Chapter 27

“Italian. Please tell me there’s pasta,” Juniper said as she spun around from her station and watched as her Daddy pushed the dinner cart toward the large table. The scent of red sauce filled the room.

“Yep. You’ll be able to get your carb fix with no problem. The chef told me this is a create-your-own pasta night. There are four types of pasta and three types of sauce. Everyone can mix and match or try them all.”

Juniper’s stomach growled as she stood from her desk chair. A moment later, everyone else filed out of the crowded elevator. Sadie was the last to exit. She giggled. “Our family is growing so fast that the elevator is straining to hold all of us. It was like a clown car in there,” she joked.

Soon, everyone was at the table, claiming their usual chairs and talking over each other about their days.

“I’m just glad it’s been a week without drama. We needed it,” Celeste proclaimed.

“I agree,” Zara added. “I keep wondering how long it will be before Caesar or Phoenix get their assignments.”

Phoenix groaned as he rose from his spot and grabbed one of the serving spoons, holding it up in the air to silently proclaim he would be the first to speak tonight. As he filled his plate with two types of pasta and two sauces, he said, “Caesar and I were thinking of placing a bet on who would go next,” he joked. “We’re also getting our playrooms put together since it would seem Baldwin Kingsley is a wizard when it comes to matchmaking.”

“It’s pretty impressive,” Caesar agreed as he took the spoon from Phoenix. “My bet is on Phoenix.”

“What makes you think that?” Juniper asked. It was kind of exciting knowing that soon, there would be another Little girl joining their family.

“Just a hunch. Gut feeling.” Caesar shrugged.

One by one, they each filled their plates and told the others about their days. Magnus proudly announced that between him and his new sidekick, things had been very quiet, for which they were beyond grateful.

Juniper couldn’t agree more. It was nice to have the resort running smoothly while she got caught up on how the monitoring system worked and learned the ins and outs of her new computer system. It was genuinely the best machine she’d ever seen. She salivated over it every day like a truly gifted computer dork. She didn’t even care that she was such a nerd, and everyone knew it now.

Just as they were finishing dinner, Sadie sat up straighter and grinned.

“What’s up, Little one?” Rocco asked her.

She leaned to one side and lifted her hip. A moment later, she held up her phone. “My cell is buzzing with an incoming message. When we’re all together like this, it usually can only mean one thing.” She read the message and grinned. “Yep. There’s a package upstairs from Kingsley. I’ll go get it.” She pushed her seat back and rose.

“I’ll go with you, Cookie,” Rocco said as he joined her.

“Who’s it addressed to?” Phoenix called out.

Sadie turned around in the elevator and shrugged, leaving them all to wonder while she and Rocco were gone.

No one moved, spoke, or even breathed heavily while the two were gone. Juniper watched as Phoenix and Caesar sat up straighter when the elevator returned.

Sadie grinned as she hurried across the room and handed the package to Phoenix.

“See,” Caesar exclaimed, “I was right.”

Phoenix took a deep breath, dumped the padded envelope onto the table, and picked up the note.

Phoenix Duggan, your marker has been called into effect. Here is your assignment. Protect Lyra Bloom. The encrypted drive contains all the background information I can provide you.

Baldwin Kingsley III