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I vow I’ll help him. I’ll teach him or find him the right course, and meanwhile… meanwhile, I’ll find a way to give him stories, because he likes stories, and it isn’t fair that he’s been deprived of reading them for so long.
Reading books is the best trip, the best escape in the world, and I’ll do my best to get him to escape with us.
41
SAWYER
It feels weird, returning to the Alpha Bet. I can remember like it was yesterday discussing Kyrian and Roman with my friend Casey. I had been so angry with Kyrian back then for rearranging my books, for touching a nerve.
Now we stride inside together, and heads turn as we cross the still mostly empty bar, heading to Archer’s office at the back.
“What’s up?” A pretty, leggy brunette smiles at us, but Archer doesn’t even slow down.
He says, “Maisie, if you see a short girl with wild blond hair walk in, please send her my way.”
“Sure thing, boss. Is she a new dancer?”
“Yeah.” He opens a black door and ushers us inside. “This way, gentlemen.”
“I should get behind the bar,” Roman says, “get ready for the crowd rush?—”
“But you’ll want to be here when she arrives,” Archer says softly, “won’t you?”
“You’re right.” Roman nods.
Kyrian has been quiet ever since I guessed his secret. I hope he’s not mad at me, but when he catches my gaze, he gives me a faint smile.
Okay. My hands may be shaking, but I shove them into my pant pockets. It’s okay to be nervous, I remind myself. Other people get nervous, too.
This is about Brinlee and whether she wants to be with you and the pack, or not. It’s important. If you weren’t anxious about this, you’d be brain-dead.
“Okay there?” Roman comes and slides an arm around me. “Fuck, you’re hot.” When I snort, he laughs. “Sexy-hot, but also hot-hot, if you get my drift. Like you’re running a fever.”
“I’m fine,” I say, because again, now isn’t a good time for my first heat to come on, dammit. When is Brinlee supposed to?—
A knock on the door.
We all go still.
“Come in,” Archer calls out, and we turn around as a familiar pretty girl with wild blond hair enters the office.
“Well,” she breathes, eyes going comically wide as she takes in our little gathering, “damn.”
“Ready to start your new job, Miss Grissom?” Archer is the picture of professionalism, walking around his desk, hand held out. “Welcome to the Alpha Bet.”
She shakes her head, looking at his hand as if it’s a snake ready to strike, all suspicion and bluster. “Why are you all here?”
I drink her in, not bothering to hide it. Not sure I can. She’s like a glass of cool water—short, not tall—and a slice of my favorite cake, besides, and… I’ve missed her. Yeah, I’ve missed her since I last saw her two nights ago. Satisfied? Laugh all you want.
I’ve been in love with her for a while.
Not sure I can undo that love like you undo a knot, loosen it from my chest. Seeing her it’s a punch to the heart, every single fucking time.
And when her gaze comes to rest on me, fiery and dark, I respond body and soul, getting hard, getting thrilled. I want to grab her in my arms, inhale her scent.
She takes a step back.
“We work here,” Roman says calmly. “Me, Kyrian, and Archer.”
