He pulled out his phone, tapped a few things, then stood and offered me his hand.
“Let’s go.”
I stared at it. “Go where?”
“What do you mean, where?” He threw his hands up, exasperated. “Let’s get this over with.”
My brain scrambled. “W-what?”
He met my eyes with total seriousness. “I just texted the others.”
“Wait—what do youmean?” I said again, but he was already pulling me toward the elevator.
“I told you,” he said, as if this were obvious. “I texted the others that you need them. Don’t worry, none of them are super busy anyways.”
From the hallway, Alic bellowed, “Rasmus, what thefuckdoes your text mean?!”
Ras grinned. “See? Doing nothing. This is much more important.”
The door slammed open. Alic stormed in, eyes flicking between the two of us. His expression sharpened with concern as he dropped into a bed beside me, checking me over for any injuries.
“Are you okay? Did something happen?” He went to lift my arms and legs, and I glared at Ras like this was his fault.
“I’mfine.”
Alic turned on Ras. “You sent‘SOS - Aniyah,’and she looks fine. Don’t tell me this is another one of your ‘Aniyah withdrawal’ texts. We told you you’re not allowed to use the group chat every time you miss her!”
Ras threw up his hands. “Then what’s the point of the group chat?! I thought it was an outlet for like-minded people! I don’t want to talk about anything else but her.”
Alic dragged a hand down his face like this wasn't the first time he’d had this conversion. “It’s foremergencies. Or when something affectsallof us!”
“Then I used it right!” Ras shot back, stepping toe-to-toe with him. “Aniyah wants to use her powers on all of us before she accepts the mate bond. Let’s just get it done.”
Alic’s gaze snapped to mine. His eyes narrowed slightly like he was trying to decide if he’d heard wrong.
Heat rose in my cheeks. I didn’t want to admit it, but I couldn’t deny it either. I just looked at Ras, who was sending another text, until he put his phone back in his pocket and offered me his hand with a smile.
“I already texted everyone to meet us on the thirteenth floor.”
“W-wait… W-what?Right now?” My voice came out in a full-on squeak as I looked between the two of them, eyes wide.
Ras nodded so enthusiastically you’d think this was the best idea he’d ever had. Alic, arms crossed, cocked a brow. “Is there a reason why not?”
“Um,hello?” I flailed a hand toward the door. “We kind of have aneventhappening! Like… right now!”
Ras and Alic shared a look, silently glaring at each other for a beat before turning back to me in eerie unison.
“This is theperfecttime,” Ras said smoothly, pulling me to my feet. “Everyone’s distracted.”
“And,” Alic added, his tone cool and practical, “this is the safest the club has ever been. Extra muscle. Your family’s in town. No one is going to mess with us tonight. It’d be suicide.”
Damn it. Alic’s logic was annoyingly solid, and that only made my heart slam harder against my ribs.
Did I really want to do this? Did I want to face this now?
I bit down on my lip as doubts swirled, spinning tight and fast inside my head. The tattoo on my back pulsed, a not-so-subtle reminder that whether it was today or tomorrow, this was coming. There was no dodging it. Not with them. Not with myself.
I closed my eyes and repeated Tata's words in my head:We’re not cowards.
