Free Overwhelmingly Precious [Werewolves of Hanson Mall 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Cara Adams Page A

down the mall stairs to the third level. The moving walkways didn’t operate after the mall was closed and it seemed silly to walk to the glass-walled elevator just to go down one level.
    Keelan unlocked the metal gate, and Wynn waited outside the store as he hurried around back to reset the security panel. Wynn came into the store and Keelan locked the metal gate again, turning on one bank of lights and taking him out to the workroom where what he was doing wouldn’t be visible to anyone passing by. If any of the security guards came past they’d call out to him, noticing that the lights were on, and he had a password to give them to show them he was here of his own free will, and not under duress. It was the best kind of password in that if he had been coerced to come, all he had to do was answer the guards’ questions without using his password. That should be enough to keep him safe from his attacker until help could arrive.
    In the backroom he blocked Wynn’s view of the safe while he opened it and took out the ring, locking the safe again immediately. That was one thing he’d had impressed on him as a young jeweler. Never leave anything unlocked even for a second as he might be distracted and forget to do it until it was too late. It could be a real nuisance locking and unlocking a cabinet a dozen times for a customer who couldn’t make up their mind, but it was worth it in not having anything get dropped, lost, or stolen.
    Wynn was staring at the floor, making it clear he wasn’t attempting to see anything he shouldn’t. Once again Keelan sent a mental smile of gratitude to Wynn. The man might have a horrible habit of pacing but he really was a good friend. I could have done a lot worse than the cousin I ended up with.
    Keelan set the tiny box on his worktable and switched on his bright working lamp. “Look,” he said, and stepped back so Wynn could see the ring.
    “May I touch it?”
    “Of course.”
    Keelan kept his body completely still and silent as Wynn picked up the ring and held it under the light turning it slightly to look at the engraving.
    “It’s for Quintana, that’s why there are five spirals. It’s us, that’s why there are three hearts. It’s beautiful. Keelan, you’re amazingly talented. You did this yourself?”
    “I wanted something unique, something that was just about the three of us.” Keelan spoke softly but he was pleased Wynn had seen what he was aiming at, and had approved of it. Now, if only Quintana liked it as well. And agreed to wear it of course.
    Carefully he packed away the ring and locked it back up, setting the security alarm again and locking the store. They were just leaving when Berian and Dakota, two security guards, arrived.
    “Oh, it’s you, Keelan and Wynn. We saw the light and thought we’d say hi to you. How’s your day been?”
    “My day’s been good, thanks. I was just showing something to Wynn. And what about you, Dakota. How has your day been?”
    Dakota and Berian both smiled and relaxed when he used Dakota’s name. That was his password. To answer the person who questioned him by name. It meant he didn’t have to remember some convoluted formula, or try to fit some inappropriate word into the conversation.
    “How’s the roof garden coming along?” Wynn asked. One of Dakota’s mates, Lewis, was in charge of building the project.
    “It’s progressing really well. It looks amazing,” answered Berian.
    “It really does. You should come up and look at it one day,” added Dakota.
    “We will,” replied Wynn.
    Keelan stopped and watched as the guards returned to their rounds, and then walked up the stairs again and back to the professional suites. “Let’s take the stairs. It’s only four floors,” he said, pushing the stairwell door open.
    “ Only . Only four floors,” groaned Wynn.
    “You’re the one who has to pace and can’t sit still.”
    “It’s how I think.”
    “That means you’ll be thinking extra well when we get