Aleksei takes an obvious step back. He’s not overly aggressive like some Alphas can get when something happens they don’t like or appreciate, but his disappointment makes his scent fade, making it hard to ignore the fact I did upset him.
“We will talk later. You need to change and keep Santiago away from her.”
He walks off, leaving me racing back over our conversation, trying to figure out where, and why, he did another one-eighty on me.
But as fast as he flipped on me, the answer strikes like a lightning bolt. I race after him, grabbing his arm again to stop him from leaving the storage unit the cars are parked in.
“It was a rhetorical question, Aleksei. I know Quinny is your only motivator and your only guide of what’s acceptable and what isn't. She’s my only measure too.”
The prick is smiling when he turns to face me. “These tests are good, aren’t they? Every time we figure things out is like a nail, hammering our bond into something unbreakable.”
He leaves me once again wondering how the fuck I’m going to survive this. She’s not the problem. Her Alphas are another thing.
Aleksei waits just outside the door, and once he’s locked up the private unit, he passes me the key and a brand-new phone.
“We can finish setting up the security on the flight. I’ve given you access to all my properties, warehouses included. It is what any guard would have, but that’s not how I see you. We’re pack. I’ve added contacts you need to be aware of and given you access to my banking. My wife won’t like not using her own money, but I think the makeup sex we will have after will be worth the argument.”
Before we step off, I position myself in front of him. Given we’re all about appearances and minimizing risk, right now looks like as good a time as any to start pretending.
Aleksei says something to Roshka, and the dog trots over where the trees are and is back in moments, swapping out with Nalla who limps more than trots.
Quinn tracks her every step before she turns her eyes on me. “How's your leg?”
“I’d tell you if it was an issue,” I offer, wanting to reach out to pull her into a hug.
We’re interrupted by the flight attendant and the pilot approaching. They talk with Aleksei, and as soon as Nalla rejoins, I gesture for her to check the plane with me.
I’m not a dog person, but I like Nalla. Roshka reminds me too much of Aleksei, and Santiago. He’s brash and forthright, andconsidering I’ve got two domineering Alphas already, diverting to Nalla feels right.
I help her up the stairs, earning myself a warning growl, which I ignore. I wait for her to do the initial sweep through, in case anyone we don’t know about is hiding, and when she comes back, I join her in the aircraft.
It’s easy to see this plane is as different as night is to day, compared to the one Santiago flew. It’s longer and a hell of a lot newer, for starters. Inside, you can actually stand, and there’s room for days. There’s no mistaking the luxury, but it’s not rubbed in your face, which is how I like it. Which is also how I know I’ll be fine adjusting to having money. Quinny, Aleksei, and Santiago are all well-off, but they don’t shove it in front of you.
I check over the aircraft, looking for anything concerning, but it’s clear there’s nothing. On my way back outside, I meet Santiago as he’s coming out of the cockpit. “Please tell me you’re not flying.”
He races down the couple of steps, turning and grinning. “No, It’s a shame, though. This sweet girl would be a blast.”
“You checked the pilot’s credentials?”
“They look competent. I went through their log, and everything is being done how it should be. Aleksei mentioned he gave you a file. I’ll sit with you and add anything else I know. We need to be on the ball.”
“He added me to the security system for his properties, so I need a rundown on that too. And then figure out how to log onto his banking.”
He claps me on the shoulder. “We’ll be fine.”
But in a sense, it ends our conversation as we wait just behind the pilots finalizing their rundown with Aleksei and Quinn. Once they finish talking, the pilots and the flight attendant grab our bags and start stowing them on the plane.
Usually I’d offer to help, but not anymore. Not when I have a beautiful woman to watch over. Roshka gets harnessed next to Quinny, and Nalla next to Aleksei. Santiago sits opposite me, but we’re positioned closer to Aleksei, and it was most certainly intentional.
There’s a seat next to Quinn, and in due course, I’m sure we will each take our turn there, but we can all recognize she needs time alone. Returning to her home and seeing Victor is sure to be stirring up a hornet’s nest of emotions and anxiety.
Quinny turns to face the window as we taxi down the runway. As soon as we’re in the air, she looks for each of us before she reclines her seat and pulls the blankets up to her chin. The seat belt sign goes off, but Quinny doesn’t move. She’s out like a light.
Chapter Fifty
QUINN
Iwake up to the sweet smell of cinnamon and Kade’s deep breathing. His face is all I see. Which is a lovely surprise, but not what I was expecting.
