Chapter 25
They all stared at me with different ranges of confusion about where I’d asked them to sit on the couch.
“You want to go where?” Dorian repeated after I’d already said I wouldn’t say.
I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
Instead, I tucked the strand of hair behind my ear.
All morning, I’d spent getting ready and combing through all the clothes I’d managed to have Dorian purchase for me.
Selecting an outfit was hard; all the clothes I’d gotten were nice, and now we were parting ways.
Crossing my arms, I lifted my chin. With Alphas, nothing was ever easy, much less getting them to go along with something that they don’t have all the answers to.
“We should know where—”
I put a hand up to interrupt Rafe. “So, you’ll deny me this. Just as you have denied me everything. Got it.” I turned on my heel, prepared to march back to my room.
“Maybe we should listen—”
“Fine,” Dorian’s growled word interrupted Cade.
I stifled my smile and turned back around.
“Good.” I met each of their gazes superficially, not fully looking at them. Not the freckles across Cade’s nose, or the beauty mark on the crest of Dorian’s cheekbone, or Rafe’s deep-set brown eyes that seem to strip me raw.
“Be ready by seven.” I turned on my heel, keeping my pace steady, and refusing to rush like my pounding heart demanded I did. There were only a couple hours left until it was time to leave. Hopefully Cade would be busy getting prepped because him watching my every move was driving me crazy.
Reaching my room, I finally let the smile grow. Bossing them around was nice. At least I’d gotten a taste of it before I never saw them again.
“Turn here,” I announced, peeking down at the Epad Dorian gave me to make sure it was the correct direction.
“Give me the device—”
“No,” I shouted, scooting away until my back hit the car door.
“Fine,” Cade pouted, leaning against the seat, arm stretched out and still on my thigh.
Throughout the entire drive, he kept trying to touch me.
Eventually, I was so tired of swatting him away, I let his hand stay where it was.
He’d been so touchy since last night. Since taking my ‘forgiveness’ bullshit to heart.
Honestly, he seemed like a different person.
All night, he stayed on my bed with his too touchy, roaming hands.
Fortunately, I was still exhausted from the bouts of sex, so sleep came quickly.
Today was the first time I was starting to feel the soreness leak away.
All that was left was the occasional twinge in my thighs.
With Cade no longer trying to see the screen, I peeked down to make sure we were on the correct route.
“Why are we here?”
Rafe pulled into a parking spot and idled. “Is this a mistake?” A neon yellow light with an outline of a woman sprawled on her back blinked from over the entrance.
“Nope. Turn the car off.” Before they could try to take off, I shoved open the door and hopped out. A moment later, the window rolled down.
“If you’re making a point—”
I slammed the door in the middle of Dorian’s comment and sped to the entrance before they attempted to shove me back in the vehicle. I waited patiently at the entrance, watching Rafe pull the car toward a parking spot in front. Cade’s door was already open before the car fully stopped.
I turned and bumped into a muscled wall. He had to be an Alpha with this physique. His scent tickled my nose while his dominance radiated, confirming my assumption.
“There’s no need to run into me for attention, precious.”
His smile was dazzling and inviting. I blinked, taking a moment to wrap my head around the beautiful man standing before me. He was a pretty man. The prettiest I may have ever seen . . . Still, my heart didn’t shudder. I yearned for mine.
“I didn’t mean to bump you like that,” I said politely, allowing a smile. Alphas loved a preening Omega.
“Back the fuck away from my Omega.” Cade was suddenly holding my waist and tucking me close to the front of his body. Grabbing me so hard that it was difficult to breathe.
The Alpha’s grin widened. “My apologies, she doesn’t smell claimed.”
“Fuck off, Langley.” Dorian’s voice was like a whip.
Is that his first name or his pack name?
The pretty Alpha’s grin turned into full-blown chortles. “What is the Ironwyld Pack doing here? Weren’t you too good for places like this?”
None of them said anything. Langley put his hands up and swept past, meeting my eyes with a playful glint in his eyes. “Maybe we’ll meet again.”
“No the fuck you won’t,” Cade snapped, but Langley was gone. “That was one of the Langley Alphas?” Cade scoffed with pure disgust.
