Chapter 27 " I should probably let Mom and Dad know when I get back . " Zachary was still muttering to himself when Alessia stopped in her tracks . " I need to go somewhere , so I won't be heading home with you . Don't worry about dinner for me tonight . " " Alright . Just text me when you're on your way back so I can come down and meet you . It's not safe around here at night ." Zachary didn't push for details - he just gave a gentle reminder . Alessia wasn't concerned about her safety , but if she refused , Zachary would only insist , and she'd rather avoid the back - and - forth . So she nodded and agreed . At the fork in the road , Alessia turned the corner , disappearing from view as Zachary watched . He clutched the bag in his hand , let out a quiet sigh , and a complicated expression flickered across his face - half a smile , half worry . If it had been Ileana , he probably would've asked a thousand questions . But when it came to Alessia , his concern was tangled with the fear of coming across as overbearing . He was still trying to figure out how to make her feel comfortable around him . Back at the townhouse , Xander was already sprawled in the armchair , happily sampling the pastries Alessia had brought over . " Boss , what's Zachary's story ? Other than Cole and Lessie , no one else has passed that scent test , right ? You don't think Lessie gave him the answers ahead of time , do you ? " Xander beckoned Six over with a smirk . Six crouched in front of him , only to be met with a sharp flick to the forehead . Six winced , rubbing the sore spot . " You know what kind of person Lessie is . She wouldn't bring someone here who didn't have what it takes . How long have you been with me now ? Five , six years at least , and you still can't answer half as many questions as she can ! " " Lessie's brain is like something out of a sci - fi movie . How am I supposed to compete with that ? All these years , only Cole's even come close to matching her ." Six sounded thoroughly aggrieved . " Do you really think you measure up to her ? I'm talking about Zachary . " " What ? The guy didn't say a word the whole time ! " Six's voice shot up in disbelief . 1/3 15:38 Chapter 27 Xander stuffed a pastry in his mouth and slipped a note into his hand . " Alright , get to the front yard and help out . Quit hanging around and getting on my nerves . " With that , Xander sank back in the chair , but his mind lingered on the memory of Zachary quietly answering questions , his fingers rhythmically drumming along his jeans . At first , Xander thought it was just coincidence , but after a string of correct answers , he realized Zachary's attention to detail was no accident . " Yeah , yeah , I know - no one but your precious Lessie is allowed to hang around you . " Six mumbled , spraying crumbs everywhere and making Xander lunge at him in mock annoyance . Luckily , Six darted away before Xander could catch him , grabbing another pastry as he ran , leaving Xander somewhere between exasperation and amusement . Out in the front yard , Six finally unfolded the note . The list of ingredients and their precise amounts - it was a basic formula , but … to get it right just from reading , without any formal training … Six tucked the note away , nodding to himself in grudging approval . Meanwhile , Zachary unlocked the front door , his heart a tangle of emotions . From the kitchen came the sounds of Brendan preparing dinner . Karen , who'd been building blocks with Ivan in the living room , poked her head out at the noise . " Hey , Mom . " " Where's Lessie ? Didn't she come back with you ? " Karen glanced behind him , expecting to see his sister . " She had something to do , so she's not coming home for dinner tonight ." " Alright , well , when she gets in , make sure you go down and meet her . This neighborhood gets sketchy after dark . Lessie's a young woman , after all … " " I know . " Zachary's tone was gentle . " By the way , did you buy anything this afternoon ? " Karen eyed the bag in Zachary's hand , assuming it was some sibling loot from their outing . " Actually , there's something I need to talk to you about . " A small , lighthearted smile played at Zachary's lips . Karen immediately picked up on his mood , her own smile growing . " What's with the suspense , huh ? You've learned how to keep secrets now - is it good news ? " Zachary didn't answer . He set the bag down on the table . At his gesture , Karen 15:38 opened it - and her smile immediately faded . 15:38 love and power 2