Page 68 of The Alpha and His Song: Volume One

We walked inside and Keaton went behind the counter to get skates for us. I looked down laughing, “You know my shoe size?” He shrugged, “I notice things about you.” I raised an eyebrow. Keaton chuckled admitting, “Or I asked Immy.” I nodded, smiling, “That sounds right.”

We sat down and Keaton helped me lace up my skates. Music began playing which made me notice the remote in my date’s hand. Keaton helped me out onto the ice. I started to fall but he grabbed me around the waist, pulling me into him.

I looked up at him breathlessly. Keaton leaned down and kissed me. The song in my head happily hummed quietly. Was this just permanent now? Would my head forever sing around him? If it was, I was grateful the song was pretty.

Keaton pulled back asking, “Are you ok?” I nodded, not looking away from him. My date gently released me and I took a tentative skate forward. Keaton was skating backwards with ease. We made it around a few times.

Keaton complimented me, “You’re a natural.” I didn’t feel super awkward, but natural seemed like a stretch. I asked, “How are you so good at this? Other than your brother owns a skating rink.” Keaton smiled, “I’m actually quite good. Most of my siblings are. My Uncle Heath has a training regimen he requires, that now my cousin requires.” Their Uncle required them to train? That was weird.

Keaton continued, “Ice skating is part of it. My mom is actually quite gifted at it. My dad didn’t find that out until she started to teach Emmett and Emma.” I smiled and skated to the edge. I urged, “Show me your skills, Key.” Keaton laughed, “Anything for you. Just keep in mind, I haven’t skated in a while.”

My date changed the song and started moving on the ice. Keaton landed his first jump, and my jaw dropped. The superstar basketball player was also good at ice skating? That was not something I expected. I began to hum to the song.

When it ended, I clapped; truly and utterly in awe of Keaton’s talents. My date skated over to me. I complimented him, “Wow, I’m just in shock. That was so good. Is there anything you aren’t good at, Keaton Daniels?”

My date flushed and looked away before answering, “I guess you’ll find out.” I snorted, “I think you are talented at anything you want to be.” I kissed his cheek, “That was beautiful, Key. Really.” He smiled, “It felt nice to get back on the ice.”

I asked, “When was the last time you skated? Because, for the record, I would not guess long. You certainly weren’t rusty.” Keaton sighed, “It’s been a few years.” I asked, “Why? Did you hurt yourself? Or stop enjoying it?”

Keaton admitted, “I enjoy skating quite a bit, it’s just not manly.” I snorted, “Says who?” Then it clicked that was something Lisa said to him. The hissing started in my head. I told him, “I think manly is used incorrectly these days.”

Keaton asked, “Is that so?” I answered, “Yes. It really means good qualities associated with men. Courage is one of those things. I think it takes courage and strength to learn and master a skill. You’ve mastered this one. Traditional masculism is so limiting. Why can’t a jock like poetry or art? That’s a silly stereotype. It doesn’t make the big linebacker any less macho for liking poetry or painting. It makes him unique.”

I reached up and touched his face, “The basketball star who loves all his siblings so much his eyes light up when he talks about them, who is a talented ice skater, and easily the best kisser of my life is definitely one of the manliest men I’ve ever met.”

I paused then added, “Plus you seem to think your oldest brother is super manly and you just said he could skate. Your mom taught him.” Keaton nodded, “Emmett is a talented skater, so is Emma. All my siblings are.”

I smiled, “There you go. Lisa is, shockingly, wrong. Please note my intense sarcasm.” Keaton whispered, “What did I do to deserve you?” I giggled and teased, “Dealt with Lisa for years.” He snorted. We skated around for about an hour before we got off the ice.

We were leaving when I saw a diner. I asked, “Can we go there?” Keaton looked startled, “You want to eat at a diner?” I nodded, “Yup! Diners always have the best milkshakes.” I paused then added, “Ok, I don’t know that for a fact. I’ve only ever had two milkshakes, but the one from the diner was the best.”

Keaton pulled in and we got out. Everyone was trying not to smile when we walked in. A waitress came over smiling at Keaton, “I switched tables because I waited on your parents the first time they came in here. Well, after your mom sent a waitress away for flirting with your dad.”

I smiled, because his mom sounded funny. Keaton laughed, “That sounds like my mother.” We ordered and I swore the whole restaurant was listening to our small talk as we learned about each other. Several of the women bumped each other and seemed to be having an unspoken conversation.

When we finished our food and milkshakes, we went back to my apartment. Keaton parked and led me upstairs. My bent down to give me a goodbye kiss before pulling back urging, “Go inside and lock the door, Odette.” I turned around and felt him against my back. It was hard to breathe.

I turned the lock and walked in. I turned around offering, “You could come in. Not to have sex or anything, but we could make out and watch some T.V.” Keaton smiled and stepped into my apartment. His lips were on mine again.

I was in trouble because Keaton Daniels was addictive. I really needed to put up some boundaries with us, but I just didn't want to. Or seem to be able to really. I pulled back and led us to the couch and turned on the T.V.

I just hoped tomorrow went smoothly. His ex-girlfriend was going to be out of I.S.S, and it felt like our bubble was going to burst. I wanted to soak up every second before it did. I looked away from Keaton and picked a show, trying to will my tears away. Everyone abandoned me, and I managed to keep going. If Keaton did, I wasn’t sure if my heart would recover.

We All Have Our Secrets

Keaton read the file on Andrew. Joe had gotten confirmation that while he wasn’t in the Ring, but the man supported them. Andrew dabbled, which in my mind, made him involved in the Ring. He may not be a full-fledged member, but he helped. That was bad enough.

Similarly to Odette’s mom, Andrew had a string of girlfriends. All usually did something for him. What did Odette’s mom do? Or did she flip the script and get something from him? I turned my phone off, noting I had several missed calls. That was going to be fun to go home to. I put that aside.

When the Silver Blade outfit went on everything at home disappeared. It’s why I enjoyed going out as the Silver Blade when Joe asked me to or I assigned myself. Lisa didn’t exist in this outfit. Nor did my failings or the thought I could die because I was bad at being a Hood member and an Alpha.

I flipped to the next page. Joe wanted Andrew dead because he’d spelled a Hood member in the area who wasn’t even reporting on the man. It looks like the girl was gathering information that wasn’t even that big of a deal.

Duke Corbin had to come with Haley to the Shroud to help her. She couldn’t remember why Andrew spelled her though. I’d get that answer, among others, before I killed him. I knew all about Andrew’s compound.

One thing I knew for certain about myself was that I was excellent at compiling threat assessments. Those were a secret though, so Lisa never knew I did them. Emmett always asked me for them because I was meticulous.

I knew the weak spots of Andrew’s compound and how to get in unnoticed. I also knew the man’s schedule. I’d studied him for months and Andrew was a creature of habit, which worked in my favor. When the plane landed, I was off.