“I. Can’t. Breathe,” I croaked. Cade’s arm loosened. I gasped a breath and shoved at his caging arm, managing to free myself. He grabbed for me, and I swatted his hand away. “Ridiculous.”
I tucked the ivory long-sleeve more securely into the chocolate-colored pleated skirt and walked to the entrance. Rafe was there to open the wooden door.
“Why are we here?” he grumbled. I ignored him and crossed the dark entrance, striding toward the small waiting lobby where there was a young woman at the booth.
Behind her, the same image as outside adorned the wall at her back, but much less bright. She smiled wide, her red-painted lips standing out. I didn’t miss the questioning raise of her eyebrow as she scanned me. Then her gaze went over my shoulder, taking her time to study the Alphas at my back.
“Reservation for Eva.”
Her eyes lingered on Cade. “Taken,” Cade announced, hand on my shoulder. “All of us.”
I jerked my shoulder to get his hand off, but it was like he had glue on his palm.
“She didn’t say anything.” I rubbed my temples and gave my shoulder another jerk, but to no avail. “Sorry.” I met the Beta’s gaze.
She quirked an eyebrow. “Okaaaaay,” she drawled, and typed at the screen propped in front of her.
“You’re all checked in. I’ll get your group settled in the room.” She walked around the counter as she continued to observe me. The questions in her eyes were unmistakable, but all I did was smile and wait for her lead.
Cade’s announcement went against our being here. I would also be curious about myself if I were in her shoes. She guided us down the hall, and past a gaping opening to a lounge. In the middle of the low-lit room was a dance floor where a woman twirled around a pole.
That was all the glimpse I had then we were taking a sharp left down a row of doors. She guided us to one of the last ones and opened it.
“Your entertainment will be here momentarily.” I caught the heavy door before it shut.
“Entertainment?” Dorian and Rafe hissed simultaneously.
She quickly left with a spooked look on her face. When I turned to the Alphas, I knew why. They looked pissed.
“Enough of this,” Dorian snapped. They were done with going along with things. I dashed inside the room, knowing they would follow. They shoved inside, and the heavy door slammed shut behind them.
Rafe came at me like a bulldozer. He gripped my neck, pulling me close before leaning down.
His nose about touched mine. Delicious coffee tickled my nose.
Toe-curlingly delicious. I snapped out of it and tried to pull away unsuccessfully.
I shoved against his chest, my heart racing under his palm.
Cade was suddenly there, hand on Rafe’s wrist, yanking him away.
I stumbled back and dropped onto the couch.
“You’ll hurt her,” Cade spat. That was rich. I gave him an unimpressed look. Cade’s lips flattened and turned down at the corners.
A high-pitched trill invaded the room.
Dorian cursed. “It’s the bank.” I only heard the beep of him answering since I was too busy having a stare down with Rafe.
“Mr. Ironwyld, there was unusual activity on your purchases, and I wanted to call and ensure there’s nothing fraudulent happening.
” There was the sound of clicking. “A purchase of ten thousand dollars was made on Cade Ironwyld’s card at six this evening to an establishment named The Bordello. Is this charge correct?”
Dorian looked pissed. “Decline the charge.” He kept hold of my gaze like a dare, then ended the call. “If you’re trying to prove a point by bringing us here, it’s enough. Let’s go home, and we will discuss it there.”
“No.” I crossed my arms.
Dorian glared, shoving his hands through his hair. “Eva De La Cruz,” he snapped, nose flared.
Rafe crouched before me, bringing himself lower so I didn’t have to crane my neck so much. His hands settled on my thigh. “If this is the way you’re lashing out because of what we’ve done.” He paused and exhaled. “There’s no need. We understand how severely we’ve fucked up.”
I jumped to my feet. “Do you really?” I narrowed my eyes. “You all treated me like garbage.” My voice cracked. Cade looked away while Dorian flinched. I returned to Rafe’s steady and hard gaze. “You fucking auctioned me,” I whispered.
Rafe closed his eyes, his face muscles pinched.
Here they were arguing with me when I was about to make their dreams come true.
