Page 36 of Alpha Fate

“Your eyes are different.” I’m running a look over her face. “And your lips are fuller.” And I know this because I keep staring at them.

Get a freaking grip, Heller!

“Well, good to have you, Savannah. I’m glad to see you’re out of that shit heap in one piece. You’re in a good place now. Your usual spot, Gage?” He glances to the far end of the room, where I like to sit with my back to the wall. Old habits die hard, I guess.

“Nope. Something near the food.” I point to a spot that’s practically under the buffet and start walking in that direction. I have Savannah seated before Bert gets back with a pot of coffee.

“Are you a green tea drinker like your sister?” he asks her. The conversation around us has picked up again, but I’m still tense.

“Oh, hell no! Give me the caffeine. Into a vein, if possible.” She taps the inside of her elbow and winks at him. “I like it strong and dark.

He’s filling my cup. “Just like our friend here, then. Gage’s brew will take the enamel off a mug.”

“Helps keep me on my toes, Bert.” I take a sip, watching as he fills hers, and she does the same. Bert’s still hovering. “We’ll take it from here.” I meet his eye.

“Sure thing.” Reluctantly, he backs away, no doubt wanting to pick up on some fresh gossip. I’m not going to give him any.

“Pancakes?” I say to Savannah, who nods eagerly. “I’ll get them for you.”

“Don’t be silly. They’re right there.” She points at the counter, barely a couple of feet away.

I’m already on my feet. “It’s no problem.” I reach for a plate; I hardly have to stretch to get to it. I’ve seated her so that her back is to the rest of the room. Anyone who looks our way is only going to get a view of the back of her head…and me staring daggers at them. Why I need to do that is beyond me.

No, it’s not. You know exactly why.

A surge of possessiveness took hold of me from the moment we left Jagger’s place and has only gotten worse since we arrived here. When Tarkin Redburn walks up to the table as I set a plate down in front of Savannah, I practically bare my teeth at him.

“Hey! Good to see you up and about, Savannah.” His smile is boyishly charming. She dimples back at him, and I audibly growl, setting a knife and fork next to my own plate.

“Woah! And a good morning to you, Heller. Get up on the wrong side of the bed or something?” Tarkin cocks his head at me.

“We’re having breakfast,” I mutter. “You’re interrupting.” Fuck. I had almost this exact conversation with Jagger not long ago, except that time, I was the one lurking beside the table.

“Just making sure our guest settles in okay. I feel a sense of responsibility, you know.” He smiles at her. “Considering I rescued you.”

What the fuck?

“I rescued her!” I snap.

“Don’t take all the credit, Gage. I was there, too.” His eyes narrow as he replies.

“You were both there. And I can’t thank you enough!” Savannah keeps her tone bright, though I’m sure she can sense the tension. Tarkin isn’t making things easier by not getting the fuck out of my face. There’s a jarring scraping sound as my nails rake over the surface of the table. They leave grooves in the wood.

Just breathe, you idiot!

Sierra was right. It was a bad idea to come here. But leaving now is not an option because Savannah is tucking into her food with such gusto that it makes me smile – just for a moment because I’m back to scowling at Tarkin almost immediately.

I pick up my fork and stab into a piece of bacon, raising it to my mouth. “Anything else, Redburn?” I bite and then chew, making it obvious that he’s not wanted here.

He’s silent for a second. My message couldn’t possibly be clearer. “Nope. That was it. Good to have you with us, Savannah. I’ll see you around?”

Not if I can help it.

“Sure.” Her smile is radiant. It’s still radiant as he taps his forehead in a mock salute.

Fuck, she’s gorgeous when she smiles.

“See you at training, Heller.”

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