Page 16 of Seduced By Two Alphas

Nezat must have gotten to Albert. That meant he’d been watching the café. How else would he know the human was Casey’s ex-boyfriend. “When did he get to you?”

Albert wiped his nose with the back of his hand. “That’s not important. What you need to be worrying about is who else he’s convinced that this town doesn’t need you or your brother.”

When he tried to rush me a third time, I slapped the side of his face so hard he staggered sideways and collapsed on the ground. I walked to him and bent over, baring my canines at him. “The town doesn’t need you or your demon daddy. Fair warning, come at me again and I’ll put you down permanently.”

I wanted to kill him. I wanted to choke the life right out of Albert, but it wasn't his fault he was under Nezat’s spell. Just like Reverend Goodstocke had been. Just like Dillon’s ex-boss had been. Both of them were dead because they’d orchestrated the kidnappings of Dillon, Casey, and Shane.

Albert got up and ran toward the woods. My gut told me to end him before he tried to come after Casey. That he would try to kidnap Casey. Had I grown soft? Had being in Hungry for so long tamed me? Why in the hell wasn’t I going after him? I just stood there watching him disappear into the darkness like he’d never been there to begin with.

Ken strolled outside, unaware of what had just taken place. He stretched, sighing as smiled.

“I was just attacked.” I looked back toward the woods and wondered if I’d imagined the whole thing. It had happened fast, and the whole thing had been bizarre.

Ken’s easy smile vanished as he looked around. “By who?”

“Albert.” I told him what Albert had said to me. “Nezat got to him. He’s still lingering around Hungry, and clearly, he still has his sights set on taking Casey.”

“We knew he’d never left,” Ken said. “We knew he was biding his time.” He narrowed his eyes at me. “And you let Albert go?”

I didn’t have an explanation for Ken. Hell, I wasn’t sure why I’d done that. My head had been in a strange place, maybe from inhaling steam all day in the kitchen. I had no idea why I hadn't killed Albert instead of watching him flee.

Ken cursed. “We have to hunt him down, Jack. If we don’t, he’s going to come after Casey.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I sat on an upturned crate, fuming that I’d let Albert run away. Casey had to be warned about his ex, that Albert wasn’t the same person anymore. He was Nezat’s puppet, doing his bidding. Since I was pretty sure Albert had no clue where Ken and I lived, I was going to convince Casey to stay with us until this mess was dealt with.

And maybe I’d take the time to get my head examined while I was at it.

“The last customer has left the building!” Casey announced as he walked outside, a happy grin on his handsome face.

The last thing I wanted to do was kill his mood, but Casey had to be told.

So I sat there and explained to him about Albert and Nezat.

Casey’s smile froze in place for a moment, and then he cursed so badly that even I blushed. “I’m going to kill Albert myself,” he snapped. “I knew I should have gutted him when I found him cheating on me. And now he’s working for that stupid demon.”

“I think you should pack some things and move in with us. So far as I know, Albert has no idea where we live.”

“Nezat will tell him.” Ken leaned against the wall, and I could tell he was still pissed at me. “No matter where we go in this town, Nezat will know.”

“Nothing’s changed,” Casey said. “You two were sleeping at my place in case he returned. I don’t think he ever left. You’re still protecting me. I’m still not going anywhere on my own. We just have confirmation now that he’s still here.”

“Why are you being so levelheaded?” I asked.

Casey shrugged. “Like I said, nothing’s changed. I had a great, but exhausting day. I’m not going to let any of this get to me right now. Maybe I’m just too tired to care. I can barely stand on my own two feet, so I’m going to choose to ignore this right now.”

“Wow, denial never looked so sexy,” Ken said.

“I wear it proudly,” Casey huffed.

I pushed from the crate and slid my arms around him. Casey sighed as he rested his head against my chest, and I could feel the weariness in every muscle of his body. Strange how one night at the movies getting each other off had made Casey so much more relaxed around us.

I wasn't complaining. I loved it. Loved that I had the right to hold him now, to kiss him, to be the rock he needed to lean on, literally and figuratively.

“Let’s get the place cleaned up so we can get out of here.” Ken pushed from the wall. “I don’t know about you two, but that bed is calling my name.”

We worked as a team to clean the kitchen, the dining area, and close out the register. The paperwork could wait until Monday when it was slower.

We ended up at Casey’s. Ken was right. No matter where we slept, Nezat would know, so there was no use whisking Casey away, and besides, we were all too tired to come up with a decent plan.

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