Perfect. A meeting with management while adrenaline still floods my system and Tony’s threat echoes in my head. I roll my shoulders, trying to shed the rage still clinging to my skin.
“I’ll come with you,” Gabriel says, allowing no room for argument.
Marcus tries anyway as he steps between us, hand on Gabriel’s chest. “No offense, but this is staff business.”
Gabriel removes Marcus’s hand with morestrength than the bigger Alpha expects. “No offense taken, but I’m coming, anyway. The incident involved me.”
Marcus’s stance shifts, instinct taking over as he recognizes a more powerful Alpha.
He looks at me in silent question.Who is this guy really?
I offer no answers as I turn toward the manager’s office, my mind replaying Darrow’s words. Tony plans to start targeting Rockford mates.Micahis a Rockford mate. Micah’s in danger again.
As soon as we reach the employee-restricted area, Gabriel pulls me to a stop. “You need to calm down.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down,” I growl. “Tony’s people know who I am. They’ve connected me to you. To Micah.”
“They already knew about you both.” Gabriel straightens his cuffs, the gesture so casual it stokes my anger higher. “Your name would have come up in their research once they identified him as a target.”
“That doesn’t mean I needed to confirm it by attacking their man in public.”
“No, that was…” He pauses, choosing his words. “Impulsive.”
“Impulsive,” I repeat, the word tasting bitter. “Rich-boy code for stupid?”
Gabriel runs a hand through his hair, disheveling the perfect strands. “It’s code for human. They threatened people you care about.”
A wave of pheromones hits me, subtle at first, then stronger with the distinct scent of one Alpha trying to calm another. My nostrils flare, and I back away as the realization hits.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Heat floods my face. “You’re trying to influence me?”
Gabriel doesn’t deny it. “You need to level out before you?—”
“Before I what?” I demand, anger spiking. “Before I make things worse?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I don’t need you to manage me.” I stab a finger against his chest. “I’m not some Omega you can soothe with your pheromones.”
“No, you’re an Alpha about to lose control.” The calming scent increases. “And I need you to think with a clear mind.”
The rational part of my brain recognizes his logic. The rest of me rages at the manipulative assumption that he can influence my reactions with his biochemistry. My muscles coil tight, and before I can reconsider, I launch myself at him.
My shoulder connects with his chest, driving himback into the wall with a solid thud. His breath escapes in a grunt, but his reaction time surprises me, hands already moving to deflect my next blow, body pivoting away from the wall to avoid being pinned.
I swing, aiming for his jaw. He blocks with his forearm, redirecting the force of my punch past his head. His counterstrike catches me in the ribs, hard enough to push me back without causing real damage.
“Stop this,” he orders, voice firm but not raised.
I ignore him, circling left, searching for an opening. He mirrors my movements, hands raised in a defensive posture, feet planted. Nothing about him matches the pampered Alpha who haunts Foundation with expensive gifts. This Gabriel moves like someone well-trained, who understands violence on the same level I do.
I feint right, then drive forward with a combination that should land at least one hit. Instead, I find air as he sidesteps, his hand catching my wrist and using my momentum to spin me off-balance. My back hits the wall, and his forearm pins me at the chest when I would have gone for the throat.
Our faces hover inches apart, his breath warm on my skin. Another wave of pheromones washes overme, stronger this time, accompanied by a rumble from his chest. An Alpha purr. The sound vibrates through his arm into my sternum, making my legs tremble.
“Get off me,” I snarl, shoving at his hold.
He doesn’t budge. “Not until you calm down.”
