“I didn’t know that…” I don’t know how to explain.
Lionzio pushes a wet strand of hair behind my ear. “I didn’t believe that you did, mio tesoro.”
I glare at Icarus. “What the hell?”
I’m angry but I also understand.
Icarus is under extreme pressure, as well as holding a responsibility to the largest pack I’ve ever known.
One mistake now could destroy all our lives.
Zoe’s life.
“No need to be angry at him.” Lionzio accepts the hugs from Piper, Zero, and me. “He was looking out for you, tesoro. They are fair questions.”
Icarus crouches in front of the mini bar, before snatching up a cold beer bottle and carrying it back to Lionzio. “Maybe I’m wary because I haven’t seen much good in Alphas. If you’re Grace’s scent match, however, then I will try to trust you. I would never have held you down by your wrist if I knew that you had an existing injury. I thought that hold would actually be the least painful.”
Lionzio cocks his head, assessing Icarus with just as dangerous an expression as Icarus at his most dominant.
These two men are well-matched.
“Try that again,” Piper’s voice is hard edged enough for me to startle, “and I will be the one pushingyouoff the roof to see whether you truly can fly or not, Wings.”
He smiles sweetly, taking the bottle from the shocked Alpha’s hand. Then he holds its cold side gently to Lionzio’s wrist.
Icarus tightens his tie, coughing. “Understood. But why were you on the staff roof?”
“I like high places.”
“What are you? An owl?”
“You’re the one called Wings.”
“Didn’t you see the sign?Staff only?”
It’s not something that I haven’t asked myself.
Piper scrunches up his nose. “I don’t do well with rules.”
Zero snorts. “But he is good with understatements.”
“Andyou.” Icarus narrows his eyes at Lionzio. “You do seem more of a rules type of guy. Did you decide to simply ignore every sign on your way through the staff quarters? Were the award-winning guest gardens not spectacular enough for you?”
“I’m noting the sarcasm but ignoring it.” Lionzio tidies his hair back from his face. “I like to explore. I prefer quiet places away from Traditional assholes, who as you pointed out, I don’t precisely fit in well with.”
Icarus’ expression is shuttered, but I know him well enough to tell that he doesn’t believe Lionzio.
Zero saunters across the lounge, winding around Icarus like a lazy cat. “Look, we’re not real guests. I’memployedhere to sing.”
Suspicion moves sickly in my guts. “We were told to treat you as treasured celebrity VIPS. Seriously, it’s this whole thing. You’re meant to have anything you want. You could order gingerbread men made out of caviar to be licked off the stomachs of HOs…”
“Yuck.” Piper wrinkles his nose.
“Did you know that?” Zero demands accusingly, pointing at Lionzio. “I feel like we should write a better rider. Anyway, the point is that we thought we were closer to being staff than guests, okay? Now that we know we can ask for anything we want, it sounds like we’re wasting time today that we could be enjoying champagne, chocolates, and caviar, as we get to know each other without interrogations.”
I exchange a glance with Icarus.
He’s thinking the same as I am.
