Page 124 of Alphas Like Us
Pissed.
That I’m not on time for this mixology thing.When I say I’m going to make it, I’ll make it. But shit, I don’t enjoy being held up. Especially when I could’ve been withMaximoff.
My favorite part of the day is returning to my tight-laced, strong-willed boyfriend, and traffic had been bad. But it’s not what made me an extra half hourlate.
I run a hand through my messy hair and leave my new Yamaha on the curb, right outside the Phillybar.
“LOOKHERE!”
Still not looking, I make my way to the entrance of Killer Gatsby and send a quick text to Maximoff:here.
Before I push into the bar, the door starts cracking open. Maximoff wedges himself in the entrance, and the first thing I notice: his marbleized, impassiveface.
Somethinghappened.
My pulse spikes. And I immediately skim him, up and down, jumbled emotion slamming into me from all angles.He’sokay.
He’s okay. But something must be wrong with his family. I clutch his hand the same time he grabs for mine, and Maximoff pulls meinside.
I shut the cameras out behind us, and I frown at my surroundings. “Where is everyone?” Fringed lamps cast dim light on crystal bottles shelved behind an empty bar. All the tables are bare, but if I strain my ears, I can pick upmuttering.
“In the back lounge area.” He brings me in thatdirection.
I stare hard at Maximoff. Concerned about him. He’s bottled up, but if this were a 9-1-1 severe crisis, he’d be running. He’s walking, so I’m guessing he’s settled this storm and I’m here for the aftermath. “Is it Jane?” Iask.
“Sulli.” His body is stringent. “I need you to check onher.”
“Okay.” I squeeze his hand.I’m here, wolfscout.
His chest tries torise.
We turn a corner near an old record player. Gold and black beads drape an archway, and once we walk through, I hone in on an extremely passed out SullivanMeadows.
On a dark-green buttoned couch, all six-feet of her athletic frame slumps lifelessly against Akara’s side. Her squared jaw starts sliding off hisshoulder.
Akara pulls her closer and holds her waist to support her weight. Seriousness hardens his gaze, and he looks up at me likeshe needs your help.“She’s been out for the last fifteenminutes.”
“How much did she drink?” I let go of my boyfriend’s hand and rest a knee on the couch. Leaning over, I put my fingers to her carotid artery. Akara brushes Sulli’s thick hair off her neck forme.
“Not a lot,” Maximoff answers, his left hand clutching his slinged-elbow. An attempt at crossing his arms. I’d joke about how he’s inexperienced with alcohol, but time and place, and plus, he adds, “Ithink.”
I’m about to double-check withAkara.
“I’m calculating her blood-alcohol concentration level,” Jane chimes in, voice unnaturally high.She’supset.
I turn my head and see Jane seated on a Queen Anne velveteen chair. Right next to an unlit fireplace, she presses a pink calculator with guilt-ridden urgency. I ignore Thatcher who towers three feet away fromJane.
Jack Highland is on a chaise nearby. His camera is powered off and lens turned away from Sulli. Any footage of her passed out won’t beaired.
I focus on Sulli and talk to Jane. “I don’t need an exact BAC, Cobalt. Just tell me what drinks shehad.”
Jane speaks so quickly in her breezy-as-hell voice that I can’t understand a fuckingthing.
I raise my brows atAkara.
“Two shots, two cocktails,” he answers. “A single shot was in eachcocktail.”
“Okay, that shouldn’t knock out a six-foot girl who weighs…one-sixty, one-sixty-five?”
