Malakai (Stone Society #13) - Faith Gibson Page 0,57
“Call Frey.”
The phone rang in surround sound, then Frey’s voice was loud and clear. “Hello, Brother. Is Josie okay?” Frey’s concern warmed Josie’s heart. In a few short days, she had become part of a large family who accepted her without question. They didn’t know anything much about Josie other than she was Kai’s mate.
“She’s perfect. She quit her job this morning, so we’ve been discussing the training center. Whenever you have some free time, we’d like to talk to you about the software and computer system you use for the gym.”
“If you’re free, why don’t you head this way? Connor’s here playing with Amelia. We’d already planned on grilling out later when Dante and Isabelle come to pick Connor up. You’re welcome to join us.”
“That sounds perfect. What do we need to bring?”
“Just yourselves. We’ll have plenty of food.”
“Okay. We will see you as soon as we run home and change clothes.”
Kai disconnected. “I’m sorry, Sunshine. I should have asked before I agreed without making sure you were okay with staying to eat.”
Josie placed her hand on Kai’s neck, running her fingers through his short hair. “Are you kidding? Three invites in one day. I suddenly feel like one of the cool kids. Actually, I feel like the nerdy girl who is dating one of the stars of the football team, and now I get to hang out with the team and all their cheerleader girlfriends, only these cheerleaders are nice women who won’t look at me like I’m out of place. Like I’m the pity date.”
“Is that what high school was like for you?”
“Oh, no. I never got to date the hot guy. Not saying my boyfriend wasn’t cute because he was. But he was considered a nerd. He was shy and sweet, so we were perfectly matched.” Josie felt Kai’s mood dip, and she squeezed his neck. “No need for jealousy, Mr. Palamo. That was fourteen years ago. He broke up with me our junior year when he transferred to a school somewhere in Tennessee. His father got a new job, so they had to move. After that, I focused on getting good grades. My father was already hounding me to go into law. Besides, there wasn’t anyone I was interested in who asked me out.”
Kai calmed down, and Josie continued massaging his neck the rest of the ride home. She smiled when she thought about coming home every day to the large house nestled in the trees. It was like a mini paradise. When they stopped at the gate for Kai to speak into the box, the gate didn’t open as it should. Kai tried several times and ended up calling Julian.
“Damnit. This is the third system that isn’t working. Hang on a second.” The sound of computer keys being tapped was loud. “Okay, punch in this code.” Julian rattled off a nine-digit number, and when Kai pressed the sequence, the gate opened.
“Julian, is it possible someone is sabotaging the security boxes? Saturday night, there was a stranger lurking around, but by the time I reached the edge of the property, he was gone.”
“Anything’s possible. If you would, turn the cameras on. Now that Josie’s there with you, it’s better to be safe.”
“Will do. Is there anything I can check on this end while I’m here?”
“I appreciate the offer, but I’m going to leave the lab in a few to check them myself. In the meantime, use the code instead of the voice activator.”
“Josie and I are headed to Frey’s. We just ran home to change clothes. If you need us for anything, give us a call.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing, but thank you for the offer.”
As Kai drove the car through the gate, Josie bit her lip as she watched through the side mirror to see if it closed behind them. “Don’t worry, Sunshine. It’s probably just a glitch. Julian will get it straightened out.”
Josie hoped it was a glitch, but the fact that someone had been there Saturday night didn’t feel like a coincidence.
Once inside, Kai swapped his jeans for a pair of shorts, while Josie opted for one of her dresses. She chose one that was the least sexy considering where they were going. She paired it with some flat sandals. Her hair was already in a low ponytail, so she didn’t feel the need to fuss with it. When she was finished changing, Josie found Kai in the office.
“I should have activated the cameras before now,” he muttered.