Page 108 of Gigi and the Gym Rats

I understand his need to keep us safe, but there’s no way I’m staying back on this one. I know my strengths and weaknesses. I have no martial arts training or the raw strength of an alpha or even a beta like Grey, but I can’t stand the thought of Casey not seeing me when we enter, thinking that I don’t care enough.

It’s convoluted thinking but…

“I promise I’ll keep out of a fight,” I tell Zayne and he nods.

“Keep behind me,” he says and I obey, if only to keep him from worrying more and getting distracted.

Grey is actually at the front with him, and I feel I should point out that Grey is a beta, too, but Grey is built almost like an alpha and I’ll admit I feel better with three ripped guys going into this den… kennel, whatever, of the Black Dogs.

It’s Ronin who keeps back to be beside me, which is a surprise. He grabs my hand and shoots me a grim smile as we hurry up the steps.

I like that he doesn’t mind not being the first one to knock the door down and punch people. Assuming there will be punching. I think my mates wouldn’t mind a chance to pummel something or someone right now.

Maybe I should be at the front after all, to keep them from hurting anyone until we know for sure what’s going on.

But we’re climbing the stairs fast, even as the thought occurs to me. Before I can even say something, we’ve arrived at their door and Zayne thumps his fist on it.

Behind us, I can hear Bee’s pack running up the stairs to reach us. My blood is rushing in my ears. Until now we were chasing a clue, a thread, a sign. Now we’re here and have no idea what we’re about to face.

I elbow my way between Zayne and Grey who glance down at me with twin frowns on their faces, and the door swings open, revealing an alpha.

Has to be, even just from the eye-watering musk emanating from him. Musk and sour sweat. It makes me grateful I’m not an omega with their sensitive sense of smell.

What an ugly man.

Look, I know every person has different beauty ideals, okay? But I’m objectively telling you, he’s an ugly dude. It has less to do with his features and more with the ugly sneer on his face, the way his heavy shoulders hunch forward as if he’s ready to fight and yeah, the unwashed stench of him.

“What the fuck do you want?” he snarls. “Get the hell out of here.”

“Looking for the Black Dogs,” I say.

His gaze drops to me. He’s a massive alpha, at least as tall as Zayne. “Is that so? Who’s asking?”

“We’re here for Casey Hunnam.” I lift my chin and stare right back into his pale, empty eyes. “We’re his pack.”

A strange choking sound reaches my ears and it takes me a long moment to realize he’s laughing. “His pack!” He turns his head. “Hear that, Frank? They’re Casey’s pack, she says. Isn’t that fucking hilarious?”

Another alpha comes to the door—I assume it’s Frank—and smirks at us. “What seems to be the problem?”

“Casey Hunnam,” Grey says. “We think he’s here.”

“Well, here’s the thing,” Frank sniffs at the air,“beta. It’s none of your goddamn business who is inside this apartment, so why don’t you just fuck off? We’re playing cards and I have a winning hand.”

“You do?” The first alpha scowls. “Bullshit.”

“We want to talk to Casey,” I say.

He takes a step toward me, eyes glinting. “And maybe I want to get to know you, as well. I’ve been into redheads lately. They’re real sluts. Fiery. You?—”

“Back off, douchebag.” Zayne throws an arm in front of me, shoving me back—and Ronin catches me as my foot slips on the top step of the staircase. Then he steps forward and takes a deep breath. “Hm…”

“This Casey isn’t here. If you looking for a fight, though,” Frank says as his buddy is shoved back by Grey, “then we’ll be glad to oblige.”

“He has to be here,” Ronin says. “You’re fucking liars, the lot of you.”

“Let me call the gang,” Frank says with a sneer, “and we can settle this between men.” He winks at me. “Sorry sweetheart. I’ll get to you later.”

I duck under Zayne’s arm and kick Frank’s shin. “You asshole. Where is Casey?”

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