Niall texted Ronan and Teal the moment he realized he and the boys were being followed. Hopefully, the couple would arrive quickly. The duplex was only a few minutes away.
He’d had a gut feeling the little alpha’s father wouldn’t let the incident rest. The pool attendant had seemed satisfied once the twins apologized, but the burly, goggle-eyed man currently stalking them down the hallway of the community center clearly wanted something more.
The water drying on his back made Niall shiver. He’d guided Garin, Kino, and Zayne straight through the locker room in their still-soaked suits, intending to get them out of there as quickly as possible. He clutched his towel over his shoulders with one hand and held onto Zayne with the other.
Drawing attention to himself by walking through a public space with no shirt on wasn’t something he enjoyed doing, but with three boys to keep safe, Niall didn’t have a choice. The phone in his hand chirped.
RONAN:On our way
Thank the stars. He only needed to make it through the next few minutes.
The hostile alpha followed at a distance, far enough to appear benign. He did nothing that would merit Niall asking the community center staff to call security. But Niall still sensed the threat. He didn’t know if the boys realized, though, so he kept a smile in place as they headed from the pool area into the main atrium.
“Niiiiii-ley,” Zayne whined. “Why do we gotta go home in our wet suits? I feel yucky.”
“Yeah,” Garin complained, pulling his trunks away from his thighs, looking disgusted when they slopped back against his leg. “You could have at least let us rinse the pool smell off.”
“We should have rinsed off,” Kino agreed. “It’s a rule.”
“Sorry, boys,” Niall said, keeping his tone light. “But we’re running late. I figured we could save time and shower at home.”
“We’ve never done that any other time after the pool,” Garin grumbled.
Zayne squeezed Niall’s hand and used his tiny strength to pull them to a stop. “Is this cuz of that mean little alpha boy? My brudders said they was sorry.”
Niall glanced back. The man following them had also stopped short, and his murderous expression sent chills down Niall’s spine. Niall doubted the big alpha was thinking straight. He’d been livid earlier.
“Zayne, we just need to go home, okay? Can you please do as I ask?”
“Yeah, Niley. Sorry.”
The boys quieted, obviously sensing their nanny’s agitation, and followed him to the lobby without argument. The alpha trailed behind them, glaring daggers at the twins.
Niall contemplated whether they’d be safer in his car before dismissing the idea. The community center had been busy, so he’d parked far away in a more isolated section of the lot. It didn’t seem wise to leave the building, especially with Ronan and Teal on their way.
Niall paused in front of one of the pleather couches near the entrance. “How about we sit down right here and rest for a minute?”
“That doesn’t make any sense,” Kino said, pulling his towel around his torso. “You just said we were in such a hurry we couldn’t put our real clothes on, but now we’re stopping to rest?”
Garin stepped next to his brother, finally noticing the alpha. “Is this because of him? Landry’s father?”
Niall looked pointedly at Garin. “Did you know Landry before today? I thought you just met him at the pool.”
“Nah. Landry is in my class. He’s always been a jerk. And I’ve seen his dad before. He came in once and yelled at the teacher about Landry’s reading or something. Right in front of everyone.”
Niall wondered if Ronan and Teal would approve of their six-year-old using the term “jerk.” He decided they’d be okay with it. Especially since it was a mild descriptor of the horrid little boy who’d pushed Zayne off the diving board. He sympathized with Garin’s beta teacher, having to go toe-to-toe with the man.
“Papa!” Zayne’s happy cry echoed in the cavernous atrium.
Niall had never been more grateful to see Ronan and Teal.
“Hey sweet pea,” Ronan said, lifting his son onto his hip.
The twins burrowed their noses into Teal’s legs, and he pet their heads soothingly. Ronan and Teal gave Niall awhat’s going on?look.
Niall leaned close to Ronan. “See that alpha over there,” he whispered, making a subtle gesture toward Landry’s father. “The twins messed with his son at the pool, and he’s pissed. Garin andKino apologized, and the pool manager seemed okay with it, but I got this weird feeling like he wanted more justice for his kid. He followed us from the other side of the building all the way here, and I didn’t feel safe going in the parking lot alone with the boys.”
Ronan kept his voice equally muted. “What do you mean ‘messed with’ his son?”
