MACKENZIE
Mackenzie
Justice, with a gentle hand on Theo’s back, guided him towards the exit. I made it two steps before I noticed Ren was not following.
“Are you coming?” I asked.
“I’m not sure that invitation was extended to me. It certainly wasn’t extended to Bob here.”
“You promised.” I put a hand on my hip.
“Technically, you promised.”
“And how would you know I fulfilled my promise if you’re not there to see it?”
“Ooo, tricky logic.”
“Besides, I can’t imagine Justice could get any more annoyed.”
Ren pushed his chair out and stood gracefully. Some alphas had this thing. I didn’t know what to call it. It was like they knew they could be stronger than they looked, so they were careful with their bodies. It made them graceful in a way that couldn’t be faked. Daryl didn’t have it. Ren did. So did Justice.
“I live to annoy Justice,” he said in a purr, and nodded for us to follow.
We walked through the ship to parts I hadn’t been to before. Or maybe we had, but Theo had been leading the way. With each step, the carpets got plusher, the art on the walls more expensive. Even the air felt different here, like money could somehow make oxygen taste better. Ren stayed close to my side as we trailed behind Theo and Justice. They looked good together. Not opposites, but complements. But Ren and I, we were more of a matched set. Dark hair, dark eyes. His skin golden, mine too pale.
“The ship gets fancier the higher you go,” I whispered to Ren.
“Like Port Haven,” he said with a wry smile. “The higher up you are, the better the view.”
We reached the entrance to Meridian, where a hostess in a sleek black dress and pearls greeted us. “Your table will be ready momentarily, Mr. Twill. Would you care for a cocktail while you wait? Or perhaps an amuse-bouche?”
My eyes caught the menu posted on the wall. Lots of steak. Duh. Daryl liked his steak well-done. It had to be crispy on the edges. I liked… Did I like steak? And the prices. My stomach dropped. I curled a lock of hair around my finger. Ren caught my chin with a fingertip and tilted my head up. His eyes searched my face like a puzzle he had to figure out. I wasn’t keen on knowing what he was discovering, so I rolled my eyes and shrugged.
“It’s just that it’s more expensive than I thought.”
He held my gaze for several more heartbeats.
“Just.” Ren’s voice carried across the foyer. He took a step back and I could breathe again. Justice turned, one eyebrow raised. “Who’s paying for dinner?”
Justice looked like Ren had just asked if the earth was flat. “What the fuck kind of question is that?” He turned back around, guiding Theo deeper into the restaurant.
Ren leaned close, his breath tickling my ear. “Want to know a secret about Justice?”
I nodded.
“Justice grew up poor.” Ren extended a hand, inviting me to walk in front of him. He kept close, too close, to whisper in my ear. “Like, really poor. Like, stealing-toilet-paper-from-the-locker-room poor.” His voice dropped even lower. “I used to stuff fives and tens in his pockets when he wasn’t looking, hoping he’d find them when he did laundry. Just so he’d have lunch money.”
Ren put his hand on my waist to shift me to the left when a server suddenly stepped into the aisle. His touch burned right through my dress.
“So, if Justice wants to pay for everything, it’s not about a billionaire showing off.” Ren’s fingers trailed across my back. “It’s about finally being able to take care of people. It genuinely brings him joy.”
I stopped just before we reached the table, a thought striking me. “Wait. How do you stuff money in someone’s pockets without them knowing?”
Ren’s grin was wicked, but his eyes held something deeper. He didn’t answer, just pulled out my chair.
I sat down slowly, the pieces clicking into place. Ren and Justice hadn’t just known each other. They’d been close. Really close. The kind of close where you could pick someone’s pocket in reverse.
The kind of close that left scars when it ended.