Read Online Rose, Charlotte - Bayou Rescue [The Shifters of Alligator Bend 1] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) by Charlotte Rose - Free Book Online

in her hair as she savored his scent and taste.
    “That sure felt like forgiveness,” he said when she pulled away.
    She smiled. “It was. Thank you for your apology.”
    “Thank you for forgivin’ me.”
    He took her hand as they turned to go inside.

    * * * *

    “Okay, now. What’s the deal?” Serafine asked the small group gathered around the table.
    “The biggest issue we’re facin’ is access,” Oscar said. “We can’t just break locks and storm the doors. Equipment that disables security systems ain’t easy to come by.”
    Georgina spoke up. “Fortunately, I’ve already made progress with that. I used my status as a grad student at Tulane to propose a fake research project concerning animals at the Aquarium. The research I’ll be doing will be the focus of my term paper for my research methods class. I figured if I was going to be committing espionage, I should get some class credit for it. I just need to get some department signatures to make everything official.”
    “I can help you with that,” Adele said.
    “With my regular access to the Aquarium, I can learn the layout a little better and figure out how to get spare keys that will give me direct access to the exhibits,” Georgina continued.
    “Easier said than done,” Xavier said. “You have any clue how to go about doin’ that?”
    “I’ll have to figure it out as I go along, but I know I can make it work.”
    “And what if you don’t?”
    Georgina’s eyes narrowed. “Trust me, I will.”
    “Let’s not squabble,” Serafine said. “Georgina’s a damn smart woman. I know she’s gonna figure this all out. We gotta move on with the rest of the plan.”
    Manuel shrugged. “Georgina can’t get us access, so we’re stuck for what to do next. Even if she manages to get us all the keys, we just can’t waltz in there after-hours and take Rosaline and Armand. They got a system, they got guards. It ain’t like we can shift and disguise ourselves, neither. What do you think they’re gonna do if they see a bunch of gators runnin’ loose?”
    Adele smiled. “I have an idea.”
    “Oh?” Serafine raised her eyebrows. “What you got, girl?”
    “We’ll throw a party. Rent out the Aquarium after-hours for an event of some kind. I know it’s expensive, but it seems like the best way to get access with the fewest number of people around. Well, without breaking any laws, that is.”
    “What kinda party are we all gonna have?” Oscar asked. “Ain’t like we got anybody getting married anytime soon.”
    Even though he knew he needed to behave, Oscar couldn’t resist winking at Adele as he spoke. She rolled her eyes and shook her head but didn’t seem angry.
    “How about a corporate event?” Adele asked. “You can come up with some excuse to be celebrating with your company. A record-breaking quarter, new leadership, even just a general social event. We can rent out the private room on the second floor. If we do it in the evening, we’ll have after-hours access and won’t have to worry about the general public getting in our way.”
    “Yeah, but the guards will still be there,” Andre Celestin said. “I think they gonna notice if we try to steal our mate and son back.”
    “That’s why we create a distraction,” Adele said. “Get the guards all in one room. Then someone can sneak into the gator exhibit. Rosaline and Armand can shift, emerge as humans, and pass as members of the party.”
    “Damn, you make it sound easy,” Manuel said.
    “Don’t be fooled. It’s still risky,” Serafine said. “But it’s the best plan we got.”
    “Let me be in charge of the scheduling,” Adele said. “Georgina, do you think you can get access to the place within two weeks?”
    “I don’t know, but I’ll try.”
    “Time is of the essence,” Serafine reminded her. “The sooner you can get it, the better. You gotta do it for the congregation, honey. I know it seems impossible, but we need you.”
    Georgina nodded. “I’ll