He imitates a hand gesture, letting me know he kind of knows them.
“DNA is also showing he’s infertile,” I say quietly. Koz recoils slightly but doesn’t say anything else. “Sorry.”
I twist away from Koz before I get further caught up in the emotional fallout associated with the results of the test. It’s easy to see there’s more to the story.
Detouring over to the small cafeteria in Birdie, I order some snacks for the girls and me, steering clear of muffins and coffee though because they look exactly like the ones Marquee used to make. My sentimentality is being extra spiteful today.
I catch up with the girls as they’re about to lead Raney into the last surprise, and I feel anxious for her. It’s not like Raney’s going to be disappointed she’s not going to the Gala, but she will be absolutely gutted when I share with her the results of Hayes’s test.
ChapterThirty-Three
HEIDI
Our day becomes one of those where you experience every gamut of emotion, and then some. We’re all dragged along for the ride.
Raney nearly breaks when I tell her about Hayes, but in true Raney style she twists the moment and we’re suddenly agreeing to her plan of revenge, which I can wholeheartedly get behind.
My part is easy, hacking into the register for ADV applicants on the Verdune server. It literally takes seconds and without anyone at Verdune knowing what I’m doing, I’ve already got the information for her on another of her ex-boyfriends from when she was growing up.
One minute we’re about to leave, the next we’re meeting another of her prospective new Alphas.
“I knew we’d be waiting around,” Tristan says as she crowds nearer to take a couple of selfies.
“Blur me out,” I demand.
But she rolls her eyes at me before dropping into my lap and pressing her lips to my cheek to take a close up. “Nope. I’m going to wave in Lowly’s face what they can’t ever touch, and make Kai regret every stupid fucking thing he did to you. No one hurts my bestie and gets away with it.”
“Make sure you tag Birdie and Emmaline, it’s the least we can do for shutting them down,” I offer when she gets off my lap.
“Oh, how do you do that again?” She talks to me like she’s thick as a brick, poking her tongue out and crossing her eyes. Making a point that I’m being a cow.
“Chill out. I’ve got a wicked headache,” I groan, before mouthing off a sorry to her.
Simona hops up and dances her way over to the refreshments area and grabs out some cold water for us. “Have you got anything to take for your headache?”
“I’ll be fine, Sim,” I squeeze her hand in thanks. “I’m tired that’s all.”
“What are we doing for dinner?” she asks.
“You don’t want to see what Koz has organised?” Tristan fires back, although the smirk on her face only reconfirms she’s got other things going on. Things we don’t know about.
“Yeah but knowing him it’s going to be chicken nuggets and onion rings with chocolate shake shooters,” Sim laughs and shudders.
I gasp, slapping her arm. “He’d legit cut you up into little pieces if he heard you right now, Simona.”
“He can’t hear or see anything but Raney. It’s insanely sweet,” she answers before making sure we’re alone. “What do you think of Puck?”
“Not my cup of tea, too young for me.” Tristan smiles innocently while her eyes jump quickly out the doors to where everyone is congregating while we wait for Raney to talk with Hayes.
“Right?!” I growl at her, reminding her I’m onto her, whatever she’s up to.
“What? Shall we start talking about your shit?” she sasses right back at me.
We get interrupted from our bitching by the appearance of our security, letting us know we’re all about to get moving. So many moving pieces, it’s hard to keep up with. Tristan has her team; they’re dressed in the latest fashion and do not look like bodyguards. Simona’s team is way smaller, way more menacing too, and mine look like a pack of criminals which isn’t wrong. Off to the side like a niggling reminder are the other part of my security team, the Verdune guards in their crisp blue suits and their entitled attitude snarling at everyone.
Raney waves at us, all our handiwork at making her look gorgeous is a little left of centre, letting everyone know she’s been up to more than just talking with Hayes. Her eyes are glittering, and she rushes over to us, stinking up a storm and dumping her happiness on us.
“So, how did it go?” Tristan asks from inside our cuddle.
