“She said they were having mashed potatoes and fried chicken.  I’m still hungry, sissy,” Haine whined.  They couldn’t stay in their room forever.  Plus, she needed to find a job and she couldn’t do that staying inside.  

“Okay, okay.  Let’s go eat, Haine, but remember what we talked about,” Alex said, getting up from the bed.  Haine nodded.  He couldn’t think when he was hungry, and she was starving, too.  She didn’t get to take a second bite when the Adonis started staring at her.  Their life had to get better.  Something had to turn out positive.

Haine was already down the stairs before she could catch him.  Thank god, there were only two women at a table.  Her brother sounded like a herd of horses rushing down the stairs.   

She tried to catch him before he sat.  She wasn’t in any mood to have a conversation with strangers tonight.  All she wanted was to eat then lay down early to get a head start in the morning trying to find a job.

“Well, hey, there,” one of the women said to her brother when he sat across from her.  “Aren’t you a cutie?”

Haine smiled brightly as the two women spoke softly to her brother.  “Hello,” the second lady said, smiling when she plopped down beside her brother.  She had to admit both women were stunning.  The pair seemed to be giddy with happiness and she couldn’t stop the contagious smile that crossed her lips.

“You both are downright beautiful.  Is this your son?”  the woman with long curly hair asked.

Haine glanced at her waiting for her to answer.  The one thing she could say about her brother was when she told him not to do something, he didn’t do it again.  He was a fast learner and now he was quiet and looking at her to talk to the ladies.  

“No, this is my little brother, Haine.”  Alex didn’t think it was right to lie about that information and it seemed to make her brother happy when he just smiled and turned to the lovely ladies.  

“Well, you are a cutie pie, Haine.  I love that name, too.”

“You talk funny,” Haine said, staring at the two women.

“Haine!  You shouldn’t say that. It’s rude.”  Alex was mortified now.  Her brother was also too honest and blunt.  He had no filter sometimes.  Unfortunately, she thought the same thing.  She always loved to listen to southern women speak.  A couple ladies who lived in the same dorm were from the south and she loved to hear them talk about anything.  

Both the women busted out laughing.  “Well, you talk funny, too.  I take it you’re not from around here?”

“We’re from Chicago,” Haine said then went pale and put his hand over his mouth.  All she could do was close her eyes.  He told them where they were from.  Shit.  When she looked at her brother, he had tears in his eyes.  Like her, he was scared the bad people would come and get them.  

“Oh, honey, it’s okay. Don’t you cry.  We won’t tell a soul where you’re from.” 

Alex pulled her brother closer and whispered in his ear. 

“It’s okay.”  Then kissed him on the side of his head.  

“My name is Quinn Dixon,” the red head said, smiling at them.  “How about we start this conversation out with first names only.”  

Alex squeezed her brother’s hand.  “I’m Alex and this is Haine, my little brother.”  

“Don’t forget about me now, “the other lady said, laughing.  “I’m Simone Cross.  It’s very nice to meet you both.”  Alex watched as the woman stuck her hand out for her to shake and she noticed the bracelet on her wrist.  She recognized it from her jewelry magazine.  It was one of Jade Cross’s new editions coming out this month.  

“That’s a Jade Cross bracelet,” Alex said, pointing at her arm.  

“You know Jade?”  Simone said, taking off her bracelet.

“Not personally, but I know her jewelry and bags.  That is a new one.  I saw it in the magazine.  It’s not out yet and hearing your last name is Cross you must be related in some way?”

“Jade’s my sister-in-law.  She always gives some to the pac--” Simone coughed.  “She gives us her newest products before she sells them in Quinn’s store and online.  That’s just how Jade rolls.”

“That sounds great.  She does beautiful work.”  The tension left her shoulders.  She felt comfortable around the two ladies for some strange reason.  But her parents trusted their lawyer, too, and now they were dead.

“Are you here for her new line that’s coming out tomorrow?”  Quinn asked.

“Um, no.”  Alex’s breath shook before she got it under control.  “I’m looking for a job and we stopped here to see if there was anything.”  

“Well, you are in luck then.” Quinn clapped her hands together excited.  “I’m actually looking for another sales clerk for Southern Treasures.  With Jade putting out a new line tomorrow, I’m going to need someone who knows her stuff and you seem to.  I pay seventeen dollars an hour and you get an hour for lunch.  I need someone who can count money and get customers their product then moves on to the next one.  Are you interested?”

