Page 11 of Alpha Jax

I deliver a playful jab to his bicep, tilting my chair forward to sit on four legs again and scooting it back.

Theo reaches out to touch my arm. “Hey, before you go…”

I’ve got my palms on the arms of the chair, ready to push up to stand, but I pause, looking over at my buddy. “What’s up?”

He blows out a breath, fiddling with the hem of his t-shirt. “So my sister’s coming up to join the IT unit, and she wants to have a dual role on the squad, so she’s gonna be training with the reserve squad recruits to get up to speed.”

I arch a brow. “No shit?”

I knew Theo had a sister, but not anything about her. Certainly not that she’s an IT brainiac. Until recently, Theo has pretty much avoided going home, so I’ve never had the chance to meet his little sis.

“So what, you want me to take it easy on her?” I smirk.

“No, absolutely not,” Theo chuckles. “She’s tough, I have no doubt that she’ll hold her own when it comes to training. Just… since you’re going to be overseeing training, I was hoping you’d keep an eye on her for me, look out for her. You’ve got sisters, would you want them up here with all of these horn-dog squad guys?”

I wrinkle my nose in disgust. “Absolutely not. I get it, bro, I’ve got your back. I’ll look out for her.”

He gives me a little nod. “Great, thanks man.” He starts to stand up out of his chair and I follow suit.

“The same goes for you, too,” he adds, shooting me a warning look once we’re both on our feet. “Quinn just got out of a relationship, she’s fragile right now. When I say I don’t want anyone sniffing around her, I meananyone.”

I let out a laugh, pushing my chair in and leaning toward Theo. “Oh c’mon, dude, I wouldn’t try to nail your sister. It’s bro code. You know me better than that.”

The corners of Theo’s mouth tip up into a grin. “Yeah, I know. I just have to say it.”

He claps me on the shoulder, steering me toward the door of the conference room.

“So tell me more about this mystery girl…”

CHAPTER SEVEN

Quinn

I whip my little blue car into the parking lot of the squad complex, steering into a spot and slamming the gear into park. It’s my first day and I’m already late-what a great first impression.

I hate being late for anything; it gives me major anxiety. Dad drew out our goodbye, like he didn’t want to let me go, and while I knew it was going to make me late, I didn’t have the heart to rush it. For the past five years, it has just been the two of us at the packhouse- this new chapter is definitely going to be an adjustment for us both.

And speaking of new chapters and fresh starts, what a way to begin mine!

I don’t even bother grabbing my bags- I can get those later. My only concern right now is getting in there. I’m only ten minutes late, so hopefully I’m not the last to arrive.

I toss my keys into a tote that I sling over my shoulder, climbing out of my car. At least I’m already dressed for training in leggings, a cropped t-shirt, and a pair of gym shoes. My hair’s still down, but I’ve got a hair tie on my wrist just in case. I jog around the side of the building, approaching the gate of the complex. I’ve never been here before, but Brooke described it really well when she was in Summervale over the weekend.

Things have been pretty crazy on that front lately- Brooke, one of my closest friends from high school, is my brother’s mate! I didnotsee that one coming, but I can’t say I’m disappointed. The two of them actually seem great together, and Brooke will be even more like a sister to me now. She’s promised that I’m going to love it up here at the complex, so I’m holding her to it…

I’m relieved when I jog through the gate to find that people are still filing in; the field is packed with people, and it doesn’t look like anything has started yet. I heave a sigh for the bullet I dodged, sliding my tote off of my shoulder and looking around for familiar faces. I’m looking for Brooke, Theo, Kyla, or…

I swear my heart stops beating in my chest. I wasn’t looking for him- but it’shim, right? Sexy stranger. He’s standing twenty yards from me, and though he looks a little different in the light of day, dressed causally in his workout gear, I know it’s him; I’d recognize him anywhere. He’s chatting with someone happily, flashing that dazzling smile. Smoothing back that unkempt wavy dark-blonde hair.It’s him.

“Quinn!” a voice calls out, and I realize that Theo’s standing right near sexy stranger, waving an arm at me. I don’t even have time to process what’s happening- Theo starts to walk over to me and I plaster on a big ol’ smile.

“Hey, big bro,” I breathe as he approaches.

He wraps his burly arms around me, pulling me in for a hug. Before he releases me, he ruffles the top of my hair with a hand.Ugh- he’s been doing that to me since I was a kid and I fuckinghateit.

“Glad you made it,” Theo beams as I scowl and run my fingers through my now disheveled hair. “C’mon, I want you to meet the guys.”

He throws an arm over my shoulder, leading me back in the direction he came from. Back toward sexy stranger.

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