Wondering if they’re here.
I edge up, waiting to see if Mick barges through before I look through the small square glass panel.
I can’t see them, but that doesn’t mean they’re not here. I didn’t hear from them at all today. I’d half expected a visit, but Rick said nobody came by.
What did you expect, Kenny?
My eyes catch on a figure settled in a booth. Nia Rivers shifts as someone leans in across the table, murmuring something in her ear. Theo and Brett’s little sister.
I always liked her. She was sweet.
But she looks uncomfortable now. Frowning, I crane my head to try and see who she’s talking to. She gets to her feet, shaking her head before she turns to leave.
When the figure slides out of the booth, I push the door open without thinking.
I recognize him. Nia doesn’t look back as she yanks the door open and slips out, but he follows her.
Eric Masters. An alpha – not one that I’d want to talk to. He was in our year. The others made sure I never came into contact with him. They warned me.
But it doesn’t look like they warned Nia.
He doesn’t like the wordno.
Holding my breath, I follow them outside. The sidewalk is empty, and I turn with a frown as I look up and down the street.
The sound of raised voices comes from the alley beside me that leads down to the staff entrance, and I edge closer, listening.
“Be reasonable. I took you out for dinner.” Eric’s voice prickles the skin on the back of my neck. “Listened to you go on about everything under the fucking sun, and you think you can just walk out?”
Nia’s voice is shaky. “This was a mistake. I need to go home.”
She soundsscared.
My hands slowly curl into fists.
“That’s not how this works,” Eric murmurs. “I expect something in return, you know?”
“Sorry for wasting your time.” Footsteps, and I breathe a little easier. Until the gasp sounds. My feet overtake me, and I dart around the corner.
He has her pinned against the wall as she pushes her hands against his chest. “Leave me alone. Please.”
“I like it when you say please.”
Bile crawls up my throat. “Hey, asshole. She told you to back off.”
He stiffens, glancing over his shoulder. Nia peeps under his outstretched arm, her eyes wet. “Fuck off,Traylor trash. This isn’t your business.”
How fucking original. Never heard that one before. “She’s coming with me. Her brother is looking for her. And his pack.”
He laughs, but he drops his arm. Nia pushes out from under his arm and backs away, until she’s standing beside me. “Are they now? And they sentyou? I doubt it.”
Casually, I take a step forward, nudging her behind me. “Nia, go back inside.”
“But—,”
“Go on,” I say quietly. I shift, watching the way Eric’s eyes flicker between us. “He’s not going to touch you.”
Theo would shred him. And he knows it. A tic appears in his jaw. “You gonna give me what I’m looking for, then?”
