Page 98 of Why Cruise

“Oh Bob, is that seriously all you can do? Last quarter really that bad for you, baby?”

With each tease, with each taunt, a new paddle went up.

She pointed at one alpha. “Honey, sit down. Willow won’t let you sit next to another omega, let alone buy one. Even if it is for charity.”

She went around the room, picking on every alpha, hitting where it hurt most, their wallets. I looked up at Mackenzie. She had a stunned smile on her face, like she couldn’t quite believe what was happening. She even managed to laugh at Aria’s last insult.

I’d had enough. Mackenzie had had enough.

“Five hundred thousand.”

The room went dead silent.

“Oh, Justice does know how to make a girl wet.” She purred. “I’m throwing in a spa day for you and your pack.” She leaned heavily on the word “pack.” “Reservation tomorrow at nine. Don’t be late.”

She whispered something to Mackenzie and gave her a gentle nudge down the walkway.

I held my hand out to help her down the three little steps, surprised that they didn’t shake with the rage coursing through me. I wouldn’t even look at that pack’s table.

“Justice, what are you doing? That’s so much money,” she whispered.

“You missed dinner last night. And it’s no fun angry flirting if you’re not there.”

“Justice, seriously.” She pulled me to a stop.

“You’re beautiful.” I traced her bottom lip.

“Justice,” she tried again, but her voice was much more breathy.

“I’m hungry.” I kissed her knuckles and pulled her to our table. Theo took her other hand.

As we approached, Ren grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. He pressed against me and put his lips to my ear. “She hasn’t realized yet.”

“I know.” I slid my hand around his waist and turned him toward the exit, pushing him in front of me. “We need to not be here right now.”

After about a dozen feet or so, he paused and stepped aside, letting me get ahead of him. He slung his arm over Theo’s shoulder, like he was bringing up the rear. Weird.

Ren

My phone dinged in my pocket again. Why bother at this point? Gaston wouldn’t have my leash to snap much longer.

Forcing Justice’s hand at the auction was probably a dumb move, all things considered. The entire ship would be talking about it. It wasn’t subtle, that was kind of the point, but outed the whole situation.

Good for him. Good for her. Bad for me. Not that it really mattered.

I pushed back into the deserted theater. It was dark except for a work light on stage. Catherine perched on the edge, her fingers twirling around the necklace. That damn thumb drive swaying like a pendulum. Tommy slouched in the front row, his leg bouncing. The little twit could never sit still.

“You’re late.” Gaston’s voice carried from the wings.

I shrugged. What was he going to do, kill me?

I had taken a detour to my room to collect the handbag. It was bulging with cash. I tossed it on the stage along with $1000 chips in my pocket.

“Thirty thousand there. Another fifty in my offshore account.” I flicked my bank card at Catherine. “Tommy made fifteen so far pushing product. Fence the bag for another easy 25K.”

“A hundred? Give or take?” Catherine’s fingers danced over her necklace. “That’s quite impressive for a week’s work.”

“What can I say? I love my job.”

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