Page 124 of The Alpha

“Yeah, yeah.” Uncle Al counted out the money, which was most of what he had. “There, you mobster!”

Kwaku laughed heartily then greedily eyed Uncle Leo’s piles of fake cash.

Uncle Leo’s eyes widened as he reached for the dice. “Don’t think for a minute I’m going to land on one of your properties!”

Kwaku laughed harder.

“Confound it, that laugh of yours is unnerving!”

“Leo, stop fussing and take your turn!” Uncle Al groused.

Her uncle rolled, moved his piece, then took a card. “Go to jail!”

Pari couldn’t believe it. Kwaku laughed harder! Good grief, the people on the subway shuttle could probably hear him. The thought made her laugh and soon everyone joined in.

“Kawahnee,” Zara said through her giggles. “You should not find it so amusing. You were in jail for several turns.”

“Yes, Pretty One, and may well be again. Leo and I will be cell mates. Dat is, if he survives.” He made to flick his piece off the board.

“Don’t you dare!” Leo cried. He moved his piece to the corner of the board where the jail square was. “There, happy?”

Kwaku laughed some more then reached for the popcorn.

“Don’t eat it all,” Uncle Al advised.

Everyone turned to Kwaku as one hand hovered over the bowl. “What?”

Pari giggled. “I can get you a small bowl. In fact, why don’t I bring everyone a little bowl?” She left the table before anyone could protest and giggled all the way into the kitchen.

Before she knew it, Melvale was behind her. “I’ll help you.”

She turned around and almost bumped into him, he was so close. “Oh, um, thanks.” She glanced up and took in the happy look on his face. “Are you having a good time?”

“Yes, very. You?” He gazed at her, eyes bright. They were a light blue and getting bluer by the second, and yet, there was no sign of the other side of him, not really.

“Your eyes…” she said. “What will my uncles say?”

“Mood contacts.” Melvale smiled. “Because, why not?”

She laughed. “Oh, that’s rich. I’m not sure they’ll go for it.”

“They’ll have to. It’s all I can come up with.”

She smiled at him, then opened a cupboard to get some bowls. “Fine.” She thought of Uncle Al’s questions earlier. She wasn’t going to get her hopes up. Tonight was fun, but would end soon, and then what? “Um, where are you three going to sleep?”

He closed the distance between them until he was right behind her. “Your apartment. Is that a problem?”

“My uncles…”

“I am your protection.”

“Oh, right.” She turned around. He was so close her hands and the stack of bowls touched him. “Kwaku and Zara can have my room. You can take the room Raina used…”

“I’ll sleep on the floor beside your bed.”

She looked up at him. “I can’t let you do that.”

“I insist. I will not leave you.”

---