Page 125 of Alphas Like Us

“Around there,” Akaranods.

Her BAC has to be low, but she’s not a regular drinker. “How much sleep has she had?” I step back since her pulse is normal. I stand next toMaximoff.

“Not much,” Akara says, adjusting Sulliagain.

There you go.“That’s most likely why she passed out after four shots.” I glance back at Jane who’s stuck calculating. “She’ll be fine, Cobalt. People pass out from drinking. Shithappens.”

Jane raises a finger at me. Not a middle finger. A pointer finger toshutup.

Maximoff whispers, “It’ll make her feel better.” I assume that Jane was the one supplying and mixing Sulli’sdrinks.

And I don’t need to ask why they’re alltense.

From an outsider’s standpoint, having a friend facedown drunk is a nuisance at best. I’ve lugged Donnelly’s ass up a flight of stairs at 4 a.m. before, and we cracked jokes about it the nextmorning.

From a security standpoint, having a celebrity pass out—one who is female and has a family history of alcoholism—is a fucking PR nightmare. The monikerDrunken Heiresswill follow Sulli around for the rest of herlife.

From a friend and family standpoint, none of us want Sulli to have to deal with badshit.

I turn to Maximoff, sweeping his sharp features again. “Who’s carrying her out ofhere?”

“Akara already picked her up, and she lookeddead.” He shakes his head once, neck stiff. “She can’t be carried out, and there’s no way outside without a camera catchingus.”

Notgood.

Akara says what I’ve realized. “We’re staying here until she wakesup.”

Maximoff tries to crack his knuckles. The longer I stare at him, the more I know something is eating at my boyfriend, andfuck, I just want to be alone with him. It’s the only way he’llunwind.

“Follow me, wolf scout.” I take his hand and try to lead him to the men’s bathroom. He ends up next to me, step-for-step, and he opens the dark woodendoor.

I easily let him have that lead. Teasing him isn’t a good idea rightnow.

The bathroom is as elaborate as the bar: gold fixtures and faucet, three obsidian sinks and urinals, two varnished woodenstalls.

Maximoff puts a hand to his neck and glares at the fringedchandelier.

“What are you thinking?” I lean casually against a sink and grip the granite counter behind me. To be honest, I want to hold him.Badly.But I have to wait until he’ll let me. Until we talk this shitout.

And I love driving along the weaving and crisscrossing roads of his ever-turning mind. The fact that he lets me in means everything tome.

He tries to blow out a breath. “My chest is onfire.”

Just watching him, my chest is burning alivetoo.

Before I respond, he adds, “And I almosthitAkara.”

I quickly replay Akara and Maximoff’s interactions in my mind. They seemed normal. “He didn’t act like you swung athim.”

“Because I stopped myself from even moving my arm.” Maximoff tugs at the collar of his Philadelphia Eagles crew-neck. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to feel, but all I could reach was anger when Akara said this has happenedbefore.”

I frown. “When?”

He tries to roll his taut neck. “A few weeks ago at Charlie and Beckett’s apartment. Apparently Sulli thought it was some fluke happening since she only drank three beers and conked out. Not asleep, but fuckingunresponsive.” He holds my gaze in a tight vice. “And I keep thinking…Maximoff…” His eyes redden. “You had a chance to keep her away from alcohol. You stupid fucker. Why’d you let her drink atall?”

I take the strong breath that he can’t take. Staying at ease when he can’t be at ease. “Because despite loving to be in control, you’re not a controlling fucker, Maximoff. You don’t make other people’s choices for them. You’re just there for them.” And when he needs to be reminded of that, of anything, I’ll be the first to tell him everytime.

He pinches hiseyes.