There was a light knock on the door, and Demi entered. She was dressed in a bright green bra and pantie set. She strutted inside. “Hello . . .” She came to a full stop, eyes wide and fearful.
She’s scared of them? I could tell she was about to bolt, so I rushed to the door to block it.
“Wh-what is this?” she whispered backing up. Her Omega scent permeated the room, prodding at my Omega instincts. I gritted my teeth and shoved down the jealousy.
“Surprise.” I tried for fake cheer. “Susanna is going by Demi now.” I was being purposefully dramatic.
Panic flitted across her face. Pure, unadulterated panic. Then it settled into anger.
“Do you never give up?” she snapped, glaring directly at Dorian. She whirled and saw me standing in front of the door.
All of them were pale. as if they’d seen a ghost.
“Out of the way,” she snapped at me.
I raised an eyebrow. “Not until you give them the truth.”
“For fuck’s sake,” she hissed.
“What’s going on, Susanna?” Dorian snapped, finally coming to life. Her name on his lips made my heart skip a beat. “How do you know her?” This time he was looking at me.
“I met her at the Heat Auction.” I turned to Demi. “They’ve been looking for you for close to two years.”
“I know,” she spat. “Why do you think I changed my name?”
“You don’t think they deserve an explanation?”
“For what?” She threw her hands up. “I left. Isn’t that clear enough?”
“Get out of her face,” Cade growled, hand resting on my shoulder to pull me back as he got in front of me.
“They feel like they owe you for saving them.” I snorted. “Why did you tell them you reported the orphanage? That you left for them when the place was already under investigation?”
She rubbed her face with her palm. “You’re still fixated on that?
” She paced to the other end of the room, keeping her back to the wall.
They followed her tracks with narrowed eyes as she spoke.
“I just told you that so you’d fuck me. Little did I know you’d try to tie me down.
” I watched their expressions morph with her revelations. Everything I’d concluded was right.
“I settled down for three years, but I couldn’t fucking do it anymore. No money in the world was worth my freedom.” She looked over them with derision.
“It was a lie?” Dorian bit out. I couldn’t read his expression, but I had no place in this room. I inched backwards until I gripped the door handle.
“It was a lie,” she admitted. “Now I’ve found a Pack I want for good . . .”
“Then why did you send the letter?” Rafe was livid, and he seemed to be struggling not to lunge forward and choke her.
Her mouth tightened, and she fluffed her hair out. “I saw a gossip page talking about some Omega you were fucking.” She shrugged. “I got jealous. It was a lapse in judgment.” She sniffed.
Like playing with people was a fucking game. She was unbelievable.
“You ‘got jealous’?” Rafe barked out a laugh.
“You fucking liar.” Dorian took another step closer to her, the move threatening. Her pace paled. “You sent the letter out of whim?” Dorian’s voice lowered, a deceptive calm coming over him.
Time for me to go.
I pulled the door just enough for me to slide out while they were busy being distracted by her and made sure it didn’t slam shut.
Then I followed the path to the lobby. I’d never been stupid.
I knew when to keep my mouth shut, and when to take action.
Now was my time to get away from here, regardless of what that looked like.
I stopped in front of the Beta. She looked up, then peeked over my shoulder, obviously looking for the guys. They hadn’t left a good impression which worked in my favor.
“Please tell them I left.”
She blinked repeatedly. “What?”
I exhaled slowly.
“Let me slow down.” I licked my lips. “Those Alphas I came with. I have to get away from them—”
She raised her hand, and I clamped my lips together.
“Say no more. I know exactly what you mean. I’ve had my share of stalkers.
” She pulled out a glittery bottle and sprayed the intense smell.
“Follow me.” She guided me through a door on my right that blended in with the wall.
“Go all the way down the hall to the door at the end. You can hang out there until I get rid of them.” She closed it, leaving me in silence.
None of the loud music reached this sliver of peace.
I strode down to the end like she directed and opened the door to a carpeted room with bright walls and plenty of places to lounge.
A woman sat inside, lying across the entire couch against the far wall.
She peeked through one eye, then closed it. I shuffled inside and sat on one of the love seat couches across from the television.
I’d wait until they were gone. Then I’d find a way to the closest ORD.