Page 46 of Marked By Alphas 2: Claimed

“Just passing through,” I said, meeting his ice-blue stare. “Unless someone needs a particularly creative hex. Then we might be persuaded to stick around.”

“Luke,” Eomma scolded, but her eyes were twinkling. “Don’t tease potential clients.”

“My apologies,” Ice Eyes said smoothly. “Where are our manners? I’m Alexander. These are my brothers, James and Liam.” He gestured to the fighter, who’d joined them with the silent grace of a predator. “We have… interests in the area.”

“Fascinating,” I echoed his earlier tone. “Do you always interrogate random tourists about their religious practices, or are we just special?”

The tech mogul’s laugh was surprised and genuine. The fighter’s lips twitched. But it was Ice Eyes’ slow, dangerous smile that made my pulse jump.

“Oh, I think you’re very special indeed,” he said softly.

“Right,” I drawled, even as something in my chest hummed at his words. “Because nothing says ‘special’ like harassing sleep-deprived travelers.”

“Sleep-deprived?” The fighter—James—spoke for the first time, his voice a rough purr that definitely didn’t do things to my insides. “Long drive?”

“The roads here are very… interesting,” Eomma said diplomatically, giving the brothers a look that made them shift slightly. “Many unexpected turns.”

“Ah, yes. The local geography can be quite… challenging for visitors.” Ice Eyes’ smile turned knowing. “Perhaps we could offer some guidance? There are several routes that?—”

“We’re good, thanks,” I cut in, noting how all three brothers seemed to lean in at my continued defiance. “I’m sure you have better things to do. I don’t know, posing for luxury watch ads or whatever it is you do when you’re not looming over strangers’ breakfast tables.”

The tech mogul—Liam—actually choked on a laugh. “He’s got you there, Xander.”

“Xander?” I raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess—Alexander was too pretentious?”

“Says the one named Luke,” Ice Eyes shot back, but his eyes were dancing. “Short for Lucas, I assume?”

“Bold of you to assume anything about me.”

Eomma’s prayer beads clicked ominously as she reached for the syrup. “Food getting cold,” she announced cheerfully. “Unless young man looking to purchase curse after all?”

“Not today, Mrs.…?” Ice Eyes left the question hanging.

“Kim,” she supplied, then added with perfect innocence, “very good at revenge curses. Special discount for handsome young men. Even better discount if they let others eat breakfast in peace.”

The fighter’s sudden grin was all teeth. “Your mother’s quite protective.”

“You have no idea,” I said, just as Eomma added something under her breath in Korean that made my eyes widen. “Eomma!”

“What?” She blinked innocently. “Just saying nice young men should be careful what they hunt.”

The temperature in the café seemed to drop several degrees. The brothers exchanged loaded glances that set off every warning bell in my head.

“Hunt?” Ice Eyes’ voice was silk over steel. “What an interesting choice of words.”

“English not first language,” Eomma said, her accent suddenly thicker. “Sometimes use wrong word.”

But the way her fingers traced the prayer beads told a different story. The same way she traced them when warning “special” clients away from her shop’s more dangerous items.

“I’m sure,” Ice Eyes murmured, but his gaze was fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle. Not unpleasantly. Which was exactly the problem.

“Well, this has been sufficiently awkward,” I announced. “Thanks for the morning entertainment, but?—”

“Let me buy you another coffee,” the tech mogul cut in quickly. “Both of you. It’s the least we can do for interrupting your breakfast.”

“The least you could do is actually leave us to our breakfast,” I pointed out, but Eomma was already nodding.

“Yes, coffee good. Sit, sit.” She gestured to the empty chairs at our table. “Tell me about business. Must be very… interesting.”

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