Max looked dubious. “Really?”
“It won’t be for long. We just need to get him in the car.” I didn’t like the thought that slipped into my head next, but it was the truth. “I figure it’s the least he can do, considering…”
“Okay.” Max squeezed my hand just as his phone chimed. He frowned at the screen. “It’s from Elliot.”
Opening the message, he angled the screen so I could see it.
Elliot: Can you meet me at Cassie’s in an hour?
Max glanced at me, eyebrows raised. Not that we’d never been out for a drink with Elliot, but I had a bad feeling about this.
“What do you reckon that’s about?” Max asked, already typing out a reply.
Max:Sure. Any particular reason?
“No idea,” I muttered as we both watched his phone screen, waiting for a response.
We didn’t have to wait long.
Elliot: I have something to show you, regarding Xen. Don’t bring Jake. I’ve told Xen I’m taking you out for a late lunch and left him to draw his own conclusions. He seemed oddly pleased by the idea.
“I just bet he did.” I scowled at Max’s phone. “I don’t think Elliot knows about Xen’s deal with Frost.” I didn’t think Xen had told him, but that message confirmed it for me.
“I agree. I don’t think Xen’s told anyone.”
“Are you going to go?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
Max nodded. “I have to. Whatever Elliot has on him can only help us, right?”
“Maybe.”
He typed out a reply to Elliot, then set his phone down. “I think I’d better have another shower before I go meet him.” He gave himself a tentative sniff and grunted. “Yep, definitely.”
I scowled again, this time at the thought of Max washing off my scent to go and meet Elliot, and suddenly I knew exactly how Max had felt earlier. “Fuck, this is theworst.” I scrubbed both hands over my face and groaned.
“I don’t have to go,” Max said, his hand finding its way onto my thigh.
“You do.” I set my hand over his and repeated his words from earlier. “And I’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”
Amusement flashed in Max’s eyes. “Naked?”
I grinned back. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Max had been gonefor a little over an hour and I’d just managed to convince my dad to go with us tomorrow, when someone knocked at the door. I’d heard a car pull up outside but hadn’t given it much thought since it was too soon for Max to be back, and I wasn’t expecting anyone else.
I was upstairs on my bed, and my windows looked out onto the garden so I couldn’t see who it was. “I’ve got to go, Dad,” I said, interrupting him midsentence. “Someone’s at the door. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Goodbye Jake.”
We hung up and I slipped my phone in my pocket before heading downstairs. I almost stumbled as I reached the bottom and saw the outline of the person outside my front door. I didn’t need the faint scent creeping into the hallway to recognise the imposing figure of Xen Kelson.
I stiffened, hand tightening around the banister. My alpha was one of the last people I wanted to see right now. Although I guessed I shouldn’t have been surprised. He knew I’d been out for lunch with Myla. Probably wanted a report on how it had gone and who had seen us.
I rolled my eyes, already knowing this wasn’t going to be pleasant.
But unavoidable now he’d seen me.
“Xen,” I said, opening the door wide. “What a surprise.” I stood back to let him in, cringing as he walked slowly past me and inhaled.
