Page 77 of The Denver Alpha
“What?” It’s the only word I can manage with my head spinning the way it is.Concern. Unease. Suspicion.
“Yeah, she showed up in a cab at the gate,” Sam continues. “She’d passed her phone and wallet to Shay when she got arrested, so the guys at the gate paid her cab fare and brought her up here.”
“How is she?” I rush out- because despite all the possibilities circling in my brain, Juliet’s well-being is at the forefront.
“She seems fine, maybe a little shaken up. She said she never made it to the station, I assumed that was your doing. I didn’t ask, I just left her in the living room with Shay and her friends and called you.”
I hear a feminine giggle in the background, immediately recognizing it as Juliet’s. Concern gives way to suspicion, my mind trying to reconcile Juliet being in certain danger one moment and laughing with her friends the next.
Something doesn’t add up, and while I don’t want to suspect Juliet of being in cahoots with Gavin, I’ve been wrong before. Back when we were at war with the shadow pack, one of my most trusted advisors betrayed me. I never saw it coming. That betrayal has stuck with me ever since, making it hard to trust anyone.
“Be home soon,” I mutter, hitting the button to end the call right as the light in front of me turns green. I speed through the intersection, then flip a U-turn, ignoring the speed limit as I race back to the packhouse to figure out what the hell’s going on.
When I step into the living room of the packhouse, my eyes immediately land on Juliet.Bold, bright-eyed, beautiful Juliet.She’s still dressed for the club, that short skirt giving me an unobstructed view of her long suntanned legs. One is crossed over the other as she reclines on the sofa, flipping her blonde hair over a shoulder as she laughs at something Tobias said. She’s happy.Safe.This night could’ve gone so wrong, but she’s right here, right where she belongs. I had to see it myself to fully believe it, and now that I do, I finally allow the relief to wash over me, calming my erratic pulse.
Those piercing blue eyes of hers suddenly flicker my way, colliding with my own and stealing the breath from my lungs. I don’t think I realized until this very moment how much of a hold this girl has over me. It’s fucking maddening, driving me to the brink of insanity.
“Everybody out,” I command, my eyes not leaving hers.
The others in the room scramble to leave, but they’re just a blur in my periphery. I’m still looking at her.Only her.
Juliet rises from the sofa as I stride in her direction, stepping forward to meet me halfway. As soon as she’s within reach, I take her face in both hands, her arms looping around my waist effortlessly as she stares up at me, mascara-slicked lashes fluttering.
“Tell me what happened,” I say firmly, trying my best to keep the edge out of my voice. “Shay said you were arrested…”
“The cops were dirty,” she rushes out on an exhale, tilting her head and pressing her cheek into my palm. “Gavin paid them off to bring me to him.”
A growl rumbles in my chest as I shake my head in disgust. Once I get the officers’ names from the chief, there’ll be hell to pay.
“What did he want? Did he…” my voice breaks as I trail off, my eyes dropping down her body. She looks fine, but I need to be sure. I clear my throat before trying again, leaning in and speaking lowly. “Did he hurt you?”
Juliet shakes her head, something akin to amusement flaring in her eyes. “No.Ihurthim.” She grins triumphantly, taking a step back as my hands drop from her face. “Told you I could take care of myself. He wanted me to deliver a message to you, but I gavehimone instead.”
I narrow my eyes on her, trying to decipher her meaning. “What message? Tell me exactly what was said.”
Juliet’s grin widens. “He said something like,” she pauses, dropping her voice low to imitate him, “tell Cole if he wants his liquor license back, he needs to sign the contracts.” Her eyes are alight as she returns her voice to a normal tone, speaking excitedly. “And I said, tell him your damn self! And then the idiot had the nerve to try to force me to get in his car with him, which wasnevergonna happen. I let him think he had me, though, and then at the last minute I flipped it around on him and kneed him in the balls. Told him that if he didn’t stop messing with you, I’d spoil whatever business deals he’s trying to work up in this town.”
“So let me get this straight,” I mutter, pinching the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger and squeezing my eyes shut. “He went through the trouble of basically kidnapping you, threatening you, and after all that, you thought it was a good idea to provoke him?”
I blink my eyes open to see Juliet nodding enthusiastically, still beaming, so damn pleased with herself.
I heave a sigh, shaking my head. “Fuck, you shouldn’t have done that,” I mutter.
Juliet steps closer. “Why not?” she asks, licking her lips suggestively and reaching up to toy with the collar of my shirt. “I provokeyouall the time/ It seems to have worked in my favor. You like it when I…”
I cut her off by sweeping her hand away, taking a step backwards and frowning. “This is serious, Juliet. It isn’t a game. Men like Gavin are dangerous.”
“So?” she scoffs with a flippant wave. “I can clearly take care of myself. I just did.”
“No, youcan’t. Not when it comes to real-life dangers like this. Jesus, are you that naïve?”
She flinches back like my words have physically slapped her. “What’s your problem?” she demands, anger bleeding into her tone.
“Myproblemis that you’re reckless and immature, and it could get you hurt, orworse.” The volume of my voice climbs with every word, Juliet’s anger and indignation feeding my own. “Fuck, this never would’ve happened if you’d just listened to me and stayed in the car that day! He never would’ve known you were anything but an employee of mine. Butno, youhadto go against a direct order, and in doing so…”
“You don’t get to order me around, Sergeant Dickwad!” Juliet interjects, shoving at my chest with her palms.
I don’t move an inch. “While you’re here in my territory I do!” I snap back.