“I should probably let Mom and Dad know when I get back.”


    Zachary was still muttering to himself when Alessia stopped in her tracks.


    “I need to go somewhere, so I won’t be heading home with you. Don’t worry about dinner for me tonight.”


    “Alright. Just text me when you’re on your way back so I cane down and meet you. It’s not safe around here at night.” Zachary didn’t push for details–he just gave a gentle reminder.


    Alessia wasn’t concerned about her safety, but if she refused, Zachary would only insist, and she’d rather avoid the back–and–forth. So she nodded and agreed.


    At the fork in the road, Alessia turned the corner, disappearing from view as Zachary watched. He clutched the bag in his hand, let out a quiet sigh, and aplicated expression flickered across his face–half a smile, half worry.


    If it had been Ileana, he probably would’ve asked a thousand questions. But when it came to Alessia, his concern was tangled with the fear ofing across as overbearing. He was still trying to figure out how to make her feelfortable


    around him.


    Back at the townhouse, Xander was already sprawled in the armchair, happily sampling the pastries Alessia had brought over.


    “Boss, what’s Zachary’s story? Other than Cole and Lessie, no one else has passed that scent test, right? You don’t think Lessie gave him the answers ahead of time, do you?”


    Xander beckoned Six over with a smirk. Six crouched in front of him, only to be met with a sharp flick to the forehead. Six winced, rubbing the sore spot.


    “You know what kind of person Lessie is. She wouldn’t bring someone here who didn’t have what it takes. How long have you been with me now? Five, six years at least, and you still can’t answer half as many questions as she can!”


    “Lessie’s brain is like something out of a sci–fi movie. How am I supposed topete with that? All these years, only Cole’s evene close to matching her.” Six sounded thoroughly aggrieved.


    “Do you really think you measure up to her? I’m talking about Zachary.”


    “What? The guy didn’t say a word the whole time!” Six’s voice shot up in disbelief.


    15:38


    Xander stuffed a pastry in his mouth and slipped a note into his hand.


    “Alright, get to the front yard and help out. Quit hanging around and getting on my nerves.” With that, Xander sank back in the chair, but his mind lingered on the memory of Zachary quietly answering questions, his fingers rhythmically drumming along his jeans. At first, Xander thought it was just coincidence, but after a string of correct answers, he realized Zachary’s attention to detail was no ident.


    “Yeah, yeah, I know–no one but your precious Lessie is allowed to hang around you.” Six mumbled, spraying crumbs everywhere and making Xander lunge at him in mock annoyance.


    Luckily, Six darted away before Xander could catch him, grabbing another pastry as he ran, leaving Xander somewhere between exasperation and amusement.


    Out in the front yard, Six finally unfolded the note. The list of ingredients and their precise amounts–it was a basic form, but… to get it right just from reading, without any formal training…


    Six tucked the note away, nodding to himself in grudging approval.


    Meanwhile, Zachary unlocked the front door, his heart a tangle of emotions. From the kitchen came the sounds of Brendan preparing dinner. Karen, who’d been building blocks with Ivan in the living room, poked her head out at the noise.


    “Hey, Mom.”


    “Where’s Lessie? Didn’t shee back with you?” Karen nced behind him, expecting to see his sister.


    “She had something to do, so she’s noting home for dinner tonight.”


    “Alright, well, when she gets in, make sure you go down and meet her. This neighborhood gets sketchy after dark. Lessie’s a young woman, after all…”


    “I know.” Zachary’s tone was gentle.


    “By the way, did you buy anything this afternoon?” Karen eyed the bag in Zachary’s hand, assuming it was some sibling loot from their outing.


    “Actually, there’s something I need to talk to you about.” A small, lighthearted smile yed at Zachary’s lips.


    Karen immediately picked up on his mood, her own smile growing. “What’s with the suspense, huh? You’ve learned how <i>to </i>keep secrets now–is it good news?”


    Zachary didn’t answer. He set the bag down on the table. At his gesture, Karen


    15:38


    opened it–and her smile immediately faded.


    15:38 love and power 2