ã€ŠWith A Little Luckã€‹


 : Prologue

    My stomach wobbles as I nce between Donna, my gran¡¯s care nurse, and the front door.

    ¡°Are you sure you¡¯ll be okay?¡± I ask, running my hands down the sides of my dress.

    God, I really need a night to myself, but if she says no, I¡¯ll change back into my pajamas and binge terrible reality TV.

    I might cry if thates to pass.

    I¡¯ll still do it, though.

    I¡¯m starting to get a twinge of caregiver burnout, and I don¡¯t even have it all that bad.

    Donna chuckles, rolling her dark brown eyes. ¡°I can take care of her as easily at night as I can during the day.¡± She shrugs. ¡°It helps that I don¡¯t have to work tomorrow. Go on, get out of here. You deserve a night to yourself.¡±

    She points at the front door, and my teeth dig into my lower lip. I had no idea how hard being a caregiver would be. My mom and her parents were never particrly close, and she wasn¡¯t willing toe to Vermont to look after Gran, so I did.

    It¡¯s been okay.

    A little awkward, since I grew up in Florida and only got to see her a few times throughout my childhood.

    But that¡¯s what families are supposed to do, right?

    You look out for each other.

    Gran is thest one left in her family pack, and losing herst bondmate six months ago was rough. Physically, she¡¯s still trucking along, but emotionally, it¡¯s clear she¡¯s ready to be with my grandpas.

    I thought I woulde and support Gran until her timees, then take my backside right back to Florida.

    I never nned to meet anyone while I was here.

    I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m hardcore enough to brave the Vermont winter, but meeting Pete made me question if maybe I could tough it out.

    When Gran needed less help, I was able to see him two or three nights a week. Thest two months, I¡¯ve barely been able to get away, at least at night. Five days a week, Donna is at the house to help out, but Pete works during the day, making coordinating our schedules difficult.

    He¡¯s been distant thest few weeks¡ªmaybe longer, if I¡¯m being truthful with myself.

    My n to swing by his office at closing to invite him out to dinner, just the two of us, seemed fun at first. Now, I¡¯m nervous. What if he thinks I¡¯m a total weirdo for dropping by unannounced?

    ¡°You better get your rear end in gear before you procrastinate for so long that you miss him,¡± Donna says, startling me out of my thoughts.

    ¡°Thank you. Call me if you need anything.¡± And with that, I bolt toward the door.<hr>

    Leaving the house tonight was my first mistake.

    I had a bad feeling, and that pit in my gut was right. I never should have second-guessed my intuition.

    I swipe my hand under my eyes, frowning at the mascara smudging the side of my pointer finger.

    Crying is ridiculous.

    Embarrassing, really.

    Pete and I weren¡¯t together long enough for it to even matter.

    My head shakes violently as I try to force away the image of what I walked in on when I showed up to surprise him.

    Honestly, this is a good thing.

    I¡¯d much rather know now that he¡¯s an unfaithful dick than to learn it years down the road.

    I can¡¯t believe I considered staying here just to be with him.

    My hand wraps around the metal door handle, and a whoosh of air smacks me in the face. It¡¯s loud before I even take a step inside the bar, but I refuse to go back to Gran¡¯s house to cry alone.

    I¡¯m sure the beautiful blonde who was on her knees for Pete is busy wiping away his nonexistent tears.

    I need a beer or two, but definitely not three. Then I¡¯ll call a rideshare, grab some greasy takeout, and eat it at home in bed whilementing all men are garbage.

    Okay, fine.

    Not all men.

    Just Pete.<hr>

    Okay, maybe it is all men.

    I thought the red eyes, mascara stains, and general please don¡¯t approach me energy I¡¯ve been exuding would get the point across.

    I¡¯m clearly not interested, but the two guys who haven¡¯t left me alone since I sat down at the bar don¡¯t seem to be picking up what I¡¯m putting down.

    ¡°Come on, darlin¡¯, let us help cheer you up,¡± the guy on my right says, leaning even closer to my barstool.

    His friend took the seat to my left, and he¡¯s a little too close forfort. They both are, actually. No part of me enjoys being pinned in with one of them on either side.

    Their scents aren¡¯t appealing to my senses, but they must be drawn to mine.

    It¡¯s the curse of being an omega.

    Well, that and having to deal with heats every three months.

    I¡¯ve taken suppressants on and off since my first heat started when I was twenty, but they¡¯ve been noticeably less effectivetely. As soon as everything is handled here in Vermont, I¡¯m going to have to consider going to one of those omega centers to be matched.

    And you almost let Pete talk you into going off suppressants.

    How foolish do you feel now?

    Huh, Quincy?

    More than foolish.

    I think I feel a little defeated. It¡¯s not supposed to be this hard for an omega to find alphas, but I¡¯ve had really shitty luck.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you let us take your mind off whatever has your panties in a twist?¡± the man on my left says with an obnoxiousugh.

    I am nowhere near drunk enough for that.

    Pushing my feet to the floor, I shove myself out of my barstool and push it back. ¡°Excuse me. I need the restroom.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. We¡¯ll watch your drink for you,¡± the guy on the right says.

    No way in hell will I be touching that thing again.<hr>

    I use the restroom, wash my hands, and try to pull up the rideshare app on my phone. Sadly, I have almost no signal in the bar, and the screen stays frozen until I get frustrated and give up. Peeking out the door, I give a cursory nce around.

    It¡¯s only a vague n, but if they¡¯re waiting for me, I intend to m the door and lock it before they can get in. Only they aren¡¯t lingering outside the bathroom.

    At least, not anywhere that I can see from opening the door two inches and peeking around. Rolling my shoulders back, I give myself a mini pep talk. I can¡¯t stay trapped in here forever, and if I take too long, they coulde looking for me.

    I exit the bathroom and head down the hallway until it spills into the weird area with the bar on my right and a few booths on my left. It¡¯s less busy here than at the front of the bar, likely because the dance floor is in that direction.

    I frown, stopping dead in my tracks.

    The guys from earlier linger near the front edge of the bar. To get to the exit, I¡¯ll have to walk right past them.

    Dammit.

    Why hasn¡¯t anyone stepped in to ask them to stop being creepy assholes?

    Probably because no one noticed.

    Maybe if I had made a scene, someone would have interceded, but thest thing I need tonight is more drama.

    ncing around, I check for any new parties of women having a girl¡¯s night.

    I don¡¯t care if it would be weird.

    I would go over and join them.

    Girl code says you take in any random woman being harassed by creeps. There¡¯s safety in numbers, but I don¡¯t see any groups of women.

    I really should have stayed home tonight.

    Okay, I guess I¡¯m going to have to walk closer to the front and use my phone there while ignoring those guys. That, or go up to the bar and ask if they have a bouncer.

    I take off down the corridor, but the men walk toward me at the exact same time.

    A whimper escapes my lips.

    I don¡¯t know what to do, but my instincts scream to run. Spinning around, I prepare to hightail it back to the women¡¯s room until I spot two men sitting at one of the booths on the wall.

    The man on my left is huge, with broad shoulders and a plethora of tattoos covering his arms, neck, and chest¡ªat least, what I can see around his T-shirt. He has short dark hair that¡¯s longer on top and shaved close on the sides, stubble, and he¡¯s wearing aviator sunsses¡­inside the bar.

    He looks more intimidating than the guys who won¡¯t leave me alone, and that means he can scare them off.

    The manughs and says something to the guy across from him before tipping his beer to his thick lips.

    I stumble up to the side of their table and slide into the booth next to the big guy. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to bother you. Can I sit here? Just long enough for those guys to leave me alone, then I promise I¡¯ll go.¡±

    ¡°Of course you can.¡± His gaze darts between me and the guys who are still meandering closer. ¡°Let¡¯s move you over here. That way, if they decide toe say hello, I¡¯m between you and them.¡±

    I¡¯m not expecting him to twist to the side and lift me, sliding me over hisp and cing me on the inside of the booth.

    I squeak and awkwardly bump the table, but the man across from him keeps their beers from spilling.

    ¡°Ridge,¡± the big guy says, tossing his arm over the back of the booth. ¡°That¡¯s Knox.¡±

    ¡°Q-Quincy,¡± I stutter out as Ridge¡¯s scent hits my nose. It¡¯s soplex that I can¡¯t understand what I¡¯m smelling at first. It¡¯s like tobo, but the pipe kind with hints of bergamot and leather¡­ He smells like the expensive cologne I sniffed at the mall and fell in love with. Comparing his scent to what I remember reading on the info card is the only way I¡¯m even able to pick out the different notes.

    Shit, this might be a problem.

    My nose is obsessed.

    The overwhelming urge to turn and bury my face in his chest makes my cheeks heat.

    Come on, suppressants. Don¡¯t fail me now. You can hold out for a little while longer.<hr>

    Waking up is a groggy experience.

    For the first several seconds, I have no clue where I am or why I¡¯m so warm, but God, am Ifortable.

    Ridge¡¯s scent hits my nose, and I bite my cheek to keep from cooing.

    Cooing is a ridiculous sound omegas make when they¡¯re content.

    A cascade of memorieses back as consciousness creeps in.

    Ridge and Knox in the bar.

    The way Knox kept mepany at the table while Ridge went to have a word with the two creepy guys. He brought me back a drink, and I decided to stay for a bit.

    I remember Knox left, but Ridge asked if I wanted to stick around for a little longer.

    We talked andughed and drank and danced¡­

    My eyes pop open, and light streams in the window of the hotel room.

    Oh my god!

    Gran!

    I¡¯m supposed to be home by now so Donna can leave. I only meant to close my eyes for a minute¡­

    I guess I fell asleep.

    It¡¯s a slow process to extract myself from under Ridge¡¯s arm, but I make it out of the bed without waking him.

    My entire body iszy and sore from a night of incredible sex. It makes it almost impossible to force myself to get dressed. Though I do because I have no other option.

    Donna is going to be furious.

    We never agreed on an exact time, but it was implied that I wouldn¡¯t stay out until dawn.

    I snatch up my shoes, link them over my fingers, and dig in my purse for a pen.

    I don¡¯t know if he¡¯ll even want to see me again, but sneaking out without leaving him a way to contact me feels¡­wrong.

    More than that?

    Ridge was awesomepany. He¡¯s sexy, lighthearted, and he instantly put me at ease, despite my terrible night.

    I¡¯d love to see him again if we can find the time to make it work.

    I don¡¯t find a pen, but my phone buzzes, lighting up with a text.

    Snatching it out of my bag, I see four missed calls and three texts from Donna, causing my jaw to fall.

    The most recent message says, Call me as soon as you can.

    My heart thumps wildly as my mind races.

    She¡¯s going to quit.

    I pushed her kindness too far.

    She has every right to be angry.

    Tossing my purse over my shoulder, I head for the door and let myself out as my hands shake.

    God, what a mess.

    I pull the phone to my ear and take off down the hallway as my panic intensifies.

    Donna is a great nurse.

    We lucked out finding her.

    I¡¯ve already been struggling, even with hering five days a week.

    How in the world will I manage until we can find a recement? The interviewsst time were a nightmare. There¡¯s no way I¡¯ll find anyone who clicks with Gran as well as she does.

    I never should have left the housest night, but I did, and now I have to live with the repercussions of my actions.

    Pete¡¯s office, the bar, and the hotel are all within a few blocks of each other, meaning my car isn¡¯t far away. I was going to take a cab or ridesharest night, since I had been drinking, but I¡¯m fine to drive myself now. Hopefully I can find the way to the parking lot without much trouble.

    ¡°Quincy?¡± Donna answers the call when I¡¯m halfway down the hallway, and her tone says it all.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I choke out, stopping to pull on my heels.

    ¡°Just get home safely. We¡¯ll talk once you¡¯re here.¡±

 : Chapter 1

    Almost Eight and a Half Months Later

    I¡¯m not a morning person under the best of circumstances, but I had to be up for an early morning shift that I¡¯ll have to head back to once I¡¯m done here.

    My lower back throbs, and I ster on a fake smile as Dr. Lindsay continues stressing me out. I¡¯m doing my best to stay upbeat, but she seems to have made it her life¡¯s mission to give me anxiety.

    I understand she¡¯s trying to be helpful. It¡¯s just not information that I want to hear.

    ¡°I can already tell you¡¯re anxious by your scent, but Quincy, the goal is to have a healthy baby. We can¡¯t put a price on that,¡± Dr. Lindsay says.

    And of course, she¡¯s right.

    Having a healthy baby is priceless.

    But she must not understand the severity of my financial situation.

    ¡°The Alpha Pheromone Therapy is pricey,¡± she says. ¡°But it¡¯s worth it. The risk of miscarriage, pretermbor, and even severe maternalplications all go up exponentially when a female omega isn¡¯t exposed to alpha pheromones regrly during the pregnancy.¡±

    She¡¯s told me the same thing at myst two appointments, but I wasn¡¯t having any concerning symptoms.

    Thest few weeks, I¡¯ve felt rundown in a way I haven¡¯t been able to shake, no matter how much sleep I get. On top of that, I¡¯ve been having cramps and running a fever thest three days, which is why I called and came in early for my checkup.

    ¡°It¡¯s new, and some insurancepanies don¡¯t cover it, but we know it works,¡± Dr. Lindsay says, meeting my gaze. ¡°It¡¯s a twofold process. A vaginal suppository used three times a week that simtes alpha semen and a daily packet of a simted pheromone solution. You apply that to your neck or wrist. When using these inbination, it lowers your risk factor to almost that of a bonded omega with regr ess to alphas.¡±

    ¡°I checked into itst time you mentioned it,¡± I admit. ¡°I¡¯m not being purposely stubborn, I swear I¡¯m not. I don¡¯t have insurance. Do you know that medication is like three grand for a month¡¯s supply? I can¡¯t afford that.¡± Even I can hear how hysterical I sound by the time I finish my sentence.

    ¡°That is highway robbery.¡± Dr. Lindsay grimaces. ¡°Okay, if the APT is off the table, let¡¯s discuss sending you to one of the omega sanctuaries. There¡¯s an Omega Exchange location less than an hour away. They have a volunteer program. You can ask to be matched to alphas. Even three visits a week for half an hour would be sufficient. I¡¯m worried the symptoms you¡¯re having are your body¡¯s early warning system. We need to pay attention to those signs.¡±

    She¡¯s trying to look after the baby, but my eyes still ache.

    My stomach bounces as the baby rolls or stretches, and I run my hand over the movement.

    I¡¯m in a nightmare of my own making.

    That morning when I woke up in the hotel room with Ridge, I truly did intend to leave my number, but I got distracted by all the calls from Donna¡­

    Gran passed away that night.

    Everyone has told me that she¡¯s at peace. Being with her pack is what she wanted. And I know that. The guilt still threatens to eat me alive when I think about the fact I wasn¡¯t there.

    Not that I could have done anything.

    If Donna hadn¡¯t been the one to find her at her five a.m. check-in, then it would have been me when I went in to wake her up for breakfast.

    That might have traumatized me even worse. I¡¯ve never been alone with a dead body, and I can imagine I would have panicked rather than taking the methodical approach Donna did.

    My guilt over not being there when Gran passed is onlypounded by the fact I left Ridge with no way to contact me.

    Of course, there¡¯s a chance he never would have called, but if I had left my number, it would help offset some of this never-ending regret I have over how I handled things that morning.

    I certainly wasn¡¯t expecting to end up pregnant.

    That¡¯s for damn sure.

    I also can¡¯t be too surprised, considering I ended up lost to the fog for several hours. The first time we had sex, I remember him using a condom, but after we moved to the shower¡­ It¡¯s all a big nk spot in my memory.

    Dr. Lindsay told me that if my body was fighting the suppressants, there¡¯s a good chance that my birth control was ineffective too. If I had known that, I¡¯d like to say I would have been more careful, but the reality is, it¡¯s practically impossible to fight biology once the fog takes over.

    She was also kind enough to go over the math with me multiple times, and based on thest time I was with Pete, there¡¯s statistically zero chance the baby is his.

    My one-night stand with Ridge was enough to knock me up. It¡¯s kinda insane to think about. Having a baby wasn¡¯t in my immediate ns, but I¡¯ve always wanted children. It¡¯s just happening a little sooner than I nned.

    ¡°I know you¡¯re experiencing some guilt over not being able to locate the baby¡¯s father, but that happens sometimes,¡± Dr. Lindsay says, like she can read my thoughts. ¡°At this point, you have to take your feelings about him out of the equation and make the safest choice you can for yourself and your daughter.¡±

    My gut churns.

    I hear what she¡¯s saying.

    It¡¯s just so overwhelming to think about.

    Ridge was a really nice guy¡ªat least, the little I got to see¡ªand I feel terrible over the mess I¡¯ve gotten us into.

    I¡¯ve tried everything I can think of to locate him, from going back to the bar repeatedly to begging the front desk staff at the hotel to give me his information.

    They refused.

    So, I tried again.

    And again a different night.

    Then I saw a sign that said they were hiring, but unfortunately, the manager recognized me from thest time he told me to get lost.

    I wouldn¡¯t have been above taking a peek at their system to gain his full name and information¡­

    Only, the whole trying to get hired thing ended up getting me permanently banned from the premises. At this point, the bar owner probably has my picture in the back office, warning his bartenders about me.

    And still, I¡¯ve found nothing.

    I almost think Ridge must have been on vacation or in town for business, because even social media stalking of residents of Burlington produced nothing.

    That¡¯s not even getting into the embarrassing in-person stalking I did of anyone named Ridge with a Burlington address¡­

    It¡¯s so hard because some days I think I¡¯vee to terms with the fact I¡¯ll probably never be able to find him. Other times, I get some delusional hope that I¡¯ll walk into work and find him eating a breakfast special.

    The bar we met at wouldn¡¯t hire me, but I found a cozy little restaurant and bar about ten minutes away that hired me on the spot. It¡¯s just close enough to where we met that I¡¯ve convinced myself there is a chance we¡¯ll run into each other. With every passing day, that hope dwindles a little, and it kills me.

    ¡°Here, just take the information for The Omega Exchange,¡± Dr. Lindsay says, dropping a pamphlet in myp. ¡°I¡¯m going to make a few calls and see if I can get samples of the APT. No guarantees, but we¡¯ll never know if we don¡¯t try.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I pick up the brochure and study the front cover.

    ¡°I want to see you back in a week if you¡¯re not feeling better, but you might hear from our office before then if I have any luck with APT.¡± Dr. Lindsay stands and smiles. ¡°Remember, Quincy. You and the baby are priority number one. I have to believe her father would agree if he had a say.¡±

    I almost snort.

    That¡¯s a reach.

