Page 88 of Soulmates
My money’s on the pup.
“You’ve had a bad time, but once you’re back in Seattle, we’ll work on bringing you back into the pack. You’ve only got two quarters left for your business degree.”
Connor actually laughs. He looks at David, brows raised. “You’re majoring in business?”
David tipped his glass. “Damn skippy. Finance, even. If you need someone to help balance your portfolio, I’m your guy.”
Randolph sits back, arms crossed. “You joke, but you’ll put that knowledge to good use when you’re alpha—”
“Come on, Dad.”
“What?”
David tightens his grip on my hand. “I’m not part of your pack anymore, and”—he pulls my hand into his lap and my knuckles bump Conner’s—“I can’t see going back right now. Maybe never.”
“But—”
Randolph starts to sputter, but Mom cuts him off. “But nothing, dear. David is old enough to make up his own mind.”
“He’s a kid.”
“No, he’s not.” Mom’s gaze is sharper than daggers.
“I was old enough to call out Uncle Brendan and take him down.” David sounds cool, as if he’s stepped up and taken control, and that remoteness makes him more effective.
“He’s his own man, Randolph.” Mom sets down her teacup and puts an arm around Abby, who’s watching the discussion with wide eyes. “And furthermore, you remember how well it worked to shove me into the role of alpha wife?”
Randolph and Mom are locked in a stare down. “Do you remember?” Her tone demands a response.
He blinks first and rakes a hand through his hair. “You left.”
“I did, and a smart man would let experience be his teacher.”
For the first time since I met him, the American Alpha’s posture signals concession.
“So…” Abby steps into the breach. “Can I come visit once school’s out for the summer?”
“Absolutely!” David launches into a detailed, off-the-cuff itinerary, while Randolph Collins swirls the remaining gin in his martini glass and Mom gives us all a vague and lovely smile.
Conner and I hold on to David’s hands until dinner is served, and later that night, we show him just how much he means to both of us.
OXO
“So this is home?Damn.” David pirouettes in the center of the huge living room, stopping in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Pacific.
“It is.” I can’t help but smile. Like most of Jacques’s houses, this one is over the top, but he suddenly feels he owes me a favor, so.
Connor comes up beside me. He’s wearing cut-off sweatpants and an old tee and he smells like sweaty man. He and David spent the afternoon moving stuff from our various locations to here, which was a nice surprise to wake up to. My dick swells, and I wonder how fast I can get both of my men undressed.
Both of my men.The words still amaze me. My past, my present, and my future, right here in Jacques’s overwrought mansion in the hills over the Sunset Strip. Concealed lights shine up from the ground, highlighting the landscaping. A thin band of city lights prick the darkness between us and the ocean.
I wrap an arm around Connor and pull him close.
“Look at you two, all snuggly-like.” David laughs, and when I hold out my other arm, he joins us. “Tell me again how long we get to stay here?”
“Well…” I reel him in with an arm around his waist, “…Jacques is feeling guilty right now.” I shrug. “I figure we’re good for a couple of years at least.”
“Good thing, since I’m suddenly in need of a job,” Connor says. After ten years, he’s left the Elites. He says he never wants to fake his own death again.
