Page 179 of Alphas Like Us
He smiles. “But if this is something you need to do, I’m behind you.Always.”
That feelsgood.
I nod a few times. “After this trip, I’ll make it happen.” Getting Rowin fired while he’s on a free vacation in Greece seems callous for somereason.
My voice fades as one of my younger cousins races across the deck, darting past us and yelling, “Happy Birthday,Moffy!”
It brings me back to this morning. When Farrow gave me my birthday present. He bent down in front of me and rolled up the hem of my drawstring pants. Revealing the holster strapped to myankle.
And Farrow pulled out my tacticalknife.
When he stood up, he said, “Your present is on yourankle.”
I didn’t understand until I reached for my ankle and I realized he slipped a new knife in the holster. One that he bought in Mykonos. The wooden hilt is carved in intricatepatterns.
He knew I loved it. And I didn’t conceal the fact that I did. I just kissed the fuck out of my boyfriend. And the delivery of the present got to me as much as the actual knife. No wrapping paper orbag.
Farrow Redford Keene’s movements were all over that birthday gift. My brainlovesthat to death. I replay the way he bent down and smiled up at me onrepeat.
“Maximoff.” Farrow splashes water at mychest.
I wake up from a slight daydream, but he’s not teasing me about it.I follow his ultra-focused gaze across the maindeck.
Fucking Christno.
Gray hair pulled into a bun, string of pearls around a wrinkled neck, and a strawberry daiquiri in hand—nothing good can come from talking to my GrandmotherCalloway.
She plays favorites with her four daughters. And that hierarchy directly affects me and my siblings and my cousins. I’ll give you thebreakdown.
1. Rose Calloway – Jane’smom
2. PoppyCalloway
3. Daisy Calloway – Sullivan’smom
4. Lily Calloway – my mom is dead last.Always.
Before I make eye contact with Grandmother Calloway, I come up with a kindergarten idea. But if you knew my grandmother like I know her, you’d do thesame.
I tell Farrow, “Under. Now. Hold your breath.” Quickly, I dip beneath the water, avoiding someone who should be avoided. At allcosts.
It takes me a solid second to realize that Farrow isn’t coming down withme.
33
FARROW KEENE
Yeah,I’m not hiding from hisgrandmother.
She’s the definition of a crotchety old bat, and whatever she wants to say, she can say to myface.
Grandmother Calloway approaches and halts a few feet from the pool’s edge. Careful not to wet her bejeweled sandals. Her bony fingers skim the pearls at her neck. “Have you seen my grandson?” she asksme.
“He’s around here somewhere,” I say casually. Maximoff might be a swimmer, but he won’t be able to hold his breathforever.
She purses her lips, scrutinizing my tattoos and my brow, lip, nose, and nipple piercings, all with visible judgment. Nothing that I haven’t metbefore.
“Do you need something?” I ask in an easygoing tone. “Maybe I canhelp.”