    Not that I know Ridge well enough to guess how he would react or what he would rmend, but he seemed protective, and alphas are territorial. I highly doubt he would like the idea of me spending time with other alphas while I¡¯m pregnant with his baby.

 : Chapter 2

    There¡¯s every chance that I owe my boss an apology. When I begged Hartley to hire me, I purposely avoided mentioning I was pregnant. It might be sneaky, but I¡¯ve realized over thest few months that he would have hired me even if he had known.

    Hartley is just a good guy.

    Drop-dead gorgeous.

    But a really stand-up kind of human being.

    He¡¯s gone out of his way to amodate my doctor¡¯s appointments, and he stopped scheduling me for closing shifts when he realized how exhausted I am by eight p.m.

    Hart leans over the front counter in the restaurant as I make my way out to the floor from the break room.

    ¡°How¡¯s the nugget?¡± His face breaks into a wide smile, and he nods to my stomach. That look on his face would normally be a solid distraction, but my head is still a mess from my doctor¡¯s appointment.

    I roll my lips together as my shoulders bounce.

    ¡°Everything is okay¡­¡± His brow furrows, and his head tilts. ¡°Right? Otherwise, why the hell would you be here?¡±

    I almost snort.

    If it was something serious, I wouldn¡¯t be, but this is technically still my shift. I left for an hour because it was the only time Dr. Lindsay could see me, and I¡¯m back because I still have two hours left until I can clock out.

    If he means in the grand scheme of things¡­ I¡¯m here because living requires ie.

    Gran left me her house when she passed away.

    At first, I was shocked.

    I was under the impression it would go to my mom or her brother, but neither of them showed up to care for her in her most vulnerable time, which she pointed out in the letter she left me in her will. She did leave them some money, and a bit was left to me, but it barely covered the insurance and taxes for this year.

    We were able to skip probate since she ced everything in a trust, but the executor was very honest with me about what to expect in household expenses.

    Before I realized I was pregnant, I nned to go back to work full time to stock up cash for the taxes and insurance for next year. As it turns out, living expenses, the utilities, my doctor visits, and preparing for the baby take every penny I make.

    I haven¡¯t been able to save anything, and it¡¯s another huge worry.

    I¡¯ll be able to keep the house for now, but I don¡¯t see any way I¡¯ll be able to afford the taxes and insurance next year. It¡¯s a big part of the reason I¡¯ve been looking for a roommate.

    Or two.

    The house is huge.

    I¡¯m just not sure who would want to live with a brand-new baby. I would have been in much better shape if I could have found renters months ago, but Gran¡¯s house was packed to the brim with old-people stuff. It¡¯s taken months of cleaning and packing on my days off and after work just to get the living room and two bedrooms free of the clutter. Everything is all piled up in the garage, but that¡¯s not a problem.

    I¡¯m beginning to understand that saying no good deed goes unpunished.

    It feels like the family shoulde together to decide what to keep and what to donate, but no one seems to want anything, outside of the photo albums and jewelry they collected when they came up for the funeral. That means it fallspletely on my shoulders.

    If I could find a renter or two, I could use some of that money to pay movers to take away all the stuff that I n to donate, but for the first time in my life, I understand the concept of being house poor.

    God, you¡¯re whinier than usual, I chastise myself.

    Gran¡¯s house is beautiful.

    I¡¯m lucky she passed it along to me.

    It¡¯s just a whole lot more house than I feel confident I¡¯ll be able to take care of, especially with a newborn.

    Hart tosses the dish rag over his shoulder and walks around to the end of the breakfast counter. ¡°Quincy?¡± Hees closer, stopping in front of me. ¡°Is everything okay with you and the baby?¡±

    I have to crane my neck up to meet his eyes, and I nod, even if ites out a wobbly mess of a nod and a shake.

    ¡°We¡¯re okay,¡± I fib.

    Technically, right this moment, we are fine. It¡¯s just all the what-ifs that are a little intimidating.

    Hartley¡¯s blue eyes rake over my face, and I focus on ignoring how sexy he is with his jaw clenched. He used to y pro football¡ªsomething I never would have known if I hadn¡¯t overheard him talking about it with some of the regrs.

    I¡¯m not big into sports, but if I knew football yers looked like him, I might have paid a little more attention to the sport.

    Hart¡¯s hair is long on top, showing off his mess of blond waves that always seem to fall perfectly over his forehead. The sides of his head are shorter and the same length as his thick blondish-brown beard. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a name for the style, I just don¡¯t know what it is.

    But God, does it work well for him.

    He has ck gauges in his ears and dark tattoos that weave down his neck, over his chest, and disappear into the neckline of his long-sleeve T-shirt. Even more cover his forearms when he pushes up his sleeves like he has them now.

    He¡¯s gorgeous, and I¡¯m well on my way to being as big as a house¡­

    Hell, even before I was pregnant, I never would have had a chance with a guy like him.

    He might be helping out his family by running the restaurant while his brother is away, but eventually, Harrison will take back over, and Hartley will head back to wherever he normally lives.

    When I first got hired, I thought Hart ran the ce on his own, but I heard from the other servers that Harrison asked for some help managing the business after his omega gave birth to twins right before I was hired.

    While Harrison and his packmatese in from time to time, they¡¯ve left almost all the day-to-day operations up to Hartley.

    ¡°You already worked this morning,¡± Hart says, patting my arm. ¡°Why don¡¯t you head home? Take the rest of the day off. You look beat.¡±

    ¡°No way.¡± My head shakes before I can even think through his question. ¡°I¡¯m good. I want to be here.¡±

    More than that, I need the money.

    Being stuck in the house would probably drive me crazy as I sat around, worrying and feeling guilty. It¡¯s much better to stay mentally busy.

    ¡°I just sat one in your section,¡± Sutton says as she heads back to the hostess stand. ¡°It¡¯s your regr.¡±

    ¡°Again?¡± Hart spins around, studying the area where he knows my tables are. I almostugh. That is the implication of a regr customer. ¡°That guy is in here every day you¡¯re scheduled, but he magically doesn¡¯te in on your days off. It¡¯s not normal, considering your hours and days change regrly.¡±

    ¡°Shh. He might hear you. It¡¯s not very busy.¡± I frown, ncing over at his table. ¡°He¡¯s very sweet. Not creepy. Don¡¯t make it weird.¡±

    And I¡¯m not just defending him because he tips really well.

    My regr is always polite and friendly. He¡¯s never given me a weird vibe. Not even once.

    Hartley sighs. ¡°Just be careful. Let me know if you need me. I¡¯ll be happy to kick him out.¡±

    Maybe the boredom is finally catching up with him. It seems like he¡¯s desperate for any action.

    Iugh, shaking my head. ¡°Thanks, boss.¡±

 : Chapter 3

    After working here for so long, I¡¯vee to know a lot of the regrs. Some order the same thing every visit. Some try something new on asion. Others never have the same dish twice until they run out of new things to try. Everyone is different, and I find it fascinating.

    Most of the time, I¡¯ll see a regr at the same time every day that theye in.

    Somee in daily.

    Others pop in for special asions, like a Friday night date, but it¡¯s almost always around the same time of day.

    My newest regr is a bit of an enigma. He always asks to be seated at the booth the farthest from the door, and he always sits on the same side of the table. Perhaps he just likes to people-watch, but I find it cute that he has such a solid routine.

    He orders the same thing every visit, no matter if hees at seven a.m. or if he drops by during dinner hours.

    I still always make sure to check before putting his order in. Pushing the cup against the soda machine, I wait for the Dr Pepper to bubble to the top. Grabbing the cup, a straw, a set of silverware, and a few extra napkins, I make my way to his table.

    Sometimes I wish I knew his name so I could be more personable. Also because it drives me crazy that I don¡¯t know it.

    If he paid with a credit card, I wouldn¡¯t be above peeking at his info that way.

    Only, he always pays cash.

    He leaves a twenty for his meal, even though it onlyes out to a little over fifteen dors. The leftover four dors and change would be more than a twenty-percent tip, but every single time hees in, he tips a crisp hundred-dor bill in addition to telling me to keep the change from the twenty.

    I¡¯m kind of terrified of what happens if he ever gets tired of the food here. Without his generosity, I¡¯d be in even worse shape than I already am.

    Babies are damn expensive, and she¡¯s not even here yet.

    God, I really need to figure out his name.

    That way, I can stop calling him ¡°Smoking-Hot Regr¡± in my head. Sometimes SHR for short when I¡¯m feelingzy.

    I¡¯ve never met anyone who looks quite like he does. He has short ck hair that¡¯s shaved close on the sides, cheekbones a model would kill for, and a jawline sharper than cut ss. He alternates between being clean-shaven and having a few days of growth in short stubble.

    I¡¯m normally all about a beard, but for him¡­ I could make an exception.

    I nearly snort as I approach the table. Much like Hartley is a million times out of my league, so is Smoking-Hot Regr.

    cing down his soda and all the other things I brought over, I shove my hair behind my ear. ¡°The usual?¡±

    ¡°Yes, please.¡± His head tilts almost animalistically as his dark eyes assess me from behind his ck-frame sses. ¡°Are you under the weather?¡±

    ¡°Just tired,¡± I say, offering a polite smile.

    Some guys might look nerdy with sses, but SHR manages to pull them off in a way that makes him look almost dangerous. Or that could be the multitude of muscles under his ck button-down.

    Or the fact that he¡¯s covered in ink.

    The front and right sides of his neck boast ck roses, while the left side has ying cards in all four suits. More tattoos hide under the neckline of his shirt. I¡¯ve gotten a peek before, and I believe he has wings with a phrase located just under his vicles.

    I¡¯ve yed the guessing game a few times when he had the top button or two undone on his shirt, but I¡¯ve never been able to get an up close view.

    He leans forward, grabbing his straw and opening it before popping it into his soda. ¡°If you¡¯re feeling rundown, it might be time to consider taking a break from work until after the baby arrives.¡±

    ¡°At this rate, I¡¯ll be working until I give birth.¡± I snort. ¡°I¡¯ll put your order in.¡±

    ¡°I appreciate it.¡± He lifts his drink, and thick lips wrap around his straw as he takes a drink of his Dr Pepper.

    And that¡¯s my cue to exit¡­<hr>

    SHR must love our club sandwiches. He always gets it with no tomato and a side of fries, even during breakfast hours, and he adds on a side sd with extra ranch dressing. We¡¯re one of the few restaurants that serves the entire menu all day, but I don¡¯t love sds for lunch or dinner, so I would never willingly spring for one for breakfast.

    Then again, that¡¯s probably why he looks like that, while I look like¡­

    ¡°Here you go.¡± I smile and ce his sandwich and fries in front of him. The other hand holds his side sd and extra dressing on another te, and I put it within reach. ¡°Can I get you anything else?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± he says, shoving his sses up. ¡°Are you not sleeping well?¡±

    Iugh, shaking my head.

    He¡¯s terrible at small talk.

    Any time we chat while I take his order or deliver his food, he¡¯s straight to the point with his questions.

    After all the talking in circles that Pete did, I find it more endearing than I probably should. It¡¯s refreshing when someone says what they mean, so I don¡¯t have to spend time trying to decipher what he¡¯s thinking.

    ¡°As it turns out, an eight-month-pregnant belly is even harder to sleep with than a seven-month-pregnant belly.¡± I shrug, running my hand over my stomach. ¡°But I¡¯m hanging in there.¡± I smile, nodding to the table. ¡°Enjoy your food while it¡¯s warm. I¡¯ll be back to check on you in a few minutes.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Quincy.¡±<hr>

    By the time I check on my other tables, visit the bathroom, and pop back to check on SHR, he¡¯s gone.

    I frown.

    His food is barely touched.

    Damn.

    Could there have been something wrong with it?

    There¡¯s a napkin with writing stuck under the edge of the te. I grab it and find two hundred-dor bills as I¡¯m pulling it out.

    Shit.

    I wasn¡¯t trying to guilt him into tipping more. He already leaves like a six- or seven-hundred-percent tip. I mean, I¡¯m not great at math, but this is above and beyond.

    Shoving the cash into my apron, I read the note.

    Quincy,

    I¡¯m afraid I had to cut this meal short. I was called into work at thest minute, but I want you to have my number.

    If you need anything, call me.

    Trigg

    Just below his name is a phone number.

    My jaw falls.

    Okay, he even has a sexy name.

    I¡¯m not sure if I could get in trouble for taking a customer¡¯s phone number, but I fold it up and shove it in my back pocket before I can stop myself.

    See, that is very sweet.

    Not creepy, right?

    No.

    Trigg is always courteous. He might be direct, but he¡¯s just a little socially awkward. He reminds me a lot of my best friend from when I was growing up.

    I¡¯m not letting Hart get in my head.

    I¡¯m sure Trigg was just trying to look out for me in his own way.

 : Chapter 4

    Shadow Security isn¡¯t a bad ce to work. My boss might be a clinical psychopath, but I¡¯m probably a sociopath, so I don¡¯t judge. Not much fazes me, and I still get a pit in my gut when Easton calls me into the office when I¡¯m not expecting it.

    Briar smiles as I pass her desk, but the omega isn¡¯t looking at me. She¡¯s got one of the rodents sitting on her tits, and the little thing squeaks and chirps, bumping its nose against her finger as she scratches its head. Easton¡¯s wife is beautiful, but you don¡¯t admit that aloud if you want to keep your balls attached.

    ¡°The overlord rang?¡± I ask, rocking on my heels in front of her desk.

    ¡°Yup,¡± she replies, nodding toward the boss¡¯s door. ¡°Go on in. Be warned¡­¡± Sheughs a light, airy sound. ¡°He¡¯s in a ster mood.¡±

    I snort. ¡°Isn¡¯t he always?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll see,¡± she says ominously.

    Fucking wonderful.<hr>

    There are a lot of things I expect to find when opening my boss¡¯s door¡ªthe top of the list being him red-faced and pacing. He loves to explode when someone doesn¡¯t have a hope in hell of escaping. It¡¯s not like anyone with any brain cells is going to get up and walk out while he¡¯s ranting and raving.

    A guy with sses, who¡¯s basically a younger version of Easton, wouldn¡¯t have made my top hundred guesses of what I¡¯m expecting toe across. He sits in one of the two chairs on this side of the desk, and I try to do the math to determine how old Easton would have to be in order to have a kid that age.

    Nah, it¡¯s mathematically impossible, but they look eerily simr, down to the shrewd dark eyes as the man¡¯s head swivels to take me in.

    I freeze dead in my tracks, squinting and trying to figure out if Briar was so distracted by the guinea pig that she sent me in before she was supposed to.

    ¡°Have a seat, Ridge,¡± Easton says, gesturing to the free chair.

    I toss up a thumb, pointing behind me. ¡°I cane back if you¡¯re busy.¡±

    ¡°I called for you because I needed you,¡± my boss snaps. ¡°Sit down.¡±

    Sighing heavily, I close the door behind me and stride over, taking a seat in the free chair.

    The man who looks like Easton huffs and pulls his legs back, making room for my massive frame.

    I smirk and shrug.

    I¡¯m six-foot-seven. Even when I try to scrunch up, I¡¯m a fucking giant.

    If I was thinking about it, I could have pulled the chair back before taking a seat, but I was distracted.

    It¡¯s not even like I¡¯m man-spreading.

    I¡¯ve just got really long legs.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± I ask, refocusing on the overlord.

    ¡°We have a problem.¡± Easton sps his hands, gesturing at the man with both pointer fingers.

    ¡°I¡¯m on vacation,¡± I say, barely holding back from shoving out of the chair. ¡°You promised me that my boots wouldn¡¯t leave American soil for at least three months! I haven¡¯t even recovered from needing to inte search every dish?¡ª¡±

    ¡°God, youin more than anyone I¡¯ve ever met.¡± Easton rolls his dark eyes. ¡°This isn¡¯t me trying to send you on an assignment. I have confirmation, the remaining half of the Maloney twins is in Vermont, and Costa is out for blood.¡±

    ¡°Fuck,¡± I hiss, my head falling back as it shakes.

    It¡¯s always one goddamn thing after another.

    I¡¯m still resentful about that job.

    Not only did Easton call me away four hours after I woke up alone in that hotel room, following my night with Quincy, but he wouldn¡¯t hear a word I said about taking out both twins at once.

    ¡°Can I say I told you so now?¡± I growl, refocusing on my pain-in-the-ass boss.

    ¡°It¡¯s a bad precedent to set to give two-for-one specials,¡± he says, like the delusional fucker he is.

    ¡°And I told you, you can¡¯t take out one brother on contract and not expect his twin toe looking for retribution,¡± I deadpan, wondering if we should even be talking about this with Easton¡¯s doppelg?nger present. ¡°And why the hell has it taken him so long to act?¡±

    Easton shrugs. ¡°Technically, it didn¡¯t. He went after Evan first.¡±

    Evan Franklin was the payer of the contract. He¡¯s the one who wanted Cash Maloney dead.

    If Costa killed Evan in retaliation for his brother¡­

    Lovely.

    That means I¡¯m next.

    This is thest bullshit I need.

    After taking out Cash in Vegas, I nned toe back to Vermont to search for Quincy. Only Easton sent me to Florida and then Indiana. I was just wrapping up the Indiana job when all the shit went down with Briar¡¯s family.

    Easton called me to Boston to reunite with Leo and Shaw. We wiped the Manzos off the map and stayed to ensure the cleanup went smoothly. Before that was evenplete, Saylor Cahan went missing in Amsterdam. That led to several long weeks in Europe.

    I got back to the States and immediately had to leave again to spend Christmas with my family, which was thest thing I wanted to do at the time, but if I didn¡¯t go to them, they would havee to me.

    It¡¯s been a long ass few months, but I¡¯m finally back in Vermont, and my only goal is to find the woman I haven¡¯t been able to stop thinking about.

    Now this bullshit?

    My patience has officially run out.

    The naughty little omega better have a damn good excuse for running from me, or she¡¯ll be going right over my knee. I made it clear to her that I don¡¯t do one-night stands. I told her about a million times that I intended to keep her. She never once said anything to make me believe she wasn¡¯t on board with that course of action.

    There¡¯s a whole chunk of missing time where I slipped into rut, and the only thing I cane up with is that I came on too strongly.

    I don¡¯t fucking know.

    I don¡¯t date.

    I¡¯ve never been a fan of hookup culture. I was serious when I told her that if she let me inside her, she better be in it for the long haul.

    Only, it¡¯s been eight months, and I¡¯m sure she thought I was just spewing bullshit.

    That¡¯s not my style.

    Not by a long shot.

