Finally Alec sighed. “If he or Wes threaten you in any way, please call me.”
Mark smiled softly. “You can’t swoop in and save me. You have no authority.”
Alec’s fingers tightened painfully around his. “I’ll talk to Cam. We’ll think of something. Just promise me.”
“I promise.”
“Thank you.” Alec pulled him close and wrapped an arm around him. “Now sleep, you have to be up at the crack of dawn, remember.”
Humming his agreement, Mark closed his eyes and hoped he’d never need to make that call.
Mark left Alec two streets away from the coffee shop with a hurried kiss goodbye and another promise to ring him if he felt threatened. Stopping at Alec’s had seemed fine last night when he’d been in his don’t-give-a-fuck mood, but in the cold light of day, it seemed like an unnecessary risk. Wes had freaked out just knowing he and Alec were fucking, smelling it for himself—and despite two showers, Mark reeked of Alec and sex—would probably send him over the edge.
The thought of Wes losing his shit brought a smile to Mark’s face. Fuck it. It’d be worth whatever came his way. He’d heal.
Carole had already opened up when Mark arrived at the shop, and she smiled in greeting when Mark walked in.
“Morning.” He joined her behind the counter and grabbed an apron. “You’re in early. I thought I was opening up today?”
She shrugged. “I was awake anyway.”
“Freak.” Mark nudged her and she laughed.
“You’re a fine one to talk.”
He grinned. “Yeah, whatever.”
They were up and running in plenty of time for the early morning rush, and once there were three of them working, Mark lost track of time. When he looked at the clock next, it was already nine thirty.
With the lull in customers, he took the opportunity for a break and disappeared into the back with his phone for ten minutes. Still nothing from either Jason or Will. Mark frowned down at the phone. Even if Jason hadn’t finished with the council until late, he would have called or texted. Will too. Had Newell ordered them not to contact him?
He sent another quick message to each of them, asking if everything was okay, then pocketed his phone. Calling Will’s parents or his sister to check was out of the question because then he’d have to explain.
If they didn’t reply, he’d hunt them down when he went home after his shift. Assuming the council didn’t want to see him straight away.
Carole popped her head around the door. “You have a visitor.” The cheeriness in her voice seemed a little forced, and when Mark looked up, she mouthed “Wes” at him.
Fuck. What the hell did he want?
“Okay, I’ll be out in a sec.”
She hesitated, then slipped inside and closed the door. Keeping her voice barely audible, she said. “He’s in a really bad mood. Be careful.”
“Thanks.”
He waited for her to leave, then stood. Just before he reached for the door handle, Mark pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Alec, just to be on the safe side.
Wes just came to the shop. Not in the best of moods.
The reply was immediate.
Be careful. Remember what I said.
Mark smiled, despite the angry beta waiting for him, and opened the door.
Wes’s scent greeted him as he entered the shop, and judging by Wes’s sharp intake of breath, he’d just got a whiff of Mark too. At least there were too many people about for him to make a scene.
He slipped behind the counter beside Carole. She offered him a small smile but didn’t speak. Wes stood the other side of the till at the far end. Waiting. Having no other option, Mark walked over to him. “What do you want?” The need for pleasantries disappeared when Wes slammed him into a wall last night.
