Page 20 of Reckless: Collision

I grind my teeth, fighting the urge to snarl. Having one alpha look at me like I’m a puzzle to be solved is bad enough. But now I’ve got two of them, and one of them...

“You.” The word tastes like mistakes and bad decisions, like every time I’ve chosen the worst possible option just because it felt good in the moment. And here I am, doing it again.

“Looks like we’re going to be on a first name basis after all.” His lips curve into that same smile that had me spreading my legs an hour ago. “Unless you prefer good little whore?”

Heat floods my cheeks at his words, but before I can eviscerate him properly, one of the guards speaks over me like I’m not even there.

“Alpha Locke, your vehicle is waiting in the underground garage. We’ll escort you down.”

Of course, they only address the ranking alpha. Typical knot-head behavior. I roll my eyes so hard I probably strain something.

“After you, trouble.” Ryker gestures to the elevator with fake politeness.

“What, no handcuffs?” I snark, stepping into the elevator. “And here I was hoping for the full prisoner experience.”

“Don’t tempt me,” bathroom boy purrs, following close enough that I can smell that damned cherry tobacco scent.

The guards take position in front of the elevator doors like I might try to ninja-kick my way through them. Which, honestly, isn’t the worst idea I’ve had today. But my unicorn pajamas aren’t exactly tactical gear, and I’m already pushing my luck.

Four alphas. Two clearly hired muscle, one pack leader, and one... complication. I can work with this. Hell, I’ve gotten out of worse situations wearing less. At least these pajamas have pockets.

My fingers twitch toward the drive again. Just one computer. One terminal. Even a smart watch would do...

“Stop plotting,” Ryker rumbles from behind me. “You’re not going anywhere.”

I flash him my sweetest smile. “I would never.”

The bathroom alpha actually laughs. “Liar.”

The elevator descends at a glacial pace. Or maybe that’s just the withdrawal kicking in. My fingers drum against my thigh, coding an encryption sequence that exists only in my head.

“So,” I break the silence, because if I have to stand here one more second without my tech, I’ll scream. “Do you two share everything, or am I a special case?”

Ryker’s sharp inhale is worth the jab. The bathroom alpha—still need his name, still not going to ask for it—lets out a low whistle.

“Oh, I’m definitely keeping this one.” His voice holds that edge of crazy that really shouldn’t be hot. “She’s got bigger balls than half our old marks.”

“Keep implying I’m property,” I say sweetly, “and I’ll show you exactly what I can do with those balls.”

The guards shuffle uncomfortably. Ryker pinches the bridge of his nose like he’s getting a headache. Good.

“You know,” bathroom boy leans closer, “threats like that only make me want to bend you over again.”

“Jinx.” Ryker’s voice carries enough alpha command to make the guards flinch. “Enough.”

Jinx. Fitting name for someone who’s probably about to ruin my life. And damn me to hell for wanting just that.

The elevator doors open to the garage, and I step out like I own it. Like I’m not barefoot in unicorn pajamas being escorted by two alpha security guards and pack Locke who think they can contain me.

“Nice car,” I comment, spotting the sleek black SUV. “Very government issue try-hard. Let me guess—bullet proof windows, reinforced doors, and a tracking system I could hack in my sleep?”

“You’re not touching the car’s systems,” Ryker growls.

I bat my eyelashes at him. “Afraid I’ll mess with your seat warmers?”

“More worried about the ejector seats,” a soft voice says from behind me.

I spin around to find another man—beta, from his scent—adjusting wire-rimmed glasses with an almost shy smile. He’s gorgeous in that nerdy librarian way that makes me want to mess up his perfectly styled hair.

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