Page 8 of The Married Alpha And His Arrow: Vol 1

I looked at all their websites. Oddly, the one that had the strangest schedule was the new party planner. She was referral only, and clearly worked with supernatural’s based on her website. She had a partnership with a hotel near my border, but she didn’t have set hours.

I couldn’t deny I was intrigued by the new party planner. I found her name and contact information at the bottom of her website but try as I did; I couldn’t find a single picture of Lexi Scott. I sighed and shut my laptop. Lexi would still be one of the last ones I checked out. She could be hard to pin down, but I’d figure it out. I went to sleep pleased with my plan.

Bull’s Eye

Lexi Scott smiled as she looked around her new office in the hotel at the edge of Haley and Eric’s territory. Haley had wanted me to look closer to her home, but something about this place just felt right. I couldn’t believe I’d actually started a business.

For the first time in my life, I’d done something for me. Not for my brother, the Shroud, or the Lieutenant. This was mine. Bull’s Eye Party Planning. ‘We shoot straight into the heart of your dream party making it a reality.’ I’d thought the name and tagline were quite fun and a bit of an inside joke given my moniker.

Haley loved it, she couldn’t stop giggling about how funny it was. The Black Arrow had a company with Bull’s Eye in its name. For the first time I’d done something on my own without my Hood family and I couldn’t have done it without Haley.

*Flashback to a few months ago*

I had just wrapped up a seven month long mission. I desperately wanted to see my brother. He was picking me up at the airport. I walked out of the terminal ready to give my big brother a hug. My face instantly fell for a second because it wasn’t my brother picking me up. It was Raphael, my Angel with benefits friend.

I greeted, “Raphael, I wasn’t expecting you.” Raphael smiled knowingly, “Heath called. He got pulled into a last minute meeting. He knew you wouldn’t mind seeing me here instead of him.” I didn’t, but I wanted to see my brother. I didn’t show my disappointment though, “Not at all.”

He grabbed my suitcases and drove us to his temporary place here. I gave him a questioning look. Raphael shrugged, “Heath said he’d meet you here in a few hours.” I smirked, “What to do with all this free time?” I flashed inside his apartment.

He eventually joined me. I teased him, “Show me your bad side, Raphael.” Raphael smiled, “I will, BA.” I smiled. Raphael had come into play during my last mission. Since he was an Angel, he was one of the few people who knew me as Lexi and the Black Arrow. I ripped his shirt off and climbed up him wrapping my legs around his hips. He slammed us back against the wall. He told me, “You’re so beautiful, Lexi.” I smiled, “You’re not half bad yourself.”

We were wrapped up in each other until my phone beeped. I checked it and told him, “Heath is almost here.” Raphael smiled, “I have to return to my realm in a few weeks.” I touched his face, “I know.” Raphael said, “I’ve enjoyed this. I’d like to keep enjoying this until I have to go.” I trailed my fingers along his chest, “You’ll get no complaints from me. For an Angel, you’ve got moves.”

Raphael smirked and kissed me. He pulled back, “I’ll be seeing you around then, Lexi Scott.” I teased, “You have my number. You get an itch, I’ll come scratch it. If I get one, you’ll be my first call.” Raphael warned, “You will not like what Heath has to say to you.” I frowned, “What do you mean?”

Raphael explained, “He kept things from you. I did not know the full extent until completing my own mission that you didn’t have the full picture; or a picture at all. I know we are not each other’s forever, but I respect you enough that I’d have told you something.”

I frowned, “I don’t like the sound of that. Is Heath alright?” Raphael assured me, “Health is fine. It wasn’t about him. Just keep in mind, everyone is ok now. If you need me, I’m here.” My phone beeped signaling Heath had arrived.

I kissed Raphael, “Thanks for the warning.” Raphael smiled, “I have your back as you had mine, and what a fine back it is.” I laughed, “Sometimes, it amazes me you are an angel; you’re so dirty.” Raphael smirked, “You’ve corrupted me, mind, body, and soul. If you were my wing, I’d be more than happy, but alas your string and my wing are still out there.”

I smiled assuring him, “You will make your wing very happy one day.” Raphael replied kindly, “As you will make your string. You have to open up your heart again to someone.” I shrugged, “Maybe when I meet him, I’ll be ready.”

