Page 51 of Suspicious

Yanking back the door, I race out into the clubhouse, fighting for breath as I hear him calling my name again, but I don’t stop. I walk as fast as I can away to get some air.

Not just from that intense-as-hell memory but also from seeing that tattoo I never knew he had.

A tattoo that is very clearly a reminder for him of that night—of us.

This is too much.

Everything is spinning.

Maybe I need to leave for a couple of days.

Get my head focused back into work and let Loki concentrate on the things he needs to do.

Yeah—space is what we need right now.

Turning, I head for his bedroom to collect whatever belongings I have here, and then I will go. I need to check in with Theo anyway and fill him in.

This is for the best.

Clenching my eyes tight, a heaviness weighs on my chest as I tense all over. “This is what we do, Bea. Me, Alex… we both run when it gets too heavy,” I whisper to myself.

Opening my eyes, I glance around the clubhouse with tears in my eyes and peer over at Loki’s den. “I guess it’s time to run.Again.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Loki

Two Days Later

It’s been weird without Bea. She left in a hurry and without saying goodbye but texted that she would be back. That was two days ago. I can’t help but think maybe I laid it on too thick with her in my den. I tried to push it a little, see if I applied some tension, if it might jog her memory of us from the night before.

Seems all I did was push her away.

I should have never gotten my hopes up when it comes to Beatrice Underwood. She is notorious for letting me down. It’s my own fault for getting wrapped up in her again.

She has this fucking power over me.

She always has.

But I need to figure out what the hell is going on with our app, then get on with my life and let her get on with hers. We were both fine until she showed up back in town.

Today is the day that Haven is heading into the Women’s Correctional Facility to be with Montana’s mother. I need to head out into the clubroom to ensure everything is in order.

Opening my den door, I make my way out. Haven’s sitting with Alpha, Poppy, and Clover at one of the tables, a folder of papers strewn across the wood, and they laugh over something that’s been said.

I step up beside them as Poppy giggles in her cute way. “But I already told you, Dad. You’re not doing it right,” Poppy argues, making Haven and Clover snicker while Alpha groans.

“Honestly, Poppy, I already agreed to have paintball at your party and a war games theme. Isn’t that enough of the macho shit? Don’t you want at least one typical eight-year-old girliething there?” Alpha grumbles.

Poppy shrugs. “I mean… I could have an archery zone. Is that a girlie thing?” Poppy asks, full of excitement.

Clover laughs as Alpha drops his head to the table in clear frustration.

Haven wraps her arm around Poppy with a bright smile. “It’s definitely not, but we canabsolutelyinclude it—”

“Haven!” Alpha snaps, his head jerking up with a hard glare aimed directly at his Old Lady.

Clover lifts her cell to show a picture to Poppy. “They have people who can bring out an axe throwing area too—”

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