Page 236 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

“Just work stuff.” Jax nods his head in the direction of the man and Axel, just as they disappear into the crowd. “That was Alameer. He helps oversee the dragon shifters that live here. Axel will update us later about what he wants.”

I knew the guys were alphas. I had heard rumors about their vicious natures and how they came to challenge and win over Manhattan, but these were my guys, and somehow, I never really thought of the two together. I only ever really saw the lovable, protective guys I grew up with.

Seeing first-hand how people react to them, whether in fear or reverence, was beyond strange. I don’t think I’ll get used to it any time soon.

Jax and Kai chuckle at the expression on my face.

“What did you think we did all day? Sit back and let everyone else do all the work?” Jax asks, smiling at me.

“Pretty much. But also sitting in your penthouse calling on your butler to carry out your every whim,” I tell them with a smirk.

“We’ve worked our asses off to get to where we are now. We still never take anything for granted, and we always put family first, no matter what,” Jax tells me, sharing a look with Kai.

“I know. It’s just strange. I still see you as beingmy guys, not some big shot alphas.”

Kai shakes his head at me, smiling. “We’re stillyour guys. Nothing about that has changed, nor will it ever.”

Jax moves closer to us. “What he said. I’m yours, and you are most definitelymine.” I can feel the glare Kai gives him right before Jax rolls his eyes. “Fine,ours.”

Kai tugs on my hand. “Let’s go see if our table is ready.”

We start to move when a woman with short blonde hair and a tight green dress walks up to us. Her gaze finds Kai immediately. It narrows on our hands before she plasters on a wide smile.

“Alphas. I didn’t realize you would be coming tonight.” She raises a hand, waving to someone behind her. “I’ll have the girls set up for you.”

Girls…

My eye twitches as I glance at the blonde bombshell.

She is fucking gorgeous. But if the guys brought me to one of the clubs they frequently visited to have agood time, someone was getting their ass kicked.

I try to pull my hand out of Kai’s, but his grip tightens. “Like we’ve told you before, Olivia, we’re not interested in spending time with you or any of your girls.”

Kai glances down at me, giving me a warning look not to try to pull away from him again.

I ignore him, focusing onOlivia. Her gaze swings to me, and her expression turns calculating as she looks me over.

“Forgive me, I heard about the recent attacks and just wanted to ensure you had an enjoyable time tonight,” Olivia says with an innocent look.

“They won’teverrequire your type of services here, or anywhere else, for that matter,” I tell her before narrowing my eyes on each of the guys.

They both smirk at me.Dicks.

I turn back to Olivia just as her gaze veers right to me; her calculating eyes remind me so much of the people back in King’s hotel. “Ivy never told me she was bringing in another girl.” She sneers at me before glancing at Kai. “I promise you, we have better stock here.”

I open my mouth to reply when Kai loses it. “She’s our mate.” His tone is sharp. The muscles and veins in his neck strain against his skin as his eye pulse red.

Stepping back, a flash of fear crosses her face before she covers it, feigning shock. “My apologies, you look so much like the girls we normally hire for our alphas, I assumed—”

Kai’s hand tightens on mine. I give it a squeeze, trying to comfort him. I was used to people like Olivia, but she was nothing compared to some of the supes I came across. She was definitely not someone I needed protection from.

“Let’s get one thing straight. We’veneverused any of yourservices, nor will we, and if youeverdisrespect our mate again, it won’t just be a job you’re missing,” Kai tells her, releasing some of his alpha power.

I feel it as it seeps out around us, but I lean into it instead of away, feeling drawn to it. Kai notices and starts rubbing his thumb along my hand.

Olivia cowers back, her face turning pale, but she isn’t the only one who turns fearful. The supes near us quickly move away.

She looks to Jax as if he’ll save her, but the vicious smile that spreads across his face tells her he’d do anything but that.

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