Page 24 of Love Thief

I poke him with my toe, my expression haughty and domineering, keeping in character. “Get up Xander, you idiot.”

He crawls to the door, begging, “Please don’t whip me mistress, pretty please.” Before he leaves, he drops back to the floor, rolling around laughing with everyone laughing at him. I shoo them out, playing up to my new name, my stance alpha, and slam the door.

“Better lock that, or he’ll be back in,” Kell says, nodding his head towards the door.

I turn the latch and run to beat him in the shower. He catches me as I dash past, picks me up and carries me in. And of course we are a bit late to dinner.

The company is great fun. They’re full of chat and enjoy bantering back and forth, taking the mickey out of each other. We’re all topping up the alcohol levels to maximum, getting louder as we do. The boys get a lot of attention and their security has a task on their hands to keep people away.

To be honest, after a while I don’t notice it so much. Mick and the team do a fab job. Tommy has come with me and is working with them as a part of the team. I have to say, everytime he looks my way, it’s like a little wave of comfort from home.

Kellen is all over me like a rash, constantly touching me, and I see lots of photos being taken. I’m not sure what’s for show and what’s not, so I just run with it. When alerts start popping up on my phone with pictures of us, I text James to give him a heads up, let him know we’re out and lots of pics are being taken.

He replies almost immediately.

Sunshine

of course, u are gorg mum

Bucky

killin it mum

Bucky

lookin gud but I’m studying, james isn't

Sunshine

I am

James sends a selfie of them both with their books.

Kellen sees it and smiles at it and me. “They’re so amazing,” he says before pulling me in for a full Hollywood kiss and doesn’t stop.

I can hear the cameras clicking away and can hardly breathe when he lets me go. I’m sure I look as dazed as I feel. That’ll make for some great tabloid fodder.

We move from dinner to a few bars and then on to a club. Everywhere we go, the drinks are flowing, but I notice Kellen is not drinking as much as the others. I really have had enough, but take a drink as well as water at the table to make it last longer.

The women are everywhere. Mick has to keep them away at times as they’re super aggressive. I go to the loos with Grace, really to give myself some headspace, give me time to try to process the whirlwind I seem to have landed in the middle of. Once in the cubicle, I sit down and text Marshall, my anchor in any storm.

Me

all ok Marshall? is Pinky behaving

Marsh

all ok and no she is not

He sends a pic from today of Pinky cornering more mares and Gerald lying prostrate on the floor.

Marsh

we might have to send her to Greystones. She stands at the fence. Think she is missing Russell. Tell him to send a selfie and I’ll show it to her

I laugh out loud at that, deciding to do just that as soon as I go back. I’m chuckling as I exit the cubicle and go towards Grace at the mirrors. I’m just about to open my mouth and tell her about Pinky, when a girl taps me on the shoulder.

“Are you with Marcus Russell?” she asks me, her tone conversational.

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