I was about to say fine and take them to the living room, but Declan cleared his throat, stopping me.

“Our representative will be here shortly. Fifteen minutes, tops.” Declan tucked his phone into his pocket. “May I offer you some coffee or tea?”

Declan was such a good host. Why did I think that was so hot?

Woodbridge frowned. “Representative?” He straightened, his chin jutting out aggressively. I’m surprised he didn’t tip his nose into the air or refer to us as “peasants.” “What are you talking about?”

“Dr. Larsen,” Declan said, looking serene as all get out. Only I knew he wasn’t because of the link. Inside, he was a mess. “Since her reputation is staked on our binding and Lou’s handling of it, she should be here.” He bared his teeth. I don’t think anyone would have called it a smile. “We can look at the bylaws if you want—”

Woodbridge scoffed. “This is hardly necessary. We’re busy people, you know. Unless you’re stalling as a cover tactic?”

“You wish,” Van muttered. Woodbridge either didn’t hear her or pretended not to.

“We will wait for Dr. Larsen,” Declan said calmly. “Or you can leave and we can reschedule. Up to you.”

Woodbridge’s face turned an alarming sort of reddish-purple.

Prisha edged away from him. Didn’t want to be in the blast zone, I guess. “That’s fine. I would love a tea, thank you.”

“Nothing for me,” Woodbridge ground out, staring at our kitchen with open disdain. I bet he thought that we’d try to poison him if he drank anything. Ha! Like we’d be so inept as to murder him before witnesses.

I was very tempted to ask Van’s ferrets to come in and bite his ankles, though. In my agitation, I must have broadcast my thoughts to them, because they came bounding around the corner, ready to gnaw some serious ankle. Instead, I sent them off for reinforcements.

The ferrets tumbled through the door flap into Vanessa’s room. Moments later, the door opened abruptly, and Will came out, shirtless and still slightly damp from the shower, looking like he’d hastily pulled on pants to make it to us faster. Will’s normally friendly mien was gone. Instead, he looked like a pissed-off wolverine. A rabid one, at that.

I didn’t even know Will could snarl.

Tall, barefoot, muscles and tattoos rippling, Will was actually a little scary. And he was staring at Woodbridge like he was mentally mapping out the best way to take him apart with his bare hands.

Then his sight shifted to Prisha and he smiled, Golden Retriever Will suddenly in full effect. “Hi.” Without breaking stride, he reached down and picked up Vanessa. Like hand-to-heart honestly scooped her up in his arms without so much as a by-your-leave. “If you’ll excuse us, we’re busy. Ritual sacrifices and kinky sex wait for no man.” He winked. Then he carried Van off to her room, his face friendly, but I didn’t miss the protective way he held my friend.