Pregnant With Alpha’s Genius Twins

#Chapter 171 – Good friends in tough places

Delia scrambles, her vision darkening as Joyce squeezes her throat even tighter. She can’t think – can’t breathe –

All she can do is look into his cruel face, his teeth elongating before her eyes, his rage overtaking his desire for information –

Then, suddenly, there’s a crash and the pressure on her throat lessens –

Delia gasps, welcoming the fresh rush of oxygen that floods her throat, falling to her knees. Her hands go directly to her neck, soothing her wounded skin, but she frantically looks around, trying to figure out what –

There – on the floor, Joyce, his eyes closed and his mouth open – glass and liquid scattered all over his back and around him – as Delia, breathes her nose smarts at the scent –

Delia’s eye flit upwards to see Cliff standing there, the neck of a broken liquor bottle in his hand, staring down at Joyce.

“Knew he was trouble,” Cliff says quietly, “the moment he walked in.”

Delia can’t help the shocked little laugh that comes out of her then. Cliff looks at her then, shaking his head, offering a hand to help her up.

“You okay?” he asks.

“Yeah,” she says, her knees shaking a little. “I wasn’t…expecting it to go so bad so fast.”

Cliff just shrugs. “I don’t like it when strangers come in and mess with my favorite customers.”

Truly touched, Delia suddenly wraps her arms around him in thanks. She and Evelyn had been coming here for years, and while they had quickly developed an affection for the gruff bartender, they had never known it to be reciprocated.

Cliff hesitates for a moment and then pats Delia on the back. “There there,” he says, awkwardly, as if he can’t think of anything else to say.

Delia laughs and pushes away. “Do you want to help me with one last thing?”

Cliff glances around the room at the customers who are studiously minding their own business and then nods.

“Okay,” Delia says, walking to stand at Joyce’s feet. “You take the front, I take the back. We have to get him to my trunk.”

briskly. “Fine, but take him out the back. Don’t want to upset the customers more than

she says as she

almost midnight and Victor is surprised to see that Alvin is still up, helping Victor to keep organized while he makes plans to shut

when Betas have moved to prepare the necessary cars, Victor leans down and crooks a finger at

then dashes over to his father. “Ready for duty, sir!” Alvin says, shooting

are you still doing up?” Victor asks,

frowns at him, confused.

very helpful,” he says. “But aren’t you tired? You’re a civilian, son – you’re not required

nods firmy, looking up at his father with determination. “I want to help,” he says,

his shoulder.

seven!” Alvin interrupts, seeing where the conversation is

at that but he contains himself. “Almost seven, yes. But still, quite a bit younger than even our youngest recruit.

understanding. “But I’m

the heir to the pack. Victor isn’t going to stop him from participating in the running of it, at least not until it’s fully necessary. A boy can stand one

this for a moment, though. One late night, but

campaign was going to be long and complicated. What, really, was he going to do with his son when

and I. So that we can make a big

Alvin nods eagerly, understanding.

coming next. “Alvin,” Victor continues, “I want you to stay

further, growing pale with disappointment – but then, Victor is surprised to see

says, balling his little fists and stomping his foot.

laugh at this – of course he can stop him –

“Ian gets to be there – he’s going to be right there with mommy, so you can’t

this. “Well, that’s true. But if it were up to me, I’d make sure Ian stayed home too, safe and sound. You’re both still kids, Alvin – it’s my job to keep you

kids, dad,” Alvin says, his voice softer,

at this.

little – but we are…special. We can do things, papa. We can help you – we

sternly, “entering an active war