Page 45 of The Alpha

Dallan and the others followed. They locked up, went down the four flights of stairs, and knocked on Al’s door.

He opened it, took in the group of towering men and gulped. “Uh, is it time?”

“Aye,” Dallan confirmed. “And when we come back, we’ll see yer well rewarded. Our associate should be here at any moment…”

No sooner than he said it, a tremor ran through the structure from the bottom up. Lany, Archer, Kwaku, Zara, Evan and Shona took that as their cue, and left the building.

“There he is now,” Dallan said. He motioned Markhel forward.

He tugged Maida to the door and glared at Al. “If one hair is out of place on her head when I return, I will crush you.”

Al gulped. “Um, got it,” he squeaked.

Halden stepped forward. “Let them watch TV. Raina is partial to Lassie.”

Al smiled at him, avoiding Markhel’s hard stare. “Lassie, got it.”

Simon Kells and Geran entered the hall from the basement and joined them. “Time Master Dallan.”

“Simon Kells. Take good care of them. We’ll let you know when it’s safe to return to the palace with Maida and Raina.”

Al looked at Simon Kells, his eyes rounding to saucers. “Um, is anyone going to explain to me what’s going on?”

“Not yet,” Raina said. “But we will. Suffice to say, the frightening looking man and his wife are here to protect us.”

“In my apartment?” Al asked incredulously.

Halden shrugged. “We’re told bad things can happen if Maida and her husband are separated for too long. If he’s captured…”

“I don’t want to hear anymore.” Maida slipped past a clueless Al and went inside.

Markhel sighed and turned to Simon Kells. “She does not like this.”

“Neither do I,” Raina said. “But neither she nor I are equipped to do what you do.”

“He knows, dove,” Halden reassured. “Take good care of them, Al. Order a pizza or something.” He handed the older man some cash then looked at Simon Kells. “Better make thatthreepizzas.” He handed him more money, kissed Raina, and left the building.

Dallan put a hand on Simon Kells shoulder. “Guard them well.”

“I will, Time Master.”

“As soon as we’re away safely, we’ll take Melvale and his mate to the palace. Zara will tell ye when we’ve done so. Then ye can bring them.”

“Of course.” Simon Kells cocked an eyebrow at Al, who yelped and scurried into the apartment. “This Al and his brother across the hall will have to be told soon.”

“Aye, but the most important thing now is to free Melvale.” Dallan gave him a curt nod and left.

Outside part of the team was getting into the silver sedan Evan was driving. The rest were piling into a white van Markhel was in charge of.

Though the van was bigger, it had less windows than the car. Dallan went across the street and looked at the sedan with trepidation.

“It will be all right,” Shona said softly beside him. “You can do this. We’ll roll the windows down.”

He closed his eyes a moment. “Aye.” He opened his eyes and looked down at her. “We can comfort each other in the back seat, aye?”

She laughed. “Oh, yes.”

He smiled. “I love ye, Flower, more than words can express.”

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