Page 42 of The Alpha's Mates

“I know,” Jackson said.

“So, you finally showed up?” She all but roared at him. The hammering and sawing abruptly stopped. The crew turned to watch their Alpha’s daughter.

Shit.They didn’t need an audience. “Bell, I—”

The door banged open, and Rapier Dryer stepped out. “Yo!”

The entire crew, which had been fascinated with their conversation, turned to Rapier. “Lunch break. Everyone inside to eat while the pizza is hot.”

The yard emptied, except the three of them.

“Do you have any idea what my family, friends, and Jackson have been doing for me for the last couple of days? Oh yeah. You wouldn’t because you have been around.” She was a sight to behold. She glared at him while tapping her foot impatiently.

“Blondie. He has a good reason. Just let him tell you,” Jackson spoke on his behalf.

“Stay out of it. This is between him and me.” Her snap of authority only turned Christoph on more.

Jackson held up his hands while smothering a laugh. “Yes, ma’am.”

Honest to the God, at any other time he would have laughed at Bell dressing Jackson down. He could squash her like a bug, but she had no fear of him. And, apparently, she had no fear of Christoph either, because she intended to give him a proper tongue-lashing. “Bell let’s sit and—”

“Guess who I ran into while getting the pizzas?” When he didn’t answer, she continued, “Laney. She had something extremely interesting to show me. That little bitch brimmed with excitement at showing me pictures of you kissing another woman! How could you!”

He cringed. The sensation of being watched had spurred him into action. He thought it might have been Aislinn’s bodyguards or someone his father paid off. How naïve of him to not think those twits would leave him alone. Laney outed his meeting with Aislinn to Bell.

“Let him explain. Trust me on this, Bell. You have every right to be upset, even disappointed with him. But not angry. If you continue down this road, you might say something you will regret,” Jackson whispered. “It’s not what you think.”

“Do you know?”

“He told me bits, but promised to tell me the rest when you arrived. Although he didn’t mention a kiss. But—” He glanced at Christoph.

“So, he lied to you, too?” she snapped.

“I didn’t lie!” Christoph snarled, feeling backed into a corner. “Laney will do anything in her power to goad you. If you’re not going to believe me, think about everything she’s done to you this semester.” He dragged her into his arms. For the first time in several days, he felt all the tension and angst leave his body. There was still so much to tell her, but having her pressed to him soothed his tattered soul. “Did she have long black hair?”

“Yes.” Bell’s words, spoken against his massive chest, sounded muffled.

“Short in stature with her head barely coming up to here?” Placing his hand in front of him to show where he meant.

Bell nodded.

“And I kissed her forehead. Not her lips.”

“Yes.” Stared up at him. “Who is she?”

“That’s Aislinn the girl my father wants me to mate. For the record, Aislinn is sixteen years old. Do I look like I would have any type of sexual relationship with a sixteen-year-old?” He cocked a brow.

Bell gasped. “Sixteen?”

“Yup. Sixteen.” He pushed her sweatshirt out of the way and wrapped both hands around her small waist.

“She can’t consent to this,” Bell said. “Tell me you have a plan.”

“I do. But, I need your dad’s help.” Christoph pressed a kiss to the top of her head.

“My dad?”

“Yes. Your dad. He’s involved in what I’m about to tell you. So, if you have any doubts or think I’m lying, your dad can reassure you.”

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