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Austin is already in the back seat of his sleek black BMW. I can just barely make out his outline through the tinted windows. The driver reaches for the door to open it for me, but I wave him off.
“I got it.”
Mark nods and steps back. “Of course, Mr. Parker.”
“Felix,” I inform him for what feels like the millionth time.
“Yes, Mr. Parker,” he replies with a half bow.
Rolling my eyes, I pull the door open and slide onto the smooth leather seats. “Where are we going, Austin?”
“The benefit for the police force. We need to show up as a unit, be visible.”
“We’re missing Dean,” I say, stating the obvious.
“Saint will be there. He had some business to attend.” Austin leans back in his seat, his head tilted toward the traffic next to us. He looks tired. Although, only Dean or I can pick up on that. The silence that falls between us is a small comfort in our dangerous world. Reaching out, I thread my fingers with his, squeezing slightly. He glances over, his violet irises void of his earlier anger, and he smiles. “Life wouldn’t be the same without you, Felix.”
“Glad to hear you don’t regret pulling me out of the gutters.” I grin cheekily, and he playfully smirks over at me, his eyes sparkling, and shrugs.
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
My grin widens, and a laugh erupts. It’s rare to see Austin smiling and joking. He is so busy holding the reins of the business world while keeping the mafia at bay that he doesn’t allow himself the minor pleasures. So I would enjoy it to its fullest.
The drive is too fast. The BMW idles next to the curb of the expensive-ass-looking banquet center. A large crystal chandler sparkles through the tall windows. Austin smooths his tie and meets my gaze.
“Ready to charm the crowd?” he asks with a slight lift of his brow.
“It’s what I do best, boss.” I fall back into the role I play for the masses easily. As a beta, it shouldn’t be as easy as it is, but I just have that natural charisma that people are drawn into like a moth to a flame. Why not use it to our benefit?
He moves quickly, capturing my jaw between his fingers, and drags me across the seat to him. His mouth lands on mine in an open-mouthed, promising, filthy kiss that I welcome. For only a moment, our tongues dance and our breaths mingle. Then he’s pulling back, his violet eyes shining with his contained desire.
“Fuck,” I say, adjusting myself, “I would rather explore this than go in there and flirt.” I gesture between us, and he smiles.
“Make the chief want you, Felix. We’ll reward your efforts later.”
I drop my head back to the seat and pull in a calming breath. As I slowly release it, I crack open my eyes and peer at him.
“You’re a bastard, Austin.”
“Yet you stay.”
“Of course. Where else would I go?”
A half-smirk lifts the side of his mouth as he drops his eyes down my body to my very obvious problem. “Nowhere I couldn’t find you and bring you back.”
A shiver runs down my spine at his possessive tone. That is one thing about Austin, don’t take what is his, and that includes me in that equation. His and Dean’s, and I wouldn’t want to belong to anyone else. Still, I can’t help pressing his buttons.
“What would you do once you found me?”
He hums and wets his lower lip with a dart of his tongue. “Let Dean punish you for running.” His eyes sparkle as he thinks of it, and I would bet real cash he’d like to see me try, just so he could drag me back and enact his punishment. “Now, get your ass out of the car, and let’s get in there.”
Without needing another word, I push the door wide and climb out, fixing my suit and running a hand through my mess of hair. It flops right back over my forehead, and I shrug as I move to meet Austin as he comes around the car. Sucking my lip ring between my teeth, I stare up at the fancy building and steady myself for the drain the crowds would be on me. At least Austin made sure I smell a bit like him. It would keep some alphas at bay.
I follow one step behind Austin like they expect it of a beta as we enter the building and into the grand hall. Not that he would make me. He isn't like that. But I also know we need to keep up appearances. Betas are subservient, not equals, at least in our world. It would have been simpler for me to stay in the gutter and find a normal partner to have a life with.
When Austin stops, I almost barrel into his back being so wrapped up in my head. “Sorry, boss.”
“Felix, fetch us a drink.” He smooths his blazer out and doesn’t look my way, knowing I’ll do as he orders.
