Page 96 of Alphas Like Us

Akara isconfused.

I didn’t tell anyone in advance. Not even the Omega lead, and that’s mostly because I need this to be less of an ordeal. Just quiet and easy. Not a bigmess.

“This isn’t about Luna,” I start off. “I appreciate everything you’ve all done for me so I could remain my boyfriend’s bodyguard.” I glance briefly at Thatcher. Because back in December, he was the deciding vote that helped me keep myjob.

He’s scowling like I’m far fromgenuine.

If I didn’t believe those words, I wouldn’t have saidthem.

I swing my head to the Omega lead. “And Akara…o’ captain my captain.” I wouldn’t call anyone else that but him. “All the times you’ve put your neck on the fucking line for me, I was grateful then and I’m still gratefulnow.”

Akara nods. “You’re quitting security, aren’tyou?”

“Yeah,” I say. “I’m quitting. I need to finish my residency.” And before they ask, I add, “Not for my father, but for me.” I first look atDonnelly.

His lips slowly lift, unlit cigarette in his mouth. “We’re getting our Meredith back.” He slow-claps.

I smile. “Man, you know I’m aChristina.”

“I don’t get it,” Quinnmutters.

“It’sGrey’s Anatomy, little bro,” Oscar says, clapping with Donnelly before he walks over and pats my shoulder, bringing me in a hug. He whispers in my ear, “We’re going to keep your guy safe. Don’t agonize overit.”

I already havebeen.

A hell of a lot went into this choice. And I look at ease, but he knows this is far from easyfor me. Someone else will be filling the job description ofprotecting Maximoff Hale.As his boyfriend, that job should bemine.

I protect the people I love, and choosing the medical path sometimes feels at war with protecting Maximoff. But I have to remember that I haven’t lost that ability. At the charity auction, I was there for him as his boyfriend in the end. Not as hisbodyguard.

And the same job got done. I don’t need the radio or the gun or thetitle.

I pat his back in thanks before weseparate.

“You sure?” Akara asks me, phone frozen in his hand. He holds the power to alert the rest of the Tri-Force. To turn my choice into areality.

I listen to my gut that sayspush forward.“I’msure.”

Akara hesitates, looking like he wants to change my mind, but after a pause and a once-over, he sees that I’m set. And he starts texting. “You’ll need to stay on Maximoff’s detail for one more week while we sort out a transfer.” He looks up. “Soundgood?”

“Perfect.” I already knew the protocol. “I’ve packed most of my shit. I’ll be out of security’s townhouse before then.” It’ll be more official than it has been, but I’ll be living with Maximoff. And I’ve never “officially” lived with any of my past boyfriends before, so this is just as new forme.

Thatcher should be ecstatic that I’m no longer living one floor apart from him. I’m not expecting the guy to jump for joy. But a mocking clap seems in the realm ofpossibility.

But as our eyes lock, he appears the farthest thing fromhappy.

And I’mcertain.

He’s going to make this difficult for me. Messy and fucking loud. “Thatcher—”

“You’ve had one foot in, one foot out from the start. I told you that months ago.” He tears off his latex gloves. “And I’ve known you’re committed only to yourself, but I didn’t realize how fucking selfish you are until right now.” His biting tone is dying to gnaw meapart.

I run my tongue over my molars. Seething inside out. At first, I want to just let him believe what he believes. My actions haven’t been able to convince him anything different. Not the marathon run in the dark Poconos mountains. Not every push-up, every sit-up, every time I listened when I would’ve ratherdisobeyed.

If he wants words, not actions, then I have thosetoo.

“Wherever I am, I’m all there,” I say strongly. “I’vealwaysbeen committed to security, and the fucking millisecond that I felt drawn somewhere else, I chose to leave.” That’s thetruth.

But Thatcherglares.