“Kozantine? Is Raney okay?”
Kozantine isn’t what most people would consider a goodperson. He is a criminal and sells weapons for a living. Except I don’t know that side of him. I only know him as Raney’s Alpha, and he absolutely adores my bestie. In my books how he treats her is how I define if he is a good person or not.
Dominic’s whole mood shifts. His face does too. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear he recognizes Raney’s name. I meet his gaze, silently asking the question, but before he can answer, the chance slips away.
“I have a favour, Simona,” Kozantine starts. “First though, you know to call me Koz. We are friends after all.”
I laugh nervously, making him chuckle, but he sobers up. “My micina is ready to pack. I’d like you to be a part of the celebration along with the others.”
I hear him shudder, and then it’s my turn to chuckle. I get it through; my girls are scary as individuals. When we’re together, it can be downright terrifying.
“And I want to ask you to keep your attendance at her packing a surprise. I know what she would like for her ceremony, and how she sees the event including all the finery she thinks I have forgotten. I agree with most of her requests but not the one about her Scorned Girls not being with her. I know it would be her greatest regret, and she would never forgive herself.”
“She doesn’t want us there?”
“Moreover, she is driven into not asking because she is concerned for your welfare. The police have been overly difficult during our visit with King. And Reid continues to be a prick. It’s not that she doesn’t want you with us. Raney’s heart is often too big and she’s more worried that something could go wrong. Nothing will. I promise you that. I have all my best men with us, plus her father and his club will be there. Your safety is assured.”
I look at Dominic. Our recent conversation about how todeal with Brody is the loudest in my thoughts. I clear my throat, and immediately I hear Koz’s awareness snapping taut.
“Koz, I have an issue that may have you reconsidering your invitation to me. And I completely understand if you ask me not to come once you’re aware. I don’t want to put the girls at further risk, but it seems I have a stalker.”
Koz freezes up, and the silence in our conversation becomes audible. “Excuse me?”
“I believe I may have attracted the unwanted attention of someone. I’m currently getting professional advice on how best to handle the situation, and their recommendation was to tell the girls I had a stalker. I haven’t had the chance to speak with any of them yet. Being around me may draw him out and inadvertently put them at risk. The stalker is unstable, and things are escalating.”
I hear a growl, more like a roar of frustration. But he takes a deep inhale before he speaks, slightly calmer. “My issue, Simona, is why am I just hearing about this now? I thought we were friends. Friends rely on each other. They reach out when they are in danger, yet I don’t recall you contacting me. Ever. In fact, I called you. Were you going to tell me at all?” He growls.
Koz is a very strong Alpha. His designation is always on display, and it wraps around him like the expensive suits he likes to wear. And no one could ever misinterpret his possessiveness of Raney. But this is the first time I have been at the mercy of his Alpha. Even over the phone, it has me cowering submissively.
Until I look at Dominic.
I come face to face with his Alpha. There is hardly any man looking back at me through those hauntingly magnetic brown eyes.
Right now, he is displaying all the hallmarks of a similarAlpha level as Koz. He was hiding it from me before, or maybe it’s more accurate to say, he wasn’t showing me how strong an Alpha he is.
Strangely, or maybe not, it doesn’t take long at all to realise that not only does it not surprise me that Dominic holds the same intensity, but it also doesn’t scare me. And out of the two, the latter is more important.
If anything, I get another confirmation that I am exactly where I should be. With him.
I snuggle up under his chest, while Koz gives me the rundown on the secret, and seriously perfect, bonding ceremony he has organised for Raney. Of course, Koz being Koz, it’s not going to be a singular event. The invitation to be with Raney during her time has more girl time included than any bonding I’ve heard of. Also, not a surprise is that he outlines his recent conversation with Omega Mother Beatrice which results in her blessing for us all to go, giving permission for us to take a break from our study schedule.
Of course I agree. And after a quick negotiation, Koz arranges to have his private jet ready for me this afternoon. He wanted me to leave immediately, but that’s impossible. I hang up, excitement for one of my besties becoming so real that my heart beats out of sync, and I feel myself getting overly emotional on her behalf.
“Holy shit, Raney is going to be a mess,” I tell him. Explaining what’s going on with me, and why I’m leaking happy essence like it’s room spray.
Dominic doesn’t say a word. He pulls me gently out of my small haven, so I can sit on his lap. His brown eyes waver with all the emotions I’m coming to associate with him, but right now, contrition makes them extra chocolatey in colour.
“I need to tell you something,” he starts, earnestly. He looks away when he speaks. “I am not a good man, Simona.”
“How can you say that?” I argue as I use my hand to pullhis face and focus back to me. “You are one of the better men I know. I can attest to that fact. Plus, as you so recently reminded me, I am an exceptional judge of character. You are good.”
He pulls his face out of my hand, and I show him my teeth in irritation. “A good man would not work day and night to defend murderers or thieves.”
I barely stop glowering at him. My lips flatten but I can’t do anything about that. “Why do it then?” I challenge.
“Because I have been alone. I know what it means to be backed into a corner without anyone to defend you.”
“Do you agree with what they do?”