    ¡°Costa is on the warpath, looking for vengeance for Cash. Leo and Shaw are otherwise engaged.¡± Easton gestures at the man to my left. ¡°As a result, I called in someone I knew I could trust to keep you alive.¡±

    ¡°Oh, fuck off.¡± I scoff, shaking my head.

    We both know I¡¯m more than capable of keeping myself alive. Easton just lives to get under someone¡¯s skin. Calling my abilities into question is exactly like him. He lives to rile you up. That way, you¡¯re more likely to y right into his hands.

    ¡°So, what?¡± I ask, crossing my arms over my chest and nodding at the unknown. ¡°You brought in your doppelg?nger to watch my six? If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d swear he has to be rted to you.¡±

    Easton¡¯s eyes narrow. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡±

    My jaw falls, and I hike a thumb at the other guy. ¡°I¡¯ve met your brothers. The twins, anyway.¡±

    ¡°Trigg is my half brother, but from my father¡¯s side,¡± Easton says calmly. ¡°After my biological father abandoned her, my mother remarried. My father apparently continued his attempts to popte the Earth with a whole herd of little psychopaths.¡±

    Iugh, but honestly, I¡¯m surprised he¡¯s sharing this information at all.

    A slow smile crosses my face.

    I always knew I was getting through that tough exterior. He probably even considers me a friend rather than disposable muscle.

    I almostugh.

    Easton views everyone as disposable. I¡¯m pretty sure he would have killed off Keir and Calder ages ago if he wasn¡¯t afraid of pissing off Briar.

    ¡°When I turned twenty-one, I gained the inheritance my father left for me, along with a letter detailing where to locate the younger half siblings I had no idea about. It included some of his hopes for what I would use the money for,¡± Easton says. ¡°For the record, I used it in none of those ways, but you¡¯ve met my family. How did you think I got the funds to start Shadow Security?¡±

    Fuck.

    I hate when he puts me on the spot.

    ¡°Honestly?¡± I tilt my head down, looking at him over the top of my aviators. ¡°I assumed you ckmailed someone.¡±

    Or, more urately, multiple someones.

    ¡°Well, that is my favorite way to expand the business, but no. Every penny I put down to start thepany came from my biological father.¡± Easton pauses. ¡°I tracked down Trigg a couple of years ago. The siblings you know about do not know about him, and I would like to keep it that way.¡± His eyebrows rise, like he¡¯s waiting for confirmation that I¡¯ll keep my mouth shut.

    I nod.

    I¡¯m a vault.

    More than that, it¡¯s none of my business.

    ¡°Excellent,¡± East says. ¡°Trigg has my full confidence. He¡¯s been in town for several weeks. He was watching you from afar, but with recent developments, I believe it¡¯s time he moved in with you full time.¡±

    My head shakes. ¡°King doesn¡¯t do well with unknown men.¡±

    ¡°King?¡± Trigg says, leaning forward and ncing between me and Easton.

    Easton snorts. ¡°Ridge¡¯s English bulldog. Don¡¯t worry. Even if he were to attack you, you could just nudge him aside and walk away at a brisk pace. He¡¯s far too obese to keep up for long.¡±

    ¡°Hey,¡± I growl, jabbing a finger at Easton.

    ¡°Oh, right, the mutt,¡± Trigg says disdainfully.

    I move to re at him next.

    I will mess someone up for talking shit about my dog.

    Not that he isn¡¯t a fat little fucker, because he is. He can¡¯t help that, though. It¡¯s gics. He goes on walks twice a day, and the vet put him on a weight control diet.

    The little guy is a tank.

    He¡¯s cute.

    I¡¯m the only one allowed to make fun of his chubby ass, and that¡¯s only because he knows I don¡¯t mean it.

    I took out a bookie a few years ago who called himself a breeder. King was just a puppy, but those big blue eyes caught mine as he jumped around in the shit-covered crate, and that was that.

    I couldn¡¯t leave him behind, and I even made sure animal control knew where to raid to find the others. He¡¯s a little smaller than normal. Maybe because he was the runt or maybe because of theck of proper nutrition when he was a puppy, but he¡¯s healthy now, and that¡¯s all that matters.

    ¡°Can we get back on track?¡± Trigg asks in a clipped tone. ¡°I was pulled away from my lunch to be here, and I greatly value routine.¡±

    Oh yeah, me and him?

    We¡¯re going to be like oil and water.

    I¡¯m chaos personified.

    He¡¯s going to hate having to put up with me, which gives me a nice little buzz of enjoyment.

    ¡°What made this meeting an emergency, anyway?¡± I ask.

    Trigg sighs heavily. ¡°I spotted several members of Costa¡¯s team earlier today. They strolled directly past the ss at the restaurant I was eating at.¡±

    ¡°Damn,¡± I grumble. ¡°So, we have confirmation they¡¯re in Burlington.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± he agrees. ¡°I don¡¯t believe they¡¯ve made me, but it is a strange coincidence.¡±

    ¡°Why wait until now to tell me?¡± I ask Easton. ¡°At the very least, you could have warned me to watch my back.¡±

    ¡°You live in my neighborhood,¡± Easton says, shrugging. ¡°The gate guards, as well as the neighborhood patrol, have upped their game since you got back. Your built-in backup is less than two minutes away. Leo and Shaw live legitimately right across the street, while my pack is just down the road. You¡¯re moody after traveling. I thought it best to give you some time to recuperate in peace before springing something else on you.¡±

    He¡¯s not wrong.

    I am a terrible traveler.

    Burgers and pizza are myfort foods. I know it makes me a clich¨¦ American, but I like what I like. I ate some foods in the Nethends and Germany that I probably would have been happier not knowing what I was served.

    Not that it was bad.

    It was delicious, but I psych myself out in my own head.

    Not to mention, I¡¯m a literal fucking giant. Hotel beds are never meant for people my size, and I missed my damn dog. There are plenty of guys who get excited about taking jobs halfway across the world.

    I¡¯m just not one of them.

    Yes, fine.

    I¡¯m frustrated that I haven¡¯t been able to find Quincy, and it¡¯s spilling into annoyance about everything. I¡¯ve had more than a few thoughts about quitting just to get a fucking break so I can search for her without being pulled away on some new contract.

    ¡°I need this handled quickly,¡± I say before I can stop myself. ¡°I have personal business that I want to address once Costa is no longer a threat. I¡¯ve been trying to get to it for months, and I¡¯m not putting it off anymore.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine staying at the hotel,¡± Trigg says before Easton can acknowledge my request for time off. ¡°I¡¯m actually allergic to most dogs.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯d better purchase some over-the-counter allergy medication, in that case,¡± East says, addressing his half brother andpletely ignoring everything I said.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious, Easton. I¡¯ve been at your beck and call for the better part of a year,¡± I growl. ¡°No more assignments. Not until I tell you I¡¯m ready to go back into the rotation.¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡± Easton rolls his eyes. ¡°I swear, you assholes live to make my life moreplicated than it needs to be. Leo and Shaw just put themselves on indefinite hiatus too. I¡¯m going to have to hire a whole new team. Possibly two. You know how much I hate the interviewing process.¡±

    ¡°That is not my problem,¡± I deadpan. ¡°Calder does all the research. Shove the interviews off on Keir.¡±

    ¡°Am I good to leave?¡± Trigg asks, pushing to his feet. ¡°Easton has my number. He can pass it along to you.¡±

    This is the guy who¡¯s supposed to watch my back?

    I don¡¯t have high hopes.

    He can¡¯t seem to get out of here fast enough.

    ¡°The two of you need to get on the same page,¡± Easton says, sighing heavily.

    ¡°I¡¯m actively monitoring every single surveince feed that Calder has ess to in Burlington,¡± Trigg says. ¡°I¡¯ve got eyes on Ridge¡¯s house at all times. The gate guards have my information.¡± He looks at me. ¡°Call me if you n to leave your home. If you¡¯re here or at your residence, you don¡¯t need a constant babysitter. If you leave the house, I will be there to back you up.¡± He steps around my chair and moves to the door. ¡°You know I prefer to hunt without an audience. Let me do my job.¡±

    The door closes loudly behind him.

    I quirk a brow at Easton. ¡°And I was just going to say, it¡¯s practically impossible to tell the two of you are rted.¡±

    Easton snorts. ¡°I¡¯ll text you Trigg¡¯s information. Get the fuck out of my office.¡±

    I shove myself up withoutint.

    I¡¯ve put off asking Calder for help finding Quincy because he tells Easton everything, but now I know one of Easton¡¯s secrets¡­

    I have leverage.

 : Chapter 5

    I ignore two calls from Pete as I wait for myst table to leave. Once they¡¯re gone, I get their dishes cleared before heading to do my necessary side work.

    I haven¡¯t spoken to the cheating dick since the night at his office. I thought I made it clear then that I never wanted to talk to him again, but he called a few times over the weeks that followed and even sent me a text expressing how sorry he was to hear Gran had passed away.

    Leaving the asshole on read was an easy choice, and eventually, he stopped trying to contact me. It seems very fitting that, after months of peace, he¡¯s bothering me again.

    I figured it woulde at some point, but I just don¡¯t have the energy to deal with him today.<hr>

    Sutton is wiping down menus in the back as I roll myst few sets of silverware. She¡¯s a year or two younger than me, and I love it when we get scheduled together. She was the first person to help me feel wee here at work and the only one who hasn¡¯t been weird since my belly popped.

    I think the other servers don¡¯t want to put too much effort into being friends because they assume I won¡¯te back after the baby is born. And maybe they¡¯re right. I have no idea how I¡¯ll manage day care once the babyes.

    If I moved back home to Florida, my mom and dads would help¡­ I¡¯m just thinking of that as more of ast resort kind of option. It would take me even farther away from where I met Ridge, and that would kill thest bit of hope I have of randomly running into him.

    Not to mention, things have been tense with my family since my gran died. I¡¯m still holding onto some resentment over the fact my mom left me to handle all of Gran¡¯s arrangements.

    ¡°Your regr didn¡¯t even get three bites into his sandwich before he bolted,¡± Sutton says,ughing. Her long blonde hair falls over her face, and she shoves it back. ¡°I¡¯m convinced he¡¯s just hanging around, waiting for the day you cave and ask him to be your sugar daddy.¡±

    I snort, dropping the silverware onto the napkin. ¡°Like that man needs to pay anyone to be in hispany.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± She shrugs. ¡°He¡¯s weird. I¡¯d be shocked if he has a girlfriend. But with a face like that? I could put up with awkward small talk here or there to sit on it from time to time.¡±

    I let out a very udylikeugh. ¡°He¡¯s really sweet.¡±

    And ridiculously hot.

    Honestly, models would be jealous of his jawline.

    ¡°Sure, sweet as can be¡­until you find him leering over you at two in the morning, heavy-breathing and asking you to make him a turkey club.¡±

    ¡°Moving on.¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°You don¡¯t happen to know anyone looking for a room to rent, by chance?¡±

    ¡°I really don¡¯t.¡± Sutton shakes her head. ¡°Did you decide to rent out your extra rooms, or are you trying to get out of that giant house?¡±

    ¡°I need roommates,¡± I admit. ¡°Money is tight, and it¡¯s only going to get worse over the next few months.¡±

    She frowns, dropping the now-clean menu on the pile. ¡°Have you thought about putting up flyers?¡±

    ¡°For the room?¡± I ask, but realize how silly that question was. ¡°I¡¯ve considered it. I was just hoping to find someone I know. Or at the very least, a friend of a friend. Someone who can be vouched for, you know?¡±

    ¡°No, I get it. I¡¯ll ask around,¡± she says, grabbing another menu. ¡°But for the record, I meant missing-person¡¯s-style flyers for your baby daddy. Something like have you seen this man? I need to talk to him, preferably before I pop out his kid.¡±

    An unexpected bark ofughter leaves my lips. ¡°If I had a picture to post¡­ I¡¯m getting desperate enough that I might consider it.¡±<hr>

    Hartley sits at the desk in the office, studying something on theputer as I prepare to head out.

    I was hoping he wouldn¡¯t mind if I used the office printer. It has Wi-Fi, so I can connect from my phone, but using business resources without asking seems wrong. Plus, the printer is literally in his office.

    I¡¯ll have to ask tomorrow instead. Bothering him while he¡¯s busy with actual work seems silly.

    I¡¯m just about to head off when his head flies up.

    He spots me and grins. ¡°Did you need something?¡±

    My head shakes. ¡°I was going to ask to borrow the printer, but it can wait.¡±

    He waves a hand and stands. ¡°Nah,e on in. It¡¯s no trouble. You aren¡¯t printing off your resume to leave us, right?¡±

    Iugh and stride into the office. ¡°I don¡¯t even have a resume.¡±

    Hart nods to his chair. ¡°Sit down and take a load off.¡±

    I slide past him, and my nose twitches, picking up his scent. It¡¯s such a distinct smell, almost like fresh snow and something woodsy. It¡¯s hard to describe, but I¡¯ve never scented an alpha who smells so fresh and clean.

    I¡¯vee to terms with it.

    My nose loves Hartley¡¯s scent.

    Settling into his chair, I wiggle around, trying to stop the throbbing in my hips and lower back. Standing is ufortable, but sitting is somehow worse unless I can stretch out and getfy.

    ¡°If you¡¯re not trying to quit, what¡¯s up?¡± Hart asks, leaning his hip against the side of his desk.

    ¡°I made a flyer.¡± My purse rests on my thighs, and I dig in it for my phone. ¡°I need a roommate or two.¡±

    The paperwork I got at the doctor¡¯s falls,nding on the floor as I finally grab my phone.

    Dammit, I miss the days when I could bend over and pick something up without it being a huge ordeal.

    ¡°Is it safe to have someone you don¡¯t know move in right before you give birth?¡± Hart steps over, crouches, and grabs the pamphlet for The Omega Exchange.

    Sighing, I connect my phone to the Wi-Fi so it will sync to the printer. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful. I¡¯m hoping to find a person that someone I know can vouch for. I also found a free renter¡¯s contract that you can print out and personalize. I think doing something month to month would be smart, at least at first.¡±

    It takes only a few seconds to print five copies of the flyer I made listing the room for rent. It even has little pull-tab-thingies at the bottom that people can rip off with my phone number.

    The noise of the printer starting fills the air, and I flip over to the file for the contract and print three copies of it.

    ¡°Not to be a nosy asshole, but what is this?¡± Hart asks, shaking the brochure. ¡°Are you thinking about applying to be matched?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I blurt out and pause. ¡°I mean, not really. I don¡¯t know. The doctor has been pushing for me to be matched, or at the very least do visits with volunteer alphas, but I don¡¯t know how I feel about that.¡±

    ¡°Goddamn, the government is way too pushy about trying to force omegas into bonding.¡± He frowns at the paper. ¡°Have you considered finding a doctor who won¡¯t try to sell you off like a broodmare?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not like that,¡± I assure him. ¡°Dr. Lindsay is great. Most doctors didn¡¯t want to take on a patient with no insurance, but she¡¯s worked with me every step of the way.¡± I sigh and shove myself out of the chair. Dropping my purse onto the edge of the desk, I head over to the filing cabs to grab my stuff off the printer. ¡°It¡¯splicated. There are some medical things that can pop up for unbonded pregnant omegas. I think she¡¯s just trying to be extra careful.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, medical things that can pop up for unbonded pregnant omegas?¡± he growls, pulling the brochure down to look at me over it.

    My face burns.

    There is no way that I¡¯m getting into pregnant omegas needing alpha pheromones and semen.

    That is just not happening.

    Talking about it with Dr. Lindsay was embarrassing enough.

    I¡¯ll melt into an actual puddle of horrified omega if I have to speak those words aloud to Hart.

    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal,¡± I lie. ¡°I¡¯m figuring it out. There¡¯s a medication I can take instead. It¡¯s just expensive. That¡¯s a big part of why I¡¯m taking the plunge to find roommates.¡± I smile tightly, crossing the room. I snatch the brochure from his hands and grab my purse. ¡°Thanks for letting me use the printer. I¡¯m beat. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±

    And with that, I bolt from his office before I can embarrass myself even further.

 : Chapter 6

    My afternoon passes by falling down a rabbit hole of pregnancy. I¡¯m supposed to be out on the floor, monitoring everything and helping the bartenders once the evening crewes in. Instead, I spend it glued to the officeputer, studying facts about omegas, childbirth, and even whates after.

    Quincy was lying her ass off when she said everything was fine. It¡¯s not even remotely close to okay, and I¡¯m on the verge of losing my shit. That pamphlet for one of the omega sanctuaries specifically had a section on matching with volunteer alphas for a safe and healthy pregnancy.

    My deep dive into the depths of the inte proves how dangerous it can be for both mom and baby if the omega doesn¡¯t have contact with alphas during her pregnancy. Which sends me into a spiral of how I¡¯m supposed to offer up my pheromones when Quincy is already so damn skittish.

    Snagging my cell phone off the desk, I pull up my brother and wait for the call to connect.

    ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Harrison asks over the fussy baby wailing in the background.

    I sigh.

    There¡¯s basically no way I don¡¯t sound like a lunatic right now. ¡°I, uh, need a favor.¡±

    ¡°And what¡¯s that?¡± he asks. ¡°Shh, I know. We just gotta get the burps out.¡±

    I roll my eyes.

    That man used to be right next to me through all-night ragers, and now¡­

    Christ, how times change.

    ¡°I need you to kick me out¡­¡± I¡¯ve been living with Harrison and his pack since I came to Burlington. Technically it¡¯s our childhood home, which we both inherited when our parents moved to Georgia, but I gifted him my half years ago when Inded my first big contract to y pro football.

    ¡°Are you drunk?¡± Harrison asks, sounding suspicious.

    Jesus Christ.

    I¡¯m never going to hear the end of this. ¡°No, listen. It¡¯s important¡­¡±

    He owes me this, anyway.

    When I first found out about Quincy¡¯s pregnancy, I asked Harrison to lend me his omega so I could take those sses people take when they¡¯re preparing for a baby.

    Sasha, his omega, was down.

    She thought it was sweet that someone finally caught my eye, but my stingy-ass brother refused.

    He can kick me out.

    It¡¯s really the least he can do, now that I think about it.<hr>

    Does it count as harassment to show up at an employee¡¯s house unannounced after the sun has set?

    Fuck me.

    It probably does.

    I brought dinner under the assumption that she actually lets me in. Maybe a little to woo her with mozzare sticks, burgers, and everything else I could fit into two bags without it being weird. It makes itplicated to knock on the front door, but hopefully the bags hold.

    My boot taps against the concrete as I wait.

    Shit.

    What if she was so exhausted that she came home to take a nap, and I¡¯m about to wake her up? I know she doesn¡¯t get much sleep these days.

