Page 82 of Why Cruise

“OK. Food. Club. Celebration.” Brock announced and stood from the table. The rest of the table followed suit. Mackenzie included.

“Theo, come with us.” Mackenzie reached for me, but Daryl caught her hand, spun her under his raised arm and did a cheesy ballroom dancing dip, bending her spine and kissing her deeply. She stared dreamily up at him and wobbled on her feet. It had to have been the drinks. That kiss was not that good.

She bit her lip and held a hand out for me again. “Come have dinner!”

“Nah, I’ll catch up with you later. My feet are killing me. We walked all over.” Not a lie, but if we went to dinner, I’d throw up all over the table.

“Are you sure?” Her brow furrowed slightly.

“Positive.” I tried to catch her eye, to somehow communicate my concern, but she was already being pulled back into their orbit, lost in Daryl’s attention and the pack’s drooling all over her.

And just like that, they took her. They took Mackenzie from me.

Ren

The dining room sparkled with all its usual pretension, crystal chandeliers throwing rainbows across white tablecloths. Justice sat across from me, his jaw ticking as he checked his watch again. He hated the uncomfortable silence. I was using my time to memorize everything about him.

He was more graceful now, and fluid. Far, far too thin. Dark smudges under his eyes that had new crinkles when he smiled. That, his smile, at least, was the same, although more rare than it used to be. His hands were rough, callused. The rock climbing. He was in desperate need of a manicure.

Like someone set off a warning bell, both our heads snapped to the right. Bob appeared at the table’s edge, Erin hanging off his arm. He took one look at us and spun on his heel and stalked out.

“Walk faster, Bob,” I called after him.

Justice’s laugh was unexpected and rich.

“You think they’re all right?” he asked, serious again. “It’s not like them to be late.”

I stretched out in my chair. “That depends on how wound up you got Theo on your little adventure.”

A satisfied smirk played at the corner of his mouth for half a heartbeat before he schooled his features.

“Ooo, do tell,” I purred.

“Fuck off.”

“I know Mackenzie is good and wound.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “They’re probably just changing panties.”

Justice went quiet, but he met my eyes and I saw every bit of fire in his dark eyes. “Are you…”

“Loving that they probably lost track of time fucking each other and talking about us in between moans and gasps and orgasms?” I grinned. “Yes. Yes, I am.”

He laughed again, then seemed to remember he was supposed to be pissed at me. He hadn’t reminded himself to be jealous or possessive. That was curious. The way his face changed would have been comical if it didn’t hurt so damn much.

“This is a little break from reality for me, and I’m quite enjoying it.” I said, keeping my voice light. It was only a half truth. I was collecting enough memories to torture myself for decades to come. “We both know how this ends.”

Justice’s shoulders went rigid. “I don’t even get an apology?”

“No.” I met his eyes. “I can’t give you that because I’m not sorry. I would do it all again.”

“I don’t need your protection anymore. I’m a big tough alpha now, remember?”

“Port Haven’s 10 most Eligible. You made the 40 Under 40 list too.” I nodded. “Destined to redefine what’s possible for tech companies.” I leaned forward. “The CEO does not need a criminal in his life. That is a complication he can’t handle. He might, however, need two delicious omegas.”

Justice scoffed and looked away. I watched the war play out behind his eyes. His fingers twitched against the tablecloth, his shoulders tensed like he was about to stand. But he didn’t move.

He wanted to storm off, to get away from this conversation and me and all the history between us and everything that had happened in that closet. But he stayed glued to his chair, eyes flicking toward the entrance every few seconds. Waiting. Hoping. And just like me, desperate to be somewhere else and not able to go. Maybe he hated that even more than he hated me.

I took a slow sip of water, letting him stew in his own personal hell.

---