Alex sat with her mouth hanging open.  She needed a job in the worst way. If she wasn’t cautious, the money from her parents’ accounts would be depleted soon.  She needed an income so they could eat and continue to have a roof over their heads.  She had no clue how long it was going to take before she found someone in law enforcement to help her.  They could be in hiding for a long time before she could get this all settled.

“Cat got your tongue?”  Simone joked.  “She’s not joking.  I promise you will work your butt off for that seventeen dollars and hour.  Tomorrow will be busy.”  

“Well, I am interested, but I have to find a place for Haine. I can’t leave him here and there’s another problem.”  Alex blew out a breath.  She might as well get this over with.  The only kind of job paying cash would be a waitress and then they had to pay taxes, too.  She was screwed.  That’s how they found you, by using your social security number and someone filing employment taxes. She couldn’t risk it.   Alex glanced at her brother putting butter on a roll.  She couldn’t risk Haine.

“What, honey?  What else?”  Quinn asked.

“I would need to be paid in cash and no taxes taken out,” Alex said plainly.  This conversation wasn’t going any further.  There were too many questions.  Not many people would offer work for just cash.    

Both the women looked at each other and then shrugged.  “Okay.  I can pay you daily if that’s better for you.  I could really use the help,” Quinn said.

Alex stiffened as her eyes shifted back and forth to the two strangers.  “Why are you doing this for me?”  She knew businesses like Southern Treasures didn’t pay cash under the table to their workers.  She was an accountant, for goodness’ sake.  

“Because we are desperate for help and I’m needing someone who actually knows something about Jade Cross and her beautiful products.  For instance, what is the name of the new line coming out tomorrow?”

“New Beginnings,” Alex blurted out.  She didn’t need to even think about it.   That’s how she recognized Simone’s bracelet.  “Each bracelet, necklace, earrings all have names that go with the new line.  The bracelet you’re wearing is called Dawn.  Each morning brought on a new day, a new dawn.”  

Quinn pointed at her.  “That’s why I want to hire you, Alex.  Look, I don’t know what is going on.  I’m hoping that with time, you will learn to trust Simone and me and with that trust you will tell us why you are hiding.  But I’m not going to push you because I know what it’s like to need a new beginning.”

“I don’t know what to say, but why are you helping me?” 

“Because we all need help, sometimes. Somebody helped me out once, and I want to pay it forward,” Quinn said.

“I still need to find Haine a place to stay.  A babysitter maybe.  And I can’t just leave him with anyone.  I need to know if I can trust them.  He’s all I’ve got.”  Alex glanced at her brother who had stopped eating and stared up at her.  She smiled and kissed the top of his head.  

“I’m not a baby, sissy.  I can stay here by myself,” Haine said sitting up straight.

“Oh, I know, buddy, but I would feel better if I knew you weren’t alone.  Especially…”  Alex blinked and looked away.  She had to be careful what she said in front of these two women.  Trust was something she couldn’t play around with and she had no clue who these women were but her gut told her to trust them.  

“Haine, how about you help me out in the store tomorrow baking cookies.  I can always use a cookie tester,” Simone said.  “And it’s right next door to Southern Treasures, too.  That way you can always check in on him.  We put a door between the two stores so people could go back and forth.  This way it gave the husbands a place to hang out while their wives shopped.”

Alex couldn’t believe how nice these two women were being.  Did they want to keep her near them for some reason?  There couldn’t be a connection with Dominic Santora.  So why were they being so friendly?  The only way was to keep an eye on them and make sure they didn’t pull anything funny.  As long as she didn’t tell them their last name, they couldn’t figure out who they were.  

“I’m glad you two showed up because I over cooked again.”  Charlotte the owner of the B&B came out holding a big platter of fried chicken.  “So, who’s ready to eat?”

“Me, me.”  Haine held his hand up.  Thank god, she made a lot because they were going to learn firsthand how much food her brother could put away.  

“That’s what I want to hear, Haine.  You want to help me bring out the mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese?”  Ms. Charlotte asked, smiling.

“Yes, ma’am.”  Haine stood and looked at his sister.  

“Go ahead, Haine.  I’m hungry, too.”  Alex stated calmly.  Her brother needed to feel wanted and Ms. Charlotte was offering that.  It wasn’t much, but her mother would ask Haine to help put food on the table at home.  This was something normal for him and they both desired normal to return to their lives.  

