I cut her off with a kiss. “You did nothing wrong, bellybutton. I promise.”
She frowns and strokes the tip of her finger over my eyelid. “But you got hurt.”
“It’ll heal,” I shrug. “I’d endure worse than a punch to the face to keep you safe.”
“God, alphas are so stupid,” Sadie mutters. Luca Falcone growls at her, but tucks his gun away finally, before pulling her into his chest, his hand possessively on her rounded belly.
I take advantage of the lack of weapon and climb to my feet, tucking Haven close to my body. I don’t think she’s in any danger here, not any longer, but I need to have her slight frame against mine to help calm the still raging alpha inside me.
Sadie watches from within the circle of Luca’s arms as the beta I recognize as Ethan Falcone moves closer. There’s a slight furrow in her brow like she’s not sure she trusts what she’s seeing, like there’s a sixth sense warning her I’m a lying liar-face who is using the omega tucked against my chest.
Without saying anything, she digs into Luca’s pocket and fishes out his wallet, then extracts a business car from inside. “Pen?” she asks, glancing over at Ethan, who produces one from somewhere and hands it over.
Sadie scribbles on the card and then holds it out to Haven. I keep my gaze on the three Falcone pack members as Haven reaches out to take it. “Just in case,” Sadie says with a smile, then she leans into Luca. “Come on. I snuck away to find snacks. I need deep fried pickles with spicy ranch right this second. Or I might die.”
“Don’t even joke about that, omega,” he growls, palming her ass, then lifting her in his arms. Haven and I are forgotten in favor of his omega’s need to eat and his alpha’s need to provide for her. He carries her down the hall away from the main part of the club.
The beta watches us for a moment longer, gaze lingering on the girl still tucked in my arms for a moment. “Use that number if you need it, Haven,” he says softly before turning and following his pack mates.
Haven stares after him, her body tense and her scent turning sour again. “He recognized me, didn’t he?”
I kiss the top of her head and spin her around, urging her back to the club and my pack members, who are undoubtedly getting annoyed at how long I’ve been hoarding her. Though that is a strategy, isn’t it? Keep her away from my pack mates so I’m the only one who gets any points. Then I’d win the prize.
“He might have, button.”
“Fuck,” she swears quietly. Like she doesn’t want me to hear. “I need to leave.”
That makes my stomach drop in disappointment. Not because I want to spend more time with Haven, but because I want to earn more points tonight. I’m pretty sure if I can convince her to stay, I might get her to let me fingerfuck her in public, which would be a hefty start to my game play.
But as soon as we push out the door and into the crush of bodies in the club, we’re greeted by three alphas and one worried omega. Ren barely spares me a glace, brows arching when shetakes in the bruise forming on my cheek. “What happened to you?” She asks, but her attention is already falling to her friend.
“I need to go,” Haven says quickly, cutting off any explanation I might have given. “I need to get home.”
Ren doesn’t ask questions, just nods. “Okay, babe. Whatever you need. I’ll grab our coats and meet you by the door.”
Her blond head disappears in the crowd, and the three remaining alphas look down at her. “Surely you can stay a bit longer,” Hale wheedles, no doubt hating that he hasn’t even kissed the girl tonight.
Haven shakes her head and pulls away from me, wrapping her arms around her stomach. “I really can’t… I’ve... its been too long as it is. And I-” She glances over her shoulder to where the altercation with the Falcone pack occurred.
She really is worried about being recognized, about it getting out that she’s here. But then I suppose daddy dearest wouldn’t approve of his little princess clubbing the night away. I can just imagine what the media would say if they caught wind of Haven Bell at The Market with four alphas, being involved in a fight with the Falcone pack.
She might get her credit card taken away for being naughty.
Hmm… something to keep in mind. The security at the club is tight, and I doubt I’d be able to break into their server to get the footage, but it’s worth a shot. We wouldn’t have to use it. Still, having it on hand might be nice.
“I’m sorry,” Haven’s saying as I come back to the conversation. “I’ve had the best time.” Her slim little fingers curl around my forearm and squeeze. “Really. Thank you for inviting me out.”
Tic smiles down at her, but I can feel his disappointment. “Thank you for letting us tag along on your girls’ night.”
Hale’s staring hard at Haven. “You have our numbers?” She nods. “Text to let us know you made it home, okay?”
Her cheeks flush at his protective worry, and she nibbles on her lower lip as she nods. “I will. I promise.”
Our prime runs a hand down his face. “I gotta be honest here, little mouse. I’m finding it very difficult to let you walk away from us.”
Her flush deepens further. Shit, Hale’s good. Very good at playing the protective alpha. It’s only a matter of time before he’s protected her right into his bed and onto his cock. Of course, I’m the one who got punched in the face for her.
“I’m not walking away, Hale,” she says, wrapping her arms around his waist and squeezing. “I’m just going home. We’ll see each other soon.”