Raphael smiled, “Go on. You know how your brother is about waiting, and he missed you.” I teased, “Know it all’s are obnoxious, Raph.” Raphael smiled, “I can’t help it, I’m an Angel. I know all the things.” I laughed, “I know.” I grabbed my bags and ran out to see my brother.

I squealed when I saw Heath. I threw my bags down and wrapped my arms around him. His arms were crushing me against him. He told me, “I missed you so damn much, Lex. I don’t think I can send you on a mission this long again. I mope about without you.” I agreed but said, “I got all the intel we needed though. I was their leader's type, and I’m the best.” Heath smiled, “You are. You said you didn’t mind, but I read your reports. Were you really comfortable with everything that happened?”

I nudged him, “I told you a million times through coded messages it was fine. I didn’t dislike Henrick. He is a very attractive man. If I didn’t wanted to sleep with him, I wouldn’t have. You know me, brother. I do plenty of dating missions without having sex. I liked Henrick, and he liked me. We had chemistry.”

Heath snorted, “Like you and Raphael?” I shrugged saying, “Raphael came in after Henrick ended our time between the sheets. Raphael did make him quite jealous though.” Heath and I got into his car. Heath pointed out, “Henrick is not a man used to women who don’t pine over him.” I shrugged, “I don’t pine over men. Once was bad enough.”

Heath frowned, “No one besides Haley and me know you pined over Noah.” I said, “I know, and I appreciate that.” Heath sighed, “You never talk about that day. Noah felt awful. He thought the pull was to you.” Like always, I said nothing.

Heath and Noah had fought after the string ceremony. Whatever he was to me, the Lieutenant was my brother’s best friend and his Lieutenant in the Hood. I wasn’t going to tell my brother the truth about that day. I promised myself that I’d take his cruelty with me to my grave. For Sally and Heath’s sake. Sally was as sweet as they come, and I just couldn’t do it to her. I really couldn’t do it to Heath. We’d lost our parents, and he’d lost his string. As much as I hated it, he couldn’t lose the Lieutenant too.

I changed the subject, “Raphael said you had something to tell me that I wouldn’t like.” Heath’s hands tightened on the wheel, “He shouldn’t have said anything.” I frowned, “You were going to keep it from me?” Heath instantly denied that, “No, I wouldn’t keep it from you. I am going to tell you. I was just going to wait until after we’d had dinner. Sally cooked you a welcome home meal. It should be waiting at my place when we get back.”

I couldn’t help but smile, “Of course she did. I had plans to call and catch up with Haley later. I don’t think I’ll stay in our place long.” Heath frowned. I’d never stayed more than a night or two in the Shroud where the Hood lived ever since my string ceremony. I just couldn’t do it.

We pulled into Heath’s house just as Sally was leaving. I hopped out of the car and called out, “Hey, Sally, how are you?” She glanced at Heath quickly before saying, “Great. It’s good to see you again. You’ve been gone so long this time.” I winked replying, “Such is the way of life for me.” Sally nodded to Heath who smiled at her.

I sent Heath our signal for space. I could tell Sally wanted to talk to me. Heath excused himself. Once he was inside, I asked, “Sally, are you alright?” Sally looked around, “Can we talk? Not now but soon? Before your next mission?” I agreed, “Of course. I want to stick around for a bit. I want to catch up with Haley.”

Sally looked away. I frowned asking, “Is Haley alright?” Sally answered, “Oh ummm she’s fine now.” I raised an eyebrow, “NOW?” Sally sighed, “Talk to Heath, he wants to tell you himself. Just before your next mission we need to talk, ok?”

I pressed, “Are you ok, Sally?” I noticed she was smiling, but it wasn’t reaching her eyes. She assured me, “I’m fine.” I frowned because she was lying and not well. I walked into the house and smelled her amazing cooking. She really should open her own catering business or a restaurant.

Heath asked me, “What did Sally want? Did she tell you what’s going on?” I frowned, “No, she said she wanted to talk later.” Heath sighed, “I don’t want you to be blindsided about that. I know that I’m not the person people always feel they can talk to here. My string would’ve been that for them, but for now it’s you. This though, I can’t have you go blind into. Noah and Sally are trying to have a baby. It’s not been working out.”

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