy her company.” Max raised his eyebrows. “Without the sex.”

“We already know you’re a strange wolf.” Adam shook his head. “Very strange. Why you let her toy with that human is completely beyond all of us. To say nothing of living apart from her. Strange pair behavior by both of you. Must have something to do with winter holding dominance over solitude.”

“Make sure he leaves his attitude at the palace,” Susie huffed. “Or he will be sleeping in the garage.”

“Tell her wolves can sleep in garages. They can sleep outside too,” Adam said smartly. “Won’t the human be surprised with her new pet? Especially when I bite him in the—”

“He’ll leave his attitude here,” Max promised before Adam could finish his thought. He growled at Adam warningly. “Because I don’t like anyone being rude to my mate.”

“I apologize again,” Adam said grudgingly.

“He does that an awful lot, doesn’t he? We hear apologies from him constantly as of late.” Susie’s voice was lofty. “Why is Adam the voice of the masses?”

“He’s the only one dense enough to argue with me. My father has no complaints, so Adam feels it’s his duty. I will be so sad when I finally lose my temper and kill him.”

“I’ll miss him too.” Susie gave a dramatic sigh. “But a red fur rug would look lovely in front of my fireplace.”

“You could mount it on your wall,” Max suggested. “I’ll skin him myself. It’ll be my birthday present to you this year.”

“The sarcasm is a dreadful habit,” Adam said, annoyed.

Susie snorted. “I wasn’t using sarcasm.”

“Nor was I.” Max arched an eyebrow at Adam. “I really will be sad to kill you.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Okay, I’ll leave my attitude here.”

“Very good.” Susie sounded pleased. “I’ll see you two soon, then?”

“Soon,” Max smiled. “Love you.”

“Mmm, yes, love you too.” Susie’s voice was soft and endearing. “It’ll be so nice to see you before the weekend.”

“It will,” Max agreed. “Poor circumstance, especially with Adam and John underfoot, but still a nice bonus to a rather dreadful week.”

“We’ll stay indoors until you get here.”

“Very good.” Max rubbed at the back of his neck. “Keep your knives close.”

“I always do. Now go pack and come to me. I miss you.”

“Already done.” Max hung up the phone and looked to Adam. “Make quick work of packing your things.”

“Are we coming back for the weekends? I have a mate too, you know?”

“Unlikely.” Max grimaced because he did feel bad. “Apologize to Danielle for me.”

Adam sighed as he stood. “Very well.”

Max followed him to the door and then leaned against the doorframe to look at Carl, who was sitting at his desk in the reception area. “Bad news. I have to move to Susie’s for a few weeks. Work it all out for me. I should be available at my office there most of the time, but I will be unable to hold personal appointments. You need to clear out all meetings.”

“Of course, Your Majesty.” Carl turned around to look at him in concern. “Is all well?”

“A small hitch has come up,” Max admitted. “But, nothing we can’t handle. Adam is coming with me. Make sure his assistant knows where to reach him.”

“We’ll get it all handled, Your Majesty.” Carl gave him a smile. “Give the queen our regards.”

“Yes, of course.” Max nodded. “Have Maggie pack my things while I gather what I need here. Two or three suits will be sufficient. I plan to be mostly casual at her place so make sure she packs accordingly. I really don’t need all those heavy coats she loves to pack. They just take up space.”

“I will inform her of your requests.”

“Excellent.” Max walked back into his office, winced and turned back to Carl. “I forgot to say thank you.”

“It’s fine, Your Majesty,” Carl said with a laugh. “But, I appreciate it.”

“Very good,” Max turned back to his office and started the monstrous task of gathering everything he needed to set up work at his office in Susie’s townhouse.

****

“Max!”

Max got out of his car and shut the door as Susie burst out the front door of her townhome. “You look bright and radiant on this lovely winter day.”

“You too,” Susie said as she jumped into his arms and kissed his cheek. “Two days early. I’ll have to send the rogues a thank you note.”

“And I’ll be here clear until the running.” Max gave her a wide grin. “Then I’m going to drag you back with me and keep you locked in the palace until after the winter break.”

Susie giggled. “Sounds lovely. I miss my bathtub.”

“It misses you too,” Max whispered, before he raised gaze to see John walk out of the townhome. “Gods, remind me not to kill him.”

