Chapter 27 27
ROMAN'S POV
I looked back at the BlackRock Pack as I exited.
Becoming a part of it wasn't a distant goal anymore. Now, I own it. Every single part and person in it. At least with Xavier.
A body clashed into mine from behind and a tattooed arm, full of skulls and guns, snaked around my shoulder as I’m assaulted by the stench of alcohol and weed.
Xavier.
“Jason!” He yelled my name like we're bro's. “Why don't I walk you to your car?”
I almost grabbed his arm and threw it off but I had to hide the reaction to the blasphemous act of touching me.
Xavier walked me to my car and held the door to the backseat open. I find the act odd but got in anyway.
“Your coronation will be in a week's time. Aren't you excited?” He asked.
“I am.” I said, reaching for my seatbelt.
“You know, as my Beta, it's only customary you live here in the pack… you should bring your fiancee sometime, you know. It's customary.” He produced a joint and rubbed it against his lips before he shoved it in his mouth and lit it.
The mere sight of it irritates me.
Xavier grabbed me by the shoulder again and I nearly broke his fucking arm.
“Sure. I'll invite her next time.” I smiled.
“Good. See ya later.” He smiled back and shut the car door.
I got into my car and drove home.
“You should bring your fiancee sometime, you know. It's customary?!” I hissed at the memory of Xavier's words. That idiot had the audacity to mention Maisie to me. He even repeated ‘customary’ twice in a sentence.
A caustic laugh singed my throat and I went full speed ahead.
When I arrived home, I loosened the knot on my tie as I entered the house. Maisie had given me an extra key.
I’d intended to go straight to my room, but I stopped when I caught sight of curly blonde hair peeking out from the top of the couch and the scent of Maisie’s favorite lavender-scented candle. It flickered on the coffee table, next to long, bare legs and a laptop.
I dragged my gaze over the expanse of smooth skin and cotton shorts until I met a pair of wary blue eyes.
“You’re still up.” Desire roughened my observation.
Maisie was usually in bed by now, or at least in her room. It wasn't stalking. I just knew her sleep schedule.
“Someone had to congratulate you on your promotion. The others waited all day for you to return.” She returned her gaze to her laptop. “Where were you?”
Despite her casual tone, I could feel the tightness of her voice.
It pulled a dark smile out of me. “Why do you ask? It's not like we monitor each other's movements.”
“You were gone for hours. Curiosity is natural.” She scoffed.
I crossed the room until I stood behind her. Our reflections gleamed back at us in the window, so sharp I could trace every detail of her face — the long, thick sweep of her lashes, the slight tilt of her blue eyes, the delicateness of her chin and the elegant curve of her cheekbones.
“I went to the pack with Xavier. He likes me too much.” I grinned.
“Sure.” Her voice took another edge at the mention of her ex-mate. Suddenly, she sniffled softly. “You just met Xavier?”
“Why’d you ask?” I raised a brow.
“I can smell the perfume.”
My grin widened. “Jealous?”
“I have no reason to be.” She continued typing on her laptop . “We’re just business partners.”
“Really?” I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Her lashes dipped before they swept up and her eyes met mine in the window.
I could pick out the dozen different emotions swirling in those blue eyes — anger, frustration, desire, and something darker.
“It smells like something Kylie would wear.” She tilted her body so she could stare at me face to face. “You met her too?”
I shrugged. “She happened to be where Xavier was and he introduced us.”
“Typical.” She cursed under her breath and rose to her feet.
“Did you say something?” I followed her to where she stood.
“Nothing you didn't hear.” She held the laptop close to her chest and regarded me with a soft glare. “Did they say anything else?”
I leaned forward till my breath brushed her cheek. “Yeah. My coronation as Beta is next week and apparently, I was invited for dinner.”
“Cool. Have fun, Alpha-Beta Roman.” She turned to leave.
I wasn't going to let that happen. I grabbed her arm, eliciting a soft gasp from her lips.
“I was told to come to dinner with you.” I let my fingers trail up her arm as I spoke. Her pulse thrummed under my finger each stroke and in a way, it soothed me.
“Dinner… with me?” Maisie arched her brow.
“Yeah.” Just thinking about Xavier smiling about Maisie earlier made my blood boil. “And not just that…”
“There's something else?” She scoffed.
“Yes…” I looked between her beautiful blue eyes. “It's customary for the Beta to live in the Pack with his mate.”
Her eyes went wide for a brief second before she schooled her features. “Xavier can't be serious.”
“I think he has some plans to win you.” I released her arm and to my surprise, she didn't pull away.
Maisie scoffed. “He has plans to win me? That idiot has another thing coming.”
“Indeed, he does.” I smiled then reached for her hand where the engagement ring glimmered against the lights.
Maisie held my gaze before she shifted it to the ring. “What was Kylie's reaction when she saw you?”
I chuckled. “You're still hung up on that?”
“Not really?” She laughed and I want to hear it again. “Kylie is a whore with a penchant for stealing handsome men. She would want to add you to her collection.”
“And do you want her to?” I brought her hand to my lips.
“No.” Maisie said, surprising both me and herself. Then she added, “It'll make me look weak.”
“Whatever you say, my lady.” I pressed my lips to her knuckles and let myself linger for just a moment.