Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 136025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136025 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
I lift my brows and chew my gum casually. He stares harder. My nonchalance is grating on him.
“I appreciate the concern,” Maximoff says, “but I’m highly capable of dealing with my relationship on my own.” His voice is firm and unyielding. All alpha.
My smile stretches, roped in for a second, but as I turn, I realize quickly that Beckett mistakes my reaction for arrogance. Like I’m toting a win over his head and smirking, Maximoff took my side, not yours.
Not the case.
Not the truth.
“I don’t play under the table,” Beckett says to me, “so I’m putting this out in the open.” He mimics me, raising his brows. “I don’t trust you—”
“You don’t trust me because you don’t know me—”
“Whatever the case,” Beckett says.
And I spot Akara in my peripheral, lingering. He whispers to Sulli, and she nods before slipping out.
Beckett continues, “If you betray my cousin, all seven Cobalts will destroy you far worse than you could ever hurt him.”
“Fair enough,” I say, more so acknowledging Akara who motions me out of the bathroom. As I leave into the first lounge, Maximoff shuts the door and starts talking privately with Beckett.
Most of SFO are spread out on the gray couches, eavesdropping. Oscar stands and whispers to me, “They haven’t dealt with siblings or cousins in serious relationships. You’re the first.”
“I realize that.” I comb a hand through my bleached hair. “You know Kinney Hale would’ve stabbed you in the eye for calling her ex-girlfriend not serious.”
Oscar motions from his chest to mine. “You and I know puppy love isn’t serious. What is she, nine?”
“Thirteen.” I run my hand over my jawline. “She’ll ‘revoke’ your membership to that Rainbow Brigade shit if you’re not careful.”
Oscar almost laughs, and he reties a rolled bandana around his forehead. “It’s not real until she makes pins.”
“Tell her that.” I glance at Akara who finishes chatting with someone on a bunk. He motions me further down the hall and into the second lounge.
Before I follow, Oscar lowers his voice another octave. “Seriously though, I know Maximoff is one of the hottest celebrities, and I can imagine what the sex is like—”
“No you can’t,” I say easily.
His mouth parts. “Now I’m gonna need details.”
I let out a short laugh and glance at Akara, who’s waiting. “Oscar—”
“You have to ask yourself,” he whispers, “if dealing with these families on a personal level, not professional, is really worth it. Because I know you, you’ll get in the trenches and fight until you die. But now’s the time to step out while you still can.”
I chew my gum slowly and shake my head. “I’d never commit, fuck a guy, then break up. And I’m not about to crush him because I’m scared of his family when I’m not even a little bit afraid.”
“And your lack of fear makes me uneasy,” Oscar says outright, “but you do you, Redford. When this crashes and burns, it’ll be my turn to take you out for drinks.”
I roll my eyes. He broke up with his long-term boyfriend in college, and I took him to a bar so he’d stop texting Darrien.
And I may’ve bought him one Corona.
Without another word, I finally make my way to the second lounge. Only Akara here.
He rests against the tabletop and snaps his fingers to his palm. “So first thing, did you read the SFO email?”
“Yeah.”
Thatcher sent the email to all of us at the crack of dawn. I barely skimmed the words, but I can recite the entire “memorandum” by heart.
SFO Rules on Tour (not to be negotiated or disputed):
1. SFO will take shifts driving the tour bus. Since Paul Donnelly & Quinn Oliveira failed the driver’s test to operate the bus, only Akara Kitsuwon, Farrow Keene, Oscar Oliveira, and Thatcher Moretti will drive. Thatcher has been behind the wheel for the past hour.
2. The tour bus acts as a “home on wheels” and for this reason, you’re considered “off-duty” on the bus. You’re not required to wear radios on the bus, but you must immediately wear them once you step off. Keep your phones charged in case Alpha or Epsilon need to reach you.
3. Bus doors must be locked at all times.
4. Alert the driver if your client leaves the bus. Always join your client. Don’t leave their side.
5. Any guests must be vetted before allowed on the bus. NDAs are required.
6. We’ll drive through nights, so please be respectful of those sleeping. Don’t bang doors.
7. Some conventions will include overnight stays at hotels. Bodyguards must stay in the hotel room with your client. It’s likely some clients will want to room together (i.e. Sulli & Jane) – make note of this.
8. There are nine men to two women. Please respect their space.
9. Recognize that the tour crew isn’t allowed on the bus. You are. Understand this honor, and ensure the protection of your client.