Page 22 of Alphas Like Us

Oscar whispers, “He knowssomething.”

“And he’s not going to tell us shit,” I say softly. “This isCharlie.”

“He’ll tell his older sister.” Oscar’s dark curls fall over his forehead as he nods towardsJane.

Jane looksuncertain.

I tilt my head. “You’re hissister.”

“He can be abnormally private,” she says as though being left out doesn’t hurt. “We should find Beckett—though, Beckett will only spill Charlie’s secrets if it’s life-threatening.”

I don’t pretend to understand the Cobalt family hierarchy of secret-keeping and secret-spilling. None if it has any ounce of order or sense tome.

“Boss, I’ll get my client,” Donnelly says about Beckett. He already pushes the doors to the lobby before Akara says, “I’ll go withyou.”

Theyleave.

25k.

Oscar brushes his earpiece, someone’s speaking, and I never thought I’d miss my radio or Alpha in my fuckingear.

While I wait for him to fill me in, I concentrate on Maximoff. He stares at the wall, his trance broken, but he’s listening carefully to thenumber.

28k.

Oscar touches my shoulder. “Charlie is coming here to speak to you. It can’t begood.”

“No shit.” My voice dies as the double doors blow open. The pop of noise causes a wave of mutterings and heads toturn.

Charlie couldn’t care less, his attention plastered tome.

“What is it?” I ask. That acid in my throat is bile.I taste it. My gut—my intuition that I rely on—sickens withdread.

He nears quickly, his shoulder brushing mine at the same height, and he says hushed but fast, “You have to winhim.”

I shelter the urge to ask why. “I don’t have thirtygrand—”

“I’ll wire you the money,” Charlie cuts me off, not removing his intense yellow-green eyes from my face. “Farrow.” Urgency is on my name, but I can’t tell if fear, worry, or something else accompaniesit.

He reaches for the clicker in myhand.

I pull back, and not wasting time, I press the button. The device blinks green and I enter the 30k bid. Someone else bids 31k, but I manage to get to 32k before anyone elsecan.

“Charlie,” Jane whispers, “the H.M.C. board said we’re notallowed to pool our money into any bids. It was astipulation—”

“Fuck the board,” Charlie says beneath his breath, and to me, he says, “Continue.”

I comb a hand through my hair. “If this is serious, Charlie, security has the ability to shut down the entireauction—”

“Maximoff wouldn’t want to end an event early,” Charlie cuts meoff.

A short laugh sticks to my throat. “When have you ever cared what Maximoff wants?”37k.

“It’s fine,” Charlie says, glare on my glare. “It’s fine.You’re going to win him. The solution is righthere.”

I should grab Maximoff off the stage. I should leave with him, but I can’t tell if that instinct is just me being hyper-vigilant of the guy I love, combined with the after-effects of astalker.

I’d like to say that Nate,that sick motherfucker, didn’t affect me, but I’m standing here questioning my naturalinstincts.