    I peek through the thin windows that run vertically next to the door. They¡¯re barely six inches wide, but I should buy her some curtains. Anyone who stands here can see right down the entry hallway.

    I¡¯m probably being a pushy dick.

    No, there¡¯s no probably about it.

    I¡¯m three seconds away from being reported as a stalker.

    My heartbeat picks up to unnatural levels when Quincyes around the corner into view. Jumping back from the window, I focus on looking normal as the bags m against my knees.

    Quincy peeks out the window and frowns.

    The door pops open three inches a secondter. ¡°Hart?¡±

    ¡°Hey, so, I brought dinner.¡± I lift the bags, giving them a solid shake. Hopefully the smell wafts to her nose, and she actually lets me in.

    ¡°Okay.¡± She frowns, stepping back and opening the door. ¡°Come in. I¡¯m so confused. Sorry, I just woke up from a nap.¡±

    ¡°I can tell.¡± I chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re all rumpled and sleepy looking, but in the cutest way possible.¡±

    Goddammit, I¡¯m doomed.

    That slipped right out.

    I¡¯m going to end up on a creepy boss watch list somewhere.

    ¡°It¡¯s clear you¡¯ve been tiredtely,¡± I say, stepping inside the doorway. ¡°I thought maybe I could catch you before you started dinner.¡±

    Quincy smiles, but even that can¡¯t cover how tired she looks. ¡°Oh, yeah. I knocked right out after work. I haven¡¯t even thought about dinner yet. Thank you. That was very thoughtful.¡±

    I grin, winking. ¡°Can I sweet-talk you into letting me stay so we can eat together? I¡¯m starving.¡±

    She must have changed into her pajamas when she got home from work. The spaghetti-strap, sleep-dress thing stretches over her stomach like it might burst if she moves wrong. She¡¯s wearing thin pajama pants under it, but I¡¯m betting that dress was long enough to wear on its own before the belly stretched it out, taking several inches from its overall length.

    She pushes the door closed and nods. ¡°A littlepany sounds great.¡±<hr>

    Quincy is far too polite to press for more rification on why I popped in with dinner.

    I¡¯m confused too.

    I¡¯ve never been so drawn to anyone.

    Let alone a super-pregnant chick.

    We sit on the couch, eating and watching a movie inpanionable silence.

    I stick close enough to her side that she¡¯s hopefully getting a full st of my pheromones, but from the little research I did¡­ There¡¯s more to it than simply having ess to alpha pheromones. The thought of what else Quincy needs is so inappropriate that it sends a pulse straight to my knot.

    I choke on the bite of fries I¡¯m trying to swallow and grab my soda from the coffee table.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± she asks, tilting her head to study my face.

    ¡°All good.¡± I paste on a yful smile. ¡°How about you? You went after that marinara sauce with a vengeance.¡±

    Seriously, she wasn¡¯t above scooping thest of it out with a few fries she stole from my box once the mozzare sticks were no more.

    It was kinda sexy.

    I almost thought she might lick the container, and just like the creep I am, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to tear my eyes away.

    Sheughs. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been craving spaghetti with meat sauce for thest week or so. It¡¯s so weird. I don¡¯t normally even like tomatoes.¡±

    ¡°The nugget must be responsible for that craving then,¡± I say, bumping my shoulder against hers.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± she says around a yawn. ¡°Be right back. I need the restroom.¡±

    She struggles to get up, and I grab her take-out container, drop it onto the coffee table, and push to my feet.

    Once I¡¯m standing, I offer her my hands.

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    I pull her up and step out of the way to avoid jostling the baby bump. The urge to run my hand over her stomach is strong, but it¡¯s also inappropriate as fuck.

    When did I be such a pushy bastard?<hr>

    I stay standing during Quincy¡¯s trip to the bathroom, meandering around the room and checking out the decor. She inherited the ce from her grandmother, and it¡¯s obvious she hasn¡¯t had time to put her own spin on it.

    The sound of her shuffling back into the room fills the air, and I wonder if it¡¯s time I see myself out.

    It¡¯ll be better if I offer to leave before she starts politely dropping hints that it¡¯s time for me to go, but everything in me wants to stick around and spend a little more time together.

    I just don¡¯t know how to break the ice to let her know I¡¯m here and willing to help out with the whole pheromone thing.

    The doorbell echoes around the room, and Quincy jolts.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t had a visitor since I¡¯ve been here.¡± Sheughs. ¡°Two in one night, what are the odds? Give me just a second.¡±

    I frown as she spins around and exits the room, heading to answer the door. Maybe I¡¯m paranoid, but I don¡¯t like it. It¡¯s almost nine, and she¡¯s not expecting anyone.

    An unbonded omega should never just answer the door when they have no idea who could be on the other side.

    I ignore the fact I¡¯m a hypocrite for showing up in the same way as whoever won¡¯t stop ringing the doorbell.

    If it¡¯s her regr who keeps popping into the restaurant, I might lose my shit.

    He¡¯s just as into Quincy as I am.

    I can tell by the way he watches her.

    How he leans in close when she speaks.

    The shitty little smile that tips his lips when he looks at her.

    ¡°Pete? What are you doing here?¡± Quincy asks, sounding surprised.

    ¡°Holy shit,¡± the man who must be Pete says. ¡°You¡¯re pregnant?¡±

    ¡°Obviously.¡± She snorts.

    ¡°Is it mine?¡± he growls.

    My hackles rise at the sound. He¡¯s not just an ex. He¡¯s an alpha. That immediately makes him more of a threat. Alphas are almost always physicallyrger than either of the other designations.

    ¡°Of course she¡¯s not yours.¡± Quincy huffs. ¡°Otherwise, I would have told you like eight months ago.¡±

    ¡°How do I know you¡¯re not lying because you¡¯re pissed at me?¡±

    ¡°Oh, for cheating on me while my grandma was dying?¡± Sheughs mirthlessly. ¡°I¡¯d have every reason to hate you, but I would never lie about something so important.¡±

    ¡°I want a paternity test,¡± he growls.

    ¡°The doctor has already confirmed that it¡¯s impossible the baby is yours, based on thest time we were together,¡± she says with a wobble to her tone that has me stomping across the living room. ¡°If it was only a week or two, maybe there would have been a question about paternity, but there¡¯s no way the ultrasound could be off by six weeks. You could also do the math based on thest time we were together. If the baby was yours, I would be almost forty weeks pregnant¡ªmeaning she would be about to pop out any day. The math doesn¡¯t match up.¡±

    ¡°You still should have told me,¡± he hisses. ¡°You¡¯ve had months to think up lies to cover your tracks.¡±

    Ie around the corner with my jaw clenched so tightly, I¡¯m afraid I might chip a tooth. Sliding up behind Quincy, I nt my right hand on her hip while my left teases around to cradle her belly. She jumps but lets me pull her back to my chest once she realizes it¡¯s me.

    ¡°Hey, man.¡± I wave with the hand on her hip, but I focus on the omega. ¡°We need to have a talk about you answering the door to strangers, especially after dark.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m far from a stranger,¡± the dick says, scoffing.

    ¡°Don¡¯t take this the wrong way, but you¡¯re a stranger to me.¡± I shrug, keeping my face over Quincy¡¯s shoulder as I stay curled around her back. ¡°I¡¯m sure you understand. We¡¯ve got a baby in the mix now.¡± I tease my palm over her swollen stomach and smirk at the asshole who wants me to remove his head from his shoulders.

    He must if he was talking to her like that.

    I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not brave enough to do it with an audience, and that pisses me off even more for some reason.

    It blows me away a little that this is the ex who cheated on her. I¡¯d be willing to bet my left testicle that he can¡¯tst more than three minutes in the sack. Seriously, she was swinging down majorly.

    Quincy is beautiful in that girl-next-door way. It¡¯s all the shy smiles and how she looks at you from under hershes. It sneaks up on you, but once you see it, you can¡¯t miss it.

    She¡¯s stunning.

    This guy is slimy.

    Thank God he showed her his true colors when he did. Her life would have been ruined if she ended up bonded to a guy like him.

    I¡¯ve seen it all¡­

    Guys who don¡¯t want to be single, but they can¡¯t keep it in their pants. It was bad when I yed college ball, but it was even worse in the pros.

    There were willing women everywhere, but I never wanted theplication of breaking anyone¡¯s heart. Back then, the only thing I gave a shit about was being signed to a contract. It might be selfish, but I knew what I wanted, and I didn¡¯t let anything get in the way of that.

    For all the good it did you, some dark part of my brain taunts.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Pete grinds out.

    Pulling my hand off Quincy¡¯s hip, I extend it, smirking. ¡°Hartley Adams.¡±

    It takes several slow blinks for him to recognize the name. His hand rises, and we shake, even though it¡¯s thest thing I want to do.

    I¡¯ve been retired for two years. Fine, technically speaking, I barely finished out my contract and was medically advised not to risk another season. I still met my goals for my career, and I was actually relieved to take a step back and live a simpler life.

    The first year was insane.

    I had to keep security with me at all times, but I let them go six months ago once the press finally died down after the world realized I wasn¡¯t stepping back on the field.

    Could I have done the additional surgeries the team doctors were pushing?

    Yeah, but there was no guarantee it would have put my shoulder back to where I needed to be, and the risks didn¡¯t outweigh the benefits.

    At least, not in my humble opinion. Not that my coaches, the team owners, the press, or the American public agreed.

    ¡°Anyway, Pete. Great to meet you,¡± I lie. ¡°If you need to pop back in, don¡¯t do it in the middle of the night. Quincy needs her rest.¡±

    Fuck me.

    It¡¯s not even ten p.m.

    What am I?

    Eighty?

    The next thing I know, I¡¯ll be doing the Sunday crossword puzzle and yelling at kids to get off mywn.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been calling you,¡± the idiot says,pletely ignoring me as he stares down at Quincy. ¡°My boss has put in offers on three other homes on this street. We¡¯d like to set up an appointment to go over the generouspensation package we¡¯re offering.¡± He reaches into his suit coat pocket, pulling out a card. ¡°They¡¯re ying ball. You should too. This entire area is ted for demolition. A developer wants to put in condos.¡±

    Quincy makes some strangled sound in the back of her throat as he shakes the card at her.

    ¡°Thanks again for stopping by.¡± I snatch it from his outstretched fingers. ¡°It¡¯s time for you to go.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just saying¡­¡± the dick says over his shoulder as he turns toward the door. ¡°Your boyfriend clearly has money. Why would you want to keep this dump?¡±

    He opens the door and leaves, allowing it to close loudly behind him.

    ¡°Well, that was fun.¡± Quincy spins in my hold but doesn¡¯t step back, and the baby belly brushes against my lower abdomen as she moves to face me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry that he assumed the baby?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Who gives a fuck what he thinks?¡± I shrug, nting my hands on her hips. ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± Tilting my head down toward hers, I grin. ¡°But seriously, that guy? How desperate were you?¡±

    Her cheeks turn pink, and she nces away. ¡°I missed a lot of things because I was preupied with my grandmother, but I thought he liked me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re like a million times out of his league.¡± I push the card into my pocket and pull a hand up, bringing it to her cheek. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    She nods, chewing on her bottom lip.

    It takes everything in me not to tug the thing free and shove my mouth to hers. Her sweet coconut and cream scent is everywhere, and everything in me aches to soothe her.

    ¡°Want to finish the movie, or should I head out?¡± I ask, studying her bright blue eyes.

    She shrugs and nces over her shoulder at the door. ¡°You can stay. I kinda don¡¯t want to be alone.¡±

    ¡°Movie, it is.¡± I step around her and stretch to lock the door. ¡°Come on, the couch is calling our names.¡±

 : Chapter 7

    Ithought it was weird that Pete started calling me. I assumed someone told him that I¡¯m pregnant or maybe he saw me out and about around town.

    He had every right to ask if the baby is his. He had no idea how pregnant I am, and I would honestly find it strange if he didn¡¯t ask.

    Still, it¡¯s very on par with my life that he would show up to have that conversation while Hartley was present.

    It¡¯s already weird enough that Hart showed up with dinner to hang out and watch a movie, but I¡¯m notining. I never realized how lonely it can be to live by yourself.

    Not that I¡¯ll be alone for that much longer.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you supposed to have your legs up?¡± Hart asks, startling me out of my thoughts. ¡°They shouldn¡¯t be dangling toward the floor if you want tobat swelling, right?¡±

    ¡°Are you volunteering to move to the ufortable chair?¡± I ask with augh.

    ¡°Nah, but you can rest your legs on the other side of the sofa.¡± He leans back against the corner of the couch, lifts his feet up onto the coffee table, and pats his chest. ¡°You can toss a pillow on me, and I bet you¡¯ll be way morefortable all stretched out.¡±

    My confusion is reaching an all-time high.

    Then again, Hart is an alpha.

    A delicious-smelling, pheromone-covered alpha.

    If getting a little closer to said pheromones could help me and the baby, then who am I to refuse him?

    Is that sneaky?

    Maybe.

    I also don¡¯t care.

    I¡¯m much morefortable with him than I would be with random alphas.

    Snagging the throw pillow from behind my lower back, I toss it at Hart, who catches it with augh.

    If this is a dream, it¡¯s the weirdest one my brain has conjured in a while, but I think I¡¯ll soak it up while I can.<hr>

    I wake up on the couch the next morning, groggy and confused about what year it is. My ringing phone sits on the coffee table, and I snatch it up, answering and making a mad dash for the closest bathroom.

    ¡°H-Hello?¡±

    ¡°Good morning,¡± Hart says. ¡°Sorry to call so early. I didn¡¯t know if you had an rm set, and I didn¡¯t have the heart to wake you up before I leftst night.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I mumble, stepping inside the hall bathroom. ¡°I do have rms set, but I would rather be up a few minutes early than to oversleep and bete.¡±

    ¡°Damn,¡± he whispers. ¡°I was hoping to pop in and save the day.¡±

    I chuckle. ¡°Thanks, Hart, but I¡¯ve got to go. My dder is about to explode.¡±

    ¡°All right, sweetheart. I¡¯ll see you in an hour.¡± He hangs up, and a shiver runs down my spine.

    I don¡¯t know where him calling me sweetheart came from, but I like it a little too much.<hr>

    Dammit.

    Wasn¡¯t having ess to alpha pheromones supposed to help me feel better?

    I¡¯m exhausted and rundown despite sleeping like a logst night. It¡¯s been a long time since I slept so soundly that I haven¡¯t woken up even once to use the bathroom. It doesn¡¯t seem to have had any effect on my system, though.

    I drop off Trigg¡¯s te and offer a polite smile.

    Only, his Dr Pepper is empty.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Give me two seconds, and I¡¯ll bring you a fresh drink.¡± I grab the empty cup and head to handle that.

    It would be great if I knew why my head is foggy. I didn¡¯t have time to grab anything for breakfast, but I had a big dinnerst night with Hart. It seems weird that after finally being in close proximity to apatible alpha that my system nosedives.

    Or maybe Dr. Lindsay was right, and the symptoms will only get worse the longer I ignore my body¡¯s needs?

    I stumble over my own feet as Ie to a stop next to Trigg¡¯s table. Thankfully, I¡¯m able to keep the drink from spilling.

    I set it down on the table as my head shakes. ¡°I am so sorry. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me today.¡±

    ¡°You look exhausted.¡± His head tilts, and he scoots to the edge of the booth.

    My mouth falls open as his handsnd on my hips, and he gently pulls me to have a seat next to him.

    ¡°I can¡¯t sit when I¡¯m serving,¡± I say, even though it feels damn good to be off my feet.

    ¡°Yes, well, this ce is a ghost town. If your boss doesn¡¯t like it, he cane speak to me directly.¡± Trigg wraps an arm around the back of the booth, and it makes his scent explode in the air.

    I¡¯ve caught hints of it before, but restaurants are filled with smells. I¡¯ve never gotten a full whiff like I am now, and my entire body yearns to soak up more of it.

    A whimper escapes my lips, and the next thing I know, I¡¯m in motion. My stomach ps against his as I twist until my nose makes contact with his button-down shirt. If it wouldn¡¯t be physically impossible to fit in hisp with how close the table is, I would probably have climbed onto him by now.

    He smells like the weather right before a bad lightning storm. There¡¯s some underlying base scent mixed in there, too, but all my nose seems to pick out is an electric smell that doesn¡¯t even make sense when I try to describe it.

    ¡°Are you unsettled, angel?¡± His hand leaves the back of the booth and wraps around my head. ¡°I was going to ask if you¡¯ve eaten, but if smelling me is what you need, I¡¯m fine with that too.¡±

    My face burns. ¡°Apparently the only words I know this morning are I¡¯m so sorry. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m tempted to scoop you up so we can head to the hospital or a doctor¡¯s office to have your blood sugar checked.¡± He runs his fingers through my hair, and he stretches his thumb, resting it against my throat. ¡°You were wobbling around like my mother did when she was experiencing very high or very low blood sugar. Is your heart racing? Feeling any palpitations?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± I swallow thickly.

    Now he¡¯s starting to freak me out a little.

    ¡°How¡¯s your vision?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s clear. No spots or anything,¡± I say, pulling back from his potent scent. ¡°I saw my doctor yesterday. My blood sugar has been great when I¡¯ve self-checked it, and I passed my gestational diabetes test.¡±

    ¡°That is good news. Your heartbeat seems to be within normal parameters,¡± he murmurs. ¡°Have you had breakfast?¡±

    I shake my head. ¡°I nned to grab something on my break.¡±

    ¡°Well, as it turns out, I have a delicious breakfast spread right here, ready to go.¡±

    My forehead wrinkles.

    Trigg always orders the club.

    I remember ringing the ticket into theputer system.

    Turning back to the table, my jaw falls.

    He¡¯s right.

    That¡¯s the breakfast special,plete with toast, eggs, hash browns, sausage, and bacon.

    How in the hell did I miss that?

    ¡°Oh God, I brought you the wrong food.¡± I move to slide out of the booth, but he stops me by grabbing my wrist. He uses his left hand to pull me to him while sliding his right arm behind me between my back and the booth.

    ¡°Keep your ass nted right here. You¡¯re going to have a few bites of breakfast for me.¡± That wasn¡¯t a bark, but themand in his words is clear to my system.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to get fired,¡± I whisper.

    His arm rests in the indent above my ass, making it less ufortable to stretch back as I settle against the booth. My jaw falls as he wraps his forearm around my side, and his right handes to rest on my stomach.

    ¡°It¡¯s not like it can be served to anyone else now,¡± Trigg says firmly. ¡°And, as far as your job goes, I can assure you, you¡¯re not going to be fired. Now, be a good girl and open for me, angel.¡±

    I open my mouth onmand, and he gently guides a bite of eggs to my lips.

