Mason rushed forward, gathering Dash in his arms. He squeezed tight. “Fuck, Dash. I thought you might be the one dead.”
Dash patted Mason’s back, his feet dangling off the ground. “I’m right here, big guy.”
Mason released him and took a step back again. “I’ve been calling youall night,man. I went down to the Dragon and saw the Guard was in there. Almost got hauled away because they didn’t believe I was a beta at first. Once I got away from them, I calledallof my contacts connected to local law enforcement, but no one had anything. I even called the fucking coroner, hoping I could sweet talk a bit of information out of them, but they wereextratight lipped about it.” He shoved his hands through his already disheveled hair. “I’ve been worried sick, Dash.Where were you?”
“Holed up somewhere safe. I laid low until a few minutes ago.”
Mason scrubbed his face with both hands before releasing a long sigh. “Did you not see the fifty million calls and texts I left last night?”
Dash’s face warmed. “I turned my phone to silent when I went inside the Dragon. I forgot to turn the ringer back on, sorry.”
“Sorry?”Mason asked, shaking his head.
Dash shrugged, not sure what else to say.
“I didn’t hear your car pull up?”
Dash sighed. “I would’ve had to pass the Guard to get to it. I ran in the opposite direction. I’d parked it blocks away from the club, so hopefully it won’t be noticed.”
“Where did you hole up?”
“Somewhere safe,” Dash repeated, avoiding Mason’s intense gaze.
Mason searched his face. “Did something happen last night?”
“Other than me running for my life?”
“You have the look,” Mason said.
Dash frowned. “What look?”
“Freshly fucked face.”
Dash’s cheeks burned. He thanked the powers that be that betas couldn’t scent alpha and omega pheromones. Dash likely reeked to high heaven, even after his shower.
“You didn’t,”Mason said. He searched Dash’s face. “Oh, gods, you did. Was it an alpha you met at the club?”
Dash glared at him. “I’m not at liberty to say.”
“You finally busted that alpha cherry.” Mason grinned. “Was it any good?”
Dash’s face warmed again, fighting a smile.
“Thatgood?” Mason barked with laughter. “I’ve never seen you like this, so it had to be.”
“Stop,”Dash said.
“Well?Who was he?”
“When did we start having this kind of relationship?” Dash asked. “I think you’ve said more today than you have in the previous six months combined.”
Even though they’d known each other for nearly a decade, and Mason knew way too many of Dash’s secrets, they’d always kept things professional-ish—but then both of themwereworkaholics. Work was the only thing they usually had to talk about. All things said, Mason was his best friend, and he’d always have the guy’s back, one hundred percent.
Dash sure as fuck wished he’d go back to his usual quiet, though.Immediately.
“You’ve never had somethingthis interestinghappen to you before,” Mason said, lifting a brow. “I’ve also been up for about thirty-six hours at this point. I’m a bit slap happy. Sue me.”
Dash sighed.
