Tanya had been on edge for days, counting down to the inevitable disaster that was Gawaine's birthday banquet. As soon as the morning arrived, she wasted no time calling Aries. "I have something urgent. I won't be there until around nine," she said.
Surprisingly, Aries didn't argue. He simply agreed, which eased her nerves—at least for now.
Next, she sent a message to Max, instructing him to meet her at The Aurelia by seven. To ensure he actually showed up on time, she threw in a financial threat.
Fortunately, Max had a strong attachment to money. Right on cue at seven o'clock, he pulled up in front of the hotel, driving what could barely be classified as a functioning vehicle—a battered, rusted Chevrolet Colorado that looked like it belonged in a scrapyard rather than the valet lane of
