“That was my dad. He said that there’s a big meeting happening in about two hours. And we’re attending in their place.”
“What’s this about?” Jamie asks.
Alaric looks at me and my heart sinks. “The drugs and the students dying because of them. The families are not happy because it’s going to draw attention where it’s not needed, so they want to get to the bottom of it and find out who’s the snake and cut them off by the head.”
“I’m coming with you,” I say, scooting out of bed.
“No,” Alaric says.
“Yes.” I growl. “I might not have any plans of taking over for my father, but I am still a part of this life. And this is about something I failed to put a stop to in the first place.”
“Stop blaming yourself.” Tatum growls. “This isn’t something you could have handled on your own. And now you have us. And we are damn sure going to find out who it is, and put a fucking end to it before anyone else dies.”
A big wave of relief takes over. I knew I could never have done this on my own and I was a fool to think I could. Trusting in anyone is hard for me, but I know my alphas are on my side. They won’t fail me.
I take a quick shower and put back on my clothes. Jamie washed and dried them for me. I thanked him with a kiss before taking the sandwich Tatum made me, eating to appease my alphas.
When we get to Cross Industries, I wish I hadn’t eaten. As we head up to the top floor, I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“Come on.” Jamie takes my hand. “Everything is going to be okay.”
As we approach the door, we can hear yelling. We all frown as we all look at one another. “Welcome to the shit show,” Tatum mutters before throwing the door open.
“I don’t give a fuck what people are saying!” I see my father leaning over the table, his face a mask of fury. “It’s not me!”
“Well then who the fuck is it?” I recognize the face of the man sitting a few spots down but can’t remember his name. “Because it sure as fuck isn’t me.”
“Maybe there's another family we don’t know about,” Alaric says, stepping into the room.
All eyes are on us now and I’m starting to regret wanting to be a part of this meeting.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Ralph’s growl has my spine stiffening.
“We’re here in place of our fathers,” Jamie says with a laugh. “We have more reason to be here than you, you dirty little lap dog. So why don’t you go fuck off.”
“Just because you’re my son’s alphas doesn’t mean I’ll allow you to disrespect my men.” My father growls and fuck, it’s like a stab in the gut hearing him defend Ralph like that.
“And why is he here?” Ralph growls. “He’s with the enemy.”
“I wasn’t aware our families were enemies. This is news to me. Is there something I’m not aware of?” Alaric asks my father.
“No.” My father shoots Ralph a look. “Enough. I won’t have you starting shit where it’s not needed.”
Fuck. I sure enjoy watching my dad scold him like a bad dog though.
“Sit.” The man I now remember as Donald Rockwell, head of the Rockwell mafia family, says. “We were just discussing the recent deaths and the fuckers dealing dirty bullshit drugs on our streets.”
We sit, and I try to listen but I don’t hear a word of what’s being discussed because all I can do is focus on not looking at Ralph and feeling his slimy eyes on me the whole time.
My knee bounces and I wring my fingers together as Alaric and Tatum argue with the other heads of the families.
“Relax,” Jamie’s soft voice whispers in my ear, his hand on my knee, giving it a squeeze. “Everything is going to be fine, okay?”
Licking my lips, I nod. “Okay.”
“Are they even connected? Those deaths happened on the other side of the country." That catches my attention.
“Of course they are. Same MO. And in the reports I was able to get my hands on, similar outcome on the toxicology report,” my father says.
