me space, the governor moved in and splayed his hand on my lower back. Larkan’s eyes visibly widened at the move. “Have a seat with my family. Take a little pill and see if you feel better. I’d hate for us to miss a business opportunity due to a little headache.”
“My wife suffers from migraines regularly, I’m afraid,” Larkan stepped in. “It’s really best for her to lie down and rest.”
“Nonsense! You know how women exaggerate these things. Let’s all have a seat. I’ll make some introductions you do not want to miss, and if Butterfly here isn’t feeling better in a bit, you can say your goodbyes.”
The governor was smooth, persuasive. Lots of tiny signals flashed at me through his words and body language. He didn’t take no for an answer, and seemed desperate for us to not leave. But there was one other tidbit I fixated on.
“Your family’s here, sir?” I continued playing up the migraine, squinting my eyes as I rubbed my temples.
“Yes, my wife, son, and soon-to-be daughter-in-law are all under the gazebo there,” he pointed across the gardens.
The gazebo was covered in dense vines, something elegant, like ivy. A warm light radiated from inside it, but it was impossible to tell who was inside from this angle. We never saw her. That was why we didn’t know.
Larkan released my arm as I turned to look at him, trying to not give anything away in my face. Forcing a smile, I lightly pushed him away. “Wren, would you be a dear and fix me plate? I just might need something in my stomach.”
He nodded tightly, looking between me and Blake. “Of course. I’ll be right back.”
“Ah, you must be one of those women who doesn’t eat much to keep her figure.” The governor pulled me tightly against him as he led me to the gazebo. “I know I speak for all men when I say we appreciate the sacrifice, but if only it didn’t contribute to those pesky headaches of yours.”
“Yes,” I said through gritted teeth, following his lead. “It’s an unfortunate side effect.”
“Watch your step, dear. Don’t trip.”
It was only one step. I swallowed the desire to tell him to fuck off, but plastered on a smile for the curious glances from his family members.
“Everyone, this is Butterfly Jones. She and her husband are new to Blakeworth. Butterfly, this is my wife, Eva, my son, Malcolm, and Malcolm’s fiancee, Kyrie.”
“A pleasure to meet you all.” I allowed my gaze to rest on governor Vance’s daughter for a single extra moment. “Congratulations on your upcoming nuptials. I wish you both much happiness.”
Kyrie’s eyes shifted downward after a small, forced smile.
“Don’t be rude,” Malcolm chastised. “What do you say?”
Kyrie flinched, then said softly, “Thank you, ma’am. I’m very excited.”
“She’s from another territory,” Malcolm huffed with an eye roll. “So you’ll have to excuse her rudeness.”
“Oh, it’s all right.” Remembering I was supposed to have a migraine, I quickly took a seat next to Kyrie, and groaned softly as I rubbed the side of my head. “I’m from a different territory too. It might be the, uh, elevation here that I’m not used to.”
“Where are you from?” Blake’s wife, Eva stared down the length of her nose at me.
“East Texas.” I figured the simplest answer was an honest one. “Or, Texahoma as it’s known now.”
“Ah, so you are new to our heightened elevation.” Blake had sat down next to his wife, but with some distance between them. He kept staring at my legs, like he wanted to be close enough to touch them. Ew. “Has General Tash gotten that shithole under control yet?”
The question didn’t register until a few seconds after I heard it. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Ah, nevermind. I should have known women have no ideas of these things. Malcom, have you heard?”
“The general’s moving west, not east,” his son scoffed. “He’s crushing the vermin way south of us first, in New Mexico and Arizona. Outlaw gangs on motorcycles are out of control.”
While the men talked, I leaned back against the ivy-covered frame of the gazebo, looking outside for any sign of Larkan. There was no indication of him, or any of the guys, so I could only hope he was able to relay the new intel successfully. In the meantime, I had to let Kyrie know I was here to help, and that she could trust me.
“Guess your husband went off to chase some fresh tail,” Malcolm taunted, watching me.
I glared at him, hoping it would pass