Chasing His Kickass Luna Back Chapter 336

Abby

As I chop the vegetables for tonight’s special at the restaurant, my mind is elsewhere. I haven’t stopped thinking about my phone call with the prince’s secretary this morning.

A week-long catering event for foreign royalty promises the opportunity of a lifetime—but also means an exhausting commitment away from home, away from the police jurisdiction that I was instructed to stay close to. I’m just not sure…

My staff deserves this chance after everything we’ve gone through. It could be huge for our careers, for my restaurant, and maybe even for the Alpha gathering case if Prince Damon is actually the ally that Karl claimed he could be.

And yet, leaving the relative safety of Officer Martinez’s watch still makes me balk. Is success worth that risk?

I delay deciding as long as possible until Chloe finally corners me in the walk-in cooler just before the dinner rush hits. She plucks the wine bottle from my hands, fixing me with a knowing look.

“Spill,” she demands. “Why does this catering thing have you so torn up?”

Sighing, I lean back against the metal shelves. “Damon—the customer who gave me that card last week—he’s a prince, Chloe. A prince.”

Chloe’s eyes go as wide and round as saucers. “You’re joking. That guy was actual royalty?”

I nod slowly. “I’m serious. Some royal family from a chain of islands. They’re luxury sports car manufacturers now, but… still.”

“And why in the hells are you declining this opportunity?” Chloe presses. “Abby, this is insane.”

“Because it’s three hours north along the coast,” I admit. “For a whole week.”

Chloe whistles under her breath. “That explains your non-decision. Sounds a bit more involved than the average event, doesn’t it?” She reaches out to squeeze my wrist gently. “Want my opinion?”

At my resigned nod, she pushes ahead. “I say we do it. When will a prince request Chef Abby again? And if he likes our work, this could be huge for all of us. Especially for you.”

I blink slowly, turning the idea over as Chloe continues eagerly. “Come on, just think about it,” she says. “It could be—”

“But the officer said I should be here,” I interrupt. “What if it’s not safe?”

“So talk to the officer,” Chloe interjects. “Get her point of view. You’ve heard mine, and Karl’s. And I know you want to take that opportunity.”

I swallow. Chloe knows me too well. “You’re not wrong.”

“I’m never wrong.”

…

With a deep breath, I raise my hand to knock on Officer Martinez’s office door. After my talk with Chloe last night, I couldn’t get her words off of my mind. This is a huge opportunity, after all; maybe Officer Martinez could offer some insight, some words of encouragement.

Maybe a week, surrounded by lots of people and under the roof of an actual prince, won’t be as dangerous as I think it is.

Officer Martinez glances up from her paperwork with a welcoming smile as I enter. “There you are,” she says. “You’re a little early for our appointment.”

I blush a bit and gesture at my chef’s whites. “I’m on my way to work. Figured it wouldn’t be an issue if I stopped by a little early.”

“Not at all.” She pushes her papers aside, giving me her full attention. “So, what’s up? What did you want to talk about?”

I slide into the crackled vinyl chair across from her, thumbing Damon’s business card in my hand. “I wanted your thoughts on a catering opportunity that’s come up. For a royal foreign dignitary named Prince Damon.”

Over the next few minutes, I summarize the unexpected request, my staff’s enthusiasm, and desire for guidance about whether pursuing it is wise considering my uncertain personal safety.

Officer Martinez’s expression remains neutral as she listens. Only the rhythmic tapping of her pen betrays her thoughtful process.

When I finish, she lets out a slow breath before responding. “Prince Damon keeps notoriously out of the public eye but comes from ancient nobility. You should be quite secure under his protection.”

I release an anxious tension I didn’t realize I was holding in my shoulders.

Officer Martinez continues briskly, “You know I’m not trying to force you to stay in this city. This seems an invaluable chance few would receive…” She fixes me with her direct stare. “But you shouldn’t ignore personal intuition. If anything strikes you as off regarding this situation, just tell me immediately.”

Profound relief leaves me feeling slightly dizzy. I hadn’t realized how much comfort Officer Martinez’s blessing would provide.

“Thank you, officer,” I say, standing. “I’ll let you know if anything goes wrong.”

Officer Martinez offers a rare broad smile. “You deserve this, Abby. I wish you the best, really.”

…

Karl grabs my hand from across our tiny bistro table. I’ve just told him about my decision to take Damon’s proposal; an entire week three hours away from the city, on some beachside estate, catering an event for an actual prince.

It’s like a dream come true, but at the same time, I can’t help but feel terrified for some reason. Karl’s hand is a comfort, though.

“I have to admit,” he says softly, “part of me hates that I can't just drop everything and join your catering escapade to this prince’s mansion.”

I poke idly at the steak on my plate. “Having you there as my sous chef again could’ve been really fun,” I say wistfully.

Karl sighs and leans back, running a hand through his dark hair. “No doubt. Getting to run royal kitchens together? It sounds pretty incredible.” His expression drops. “But I’ve already been away from the pack for an entire week, and especially right after that insane press conference…”

I wave a hand to cut him off, offering him a smile. “Relax,” I reassure him. “We already made a deal. Your pack comes first.”

Karl smirks. “Our pack,” he says. “Don’t forget, you’re still my Luna.”

His words make me blush. After three long years apart, it feels strange to be called Karl’s Luna again. But he’s not wrong.

Karl’s brown eyes meet mine. “Waking up without you by my side is going to be torture,” he admits, his voice a low rumble. “Especially after just getting you back in my life.”

“Hey, I’m not leaving until tomorrow,” I say with a laugh. “And I’ll come back to the pack to stay with you for a bit after the event. It won’t be long.”

He chuckles. “I know,” he says. “It’s just that I don’t wanna let you go after all this time apart. Forgive me for being possessive.”

“I like when you’re possessive.”

“Hey, we’re at dinner,” Karl teases. “Don’t start—ungh.”

I smirk as Karl lets out a low grown. While he was talking, I slipped my foot out of my shoe and raised it beneath the table to press against his groin. Suddenly, it’s not the steak that’s the most appetizing thing at this table.

When I finally pull away, Karl sips his wine, his cheeks red. He finally levels me with a knowing look, though; there’s no hiding my trepidation about this unexpected trip. Especially not from him.

“Hey. Look at me, Abby.”

His voice is soft. I lift my gaze from my plate to meet his, and it’s only now that I notice the tremble in my fingers as I grip my steak knife. He reaches across the table again, placing his warm hand over mine.

“You’re going to completely blow them all away, just watch,” he says confidently.

“You really think so?” I murmur.

He nods. “I know so.”