Technical Threat (Westin Force #4) - Julie Trettel Page 0,66

to check in.

The casino was one of the nicer ones which surprised me for the area we were in. I had splurged on a large three bedroom suite and it was done up every bit as nice as ones I’d stayed at in Vegas.

“Wow, this is amazing,” Sage said as she looked around. There was even a balcony with a hot tub on it overlooking the mountains in the distance. “Are you like rich or something?”

I snorted. “It’s off season and was only a little more than three rooms would have been.”

“We could have stayed with Nonna again,” Sapphire said. “We really don’t mind.”

Sage walked over and hugged Nonna. “She says we’re her grandpups now too.”

I grinned over Sage’s head and mouthed, “Thank you.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for,” Nonna said despite my discretion. “Family is family. I am blessed to have you all. It’s not just anyone that will put up with an old lady’s whim the way my Caleb does. He spoils me and I know he’s going to be a good mate because of it.”

Susan linked her arm through mine and rested her head on my shoulder. Those simple touches righted my world every time. I looked around the room at all the women in my life and couldn’t be happier.

Nonna spent the evening in the casino with Sapphire. They were playing a slot together with their last bit of money and hit the jackpot. $200,000. Sage had been there to witness it and ran up to excitedly tell us about it.

Meanwhile Susan and I had been relaxing in the hot tub watching the sunset. Life felt pretty close to perfect.

We were up late celebrating, and everyone was dragging the next morning. While we started the day off strong and made good progress, with about three hours left in our trip I noticed Sapphire beginning to sway on the road. Everyone was exhausted.

Instead of pushing it, I called it a day in the early afternoon and found us a hotel.

“We don’t need to stop for another night. I just need to stretch for a bit,” Sapphire said.

“I’m not risking your life, or any of ours just to get home tonight. I don’t have to report in until Monday, we still have all day tomorrow. I haven’t even heard back to see if we got the additional room approved yet. There’s a pull-out couch in my room, but it’s going to be cramped. Let’s just relax, have a little fun, and get a good night’s sleep and then we’ll worry about it.

Sapphire and Sage both looked at Nonna awkwardly.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “What’s going on?”

Nonna’s chin jutted out and her stance stiffened. “The girls won’t need a room at the Lodge. They’ll be moving in with me.”

“What?” Susan asked. “When was this decided?”

Sage shrugged. “We talked about it yesterday when we were taking turns driving, and then switched riding with each other. It makes sense, Susan. You and Tarron need your space and some time alone. You don’t need me underfoot all the time. Nonna has three extra bedrooms that she never uses. It’s perfect. Sapphire will be there to look after me too.”

“Sage, you’re seventeen. You don’t exactly need looking after. You’ll be of legal age soon.”

“Then start treating me like an adult and trust that I believe this is what’s best for me, you, Sapphire, and even Nonna.”

Susan frowned. I reached over and rubbed her back.

“You’ll see them all the time and you are welcome over any time. Maybe I’ll even get to see my handsome grandson around more often for it.”

“Always an ulterior motive, right Nonna?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said indignantly.

I smirked. She knew exactly what I was talking about.

“If Patrick doesn’t come through with a room we might not have a choice, at least for a little while,” I confessed.

Susan nodded. “Okay. I guess we have a new plan then.”

“Yes,” Sage exclaimed excitedly as she threw her arms around Nonna.

Sapphire looked happy about it too. Unfortunately, my mate was clearly not thrilled with the idea. I decided to let it go for the moment. We could always reassess the situation later.

We spent part of the afternoon lounging around the pool having a leisure day and just enjoying everyone’s company. There was a feeling lingering in the air, we all knew that everything was about to change.

Later that night after making love to Susan, she confided in me. “I’m a little scared about this move. I thought the