I waited . . . and waited.
He finally sighed and nodded tightly.
“Five minutes,” he warned.
I didn’t bother saying anything. I stood, the end of my silk dress swaying around my knees. On my way toward the exit, I kept on alert. I wove through the tables, getting to the edge of the room so I wasn’t in the way. The double doors were closed, but one of the Betas standing by them pulled one open for me. I slipped through, and he shut it behind me, cutting off the rest of the director’s speech.
“Where is the bathroom?” I asked the doorman on this side. He waved a hand to the right. I debated asking him if I could borrow his phone, but it was best I was further from the door. There should be someone to ask in the restroom, or on the way to it.
I inclined my head in thanks and strode the way he motioned.
Leaving the lobby behind for a slimmer path, the chatter became less and less until all I heard were my heels grazing the carpet. The hall curved, and the sign for the restrooms loomed at the end.
Just at that moment, someone exited the men’s bathroom. He was one of the Alphas that had helped that woman out of the car ahead of ours. The besotted one.
His head was bowed, watching something on his phone.
“Excuse me?” I blurted. He came to a stop and motioned to himself. “Yes, I’m sorry for being a bother, but could I borrow your cell phone?”
His eyebrows furrowed and he looked down, swiped, then handed it to me. “Sure.”
I plucked it from his fingertips. “I won’t be long.”
Without wasting a moment, I navigated to the number screen and tapped Roberto’s number in. Nerves whirred in my stomach at the ringing of the line.
“Hello?” His familiar voice swept a wave of relief through my stomach.
“Roberto,” I breathed.
There was silence, then, “Eva?”
“Yes, it’s me. I?—”
The device was snatched out of my hand.
“I wasn’t done . . .” I trailed off, meeting Dorian’s furious gaze.
My stomach dropped to my toes, and I parted my lips with an exhale.
He didn’t say anything but turned back to the Alpha waiting a few feet away. His curiosity was clear to see.
Dorian approached him, and aggression came off my Alpha in waves.Notmine. I flexed my palm against my hip, hoping to ground myself. The Alpha took back his phone, dominance wafting from him.
“Lady, do you need me to escort you to Omega authorities?” His question stunned me into silence. The U.S. authorities mean the ORD. Omega Rights Division. I knew little about the program other than it helped Omegas.
Dorian stiffened, his eyes narrowing, but he kept still.
“If you’re being mistreated. They will put a stop to it?—”
Dorian growled, the abrupt sound exploding from his lips. His chest puffed out, and he got in the other Alpha’s face. Pheromones plumed, and my mouth watered. Meanwhile, my mind raced. Would the ORD help with mistreatment? Back home, there was no one to stop it . . .
Dorian’s fist clenched. He’d removed the bandages, so the cuts were raw and open, but at least no longer bleeding.
“Thank you for your concern,” I blurted, yanking at Dorian’s arm. I didn’t doubt Dorian would destroy the man. “I’m fine,” I assured with a smile. “Thank you for letting me borrow your phone.”
After another look from the Alpha, he nodded and walked away, taking with him his plume of aggression.
Dorian stepped forward, blocking my view with his wide back. He rolled his shoulders. In a burst of movement, he faced me. I gawked up at him.
