7 Degrees of Alpha (a collection of seven new BWWM, Alpha Male Romances) Read Online Free PDF Page B

threw the bolt into place. She didn’t want either of them there ever again!
    Val sank to the floor, the day running along in her mind like an old movie reel. First her car had gone missing, then she’d come home to find her so-called best friend sitting in her apartment after the same friend had told her that she was too busy to help her out of her predicament that morning! Last but not least, a man who she’d been living with, supporting and uplifting for years was gone with no apologies. The reaction to the reality of her situation was almost too much to bare.
    She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears that threatened. She had no idea why she was even so upset. It was a mixture of relief, fear, desperation, acceptance, and the emotions stemming from the realization that she was finally alone and free to do as she pleased. She didn’t have to put up with Damon and his mood swings, anger management problems, or his general disregard for anything she wanted or tried to do. The worst thing was that years ago, they had been a great couple, people always saying how good they looked together.
    But recently, Damon had changed and she barely knew what was going on in his life anymore. He’d become so secretive over the last six months that she wondered if he was even the same person. Something new was going on in his life, a new interest that had taken all his focus from what his normal pursuits were. Val knew he was always with his friends, but she hadn’t seen those guys around. The people he was with now, were guarded, and a touch too friendly. They made her wary and she never stayed in the same room with them alone, not that they came around often.  His new friends had changed him, and she didn’t want to be involved with a changed Damon. The old one was bad enough.
    She pushed herself up from the floor, deciding to take action, rather than sit and wallow in misery. All she wanted to concentrate on now was getting Damon's clothes and other stuff out of her apartment. She wondered if she should leave the property altogether, rather than try and live there and run the risk of Damon harassing her. Yet, there was too much history in this place for her to move forward and leave the past behind.
    As realization struck her, a shiver danced up her spine. Damon having easy access to her caused her to contemplate the situation from another perspective. She didn’t want to have to look over her shoulder every day, and with his volatile, manic nature, he could do anything. Comprehending that he could come back had a new fear gripping her. 
    Her phone started ringing, and Val groaned, fearing that it was Damon or someone else she didn’t want to speak to.
    She snatched the phone from her bag, “Any shit from anyone, and I'm turning this off…,” she mumbled as she pressed the speak button,
    “Yes!” Val snapped, none too pleasantly.
    “Sorry, Darling, but who pissed you off?” Jones asked her enquiringly.
    “Oh, I'm so sorry. I thought it was someone else,” Val apologized.
    “Something I should know?” he asked her.
    “No… Yes… No… Shit... It doesn’t matter. Just some stupid stuff that’s been going on longer than it should have.” Val tried to organize her mind and emotions, not wanting to be a burden to the first decent man she’d met in years.
    “I’m going to say this again. Perhaps you didn’t hear me properly the first time. Is there something you want to tell me?” Jones asked her again, attempting to get through the wall she’d thrown up. “I thought we were friends?”
    “It’s nothing, really. I just need to get my locks changed, that’s all.”
    “And why at nearly eight in the evening do you need to get your locks changed?” Val could see that he wasn’t going to give this up.
    Val heaved a sigh, blowing the air out in an angry huff. “I just kicked my ex out of my apartment, and he still has a key.”
    “Will he use it to get back in? Will he hurt you?”
    The concern in