    Okay, fun fact¡­ Trigg is left-handed.

    And I¡¯m probably going to lose my only source of ie because I¡¯d do embarrassing things to hear him call me a good girl again. Including keeping my ass nted in this booth when I¡¯m supposed to be up, doing my job.

    The only saving grace is that it¡¯s still early. Trigg is my only table, but Mnie has two groups on the opposite side of the dining room.

    She doesn¡¯t like me very much.

    Or that¡¯s the way it seems, based on how she treats me when we¡¯re scheduled together. The food I grabbed must have belonged to one of her tables. She¡¯s definitely going to make a stink about this.

    I¡¯m just not sure I care.

    If my instincts had a choice, I¡¯d spend the rest of the day with my nose buried in Trigg¡¯s throat.

 : Chapter 8

    My n to slowly woo Quincy into trusting me went to shit about the time I saw her boss in her living roomst night. He didn¡¯t even have the decency to carry her upstairs so she could sleep in her own bed, and I¡¯m not sure if that saved him or sealed his fate.

    He would have had no business being in her bedroom. Not that I do, either, but she¡¯s so exhausted by the end of the day that she¡¯s never noticed me.

    That son of a bitch cost me a night curled up by her side. When she falls asleep in her own bed, she¡¯s morefortable. Or rather, asfortable as she¡¯s going to get at this stage of her pregnancy.

    The floor creaks all throughout that old house, and while I have most of the floorboards memorized, I didn¡¯t want to risk sneaking in and having her wake up because of the unusual circumstances.

    Even if it killed me, I stayed away and watched her on the cameras instead, but now I¡¯m wondering if skipping a night of cuddling might have had negative consequences for her health.

    I¡¯ve done more research about pregnancy than is probably natural.

    Omegas need ess to alphas while they gestate, or it can have negative consequences for their health.

    Not to mention, how it can impact the baby.

    ¡°How about a bite of bacon,¡± I offer, cing down the fork and picking up a strip of meat.

    ¡°Okay.¡± Quincy nods and takes a small bite.

    Seeing her eat directly from my hand sends a pang to my cock. It¡¯s quite unsettling, but I¡¯m growing morefortable with my physical responses when ites to this omega.

    At first, I assumed she had to have an alpha or a pack. Omegas are meant to be coveted and protected, and I couldn¡¯t understand why she would be working unless it was out of necessity.

    My fumbled questions about her personal life produced no solid answers, and not knowing was beginning to drive me insane. My entire goal in entering her home was to determine if she had any romantic partners. However, once I was in her bedroom, her scent was too enticing to force myself to leave with haste. Instead, I knelt by her bed and watched her sleep. The experience wasn¡¯t remotely sexual, yet my body reacted as if it was.

    I¡¯ve been around scent matches before and never had one spark an ounce of interest, but smelling Quincy¡¯s electric scent changed something deep inside me.

    My instincts wouldn¡¯t let it go.

    Not until I knew she was safe.

    It¡¯s been my excuse every night since when I slip in to lie next to her as she slumbers.

    I can try to justify my bad behavior all day, but I don¡¯t see Quincy being as enamored with my actions¡ªeven if my intentions are pure.

    I¡¯ve never stalked a woman before¡­

    Let alone a heavily pregnant woman.

    The little omega leans forward, grabs my cup, and takes a drink. Her stomach squishes against the table, and I fight the urge to cradle it with my hand.

    I¡¯ve only known her for a few weeks, but the baby grows more with every passing day. It¡¯s quite out of character, and I still find myself giddy to meet the new human being Quincy is growing.

    She grunts, pushing against my right arm as she leans back against the seat. ¡°Man, in another week or two, I won¡¯t even be able to fit into the booths anymore.¡±

    I chuckle. ¡°Then, I suppose we¡¯ll have to switch to eating at one of the tables.¡±

    Her face betrays her confusion as she opens for the bite of hash browns I offer, but she doesn¡¯t fight my care.

    This seems to bode well for the future. Then again, I¡¯ve never been great at deciphering human interactions. Perhaps she¡¯s just terrified of me like everyone else.

    ¡°I don¡¯t n to make this a regr urrence, or I definitely wouldn¡¯t me Hart for firing me.¡± Sheughs and takes another swig of my drink.

    I¡¯m suddenly parched.

    The idea of being able to wrap my lips around the straw where her mouth has been is quite enticing. Once she¡¯s done, I grab the ss and take a quick sip before cing it back down.

    Quincy wiggles in her seat, and I try to determine if her hips are hurting or if she¡¯s ufortable being this close to me. If it¡¯s thetter, I need to determine how to be more personable¡­immediately. Connecting with others is something I¡¯ve struggled with for my entire life.

    I was skinny and small as a child, which led to merciless bullying. It never bothered me in the way it would others, and I often plotted revenge that I knew wouldn¡¯te to fruition, simply because I never could stomach the thought of leaving my mother all alone.

    Growing up, her profession was an open secret at best, and none of the other parents wanted their children ying with the kid whose mother was a sex worker.

    Still, I had a happy childhood.

    My mother was loving and attentive, especially before I hit puberty. Once my adult features began to show themselves, all she could see was my father¡ªthe man who broke her heart and abandoned her while she was pregnant.

    I don¡¯t allow myself to consider if I¡¯m trying to right the wrongs of the past by being here for Quincy.

    My sperm donor made his own choices, and I¡¯m making mine. Supporting Quincy won¡¯t change the emotional damage that my father caused my mother.

    And did he ever fuck her up.

    As my features changed to remind her of him, her alcoholism worsened, which only made her type 2 diabetes even more uncontroble. She quite literally drank herself to death. And while I mourned her, I also epted her choices long before she actually passed away.

    It made stepping into my career path a logical decision. Any family or friends could be a target if my enemies ever sought revenge, and not having either made it an easy choice.

    My limited range of emotions makes many ufortable, but I am working on being more emotionally avable for Quincy. She¡¯s never given any of the normal indicators that she fears me, but now I wonder if I¡¯ve purposely avoided noticing them.

    Once my system hyperfocuses on a target, I have been known to slip into an obsessive state, but that¡¯s all job rted. I¡¯ve never felt romantically drawn to another person as I do with Quincy.

    ¡°Are you afraid of me?¡± I ask, moving to collect another piece of bacon.

    ¡°No.¡± Sheughs, taking a bite. Her small handes to block her mouth as she chews. ¡°Should I be?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± My free hand teases over her stomach, and the baby pushes back or moves at the exact same moment.

    ¡°That¡¯s a relief, but no, I¡¯m not.¡±

    ¡°Good. People are often put off by my directness, but it¡¯s simply part of my personality.¡± Something akin to awe fills my chest as I chase the movements. ¡°I-Is that the baby?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Quincy says softly. ¡°Usually it takes twenty minutes or more for her to wake up after I eat, but she also likes to start moving when I sit down. I think maybe the motion of walking lulls her to sleep or something?¡±

    ¡°That seems logical to me,¡± I say, even though I truly have no idea if it is or not.

    I know virtually nothing about children, but I¡¯m going to rectify that. Infants seem even needier than toddlers or preschoolers, so some research is in order. I¡¯ve spent a fair amount of time thest few weeks educating myself on pregnancy and birth, but there will be an entirely new human being to care for, on top of looking after Quincy.

    The side of my face burns with the weight of someone¡¯s re, and I look up in time to spot her idiot boss with a death wish. He leans against the wall near where the restaurant gives way to the now-empty bar.

    His demeanor says it all¡ªhe doesn¡¯t like me, and the feeling is mutual.<hr>

    My time with Quincyes to an end all too quickly. She finishes what I would consider a decent amount of food and excuses herself to the bathroom.

    Before she even makes it into the restroom, the owner stomps over with my check in his hand.

    He drops it on the edge of the table and scowls. ¡°Touch my employee again, and I¡¯ll have you permanently banned from the premises.¡±

    ¡°Take better care of your staff, and I won¡¯t be forced to intercede.¡± I shove my sses up with my middle finger and quirk a brow. ¡°She was wobbling around with no energy, probably caused by low blood sugar.¡±

    He continues to re.

    The bored and disinterested look on my face remains as I refuse to break eye contact.

    I truly couldn¡¯t care less what he thinks. If he bes a problem, I¡¯ll snap his neck and dissolve his remains in acid.

    His eyes narrow, and his jaw clenches as he fights to keep my gaze.

    This must be an alpha pissing match.

    I¡¯ve never participated in one before, but whoever nces away first will know they¡¯re not the more dominant alpha vying for Quincy¡¯s affection.

    The staring goes on for an ufortable amount of time, and still, neither of us is willing to submit.

    ¡°Oh, you already grabbed the check,¡± Quincy says, appearing at the edge of the table. ¡°I was actually going to cover it. I messed up and brought the wrong food.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± My gaze finally leaves the sullen alpha at the same time he nces at the omega. I suppose we¡¯ll have to call that battle of wills a draw. ¡°I¡¯d like to pay for your breakfast, and my normal order if I can get it to go?¡±

    I smile, hoping ites off as sincere. The feeling is strange as it pulls at my facial muscles, and I make a mental note to practice more. Perhaps in the mirror so I can note the final result.

    I¡¯ve spent a fair amount of time in my life practicing how to mimic human emotions, but happiness is one I rarely rely on. I¡¯ll have to work on it until it bes more natural.

    ¡°I can put in a to-go order.¡± Quincy stretches over, patting my hand. ¡°Thank you for breakfast. I feel much better.¡± Her gaze moves to her boss. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about taking a break¡­ It won¡¯t happen again.¡± Her face twists into a stic smile, and she clears her throat. ¡°I¡¯ll go, uh, put that in.¡±

    She takes off without another word, and once she¡¯s far enough away, I focus back on Hartley. Yes, I recognized him even before doing a deep dive into his history, but if he¡¯s looking for adoration for knowing how to toss a football across a field, he¡¯ll be waiting for quite some time.

    ¡°She was concerned that you might fire her, but that¡¯s not going to be a problem,¡± I say, leaning back against the leather of the booth. ¡°Is it?¡±

    He growls. ¡°Of fucking course, it¡¯s not.¡±

    ¡°Very good.¡± I nod, hoping he understands he¡¯s being dismissed.

    His eyes narrow.

    I wait for him to say more or to issue some other useless ultimatum, but he sighs and walks away without another word.

    I smile, focusing out the window next to the booth. I believe it¡¯s good that we got that out of the way.<hr>

    I spend my morning and early afternoon piggybacking off Calder¡¯s surveince system. He¡¯s got most of Burlington locked down with his own cameras and easy ess into theworks he doesn¡¯t own.

    It¡¯s impressive, and I¡¯m not someone who¡¯s easily impressed.

    Anywhere I settle long term will need to have a simr setup. That way, I¡¯ll always feel confident I¡¯ll know my enemies areing before they have the opportunity to strike.

    I¡¯ve got enough of them that I never truly saw myself settling down. However, it¡¯s quite easy for me to imagine a cozy life with Quincy and the baby here in Vermont. The downside is that I¡¯ll always need to stay vignt.

    After all, even with extensive surveince, Ridge¡¯s foes have mostly managed to avoid detection.<hr>

    The Shadow Security office is quite lively, but I was given an empty office on the first floor. It¡¯s quieter than the second floor since it¡¯s only used as a front for customers.

    I barely have to interact with anyone, except when Ridge stops by to ask if I¡¯d like to join him for lunch.

    ¡°No,¡± I say, running through the files on everyone who looked at the listing for his contract. ¡°And you shouldn¡¯t leave either. Order delivery.¡±

    He scoffs, leaning against the doorframe. ¡°I¡¯m going to lose my fucking mind if I don¡¯t get out of here. Briar just introduced me to a guinea pig and tried to get me to help her clip its nails.¡± It¡¯s hard to tell with the reflective aviators he always wears, but I believe he rolls his eyes based on how his brow and cheeks move.

    I refocus on the monitor for the desktopputer. ¡°Take someone else with you. I¡¯m busy.¡±

    Truthfully, I¡¯m shocked Easton allows his omega to keep so many of the furry beasts at the office. It might be mostly a shell to hide the true nature of the business, but using it as a guinea pig sanctuary is so ludicrous that I almostugh.

    The blinking screen finally loading catches my attention, and I frown.

    Motherfucker.

    Costa didn¡¯t stop at one contract. He¡¯s got Ridge listed on another site, with an even higher bounty of seven hundred and fifty thousand dors.

    ¡°Whatever, starve then,¡± Ridge says, shoving off the doorframe and preparing to exit.

    ¡°Wait,¡± I call after him. ¡°You and I need to have a meeting with Easton, as in, right now.¡±<hr>

    ¡°Nothing like an invasion of assassins,¡± Easton says, rolling his dark eyes.

    Our father¡¯s gics must have been exceptionally strong. It is eerie how much the two of us look alike, and we¡¯re only half siblings.

    Ridge snorts. ¡°You sure know how to fuck up a man¡¯s day. I was dreaming about the all-you-can-eat wings at O¡¯Malley¡¯s.¡±

    My eyes narrow as I realize he was speaking to me. ¡°Surely you can afford the delivery charge and a tip.¡±

    ¡°He most definitely can,¡± Easton says. ¡°He was my top earnerst year. Just under three-point-seven million inpleted contracts. He¡¯s just cheap.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t get all-you-can-eat delivered,¡± Ridge says petntly.

    ¡°Is that gross or?¡± I ask, trying to calcte if Ridge might be more prolific than even me.

    ¡°We need to find you an Omen to your Valor,¡± Easton says, looking at Ridge. I have no idea what that means. Ridge raises a hand, flipping off my half brother. ¡°You¡¯re lucky you spend five days a week in the gym, but even then, one day, your eating habits will catch up with you.¡± He rolls his eyes and refocuses on me. ¡°The bottom line is, he¡¯s not hurting financially.¡±

    Ahh, so he did hear my question.

    ¡°You know I get crabby when I don¡¯t eat regrly,¡± Ridge says.

    ¡°I¡¯m bringing Knox in. He can help watch your back while Trigg is hunting.¡± Easton points at Ridge. ¡°Eat in the office for now. I will treat this one time if you will shut the fuck up.¡±

    Ridge crosses his arms over his chest. ¡°Fine, but I¡¯m ordering what I would have if I was paying.¡±

    This is the guy I¡¯m supposed to keep alive? I have serious doubts the world would miss him.

    Whatever.

    Lucky for Ridge, I don¡¯t have to like someone to do my job. It¡¯s simple. Keep him alive and get paid. Then I¡¯ll finally be free to loudly court Quincy.

 : Chapter 9

    Another day, another embarrassment. I just have to keep reminding myself that it¡¯s not as bad as when I used to have to run to the bathroom to vomit my guts up anytime anyone ordered the salmon¡­

    Or the fish sticks.

    God, I tried to talk Hart into taking them off the menu so many times. It finally got to the point that he started delivering the food for me if anyone at the table ordered the fish.

    He really is a good friend and a great boss.

    Even though I needed the quick break and nutrition, I still try to make up for it by finishing every bit of side work for the other servers on shift before gathering my stuff to head out.

    Pulling the flyers out of my bag, I head to the lobby. There¡¯s amunity board along with a few candy machines, and I use a thumbtack to pin up the roommate flyer.

    Hopefully I don¡¯t get a bunch of weirdos. It might be a good idea to ask Hartley if he would be open to hanging out if anyone asks toe for a tour.

    Having a male presence around couldn¡¯t hurt, right?

    I would consider asking Trigg, but I¡¯m still majorly confused about this morning. He was so intense, and my system loved every bossy second of it. Only, he got his to-go box and left in the same way he always does. He left two hundreds on the table, along with two twenties to cover both meals, but I guess I was expecting more¡­

    I don¡¯t know.

    It¡¯s hard to exin.

    I¡¯m also like a million months pregnant. It would be silly to assume anyone could actually be attracted to me right now, but I was hoping we might have a moment to talk before he left.

    Hiking my bag higher on my shoulder, I meander down the hallway and pop my head in Hart¡¯s office door.

    I frown when I spot Harrison. When I was first hired, Hartley¡¯s brother was hardly ever around, but he has started popping in more and more over thest few weeks.

    Shit.

    I don¡¯t think I¡¯m mentally prepared for the day Hartley is no longer needed. He¡¯ll go back to wherever he¡¯s from, and it¡¯ll be weird without him.

    It¡¯s clear they¡¯re in the middle of discussing something, so I wave and smile. ¡°Sorry to interrupt. I just wanted to let you know I¡¯m on my way out.¡±

    ¡°Have a good rest of your day,¡± Harrison says. ¡°By the way, be careful in the parking lot. There are several patches of ck ice.¡±

    Hart frowns. ¡°I¡¯ll walk you out. You¡¯re wobbly these days.¡±

    It might sound insulting if not for two things. One, he¡¯s right. I am a wobbly messtely, and two, the sexy little smirk that tips at his lips as he strides toward the door.<hr>

    ¡°I¡¯ve got it,¡± Hart says, jogging forward to open my car door.

    I stop dead in my tracks.

    I don¡¯t think a man has ever opened a car door for me. Not that this is a date or anything special. It just kinda makes me recognize all the ways I¡¯ve settled for less than I deserve in rtionships.

    It brings back a flicker of the way Ridge ced his hand on my lower back as we walked, guiding me with the steadyfort of his palm. He also held the doors open when we exited the bar and entered the hotel, but I¡¯m not sure if he was justying on the gentlemanly behavior because he knew I was going to climb him as soon as we were alone.

    I don¡¯t think that was it.

    Ridge seemed very genuine.

    The same pang hits my heart that happens every time I think of him. I can¡¯t even fathom how angry he would be with me if we ran into each other five or ten years down the line.

    ¡°Here.¡± Hart holds out a hand, nodding for me to get into my car. ¡°Let me help so you don¡¯t slip.¡±

    Shaking my head, I get myself together and slide past him. When I don¡¯t take his hand, he links his arm through mine and helps support my weight as I get into the driver¡¯s seat.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whisper, dropping my purse onto the passenger seat. Turning back to the front, I shove the key in the ignition but jolt.

    Hartley leans across me, buckling my seat belt. ¡°We can¡¯t forget that. Got to keep you and the nugget safe.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say, sounding like a broken record. Apparently the only words I know at the moment are words of gratitude. If I start talking about anything else, I might ask him what is happening.

    Hart teases his hand over my stomach. Not only am I in my uniform top, but I¡¯ve also got my huge wool coat on over it, and I still swear I can feel the warmth of his skin. It¡¯s probably all in my head, but seeing him squat next to my car door while running a hand over my stomach is a lot.

