Page 28 of Alphas Like Us

She ties her hair back, cheeks flushed hot. “They were given temp bodyguards tonight. It’s likely Ben and Nona ditched them, and it’s even more possible they’re here to protest theauction.”

“I don’t know.” I stare off, thinking. “Winona and Ben are passionate about these things, but they’d both rush in and not just wait in Ben’s car. It seems weird…” I trail off and notice Charlie alone, still slumped on aseat.

He tosses his bowtie to thefloor.

I’ve stopped bringing him into the fold. Because he kept ignoring me every time I did. And maybe he still will, maybe he’ll hate that Winona called me first, but I don’t want to chisel him out of my worldanymore.

I look to Jane. “Should I ask your brother to come with me?” Jane has always played neutral in my feud with Charlie, but I can tell it’s strained her relationship withhim.

She smiles. “Oui, oui.”Yes, yes.“Vous deux, allez-y. Je vais rester avec Beckett au cas où il serait bientôt appelé. Je ne veux pas qu’il soit seul.”You two go. I’m going to stay here with Beckett in case he’s called soon. I don’t want him to bealone.

I wave Charlie over, and he surprisingly drops to his feet and saunters to me. I explain what’s happening and finish with, “Want tohelp?”

Charlie stares at the ground, processing everything. And when his yellow-green eyes lift up to me, he answers, “You’re in luck. I’mavailable.”

I was prepared for a fight, but this is better. So much better. And I turn on instinct, looking for someoneelse.

Farrow.

He’s still chatting with Ace Steel down the aisle, but Akara and Oscar flank him like they’re two-seconds from pulling himbackwards.

I cup my hands around my mouth. “Farrow!” I call out, and nearly every head swerves in mydirection.

Farrow locks eyes with me, and I know, in this second, that I want him withme.

So I text Winona:me, Charlie, and Farrow are coming in a sec. Don’t driveaway.

She’s fast toreply.

Isn’t Farrow like 6’5’’? Ben’s eco car is too small for all 3 of u–Winona

I type quickly as a six-foot-threeFarrow approaches, and I send:not if you sit in the middle seat in theback.

K. Hurry.–Winona

I plan onit.

5

MAXIMOFF HALE

Heavy rain beats the sleek,blue electric car in a deserted alleyway. Car windows arefogged.

An overhang on the side-exit keeps us dry, and Farrow catches my arm before we run into the midnight storm withCharlie.

My cousin already disappears into the front passengerside.

“Half of Omega is waiting in security’s Range Rover in case Ben drives off,” Farrow explains as he quickly fits in his earpiece and hooks a radio to hisbelt.

“They really let you back on duty?” I ask, and we step into the rain together, our boots meeting the slickroad.

Farrow jogs around to the other door. “I’m the best at what I do, wolf scout. Everyone needs me. Case in point.” He puts a hand on the car’s wetroof.

I clutch the door handle. He’s right, but there’s a difference between security and me. “I don’t just need youthough.”

I wantyou.

I wantyou.