“He’s kind and sweet. You aren’t allowed to kill him for having good taste.”

“And you call us vain,” Adam said as he opened the passenger side door to Max’s black Aston Martin.

“Attitude, Adam.” Susie looked over Max’s shoulder to arch an eyebrow at him.

“Right here.” Adam pointed to his cheek, indicating that he wanted a kiss. “Just one for your favorite cousin.”

Susie let go of Max and walked around the car to greet Adam. “You aren’t my favorite cousin.”

“Second favorite.” Adam winked at Max as Susie placed a kiss on his cheek. Then he wrapped his arms around her and jumped out of the car, still hugging her tightly. “Gods, we miss you at the palace. It is dreadful with only Max to bark orders.”

“You’re okay.” Susie laughed as she kissed his other cheek. She turned back to John, keeping her arms around Adam’s neck. “John, this is my cousin Adam. He is very strange and sometimes annoying, but we love him. Max has dragged him along. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t mind,” John said as he walked up to them. He put a hand on Max’s shoulder. “I missed you, ol’ man.”

“Yeah.” Max gave John a strained smile as he shook his hand. “Missed you too.”

“How does he do that?” Adam asked in awe. “I’ve never met a wolf who could lie like—”

Susie squeezed Adams cheeks, cutting off his words.

“You aren’t blending,” she whispered before she turned back to John. “He’s from England. They’re peculiar folks.”

“Been to England.” John gave Adam a smile. “Where do you hail from specifically?”

“Norfolk,” Adam said when Susie released her grip on his cheeks. “My family still has an estate there. It’s called the Summer Palace.”

“Ah, like the Winter Palace.” John grinned. “Why, your lot is just like royalty?”

“Yes, just like it. All the Summer Palace really needs is a king and queen.” Adam turned a wide, amber gaze on Susie. “I wonder when that will happen?”

“Not for a long time,” Susie told him. “You will have to be lord of the manor until then.”

“Yes, well, it feels like close to a hundred years that I have guarded the poor, empty Summer Palace I rarely get to see,” Adam said sadly as he turned back to John. “Family business keeps me horribly busy and I am rarely appreciated for it.”

“That’s a shame,” John agreed, before he clasped Max’s shoulder again. “Just like my buddy Max, always working. I never met a man that works like him. Once he got out of school he just disappeared. Dating Susie is great. I get to see both of them now.”

“Do you think it’s great, Maxwell?” Adam raised his eyebrows at Max. “Do you love him dating our beautiful and still young Susan?”

“I like for her to be happy.” Max cast a glare at Adam before he turned back to John. “Shall we go inside?”

“Yeah, let me help you with your bags,” John walked towards the car. He stopped in front of Adam and shook his hand enthusiastically before he could protest. “It’s great to meet you, Adam.”

“Right.” Adam pulled his hand out of John’s grasp and wiped it on his black pants. “It’s educational nonetheless. He looks arctic.”

John frowned. “Excuse me?”

“Blond hair. Blue eyes,” Adam explained, tilting his head to study John closer. “Broad build. You look arctic. It must be why she likes you and Max doesn’t kill you.”

“Thank you for your insight, Adam,” Susie said tightly before she turned around to give John a smile. “He means you look like someone who loves the cold. Like Max and I.”

“No one loves the cold like you two.” John let out snort of laughter. “Would you believe this girl here drives that convertible around with the top down in the middle of winter?”

“Like a winter queen,” Adam added brightly.

“Yes, she’s a winter queen.” John reached out to Susie and pulled her to him. He placed a kiss on her cheek. “I think I’ll start calling you that, my little winter queen.”

“I think we just determined that it is possible for wolves to get sick without silver poisoning.” Adam stared at John and Susie in disgust. “I need a drink.”

“I could use one as well.” Max looked away from John and Susie and took a breath to calm his temper. “Sue, take Adam inside and beat him. John and I will get the bags.”

“Gladly.” Susie reached forward and grabbed Adam’s hand. She jerked him forward so roughly he stumbled. “I’ve got a nice place in the garage for him to sleep.”

Max opened the trunk and pulled out his and Adam’s bags. He set them on the curb. Then he reached into the back seat and started gathering the boxes of paper work. “Take these,” he said to John, before he caught himself. “Please take these for me.”