“Do you expect us to believe he’s doing us a favor?” Mitchell demanded. “As if he and his strays wouldn’t benefit?”

“Of course we would benefit,” I admitted. No sense in denying that. “Right now, my men can’t leave the free zones. They can’t work or visit family in any of your territories or go to school there. They can’t even drive through your territories on the way to other free zones. They’re virtual prisoners of your making, and every aspect of their personal and professional lives is suffering because of that.”

“Don’t you mean your professional life?” Ed Taylor demanded, while Isaac Wade’s focus shifted back and forth between us as if he were watching a tennis match. “Isn’t this really about how the travel ban affects your business?”

I nodded. “Part of this is about opening the borders. Letting people live their lives. And you’ll benefit from that as much as I will.”

“That is not even remotely—” Blackwell sputtered, until Richard Wade, council chairman, stood and cut him off.

“Okay, I think that’s enough for now. You’ve given us a lot to consider, Mr. Alexander, and you have my word that we’ll do that.”

“Thank you.” I couldn’t get a good read of Abby’s dad. He was polite, certainly, but didn’t seem to be taking a side on the issue, one way or another. “And thank you all for agreeing to hear me out.”

Wade nodded. “And with that, I declare this meeting concluded. Gentlemen—and Faythe—I believe Donna Di Carlo has made something special for us this evening. I’ve smelled it cooking for the past hour. Is that beef Burgundy?”

The Alphas filed out of the office, following Umberto Di Carlo toward his kitchen, until only Rick Wade and Faythe remained.

“Well, that went better than expected,” the council chair said as he closed the door behind his son Isaac.

I slid my laptop into its case. “So I should be pleased that Blackwell didn’t try to have me executed on sight?”

“Yes, but don’t take that personally,” Faythe said with a grin. “He’d get rid of me too, if he could.”

“It’d be best if you head out before they actually ask you to leave.” Rick stuffed both hands into his pockets, beneath his suit jacket. “But you have my word that we’ll discuss nothing else over dinner.”

“Agreed.” I shrugged. “I’m not a fan of beef Burgundy anyway.”

Faythe laughed, one hand low on her stomach. “Neither is this little one. Donna’s promised me a Margherita grilled cheese.”

“Margarita, as in tequila and lime?”

“As in tomatoes and basil.” She smiled. “The cravings this time around have been…interesting.”

“How much longer?” I asked as I headed for the hall.

“Two months. Though I wouldn’t object to an early arrival, as long as he’s healthy.”

“My little brother came early, and he was fine,” I assured her. “I’ll see you next time, Faythe. And Rick, thank you again for setting this up.”

“It’s the least we could do,” Faythe said as she opened the door. “Literally the least,” she added with a glance at the kitchen, where the other Alphas were gathered.

“I’ll walk you out.” Wade led me out the front door while Faythe went in search of her sandwich, and as I unlocked my SUV, he cleared his throat. “Titus, how’s Abby doing? Is she safe?”

“Yes. You have my word.” I met his gaze, letting him judge my sincerity for himself. “And she’ll only be safer if and when the council recognizes our territory. An alliance would benefit us both. Your daughter could be officially in your life, Rick.”

“I can’t make any promises.” His voice was carefully neutral, but I could see hope gathering behind his eyes. “This isn’t a democracy, but it’s not a dictatorship either. It’s not solely my call. And it’s a complicated issue.”

I nodded, though to me, opening the borders and acknowledging everyone’s right to exist seemed rather simple.

“Will you just… Will you tell her to call her mother?” Rick asked as I leaned into the car to drop my laptop case on the passenger seat.

I couldn’t resist a laugh. “Abby doesn’t take orders. But I’ll ask her to call her mother.”

“Thank you, Titus. You’ll hear from us soon.” Rick Wade watched me get into my car and start the engine. As I pulled out of the driveway, a small SUV followed me onto the road, and in the rearview mirror, I recognized the driver as Teddy Di Carlo, Bert Di Carlo’s youngest remaining son. Teddy was my official escort out of the Southeast Territory.

I’d been driving for less than twenty minutes when my phone rang. Faythe’s name appeared on the screen. I answered through the car’s speakerphone. “Hey, Faythe. Do not tell me they’ve ruled against me already.”

“No, they haven’t started discussing it yet. This is about…” Her sentence faded, as if she were searching for a way to continue. “Titus, please tell me you don’t have Robyn Sheffield.”

I frowned at my phone, plugged into its travel charger. “I don’t have Robyn Sheffield. Why would you even ask that?”

“She’s missing. Everyone’s out looking for her, but no one’s seen her since before you left. So I thought…”

“You thought I, what? Just took her? Don’t you think my helpful Southeast escort would notice if there were a passenger in my car?”

“Not if she were…hidden.”

“Seriously? I would hope you know me better than that by now.” Faythe, Marc, Jace, and I had been working together for nearly a year to put my proposal in front of the council.

“I do. I’m sorry.” She sighed, and stress echoed in the sound. “I have to cover all the bases. I’m calling Abby next, to see if she’s heard anything.”

“Do you need her number?” Abby and Jace both had to get new cell phones when Jace’s was passed to the new Alpha of his old Pride—Isaac Wade—and Abby’s father took her off his family plan.

“No, I have it. Thanks, though. Will you let me know if you hear anything? She might tell you things she won’t tell me these days.”