Chapter 21

When I returned, my apartment in the EA building was in pristine condition. Even my wall of photos had been dusted, and my Baltimore Ravens flag looked washed and starched. Someone had cleaned the furniture, floor, and rugs, and my grams' rocking chair had been polished to a high shine. Huh, I should go away more often.

The cleanliness lasted for about five minutes. I had only enough time to throw my bag in the bedroom and grab an ice cold Natty Boh, before my roost trickled in.

Arriving in ones and twos, giving hugs and catching me up, it was soon a full-blown party. Someone ordered pizzas. And numerous six-packs covered the counter.

"Fuck, Abe, don't abandon me like that ever again. You're the social one," Poe groused, taking a swig of his beer as he propped a hip against my kitchen island. He'd been the one to suggest I act as Kennedy's bodyguard in the first place, so he was just giving me shit.

"No plans to." I clinked my bottle against his. "It's good to be home, Alpha."

Poe hated when I used his title. Said it sounded like I was talking about his dad. He flipped me off, his middle fingernail coated in black polish, thick leather bracelets ringing his wrist. He'd added another tattoo on his forearm, a slight glow to the ink.

Before he could say more, Shandra's mom stepped up to give me a crushing hug. She pulled my face down to kiss both my cheeks. To say the teens' parents were grateful was a bit of an understatement.

Shandra and her friends clustered in a corner of my living room, and she mouthed, "Sorry" when her mom refused to let me go. I winked. Even though I wasn't a parent, I could imagine their fear when learning someone shot at their kids and involved them in a high-speed chase. Not half as scary as being there. They'd keep the teens on short leashes for a while. Couldn't say I blamed them.

Kai huddled with the raven teens, and the kid seemed to stand taller, take up more space. Michael's influence. Kai had been deprived of an alpha's guidance for too long. Or at least that's the way Michael explained it. I still didn't understand all the nuances of wolves. We ravens relied on our alpha, too, though none of us expected Poe to be everything to everyone. But I was learning.

I'd just finished my beer when another knock came at the door. More food?

I extricated myself from Shandra's mom and wove through the party. I opened the door.

Michael. Recently showered and dressed in another thousand-dollar suit that hugged his toned body to perfection. He'd even shined his shoes. And damn, did he smell good. His pine forest scent made me want to put my nose in the junction of his neck and shoulder and just breathe.

In contrast, I wore a ratty long-sleeved Ravens tee and gray sweats. Hadn't even showered before the roost converged. Yet the way he looked at me . . . I shivered, even though my place was hot as hell from all the bodies.

"How'd you know where I live?" Not the best opening line.

"I asked Tommy." He leaned against the doorway, eyes devouring me. "You going to invite me in?"

My dick twitched from his sultry tone. Of course, I had an apartment full of ravens, so no way we'd be getting any alone time soon. I wanted to grind my teeth. Instead, I sighed.

"Yeah, sure, man. Come on in. Join the party." I waved him inside and then beelined for my fridge. "You want a beer?"

For some reason, my hands shook, and my pulse raced. Something about seeing him among my roost made me nervous. And hopeful.

"No, thanks." He followed me and greeted Poe, raising his voice over the noise.

"Good to have you back." Poe put out a fist for Michael to bump. "I see my demon didn't waste any time meeting with you."

Michael met his fist. "You know Tommy."

"Indeed, I do." Poe ran a hand through his messy black hair, a brazen grin making an appearance. Seeing his happiness when he spoke of Tommy made me hope for something like that of my own.

They chatted while I forced myself to circulate. After endless minutes passed, an ear-splitting whistle rang out. Everyone fell silent and looked at Poe.

"Abe needs to unpack and settle back in. Let's move this party to my office."

And like that, everyone marched from my apartment and disappeared down the hall, beer and pizza in tow. They left an extra six-pack and a cold pizza, at least. Michael ruffled Kai's hair as he and his friends exited. In less than five minutes, it was only me, Poe, and Michael.

"You kids have fun now." Poe winked, then sauntered out.

"Damn, must be nice to be alpha," I called after him.

Another middle finger before he turned a corner. I chuckled. Man, we'd got lucky with him. I closed the door.

"Poe's good people," Michael said behind me, his breath ghosting over the shell of my ear.

I shivered again and leaned into him. "Yeah, he is."

Michael's arms came around me, one large hand on my hip, squeezing, the other resting on my abs. "I have some excellent news."

"Oh?" I looked up at him.

"Mmhmm." He nuzzled into my hair.

Hard to track his words when he did that. My body sparked with heat. My cock began thickening. If he'd only move his fingers a little lower . . .

"Abe, did you hear what I said?" he asked, breaking through my lustful fantasy.

"Nope," I admitted. Whatever he'd said was lost in a haze of need.

Then the fucker let go and stepped away. I turned on him, ready to yank him to me. His irises darkened, his fangs slightly extended. He took another step back and held up a hand, his pants tented. What was it with this guy? He can't get enough of me, but when I give in, he backs away. I glared at him.

"The hell, wolf? Do you want me or not?"