Still, there was just something about it that didn’t sit right with her. Her wolf, too, did not appreciate the presence of the human male sniffing around them.
“Should I meet you in the back when it’s time for my break?” he asked, a hopeful expression on his face.
“Sure,” she said. Checking the time on her watch, she let out a deep sigh. “Dinner rush is about to begin. I’ll see you later.”
On weeknights like this when they mostly had the business dinner crowd, Isabelle worked at the hostess stand. She found that she loved this part more—being in the front of house, chatting with regulars, greeting newcomers, and making sure everyone was happy, rather than boring, backroom managerial stuff.
The dining room was full tonight, and she was quite happy that all their reservations had shown up, and they had a healthy amount of walk-ins too. She was walking back to the hostess’ station after seating one of their regulars when she saw a familiar face waiting.
“Lucas!” She jumped at him and embraced him in her excitement. He hadn’t been at the battle with the mages, but he’d been directing their forces. According to Sofia, it pained him not to be out there, but it was too risky because the mages had tried time and time again to kidnap him. Being the child of two Alphas who were also True Mates gave his blood special properties that made the artifacts more powerful. “I didn’t know you were coming for dinner.”
Lucas hugged her back heartily. “It was a last-minute thing. Is the chef’s table free?”
“Of course,” she nodded. “I’ll let Gio know. How many—” Her lungs squeezed tight as she saw the man behind Lucas, standing next to Cross.
What the hell was he doing here?
Gold-green eyes bore into her for a second, then flickered away disinterestedly. She flinched inwardly at the dismissal, so she decided she too could play that game. To pretend that she didn’t know him. “Just the three of you then?” she asked brightly.
“Yes. By the way, this is—”
“Gio will want to know right away, so I’ll do that right now. You know the way.” She spun on her heels and walked away from them. It was a miracle she made her legs work, seeing as her knees were like jelly.
The heat and noise of the kitchen was a welcome respite, and she told Gio about Lucas’s arrival and that he had two guests, then made a beeline for the dining room. Before she left, Alejandro caught her gaze as he stood at the pasta station. He sent her a concerned look and cocked his head, in a silent question that seemed to ask if she was okay. She flashed him a tight smile and then ducked out of the kitchen. To her relief, there was no sign of Lucas or Ransom.
She leaned against the nearest wall and took a deep breath. Seeing Ransom that morning as he was sleeping had been nerve-racking, but now to have him up close was too damned much.
Control yourself.
This was no big deal, right? He didn’t seem to be affected by her at all. Meanwhile, her inner wolf—and all her female instincts—stood at attention in his presence. Had she forgotten how magnetic he was? And how handsome he looked? His hair was a little longer and his beard thicker, but that didn’t seem to lessen his appeal. Lucifer himself, crawled up from hell, she recalled thinking the first time she saw him. And—goddammit—even in his usual T-shirt and jeans, he still looked hot, and her body craved for his touch. Memories flashed in her head—of him on top of her. Or behind her. Or—
“You okay, Isabelle?” Mina, one of the senior servers, asked as she stopped by.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She smoothed her palms down her white blouse and black skirt, wishing that she’d put on something fancier like she usually did on weekends. “I’m just a little tired.”
“Evan still keeping you up?” Her face was filled with concern. “I know a couple tricks to help him sleep through the night. I’ve had three kids, and I trained ’em all from an early age,” she said with a chuckle.
“I’d like that, thanks,” she replied. “Maybe later after shift.”
“You betcha,” she said before walking away.
After another deep, clearing breath, she walked back through the dining room, stopping by a couple of the tables to make sure everyone was all right, taking her time to hear compliments and trying to solve any complaints. She kept herself busy, though couldn’t help glancing toward the hallway that led to the private chef’s dining table in the back, expecting … something to happen. But what, she didn’t know.
“James,” she beckoned one of the servers over. “I don’t think we’re going to have any more walk-ins, but could you watch my station please while I take a break?”
When the young man nodded, she headed straight for the break room, which was in the same hallway that led to the chef’s table but thankfully, veered off to the left.
As she turned into the small hallway to the back room, she heard footsteps behind her. Probably Alejandro.
“Did you bring the espresso and biscotti? I think there were two left in the tin,” she asked him as she pushed the door open to the break room, then turned to him. “If Gio catches you—”
But it wasn’t Alejandro who had followed her, and the shock at seeing who it was had her jumping out of her skin.
Ransom.
The intensity of his golden-green eyes slammed into her full force, making her stagger backward until she bumped into one of the break room tables. “You’re not supposed to be here,” she managed to say, barely
