Page 37 of Marigold Run

“He’s expecting us,” Hutch says, eyeing a handful of young alphas leaning against the building. They’re all staring at us, waiting to see what’s going to happen next. I’m sure they’re all hoping for a fight.

“I’ll go get him.” Kida looks my brother up and down, before walking off.

Hutch never ran with this crowd. He was pretty much a loner until he met Izan. I’m not sure how things would have ended for me if Hutch hadn't introduced me to him. It completely changed my life. Izan gave me a safe place to live, then he gave me his companionship, followed by Everly and now Mari. I don’t deserve this life.

“Boys.” Andros marches up to us like he owns the fucking place, but he doesn’t. He’s just a lackey for his shitty pack alpha. “What can I do for you?” His gaze bounces between me and Hutch. While he looks much older than the last time I saw him, there’s still a lot about the fucker that hasn’t changed—his ratty black hair is still pulled into a shitty ponytail and the asshole has an attitude you can see from a mile away.

“We’re here to collect,” Hutch says, his expression hard as stone.

Andros’ dark eyes snap to me and they narrow, then they bounce back to Hutch.The fucker can’t tell us apart.It makes me want to laugh.

Most people can’t tell us apart, but I’ve noticed that Mari doesn’t seem to have that problem.It’s because she was made for us.

“Are you sure you’re supposed to be here today?” Andros asks as he stares past us. He’s trying to look too unbotheredto even grace us with his attention, but it just makes him look scared to make eye contact.

“I’m positive,” Hutch says. I don't know how he keeps his tone so flat and hard at the same time. “Do you have the money or do we have a problem?”

“Look.” Andros cocks an attitude, straightening his back like he’s something impressive. But we both tower over the asshole. It’s almost laughable. “I don’t have it right now, but I’ll get Izan’s money?—”

“You’ll get it right fucking now,” I interrupt, done with this shit.

Andros’s eyes flash as he zeros in on me, finally able to tell us apart. “I don’t talk to defactors.”

“Defactors?” I balk at his bizarre insult. “What the fuck does that mean?”

“You know. Defactors!” He repeats like that makes it any clearer. The wind kicks up, whipping up the flyaways around his face. The lines around his eyes are much deeper, making him look so much older than he is. “You’re a traitor. An abandoner. A deserter.”

“Do you mean a defector?” I ask, shocked this fucker has made it this far in life. “I love the way you’ve re-written history. You leave me for dead and tell everyone thatI’mthe one thatdefacted.” I exaggerate the mispronounced word. “Real fucking nice.”

Andros’s pointed canines display as he growls. “You fucking piece of shit! You’re lucky I don’t call my boys over to teach you a lesson.”

“You don’t want to threaten my brother,” Hutch says in a dangerous growl.

“Why’s that?” Andros’s chest puffs out, his fists curling tight. “You gonna do something about it?”

Excitement and rage pumps in my veins.I’m going to get a reason to punch him.

“Here you go.” Kida marches straight toward us with a thick envelope in her hand. “You’re welcome to count it.” She places it in Hutch’s outstretched hand.

“No need.” He pushes it into his back jean pocket.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Andros grits out to his packmate. “Don said?—”

“Don said that he didn’t want any problems,” Kida says loudly before turning to Hutch. “Anything else?”

“This will do.” Hutch scans the yard, glaring at the crowd of alphas gathered around the broken-down cars. “I’ll let your alpha know how you handled this,” Hutch says to Andros, before tapping my chest. I don’t want to leave just yet—not while this asshole is still breathing—but throwing a punch right now would only cause problems for Izan.

“See you around, Dass!” Kida yells as we make our way back to the SUV.

I don't bother answering her. I’m too pissed. “He’s such a piece of shit,” I snarl as I climb into the car.

Hutch starts the engine, then glances over at me. “I don’t want to point out the obvious, but they wereyourpack at one point.”

I scowl, crossing my arms as I turn to look out the window. “They were different back then.” I watch as Kida and Andros disappear back into the garage. “Don was different.”

Hutch doesn't say a word as he backs out of the parking spot. He doesn't have to. He’s already said everything when he dropped me off at rehab five years ago. I damn near died from my addiction, but I got out.

No thanks to my fucking pack.

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