    It¡¯s freezing in Vermont in January, and while he put on his coat, he didn¡¯t bother with a scarf or gloves.

    He¡¯s got to be cold.

    I never thought I could tough out a winter here, but I¡¯ve managed okay. Luckily they salt the roads regrly, and my grandmother¡¯s house has a solid furnace.

    ¡°You should go back in,¡± I finally force myself to say. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be freezing.¡±

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m not warm.¡± Hartughs. ¡°If you don¡¯t have ns tonight, I was thinking I might stop by. Normally I wouldn¡¯t be off for a few hours, but with Harrison back in the office, I doubt he needs me.¡± He shrugs, gives my stomach a final pat, and stands. ¡°I can run by the grocery store and grab food. I know you¡¯ve been craving marinara sauce, and I think I can tackle spaghetti¡­¡± His lips tip up, and the faintest tease of dimples pop in his cheeks under his beard. ¡°If you¡¯re up for it? I promise to do the dishes so you¡¯re not stuck with them.¡±

    My heart thumps erratically as he rocks on his heels, shoving his hands into the front pockets of his jeans.

    Maybe he¡¯s just really lonely.

    Except he grew up around here.

    I¡¯ve seen multiple people stop in who must have known him in high school or when he was even younger. Now that I think about it, I¡¯m sure a former pro-football yer is not hard up forpany¡ªor female attention.

    ¡°Come on, don¡¯t leave me hanging.¡± He chuckles. ¡°I swear I can cook spaghetti and make it edible. Also, I¡¯m freezing my balls off, so if you¡¯re going to let me down, just do it gently?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, smiling. ¡°I¡¯d love to have dinner with you.¡±

    The smile that takes over Hartley¡¯s face takes my damn breath away. Before I know what¡¯s happening, he leans into the car and kisses my temple.

    ¡°Perfect,¡± he purrs close to my ear. ¡°Get home safely.¡±

    My life is weirdtely.<hr>

    Dinner is surprisinglyfortable. For being famous on some level, Hartley is greatpany, but I¡¯ve always known that. He also knows how to cook a mean spaghetti with two types of sauce, which I think might be the sweetest thing a man has ever done for me. He makes one marinara and another meat sauce.

    Both are delicious.

    Although I kinda regret stuffing myself full of garlic bread when my stomach starts hurting. Not to mention, the risk of having horrendous breath.

    I excuse myself to the bathroom, making sure to gargle with mouthwash since my toothbrush isn¡¯t down here. I¡¯m not sure it helps, but heading upstairs to brush my teeth seems weird.

    Making it back into the kitchen, I stop dead in my tracks.

    Hartley is shirtless at the sink, doing the dishes.

    Holy back muscles covered in tattoos¡­

    And those sexy little indents just above his ass. Those only show because his jeans rest so low on his slender hips.

    Hartley is built a little like an upside-down triangle¡ªall strong, broad shoulders and a slim waist. His dark jeans cling to his ass in a way that makes my knees weak.

    It takes way too long to realize I¡¯ve been objectifying him.

    A heavy sigh escapes as I refocus on the counter next to him. He already put all the food away too. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to leave you to do all the cleanup.¡±

    He drops the sponge and spins around. ¡°The sprayer and I had it out. My shirt lost. I tossed it over there to dry.¡± He chuckles, nodding to the table where his shirt rests over one of the chairs. The veins on his hands and forearms bulge as he dries his hands off on his jeans, and I have to bite my cheek to keep an embarrassing whimper from escaping. ¡°I felt bad I forgot dessert, but if you keep looking at me like that, I¡¯ll just offer myself up in its ce.¡±

    ¡°Are you flirting with me?¡± My eyes widen as he prowls closer.

    Christ.

    That¡¯s a lot of well-defined muscles, and they¡¯re all covered in tattoos. I kinda thought obliques were a myth until seeing Hartley without a shirt. His wavy blond hair falls over his forehead as he approaches with his head tilted predatorily. ¡°Just for thest six months or so, but it¡¯s cute that you finally noticed.¡±

    My heartbeat picks up as I retreat. I¡¯m not even sure why I¡¯m backing away, but my ass hits the wall behind me, and I squeak.

    Hartley doesn¡¯t stop until he¡¯s only inches away from our chests brushing. There¡¯s no hope of sucking in to make my stomach stop pushing against his, so I ignore it. His forearm hits the wall above my head, and I swallow thickly.

    I¡¯ve been attracted to Hart since the first day we met. At first, I was still grieving over not being able to find Ridge and everything that meant for the baby. My instincts were heartbroken, and maybe I was too.

    It was quick, but I felt a connection with Ridge.

    He made me feel safe¡­in the same way Hartley does.

    ¡°Did I tell you my brother ising back to work?¡± Hart¡¯s warm fingersnd under my chin, tilting my face up to his. ¡°You know what that means, beautiful?¡±

    ¡°That you¡¯ll be leaving town?¡± My chest rises in rapid pants as his snowy, woodsy scent floods my nose. All I can seem to focus on is how dted his eyes are as he stares down at me.

    ¡°Nah,¡± he murmurs, dipping his lips even closer to mine. He gets so close, but our skin doesn¡¯t actually touch. It feels like he¡¯s giving me an opportunity to put a stop to it if I¡¯m ufortable. He still smells faintly of the spaghetti, but I think he might have popped in a mint while I was in the bathroom because there¡¯s a light scent that isn¡¯t his own. ¡°It just means I¡¯m not your boss anymore, so I can do this.¡±

    My eyes flutter as my heart pounds wildly, waiting to see what happens next.

    I don¡¯t have to wait long.

    Hart¡¯s soft lips brush over mine, and his tongue swipes across my bottom lip. Everything in me aches to know what it¡¯s like to really kiss Hartley Adams.

    I gasp, and he doesn¡¯t hesitate to deepen the kiss.

    Hart growls, and his handnds on my hip, snaking between me and the wall. Every gasping breath fills my senses with more of him.

    His scent is like a drug.

    I¡¯d toss him down and bury my nose in his throat if he tried to get away.

    Maybe lick him a time or two.

    All I know is that I want more of him.

    He keeps me trapped to his front with his hand on my lower back, but he pulls his forearm off the wall above my head and cradles my cheek in his huge palm.

    He peppers me with quick, tender kisses, pulling back between each so I can catch my breath. My eyes pop open, and he grins mischievously.

    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking pretty.¡± He growls out the words and dives for my lips once more. His thumb teases over my jaw as he presses against my front. This time, he doesn¡¯t immediately pull back, and each swirl of his tongue around mine makes me squirm. Heat builds under my skin as my stomach flutters with butterflies and desire for more. ¡°I swear to God, you¡¯re the sweetest thing I¡¯ve ever tasted.¡±

    I moan, clutching at his back. This time, I think I dive for his lips, stretching up on my tiptoes to make it possible. He gives in, smiling into the kiss. It takes everything in me not to beg for his knot.

    Alpha and omega dynamics are so weird, but feeling the way his fingers sy over my back makes it seem like I¡¯m safely confined in him. It does wild things to my impulses, and my nerve endings light up.

    If just kissing Hartley can be like this, am I even prepared for what it would feel like to do more?

    My shoulders lean against the wall for support as my body gets floaty the longer he devours me in sensual kisses.

    I whimper, following his lips as he pulls back.

    The smirk on his face makes me ache to drag him upstairs to my bed.

    ¡°You need rest. After a long day of serving, you shouldn¡¯t be on your feet,¡± he murmurs, brushing his nose against mine. ¡°Do you have a TV in your bedroom?¡±

    I nod frantically.

    ¡°How do you feel about cuddling up in bed and watching a movie with me?¡± he asks, pecking a final kiss on my lips.

    There are many things I¡¯d like to do in my bed with Hart, but I guess cuddling is a good start.

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s do it.¡±

 : Chapter 10

    Now that I¡¯ve had a taste of Quincy, I don¡¯t see how I¡¯m supposed to pretend to be a gentleman. Those soft little moans and groans she let out as I fucked my tongue into her mouth will be my undoing.

    There¡¯s nothing to be done about my cock. I¡¯ve been hard as a rock since her plush lips met mine. I keep my pelvis a respectable distance from Quincy¡¯s ass as I lie behind her on her bed to hide my hard-on, and it¡¯s awkward, considering I¡¯d much rather be stered to her backside.

    I have to hold my head with one palm just to pretend to be able to see the TV, but I¡¯m much more focused on the little omega.

    When she first opened the door to let me in tonight, I damn near forgot how to speak. The soft dress she¡¯s been d in all night clings to every single curve.

    Who the fuck knows when I became so enamored by a baby bump, but here we are.

    I started the movie with my hand on her hip. It long ago migrated to brushing over her stomach, and I can¡¯t even bring myself to be embarrassed about it.

    I¡¯m taking liberties she hasn¡¯t agreed to. She also hasn¡¯t told me to fuck off, so I¡¯m taking that as consent.

    Am I acting like a pushy, almost feral alpha?

    Maybe, but I hope not.

    Quincy coos, snuggling her back deeper into my chest.

    A goofy smile takes over my face.

    She¡¯s fucking adorable.

    Why didn¡¯t I make my interest known months ago? If I had, we could have been so much farther along in this whole getting to know each other process.<hr>

    I must doze off at some point.

    My entire right side is hot and damp when I wake up. It¡¯s enough to force me to attempt to roll over.

    Only, I can¡¯t move.

    I¡¯m trapped by a warm body.

    My nostrils re.

    Quincy¡¯s coconut and cream scent hits my senses, and I bite back a groan. My cock is fully hard and ready to provide whatever she may need to bring down her fever.

    The baby bump rests partially on me, and my right hand is glued to her ass. Bringing my left hand up, I brush it over her cheek in an attempt to move the hair off her face.

    A jolt of panic courses through my system, waking me up real quick. My chest is damp from her sweat.

    Jesus Christ.

    How did I miss that?

    I vaguely remember stripping out of my belt and jeans at some point, but I wasn¡¯t awake enough to be concerned if Quincy would be ufortable to find me in only my boxer briefs when morning came.

    Hell, maybe I intended to wake up before she did so it wouldn¡¯t be a problem. I don¡¯t know. I wasn¡¯t conscious enough to make good choices.

    Either way, we have a bigger issue.

    She¡¯s burning up.

    She moans and jerks in her sleep, dragging her leg over my length. It jumps in response. Her pheromones sit heavy in the air, and I freeze as she grinds her pussy over my hip.

    Aww, fuck.

    This would be so much hotter if I wasn¡¯t terrified. Then again, my dads always told me and my brothers not to overthink too much when ites to caring for an omega. Alpha instincts are honed in on how best to meet an omega¡¯s needs.

    They said to trust our guts, which I would be much more open to doing if Quincy and I were dating.

    Goddammit.

    I should have asked her to be my girlfriend before we fell asleep.

    Her hand rests on my pec, and her fingers dig into my skin as she whimpers.

    ¡°Are you okay down there, beautiful?¡± I murmur, running my fingers over her cheek.

    ¡°Hart? I don¡¯t feel so good.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I can tell. What can I do to help you feel better?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± she whispers, burying her nose deeper into my skin. ¡°Everything is hazy. You smell so good.¡±

    ¡°You smell pretty fucking incredible to me, too, but I don¡¯t want to make assumptions¡­¡±

    She licks me.

    My dick jumps like she slid that naughty tongue right down it instead of my pec.

    Her nails dig into my ribs, and she trembles. ¡°Okay, I decided what I need is your pheromones. Maybe more than just your pheromones. I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m achy.¡±

    ¡°Do you want me to take over and see what I can do to help?¡±

    She nods.

    Fuck me.

    I¡¯m pretty sure there¡¯s an actual puddle of slick forming where she¡¯s been grinding against my hip and the top of my thigh. My instincts take over, and I very carefully roll her onto her back.

    ¡°Is this okay?¡± I ask, pulling my arm from underneath her back. ¡°I mean, is it safe for the baby?¡±

    ¡°For short bursts. The doctor said I would know if something was wrong. I¡¯d have difort or my vision would go fuzzy.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll tell me if any of thates up,¡± I say, and it¡¯s not a question.

    ¡°I will,¡± she agrees, wrapping her hands around my torso.

    I¡¯m next to her on the bed, but with my top half stretched over hers. Luckily I¡¯m in good shape. I can contort around her with little trouble. nting a hand next to her head, I lower my face to hers and mark her cheeks with my scent.

    Something deep in my gut says that she needs my pheromones, and I do my best to saturate her in them. Her eyes are always so blue, but her pupils are blown into huge, round saucers, making her eyes seem darker than they truly are.

    The look of desperation on her face kills me.

    I will give her anything she wants.

    I just can¡¯t overstep or misread her cues.

    We¡¯re still feeling each other out.

    I¡¯ve never had any bias against one-night stands or casual hookups, but I want way more than that from Quincy.

    I¡¯ve had more than a few daydreams about the future I want us to build, and I¡¯m willing to take my time to make that a reality. Or I was before this heat spike came out of nowhere. Letting her suffer isn¡¯t even in the realm of possibility.

    Not to mention, I¡¯m concerned about the baby. Omegas are built to withstand extreme fevers, but I don¡¯t know if that extends to the baby, and that scares the hell out of me.

    I¡¯d like to give evolution a little more credit than that, but it¡¯s not worth the risk.

    Our lips brush as I¡¯m marking her cheeks, and she nips at my lower lip. A low, dangerous growl rattles out of my chest, and I take over the kiss.

    My right palm has been keeping my top half upright, but my forearm falls to the bed so I can cradle the top of Quincy¡¯s head. Every gasp she lets out sends a pulse straight to my knot, and it gets hard to focus.

    I¡¯m supposed to be taking care of her, and every cell in my system says drilling her full of my cum will help that fever of hers. It¡¯s feral-alpha logic, and I know that, but my system is convinced.

    She tastes like coconut and creamy vani. A delicious treat just waiting to be devoured.

    ¡°I¡¯m so hot. Get this off me.¡± She shoves my chest until I lean back enough that she can grab the bottom of the pajama dress she¡¯s wearing.

    Pulling back on my knees, I help her out of it and toss it aside.

    My jaw falls.

    She¡¯s pretty much all belly, and for whatever insane reason, my cock jolts, dribbling precum. The insane urge to breed her all over again washes over me from nowhere, and I really start to question my sanity.

    Quincy groans, stretching back to attempt to unhook her bra. I get myself into gear and reach around her, popping the hooks.

    The straps fall down her arms, and she frowns. ¡°Even that is too much. It¡¯s like my skin is too sensitive.¡± The bra goes flying, and she moves to hold herself up on her forearms.

    Her molten gaze dances down my chest,nding on my boxer briefs. The sexy little ¡°O¡± her lips form will be burned into my retinas for a long time.

    I follow her line of sight and snort.

    My dick does look obscene pushing against the thin material. Even my knot is visible.

    Quincy¡¯s trembling hand stretches out, and her fingers run over my shaft on top of my boxer briefs. It jerks, and I growl. I¡¯m so jacked up that even that small touch feels dangerous.

    The heat from her fingertips feels amazing as she circles my crown, focusing on the wet spot from all the precum I¡¯ve been leaking.

    ¡°Lie back,¡± I growl, teasing my hands up her thighs. She falls back, like I barked themand, and my brain almost short-circuits. Her tits are heavy teardrops with light, tannish-brown nipples, and they¡¯re really fucking nice.

    Which probably makes it even stranger that my gaze keeps going back to her abdomen. I¡¯ve heard people say a pregnant belly looks like a basketball, but not Quincy¡¯s stomach. It¡¯s a massive oval bubble, and her skin is pulled so tight it almost looks painful.

    My hands reach her panties, and I groan when I catch a peek at the wet spot on the front.

    Hooking my fingers in the band, I quirk an eyebrow. ¡°These off too?¡±

    She nods, making her long dark waves fall around her shoulders.

    I work on getting her out of her panties, my gaze constantly circling back to her face. The way her straight, white teeth dig into her lower lip makes me ache to eat her alive. It takes some maneuvering to get her out of herst piece of clothing, but I seed and toss it aside.

    I nt a knee between her thighs and the other on the outside. It leaves me straddling her leg, but I imagine I¡¯m going to need to be creative to make this work.

    Crawling over her, I dive in for a filthy open-mouthed kiss. Our tongues sh as her scent floods my nose. Everything gets hazy and muted outside of Quincy.

    Her skin is soft against mine as I cradle her stomach in my palm, giving it a tender caress and work down to tease her clit. She¡¯s drenched, and feeling her slick makes my teeth pulse with the same throb that has settled in my knot.

    I lean around the baby belly and eventually give up, mostly resting my side on the bed to avoid putting any weight on her stomach.

    ¡°More, please,¡± she sobs, wrapping her hand around the back of my neck.

    ¡°How about my fingers?¡± My voicees out husky with need and maybe a little desperation.

    My dick is about to riot.

    I¡¯ve been hard for so long it¡¯s almost physically painful.

    ¡°Or you could get inside me,¡± she whispers, capturing my lower lip between her teeth.

    I growl, fighting the urge to bite her back.

    That sounds amazing.

    Life-changing.

    Like everything I¡¯ve dreamed of.

    And I still don¡¯t falter. Instead, I work two fingers down to her opening, shoving them inside her with no warning.

    Quincy sobs, her shoulders curling toward me. Her skin burns mine as she turns her top half more toward me. Now that I¡¯ve got my fingers inside her, it bes clear exactly how hot she is.

    Grinding my palm against her clit, I get to work fucking her with my hand. I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ll be able to hold back if she begs me to fuck her again, so I push my mouth to hers.

    With how thick her pheromones are, it must qualify as a perfume, but I thought perfuming only urred immediately before heats. Hell, maybe I need to do more research. The scent does my head in, and I worry what would happen if I start functioning at base-level only.

    I quirk my fingers, searching for her G-spot, and continue grinding my palm against her clit.

    Quincy shivers and nods into our kiss.

    Ahh, well, at least I¡¯m doing something right.

    Her hand snakes between us and under the band of my boxer briefs.

    I freeze.

    Even her uncoordinated movements are enough to get me dangerously close to the edge.

    ¡°Hart,¡± she whimpers against my lips.

    Focusing on the tight cling of her walls around my thick fingers doesn¡¯t help the state of my cock, but I need to make here. I put all my effort into exactly that, grinding my teeth as she circles my crown with her soft fingertips.

