He turned toward me. “Yes. I remember that well.”

“Dad called and told me everything is fine because they have new investors. Did you have anything to do with that?”

“Did he say I did?”

“No. But it just seemed surprising that out of nowhere he’d have new ones.”

“You’re family, Al. That means I’m going to help.” He walked ahead.

I caught up. “Is that a yes?”

“Come to your own conclusion.” He smiled.

“Thanks. His company means everything to him.”

Levi looked at me seriously. “No, it doesn’t. It can’t mean everything, because he has you.”

I leaned up and kissed Levi on the lips.

Chapter Seventeen

“Remind me again why we had to take my car?” I cringed as Levi drove my Land Rover through another patch of mud. He had to run the windshield wipers to clean off enough mud for us to see.

“Because my car couldn’t do this. It’s what this car is meant for.”

“So what would you have done if I didn’t have a car that could?”

He downshifted. “I would have stayed on the main roads.”

“Levi!”

“Relax, Al. I’ll have your car looking as good as new.”

“You think I’m only worried about my car?”

I grabbed the ‘oh my god’ bar, needing it more than ever as he drove through an area that shouldn’t have been called a road. “I’m a little concerned about my life, too.”

“Don’t be.” He looked over at me.

“Watch where you’re driving!”

“My driving scares you more than my flying, doesn’t it?”

“Maybe. Come on, please slow down.”

“Only because you said please.” He let off the gas a little.

I sighed. “How much further?”

“Another twenty minutes, maybe.”

“Good.”

He squeezed my hand. “I’m glad you’re with me.”

“At the moment, I’m regretting it.”

“It’s going to be fun.”

“Fun? Isn’t this a work trip?” I looked out the window at the endless trees. We were definitely in the middle of nowhere.

“Work is a relative term.”

“How relative?” I stretched out my legs.

“Tonight’s a dinner we can’t miss, and tomorrow I have to preside over the dispute courts, but otherwise we’re free.”

“And what am I supposed to do while you’re presiding over the court?”

“Sit and look pretty.”

“That had better be a joke.”

He laughed. “You’re welcome to give me your opinion, but a lot of these issues are going to be new to you.”

“Meaning they are paranormal?”

“Yup. It should be an eye opening experience.” I was starting to think that everything surrounding The Society was eye opening. Nothing was straight forward.

“I bet,” I grumbled. I didn’t want to admit exactly how nervous I was. I’d agreed because I didn’t think I had a choice, and in theory it sounded cool.

I closed my eyes and leaned back into the leather seat.

“I hope you’re not worrying about your classes again.”

I opened my eyes. “Of course, I am. Exams are next week.”

“You’re not even missing class. It’s study period.”

“Yes, study period. I’m supposed to be studying.”

He touched my arm gently. “You’re going to pass your tests, Al.”

“I want to do more than pass.”

“You’ll be fine.” He ran his fingers down my arm. Even over my long sleeve t-shirt, it felt good. “All right, we’re just about there.”

“Here? Where the hell are we?”

“Just outside Shreveport.”

“It looks like the woods.”

“It is the woods. Notice how I said just outside.”

We pulled out of the trees, and Levi turned onto another dirt road. At least this one looked like someone had used it in the last fifty years. He parked the car in front of a rustic looking house.

“This is it?”

“It’s where we’re staying. It might not look like much on the outside, but the inside’s nice.” He got out and came around to open the door. “Come on.”

I unbuckled, and took my backpack and purse. Levi already had our other bags.

He unlocked the front door, and I followed him in.

“Wow.” I put down my stuff and walked around the open room. Exposed rafters went with the rustic look of the place, but plush couches, hardwood floors covered by several large area rugs, and a huge fireplace gave the room a really comfortable feel.

“I love this place. It’s probably the smallest of our homes, but sometimes small is better.”

“Smallest?”

“It’s only one bedroom. Originally, there were two small ones, but Dad combined them.”

“One bedroom?”

“Yes, love, one bedroom.”

“So you’re sure you can stand more time in bed with me without sex?”

“I think that’s a question you should be asking yourself.”

“I already know the answer, and at least there’s a couch.”

“Those couches aren’t as comfortable as they look.” He grinned.

“So are you going to show me this bedroom?”

“Of course.” He took off down a narrow hallway and opened the door to a large room. Sparsely furnished, a king sized bed stood in the center of the room with bed stands and a dresser finishing off the space.

“Nice.”

“Isn’t it?” He crossed his arms, leaning against the bed post.

“What time is our dinner tonight?”

“It’s at seven, so we have some time to explore if you want.”

“Explore?”

“You brought your hiking shoes, right?”

I shook my head. “Umm, no. You never mentioned hiking.”

“I’m sure you brought sneakers. That’s all you need.”

“Fine, give me a minute.”

“Absolutely, I’m going to check out the wine selection. The caretaker should have stocked it, but I want to be sure.”

“Wine? Won’t alcohol be served at the dinner?”

“Yes, but I want to pick out something nice for tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night?”