“He’s a cutie pie,” Simone said, watching Haine run to the kitchen.  

“Thank you.  He’s a good kid,” Alex said still staring at the door.

“Ms. Charlotte will take care of him.  She won’t let anything happen,” Quinn said.

“Oh, sorry, I’m sure she won’t.  She seems to be a nice lady.”  Alex had to look away from the door.

“Alex, I’m not trying to pry or rush you, but is everything okay?  I mean you look scared that someone’s going to snatch him up,” Quinn added.  

When she glanced up, Simone and Quinn both stared at her, but she could tell they meant no harm.  It didn’t matter because she didn’t know them and she couldn’t trust anyone yet.  

With a nod, Alex looked straight at Quinn.

“Look, Alex, macaroni and cheese.   It’s homemade, too.  Just like Mom used to make,” Haine said, smiling, putting the bowl on the table.  

“Looks good, buddy.”  Alex unwrapped her napkin and placed it in her lap.  She didn’t want to talk about it yet.  She had to figure out what her parents were doing with the mob.  Dominic said something about wanting a computer back that her parents were working on.  Maybe she could find out something once she searched all the files. 

Dammit, she was a computer expert and accountant.  If she had to hack into his computer, she would.  She only hoped Dominic ‘The Bull’ Santora was stupid enough to hide something on it.  He didn’t look like the type of person who even knew how to turn on a computer much less hide something she could use against him.  Right now, she had to take this one day at a time and start fresh tomorrow. 

* * *

Finn listened as Alex said goodbye to Quinn and Simone.  He had heard their conversation and was proud of his friends in gathering as much information as they could without sounding suspicious.  Alex was running from something or someone and he didn’t know which, but he would find out. 

Protecting his mate and her little brother was his top priority.  She was scared.  Even though she acted strong, he could hear it in her voice each time she spoke.  His wolf growled inside when her breath shook.  His wolf wanted out, and he’d have to shift soon or it would take control. That couldn’t happen. Not now, she would surely run from him if she saw him shift. 

He got into the back of Simone’s SUV and lay down.  He needed to talk to them and get their take on what they thought.  Then he would give the new information to Scavenger and let him work his magic.  Something had to come back.  Alex and Haine from Chicago.  There had to be a clue somewhere and he was going to find out everything.  

Simone and Quinn got inside the vehicle laughing as usual.  “Well, did you hear all of it?”  

“Of course, but I want to know what you two think?”  Finn asked.

“She’s running from someone and she’s scared.  Even the boy is scared.  When he let it slip that they were from Chicago, I almost cried watching that cutie pie tear up.  She will be at the shop tomorrow and I will try to find out more, but I don’t think she will give us anything until she learns to trust us, Finn.  You said your friend Scavenger was one of the best hackers.  

“He is.”

“Then maybe he can find out why she’s running.  I’ll make sure we have guards hanging around in the area until we find out what we’re up against,” Quinn said.

“Thanks, Quinn.  I appreciate this.”  Finn released a deep breath. Quinn was his Alpha’s mate, but she was an Alpha on her own. She led alongside Arden and he had no problem taking orders from her. 

“I can’t leave her.  I’m terrified she’s going to get spooked and leave.”   

“We know, but, Finn, you have to get some rest.  That girl in there is scared of something and until we find that out, you have to be at the top of your game.  I know you want to stay near her, but you need to be at the store early in the morning, and once she gets there, I will introduce you to her.  You will be relieved in a couple of hours, so go home and get your beauty sleep.  Tomorrow, Finn, you will be the store’s security.  That’s what I’m going to say anyway,” Quinn explained.  

Finn smiled.  “Sounds good to me.  As long as I’m near her, that’s all I care about.”

“Hey, take some advice, my friend, and smile.  You have a beautiful smile and she needs to trust you,” Simone said.  “Because if you do that frown that says I’ve got to have you right now to fuck your brains out, well, let’s just say she’s going to run for the hills.  Just saying, my friend.”

Finn laughed.  “Thanks a lot, Simone.” 

“Hey buddy, I’m trying to keep it real and help you out.”

“You got it.”  Finn opened the door and before he closed it both girls yelled, “When you happy and you know it, clap your hands. Smile, Finn.”  Both girls clapped and then pointed at him. That’s what he loved about his pack, they always kept it real and fun. But he knew he scared Alex earlier today and he couldn’t do that again, no matter how much the mating pull drove him.