    I¡¯m about three seconds away from losing it anding in my boxer briefs. Pulling back from the kiss, I bark, ¡°Come now!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t just bark me into¡­¡± Quincy groans, tossing her face forward into the crook of my neck. ¡°Maybe you can.¡± She licks and sucks on my throat, and the warm flick of her tongue on my skin makes my shaft thicken.

    The universe does me a solid, and her pussy locks down on my fingers.

    Thank God.

    My balls draw tight, and my hand gets extra slick as she gushes. ¡°That¡¯s it, beautiful,e all over my hand.¡±

    I wish I could see her face, but I can only assume she¡¯s getting an even more potent hit of my pheromones with the way she sucks on my throat. I¡¯m barely able to move with how tightly she mps down on my fingers. It¡¯s so easy to imagine what she would feel like strangling my cock the way she does my thick digits.

    I¡¯d really love to see that shocked ¡°O¡± look on her face as I slip just the crown inside her. I wanna watch her tits bounce and feel her clench around every inch of me.

    Quincy squeezes the hell out of my shaft as shees, and even that works in my jacked-up state. It¡¯s when she finally releases her choke hold to start to jerk me off again that euphoria rips through my nerve endings.

    Somebination of a groan and growl fills the air as I buck into her grip. She sucks on my pulse like she¡¯s a vampire, and Ie in my boxer briefs. The haze of rut tickles my senses, sitting right there, waiting to take over.

    Ahh, hell.

 : Chapter 11

    Hart lets out the sexiest little moan, and my hand gets sticky from his hot cum. A shiver runs down my spine as his strong muscles bulge, and my instincts scream to bite him¡­

    So, I do.

    It¡¯s totally inappropriate.

    An omega biting an alpha is basically like throwing down the gauntlet.

    Hartley snarls, and his pheromones flood the air, along with the scent of his cum. He still has two fingers buried inside me, and my stomach rests almostpletely on his forearm. There¡¯s no possible way to hide the giant baby belly, so I ignore it.

    He wraps his free hand in my hair, tugging my face from his neck and redirecting my mouth to his.

    The kiss is frantic and intense, and it feels a lot like he wants to devour me whole.

    The scary thing is¡­ I think I¡¯d let him.

    He swirls his tongue around mine, still working his palm against my clit while I circle his crown with my thumb.

    Heat pulses in my gut, and I ache to taste him. Tugging my hand free of his boxer briefs, I pull back from the kiss to bring my fingers to my lips.

    ¡°Fuck, that¡¯s hot. Are you feeling any better?¡± His voice is low and gravelly.

    I give up licking and move to sucking every bit of his taste from my fingers.

    It¡¯s not enough.

    A whine escapes, and I beg. My wordse out muffled because, apparently, I¡¯m not even coherent enough to pull my fingers from my lips.

    Yanking my hand free, I give his shoulder a shove. We ended up on our sides at some point, at least our top halves.

    Hart rolls onto his back, and his hand leaves my pussy. I wouldin about that, but just getting myself rolled over and onto my knees next to him is such an ordeal that I should be embarrassed about it.

    I¡¯ll save that forter.

    Getting his boxer briefs off for easier ess to his knot is the priority.

    My fingersnd in the band, ripping with little care.

    Hartley ttens his feet on the bed, pushing up to help make it easier to rip off the material. He kicks out of them the rest of the way while I eye his cock like Christmas came early.

    ¡°We should probably have a conversation before¡ª¡± His words cut off as I dive forward, bringing his tip to my lips.

    It¡¯s the middle of winter in Vermont, and this house stays chilly. It shouldn¡¯t feel like I¡¯m burning alive from the inside out, but I do. The salty taste of his cum on my tongue only seems to spur my system on.

    My clit aches, and my nipples tighten painfully.

    ¡°That mouth is going to get us both into trouble,¡± Hart growls, sitting up in a partial crunch. He gathers my hair, wraps it around his fist, and piles it on top of my head. ¡°This isn¡¯t supposed to be about me. Are you sure this is helping?¡±

    My eyes slide from his pelvis, up his muscr stomach and chest, finallynding on his face. He¡¯s way too sexy with that look on his face, and his eyes dark with desire.

    I pull back to speak, and his still-hard length bounces against his t lower stomach.

    ¡°It was¡­ Then the taste was gone.¡± I seal my lips shut to keep from saying I could lick the rest of his cum out of his boxers.

    That¡¯s weird.

    And I know it.

    Omega instincts are bizarre.

    Sweat trickles between my breasts, and a wave of cramps racks through my abdomen, making my stomach tighten.

    I can¡¯t even question why, but Hart¡¯s face is hazy and muted.

    ¡°I need your knot,¡± I say, unsure where the words evene from. ¡°It should help the fever. If you¡¯re even attracted?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough of that!¡± he barks, pulling me closer by using his hold in my hair as leverage. Once I¡¯m within reach, he sits up even more and both his handsnd on my rib cage. He lifts me with ease, and I scramble with him to ensure he doesn¡¯t have to try to deadlift my entire body weight. ¡°I¡¯m more than attracted to you, Quincy. I¡¯m entranced by you.¡±

    My pussy ends up right over his knot, and I fall onto my knees, grinding over it and the base of his shaft.

    He hisses and slides his hands down my sides. ¡°You¡¯re gonna be the death of me.¡± It might sound insulting if not for his voice being lined in pure sexual heat. That, and the look of molten attraction on his face.

    My hands fall to his chest for support as I give another roll of my hips. His hard length feels incredible rubbing against my swollen nub, but what I really need is to be filled full of him.

    It¡¯s the only thing my brain can focus on.

    ¡°You have no idea how badly I want to suck on your tits.¡± Hart brushes the backs of his fingers over my right nipple as his other digs into my hip, guiding me over him. ¡°What are we going to do now, beautiful?¡±

    My body acts without me issuing the order. I reach between us, push up on my knees, and sink down on his tip before the thought crosses my mind that I should act.

    ¡°That works for me,¡± he chokes out. ¡°Christ, Quincy. You¡¯re a fucking dream.¡±

    I curve toward Hart.

    The stretch takes my breath away.

    I¡¯m so full.

    He¡¯s so hard.

    I brush my fingers over the leftover inches of his length that I haven¡¯t managed to take, and my eyes widen. That¡¯s a lot of extra dick when I already feel stretched to my limits. Logically, I know I¡¯m not, but it¡¯s still intimidating.

    Vaginas are forgiving.

    They can and do stretch.

    I just wish I didn¡¯t feel so warm and floaty, because it feels like a lot of work to get all that extra dick inside me. It¡¯ll be worth it, though. I have to make it work if I want his knot. And I want it inside me almost more than I want my next breath.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see if this helps,¡± Hart says, keeping his voice low and soothing. He flicks both nipples and moves to tease my clit.

    My head falls to the side, baring my neck, and I whine. It¡¯s basically my system begging him to take over.

    Everything in the world disappears outside of him. It¡¯s tunnel vision on another human being that I can¡¯t remember ever experiencing. Sweat beads on my skin as I use my hold on his stomach to help push myself up.

    It¡¯s so much work, but I want the bliss that I know wille from having his knot locked inside me.

    ¡°God, I wish I could cage you in.¡±

    My eyes pop open, and I don¡¯t even know when I closed them. ¡°Please?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t do that because of this,¡± he murmurs, palming my stomach. ¡°But you¡¯re sure not making much progress. Here, let me try.¡± His legs rearrange behind me, but I can¡¯t see exactly what he¡¯s doing. ¡°nt your hands on me and hold on, beautiful.¡±

    I mostly fall forward, but luckily, I catch myself. My hair falls around my face and over Hartley¡¯s chest, and I wish I could lie t and melt into him.

    His hands wrap from my hips to my ass, and he bucks up inside me.

    Heat pools in my lower stomach, and sensation takes over. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m not leaving a puddle of slick on his pelvis, but Hart doesn¡¯t seem to mind.

    He growls, shoving me down his length at the same time he thrusts. My core convulses around him and bliss ricochets through my system from an orgasm I didn¡¯t seeing.

    ¡°Goddamn¡­¡± He groans. ¡°Just like that. Milk. My. Cock.¡±

    It gets almost impossible to keep my top half upright with how shaky my arms are, but Hart keeps drilling into me until it seems like reality slips away.

    Hart lifts me off of him, and I sob, shaking my head.

    ¡°No! Why?¡±

    ¡°Ass up,¡± Hart says, and somehow he¡¯s on his knees next to me. ¡°Come on. If you want my knot, you¡¯re going to have to show me that ass.¡± He reaches around me, giving my backside a yful p.

    I whine, my eyes falling shut.

    It¡¯s too much.

    Hartley moves around, and the next thing I know, he¡¯s guiding my hands to the mattress. He shoves a pillow under my tits, and it does help give enough room for my stomach to hang.

    ¡°No pressure on the baby,¡± he says, and I can¡¯t tell if he¡¯s reminding me or himself. He nudges my legs apart, and then he¡¯s back inside me. ¡°Jesus. Will every single time feel like this? I sure fucking hope so.¡±

    Me too.

    My arms give up, and I end up on my forearms, but Hart doesn¡¯t stop working himself deeper.

    My face rolls around the mattress as I sob and beg for his bite. His pheromones thump in the air in response to my perfume. If I didn¡¯t know heats stop at conception, I would swear I¡¯m in full-blown heat.

    Hartley wraps a forearm around my hip, brushing his fingers over my clit. ¡°You have no idea how badly I ache to m my cum into you. Over and over until every alpha who scents you knows you¡¯re mine.¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± I hear myself say. ¡°Bite me!¡±

    Hartley growls and nts his other hand next to my head as he wraps around my back. I honestly have no idea how he pulls it off, but it feels like he¡¯s got one knee on the bed and the other foot t on the outside of my hip.

    It might look silly, but it gets the job done. Every thrust makes his pelvis bump my ass, and we both moan when his knot brushes my lower lips.

    Hart freezes.

    ¡°Please?¡± I beg. ¡°Knot me, please! Hartley, I need you.¡±

    ¡°Beg like that, and I¡¯ll give you anything you ask for.¡± He barely pulls out and bucks deeper.

    His knot slips inside my opening, and I wail. It¡¯s not even fully inted, but it¡¯ll grow so muchrger. My pussy spasms, sending me tumbling into a powerful orgasm.

    It¡¯s all warmth and euphoria.

    Sensation over reality.<hr>

    The air feels cool against my sweaty skin as my eyes pop open, but I gasp when I see I¡¯m up on my knees.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to have my cum dripping out of you for days. That thought does wild shit to my head.¡± Hart¡¯s teeth rake over my shoulder, and I shove my ass back against his pelvis. It drags his knot along my walls, and I whine, leaning forward like I might copse. Luckily, his hand is syed over my sternum, and he manages to keep us both upright. ¡°You¡¯re all mine, Quincy.¡± His warm breath fans over my neck and shoulder as he speaks, making me tremble. The way his hand pushes against my chest increases the feeling of being safely confined in him as he bucks into me. ¡°Such a perfect little pussy stretched around my knot. I swear to fuck, it feels like I¡¯m so deep¡­¡±

    I nod and grind back to meet him.

    His strong muscles feel like safety, and being cocooned in his scent makes me warm and floaty.

    ¡°You gonnae with me this time, sweetheart?¡± He chuckles darkly. ¡°Or am I going to use your tight little pussy to get myself off?¡±

    I never would have guessed how sexy my system would find that thought.

    A shiver slides down my spine.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Looping a hand down, I tease my clit. It takes no time, and I¡¯m there all over again. ¡°Bite me,¡± I beg, chasing my euphoria as I force him deeper inside me. ¡°Hart, oh my god!¡±

    His length jerks inside me, and he snarls.

    I¡¯m so disconnected with reality that I barely notice his teeth raking over my skin.

    The stubborn man moves to sucking on my shoulder, but he doesn¡¯t sink his teeth in.

    Hartley¡¯s scent floods the air, and my perfume pulses in response. His knot swells almost to the point of pain, and somehow my system just converts that to more pleasure.

    The haze gets too deep, and that¡¯s thest thing I remember.

 : Chapter 12

    Iwake up warm and content. Hartley¡¯s snowy, woodsy scent is everywhere. shes ofst night file through my brain, and my teeth dig into my lower lip.

    He has a filthy mouth, and I loved every second of it. He was so sweet and tender when it came to making sure the baby was safe, but absolutely feral as he wrecked me in the best way possible.

    My cheeks heat as I remember some of the ridiculous things that spilled from my lips.

    I begged him to bite me.

    The yearning I felt as I pleaded with him to bond me hits me square in the chest. I¡¯ve been lonely, but that¡¯s no excuse to pressure someone into a lifelongmitment.

    My dder is ufortably full, but it¡¯s tempting to stay in this safe little bubble with him. The baby stretches, and it¡¯s a huge relief to feel her in there, moving around.

    Hartley¡¯s warm skin is wrapped around my back, and he has a hand nted possessively on my stomach.

    I frown.

    He might wake up totally freaked out.

    If you¡¯re not used to it, it kinda feels like an alien is trying to climb out of my skin.

    Our pheromones and instincts were in chargest night, and I have no way of guessing how he¡¯s going to react.

    God, I hope he doesn¡¯t freak out.

    It would break my heart. Outside of Sutton, he¡¯s one of the only people I have in Vermont. Ruining that rtionship would suck.

    Dr. Lindsay was right when she said my body was asking for what it needed. Seeing how I reacted to being so close to his pheromones is eye-opening.

    I didn¡¯t think I was that bad off, but watching it y out in real time¡­ Dammit, I probably should have listened to her advice weeks ago.

    Thest thing I want is to make poor choices that negatively impact my daughter. I¡¯ve been so focused on Ridge, and how he would feel about everything, that it kinda left me in limbo.

    Hart gently pushing his way into hanging out was exactly what I needed. It showed me how desperate my body is for ess to alpha pheromones and embarrassingly enough¡­semen.

    Alpha and omega biology is so out of pocket, but for the first time in months, I actually feel well-rested.

    My eyes pop open, and panic sets in for a few seconds until I remember it¡¯s my day off.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Hart mumbles, running his hand over my stomach. ¡°You were rxed and snuggly, but you went stiff.¡±

    ¡°I forgot it¡¯s my day off.¡± I run my hand over his. ¡°And I really need to pee, but getting up feels like a lot of work.¡±

    He snorts. ¡°I¡¯m not looking forward to having to trek outside to grab my overnight bag, but my boxer briefs are done for. I used to be a big fan of goingmando until I had a zipper pubic hair incident that damn near scarred me for life.¡±

    I snort, but then realize he might need his clothes because he¡¯s about to bolt.

    ¡°Are you supposed to be opening?¡± I ask, trying to keep the anxiety out of my tone.

    The thought of him leaving sends an ufortable pang to my stomach.

    My eyes ache like I might burst into tears, and I have no idea what¡¯s causing the ridiculous overreaction. Logically, I understand he has work and other responsibilities outside of lying here, cuddled up with me, but my instincts are on edge.

    He should stay here where it¡¯s safe.

    I frown.

    Wow, my impulses are acting even more bizarre than usual.

    ¡°Nah,¡± Hartley says, leaning up and kissing my temple. ¡°I texted Harrison a little after five and told him I wouldn¡¯t be in today.¡±

    ¡°Is he upset?¡± My fingers tease through Hartley¡¯s to hopefully give him a little hint of how much I appreciate him not sneaking out before I woke up this morning.

    ¡°He¡¯s the one who told me that he¡¯s ready to get back to work.¡± He shrugs. I can¡¯t see it, but I can feel his muscles move behind me. ¡°It¡¯s what we were talking about yesterday in the office. He said he nned to open this morning so he could audit the schedule while it¡¯s not busy.¡±

    My chest gets tight.

    Does that mean he¡¯s looking to fire a few employees? Or is he going to switch around our hours to make our shifts less costly? During shift change, the morning servers usually stay an hour to ovep with the afternoon crew. They pay us a lot higher hourly wage than what I got serving in Florida, so it might actually be taxing the business. I don¡¯t even know if that¡¯s how they¡¯ve always done things or if it¡¯s something Hartley implemented.

    Now I¡¯m panicking that Harrison is going to take over and fire me. That, or cut back my hours until I have no choice but to quit.

    ¡°All right. How about I help you up?¡± Hart suggests. Holding his head up on his palm, he stretches around enough that he can see my face. ¡°I know you need to pee. I¡¯ve got to run down and grab my bag from my SUV, then we can have breakfast and some more snuggle time.¡±

    I need to ask him what¡¯s going on between us. Guessing could prove disastrous if I assume all the things my instincts are busy trying to convince me of.

    Either way, I¡¯m not brave enough to push for answers right this second, but I can¡¯t let myself get any more attached to him either.

    Not until I know where his head is at.<hr>

    I¡¯ve slipped and fallen into an alternate dimension. There¡¯s no other exnation for how drastically things have changed over thest few days.

    By the time I take a quick shower, dress, and make it downstairs, Hartley has changed. He¡¯s in a pair of thin, dark gray sweats and a T-shirt. Seeing him barefoot, unloading take-out boxes on the coffee table in my living room, is surreal.

    The ck gauges in his ears catch the light, and his wavy blond hair falls over his forehead as he checks out what¡¯s in each box and pours syrup over something.

    The baby wiggles, and my hand flies to my stomach. She¡¯s been moving like crazy this morning, and I can only hope it¡¯s a good sign.

    Hartley¡¯s head tilts, and a yful smile tips his lips as he spots me. ¡°Is the nugget hungry?¡± Heughs. ¡°I¡¯m starving.¡±

    Little crinkles appear around his eyes and mouth with how wide he¡¯s smiling, and my stomach flip-flops with butterflies. For being one of the hottest men I¡¯ve seen, he¡¯s surprisingly down to earth and easy to be around.

    ¡°Come sit with me,¡± he says, standing to his full height. ¡°I know if I¡¯m hungry, you¡¯ve got to be famished.¡± His T-shirt seems stretched to capacity over his strong chest, and I swear my brain short-circuits.

    He must get tired of waiting for me toply because he strides over, grabs my hand, and pulls me toward the couch.

    Once we reach the edge of the sofa, he spins around and nts his hands on my hips. ¡°Mmm, you smell nice. Did you have a good shower?¡±

    My heart thumps erratically, and I nod. ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± His head dips, and he barely teases his lips over mine. ¡°I was kinda hoping you¡¯d spend the day smelling like me.¡± He chuckles and guides me to sit on the couch. ¡°This just means I get the joy of covering you in my scent all over again.¡±

    I blink, trying to decide if I missed an important conversation somewhere. A huge part of me wants to roll with whatever is happening between us, while another piece is just confused.

