Page 99 of Alpha Awakened

His tux, shirt, and mask were all solid black. The slight sheen to the tux’s material emphasized the way his powerful shoulders filled out the jacket. His mask was different than Hazard’s. The requisitions department had clearly made an effort to obtain a mask to fit Ice’s usual degree of coverage. It was closer to a helmet with an attached face mask. It fit close to his head, hiding his white blond hair. But the lower half of his face was left bare to Hazard’s gaze.

He stared at Ice’s hard jaw and full lips for a long moment before he came to his senses and yanked his eyes up to meet Ice’s. The alpha was watching him just as closely. Hazard swallowed hard. Usually, Ice’s tall figure was imposing in all black, but tonight, while he was still imposing, he was also devastatingly handsome.

“You look good,” he said softly.

“So do you.”

Ice slowly took the five steps necessary to reach him. Hazard remained frozen in place, watching his approach. They couldn’t wear blockers tonight, so the alpha’s warm cedar scent teased Hazard’s nose once they were standing almost toe to toe.

“Here, I have something for you.”

Hazard looked down at Ice’s hand extended toward him in the space between their bodies. He held a stiletto knife with a fancily decorated handle in the palm of his hand. He pressed a button and the sharp blade flicked out. Ice spun the knife between his fingers. Then he pressed down on the blade,disappearing it back into its handle before holding it out to Hazard again.

Confused, Hazard looked up at his partner. “We’re not supposed to go in armed on this op.”

“I know. But I want you protected.”

Hazard’s heart thumped. His alpha wanted to protect him. His Instinct glowed with pleasure at the thought. But then, Hazard mentally shook his head. No. Ice only meant that as a CO watching out for his subordinate. He didn’t mean it personally, because Icewas not his alpha.

“Keep this on you. It’s decorative, the kind of thing these people will see as an interesting conversation piece. It won’t raise questions if anyone sees it.”

“Okay.” Hazard reached out and took the knife. The handle was black, decorated with inlaid silver scrollwork. It was a gorgeous piece of weaponry. He was about to put it in his inner jacket pocket when Ice shook his head.

“No. Use this.”

He pulled a thin black leather knife belt from his pants pocket. Hazard saw the strap had a buckle closure and a small two-loop sheath that would allow him to wear the stiletto blade around his waist.

“I’ll put it on for you,” Ice said as he moved in even closer.

His heart pounding at their proximity, Hazard opened his jacket and pulled his cummerbund up. Ice wrapped the thin strap around his waist, buckling it closed with the blade settled horizontally at the small of his back. Once the knife was in place, Ice slipped the cummerbund back down over it.

“Thank you,” Hazard said, his voice low.

Ice merely nodded, his dark gaze indecipherable.

There was no reason for them to continue standing so close that Hazard could feel the warmth from Ice’s body and pull in his rich scent with every breath he took. But neither of them moved.They stayed in place, almost but not quite touching, staring into each other’s eyes. They were still standing too close to each other when Jax opened his bedroom door and walked out to the common area.

“You two are looking sharp.”

Hazard cleared his throat and took a step back from the captain. “Haven’t worn one of these things since senior prom,” he said as he adjusted his tux, his voice unnaturally loud and jovial.

“You look good in it. You both do. It should be no problem for you to mingle with that high society crowd.”

“Here’s hoping,” he said as he rebuttoned his jacket. They needed to blend in to succeed on this mission.

“Come on, Ortiz is waiting for us,” Jax said before heading out.

“Ready?” Ice asked.

Hazard nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go.”

Chapter 38

November 23, 1982

19:00

Rufus Vaughn Estate