    ¡°I like you,¡± I blurt out before I can think it through. ¡°A lot. I like you a lot, Hart, but I¡¯m so confused.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll bet you are.¡± He snorts, grabbing one of the Styrofoam containers and taking the seat directly next to me. ¡°Sorry, sweetheart. I really suck at this whole rtionship thing. In my defense, I haven¡¯t asked someone to be my girlfriend since high school.¡±

    ¡°Girlfriend?¡± I hear myself whisper as he opens the box of food.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± He plucks out a piece of bacon and offers it to me. ¡°I mean, that word feels a little silly when you¡¯re pregnant?¡ª¡±

    ¡°The baby isn¡¯t yours,¡± I say, and my face burns.

    He knows the baby isn¡¯t his.

    It¡¯s a known fact, so I have no idea why I said that.

    I think Hartley¡¯s hotness factor actually makes me less intelligent, like all my brain cells melt away when he¡¯s close by.

    ¡°Take a bite,¡± he murmurs, shoving the bacon against my lips. It smells delicious, and I open, doing exactly as hemanded. ¡°See, here¡¯s the thing, and I¡¯ve thought about this in detail.¡± He stretches out a long arm, grabbing a to-go cup and offering it to me. I move to grab it, but his head shakes. ¡°Nuh-uh. Let me. Feeding my mom breakfast is one of the things my dads fight over to this day. And I get why. My instincts love seeing you eat from my hand, and apparently, that extends to holding your drink too.¡±

    His blue eyes sparkle, and he wiggles the cup.

    Everything in me wants to please him, and it¡¯s such an easy concession to make. I¡¯m used to being pretty independent, but I¡¯ve never been the type to cut off my own nose just to spite my face.

    Not to mention, my instincts seem to think it¡¯s the most romantic thing in the world that he wants to feed me by hand. Leaning forward, I wrap my lips around the straw and take a long swig.

    The Coke tastes minty, since I brushed my teeth after my shower, but I love the fizz when the carbonation hits my tongue.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, pulling back.

    ¡°What was I saying?¡± Hart takes a quick drink and puts it down on the coffee table before grabbing a packet of stic silverware. ¡°Oh yeah, I¡¯ve thought about it a lot, and it doesn¡¯t really matter that the nugget isn¡¯t mine.¡±

    My pulse picks up so loud that I can hear it in my ears.

    I love that he has a special nickname for the baby. It came from him picking on me about eating so many chicken nuggets during my first trimester. I really did eat a lot of them. It was one of the few foods that if eaten at the right time of day, I didn¡¯t get sick. I had killer cravings for ranch dressing, and sometimes fries just didn¡¯t cut it.

    ¡°Sasha has four alphas in her pack,¡± he says, referencing his brother¡¯s omega. ¡°But only one of them fertilized the egg. Harrison might have hit the DNA jackpot, or he might not, but let anyone try to tell him the twins aren¡¯t his¡­¡± He¡¯s been working on cutting up a biscuit topped with spicy-smelling sausage gravy. He offers me a bite, cupping his hand and holding it under the fork to avoid any spills. ¡°That¡¯s just part of being an alpha. We grow up knowing there¡¯s a good chance we¡¯ll end up raising children that aren¡¯t biologically our own, but honestly, biology isn¡¯t what makes a family. I love all my dads the same.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I agree. ¡°I grew up in a pack too. I guess it just feels different? I don¡¯t know how to exin it.¡±

    ¡°Ahh, I see.¡± Hart nods, offering me a bite of eggs. ¡°I used the wrong word. I shouldn¡¯t have asked you to be my girlfriend.¡± I take the bite, and he grabs the drink, offering it so I wash down the eggs. ¡°I want to court you, Quincy.¡±

    It¡¯s a good thing that he offered me that drink¡­

    I sputter and choke.

 : Chapter 13

    My eyes feel huge as I study Hartley¡¯s handsome face. He does love to joke a lot, but he looks deathly serious at the moment.

    ¡°You want to court me?¡± I ask, and even I can hear the disbelief in my tone.

    ¡°I do.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± My hand flies to my face. ¡°I like you a lot, Hart. It¡¯s just¡­ My world is about to change in a big way.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been living with Harrison, his pack, and twin newborns since I came back to town.¡± He catches my hand, pulling it away from my face. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re older now, but I saw every bit of what it¡¯s like to be a parent. The good, the bad, and the ugly.¡± His thumb teases over my wrist as it rests against my thigh. ¡°I saw how hard it was for them, and the thought of you trying to do it all alone kills me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a good man,¡± I say, trying to find the right words to go on.

    ¡°Not good enough to court you just so you don¡¯t have to raise a baby alone.¡± He grimaces. ¡°That came out wrong. I¡¯m excited to meet her. I¡¯ve known for a while that Harrison was thinking abouting back to work, and every time he mentioned it, I got a pit in my gut. When I first came up here, I thought the days couldn¡¯t pass fast enough. Then you came into the restaurant, and I started dreading the day they wouldn¡¯t need me anymore¡­¡± He lets go of my wrist, moves the food to the table, and scoots closer to my side. ¡°I don¡¯t want to leave Burlington, which means I probably need to sell my house in Charleston. My roommates are going to be pissed, but they¡¯ll deal. They¡¯ve been living there rent free the entire time I¡¯ve been up here.¡± He offers a chagrined smile. ¡°Which brings me to my next question. Can I move in with you?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± I squawk.

    Holy shit. I didn¡¯t even realize I could produce that particr sound.

    ¡°Yeah, see, I¡¯m pretty sure Harrison and his pack want their house back. The girls are getting older, and they want their privacy.¡± He smiles tightly and shrugs. ¡°I¡¯m basically like the houseguest that just won¡¯t leave.¡±

    The fake smile makes me think that he¡¯s ufortable even talking about it, or I guess maybe he¡¯s embarrassed that he¡¯s overstayed his wee with Harrison. I¡¯m not sure what is causing his unease, but my system aches to soothe him.

    ¡°I¡¯m sure they don¡¯t mind having you there,¡± I say, patting his thigh. ¡°You¡¯ve been a huge help at the restaurant so Harrison can be home with his family.¡±

    ¡°Harrison probably would have pushed toe back to work months ago, but he knew I needed an excuse to see you every day.¡± Hart brushes his fingers over my cheek. ¡°I also really fucking hate the idea of you living with a stranger. Let me stay here while we figure stuff out. I¡¯ll chip in on the bills and whatever else you¡¯re struggling with.¡±

    My eyes dance over his face as my mind races. He¡¯s either telling the truth or he¡¯s very good at misdirection. I¡¯m just having trouble believing that he¡¯s stuck around Burlington¡ªat least in part¡ªdue to me.

    ¡°Why wait so long to bring it up?¡±

    He shrugs. ¡°I wanted to ask you out from the very beginning, but it felt wrong. You were grieving your grandma, then the baby popped up. I was just trying to give you time to getfortable with me.¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± I assure him. ¡°You make me feel safe.¡±

    My teeth dig into my lower lip.

    I¡¯m not sure I meant to admit that, but he¡¯s been open and honest with me, and I feel like I owe him the same in return.

    ¡°God, you make me feel like a king.¡± Hart groans, leaning in and capturing my lips. His fingers slide into my hair, cradling my skull as he peppers me with sensual kisses.

    Sexy little shes ofst night rey in my mind, and I whimper against his lips.

    He pulls back all too quickly, settling against the couch cushion. ¡°We never got to have any of the important conversationsst night. We should probably do that now to get it out of the way.¡± His palmes to rest on my stomach as he studies my face. ¡°We didn¡¯t even talk about using condoms. Not that I had one with me, if we¡¯d been clear enough to have that talk.¡±

    My face burns like I dipped it into a bowl of acid. I have some clear memories fromst night, but most of it is hazy. When I really try to focus on it, ites more as shes and bits and pieces.

    ¡°I did some research after I saw that pamphlet for The Omega Exchange,¡± Hart says, sounding a lot more serious. ¡°I know what you need, and I don¡¯t want you to get it from anyone but me.¡±

    My head tilts.

    That sounds a lot like he knew there was a chance my system could overreact with us being in close proximity.

    If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯m relieved.

    I spent a while in the shower wondering if my need for alpha pheromones rushed us into being intimate. Then I spent a while trying to convince myself not to make something out of nothing. I was practically nning a whole future for us when I didn¡¯t even know where his head was at.

    My mom always warned me that omegas are known to be obsessive and clingy. When we find someone we want in our pack, we don¡¯t hesitate.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about you or the baby,¡± Hart says, running his hand over my stomach. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t fuck around with something so important. I¡¯ve been checked multiple times since I¡¯ve been with anyone. Everything was negative. I don¡¯t have a copy of my records with me, but I could ask my doctor¡¯s office to send me myst results¡­¡±

    My hand falls to his, giving it a squeeze. ¡°Thank you for telling me. I was going to ask, but I appreciate you bringing it up so I didn¡¯t have to. They checked me for everything when I got pregnant.¡±

    ¡°Perfect,¡± he says, his face breaking into a yful smile. ¡°So, now that we¡¯re courting and fluid bonded, how do you feel about a roommate? I¡¯m even willing to sleep in my own room for the time being if you need some space.¡±

    My heart thunders.

    It¡¯s been hard being all alone up here. Even in Florida, I lived ten minutes from my parents. Vermont is like an entirely different world, and while I¡¯ve been surviving, it hasn¡¯t felt a whole lot like actually living.

    I¡¯ve been so lonely.

    I thought a roommate might help, but the prospect of living with some unknown person has always made me nervous. Not to mention, how intimidating it feels to think about bringing the baby home from the hospital without any assistance.

    But is that fair to Hart?

    He brings so much to the table.

    What do I bring, besides a whole lot of baggage?

    I shake away those thoughts.

    No, I¡¯m not letting my head go there.

    Alphas are pulled to care for and look after omegas. Omegas, in turn, thrive under that gentle guidance. He understands how alpha and omega biology works just as well as I do. He¡¯s an adult. I¡¯m not forcing him into anything. If he says he wants to be here and try to make things work between us¡­

    I¡¯m willing to take that at face value and give it a shot.

    ¡°We can try,¡± I finally say.

    ¡°Perfect.¡± Hart purrs the word, diving in for another quick kiss.

    It¡¯s a great distraction as my mind drifts to Ridge. I¡¯ll need to have a conversation with Hart about him sometime soon, but I spent months searching for that alpha.

    If I didn¡¯t know better, I¡¯d think he was a ghost, but the baby proves that¡¯s not the case. I just don¡¯t know what else I can do to find him, and I don¡¯t think I can keep putting my life on hold for something that may never happen. It¡¯s a tragedy, but sometimes that¡¯s how life goes. I can¡¯t wait forever with no guarantee that I¡¯ll ever be able to locate him.

    Hartley makes me happy.

    I deserve to have something good in my life, and I¡¯ll keep reminding myself any time I forget.

    ¡°Before I forget,¡± he murmurs against my lips, ¡°I think you should call your doctor. Maybe see if she can get us in.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Your perfume was crazyst night. I¡¯ve never experienced anything like it.¡± He nuzzles his cheek to mine and sits back against the couch. ¡°I want to ask her a few questions. See if there¡¯s anything I need to look out for or ways to head off your temperature getting that high.¡± He shrugs. ¡°That¡¯s if you¡¯refortable with meing to your appointment with you, but I think it¡¯s a good idea to loop her in and see what she has to say.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll call the office and see if they can get me in.¡±<hr>

    Dr. Lindsay is fully booked today and tomorrow. The nurse calls me back, and we chat a little, but since it¡¯s not an emergency, we agree I should wait ande in the day after tomorrow.

    Hartley cleans up breakfast and takes a quick shower while I start a load ofundry. It¡¯s so bizarre how easy it is to have him here. It¡¯s hard to believe he¡¯s a celebrity. He doesn¡¯t seem spoiled or like he¡¯s used to only having the most expensive things. I shouldn¡¯t stereotype him, especially since I haven¡¯t met any other actual celebrities.

    I¡¯m just tidying up the living room when Hartes in. I can¡¯t see him initially, but the creaking floorboards give him away, and I nce up, spotting him in the mirror.

    ¡°I love the sexy little dresses you wear around the house.¡± He growls, prowling closer. ¡°Whoever designed them is the real MVP.¡±

    I¡¯m frozen in ce, watching him in the mirror as he approaches. Once I¡¯m within reach, he pulls my hair to the side, baring my neck. His fingers scratch against the soft material of my dress, and he buries his face in my throat from behind.

    ¡°Such a delectable little omega.¡± He licks and sucks my throat, making my damn knees weak. ¡°You have no idea how much self-control it took not to dig my teeth inst night. It was close a couple of times.¡±

    I lean against his strong chest, relishing how sturdy he feels behind me. He nips at my ear, and I jolt, mming my ass back into his pelvis.

    Hart pulls free of my throat and chuckles, catching my gaze in the mirror. ¡°How good are you with makeup?¡±

    ¡°Fine, I guess, why?¡±

    He keeps right onughing. ¡°It appears I left a couple marks. Personally, I like the idea of everyone knowing you¡¯re taken, but I figured you might want to cover them up before your next shift.¡±

    ¡°Hartley!¡± I snort, spinning in his hold. My handse to rest on his T-shirt over his muscr stomach. ¡°Did you do that on purpose?¡±

    ¡°Maybe subconsciously.¡± He grins, dipping his mouth to mine. His beard pokes into my skin, but I don¡¯t mind. I¡¯ll wear beard burn with pride to feel him kiss me the way he does.

    I lean into him, stretching onto my tiptoes to deepen the kiss as his hand digs into my ass. And I¡¯m as heartbroken as I always am when he pulls back.

    A wicked smirk takes the ce of his yful grin. ¡°See, the goal is sinking my teeth in. That way, there won¡¯t be any doubts about who you belong to.¡±

    Man, he knows how to make me feel special. I just hope he really does understand how different life will be when the baby gets here.<hr>

    The day passeszily, and I soak up every bit of affection Hart so freely gives. It¡¯s icy and cold outside, which makes for a perfect excuse to skip grocery shopping and order in for an early dinner instead.

    I lean with my back against Hart¡¯s chest as we watch the new season of a TV show about an FBI profiling team.

    I keep waiting for him to mention heading home, but it clicks all over again that he wants to stay here. It will be nice having an extra set of hands to put together the furniture and baby stuff that I¡¯ve got stacked in the room that will be hers. And more than that, it¡¯s unreal to actually experience human connection again.

    ¡°Do you have a lot of stuff to move?¡± I ask, looking at Hart over my shoulder. ¡°I can help a little, but I¡¯m probably more of a hindrance these days.¡±

    ¡°I only brought clothes and shoes with me. I¡¯ve got a whole house full of shit in Charleston, but that¡¯ll hold for now.¡± He keeps one hand on my stomach, tenderly caressing, while the other moves to rest on my thigh.

    It¡¯s hard not to let myself be distracted by the way his veins pop out on his hands as he moves. It¡¯s such a weird thing to be attracted to, but veiny arms and hands have always been my personal weakness. Not to mention, being wrapped up in his snowy, woodsy scent is giving me a feeling of calm euphoria that I could get addicted to if I¡¯m not careful.

    ¡°I¡¯m off again tomorrow if you want to handle it then,¡± I say around a yawn.

    He chuckles. ¡°It won¡¯t take me more than an hour to get it all moved. I¡¯ll miss my mattress, though. It¡¯s the one thing I reced in Harrison¡¯s guest room. The one that was in there when I got here was like sleeping on bricks.¡±

    Iugh.

    My bed honestly isn¡¯t much better than that, but I haven¡¯t had the money to rece it. Hopefully he¡¯s adaptable because staying here will be like roughing it.

 : Chapter 14

    Knox and I work well together. He¡¯s decentpany when I want conversation, and he knows how to read the room and keep his mouth shut when I¡¯m not feeling chatty.

    Trigg is another storypletely.

    That fucker creeps me out almost on the same level Easton does, which is an aplishment.

    Hell, at least East knows how to fake being human.

    I¡¯m pretty sure Trigg must have stuck out like a sore thumb in school. I bet he peered up at his teacher and blinked those cold, dead eyes, and asked something like have you ever touched a dead body? The next thing the school board knew, they had a rash of retiring educators.

    It takes all damn day for him to pack up his hotel room. He¡¯s got almost as manyputers and screens as Calder has in his tech cave at the office. And he¡¯s so fucking picky about how to pack them that it takes the three of us and multiple trips to get everything settled at my house.

    Our final trip is mostly his suitcases and arsenal of weapons. If nothing else, I can appreciate a man who travels with enough firepower to bring down a small country.

    Trigg somehow takes over the passenger seat before I can climb into Knox¡¯s SUV. We¡¯ve taken multiple vehicles during previous trips, but since there was so little left to grab, we decided on riding together for thisst round.

    My head tilts, and I re at Trigg through the passenger window. I¡¯m going to let King piss in his shoes for that little stunt. Maybe I¡¯ll let him into Trigg¡¯s room and help him up on the bed so he can piss on that expensiveforter Trigg brought with him.

    I stomp to the back door and squeeze myself into the back seat. My legs are spread in a V, and I¡¯m sitting as far back as I can get, but my knees still dig into the leather of the seats in front of me. This is how it goes anytime I¡¯m forced to try to fit in the back seat of any vehicle. Hell, maybe I should climb around and sit in the very back row. Then I could stow the middle row of seats, and maybe my knees wouldn¡¯t be about to leave a permanent indentation in the back of Knox¡¯s seats.

    I already gave Trigg the talk about checking all his shit for bed bugs. He better throw that expensive-ass nket into the washer on the sanitize cycle as soon as we get in, or I will toss it in the dumpster.

    I¡¯m cranky.

    Having Knox in my space is one thing. He¡¯s used to staying over since he keeps King for me whenever I¡¯m out of town. Adding Trigg to the mix is making me itchy.<hr>

    ¡°Hey, asshole, did you forget the way to my house?¡± I grumble, smacking the back of Knox¡¯s head.

    I was just contemting asking where they want to grab takeout from for dinner, but it seems like Knox is lost.

    Delivery is probably easier, anyway. That way, we don¡¯t have to sit around waiting for them to make the food.

    ¡°No.¡± He snorts. ¡°Trigg told me that we have one more stop.¡±

    ¡°That is correct,¡± Trigg says. ¡°Make the next right. Two streets down, you¡¯re going to make a left. I need to pick up my girlfriend.¡±

    I scoff, shaking my head. ¡°You mean kidnap the poor woman who has no idea you¡¯ve been stalking her?¡±

    After our meeting with Easton yesterday, everything moved fast.

    The office went into lockdown mode, and everyone was informed of the threat.

    Knox brought all his stuff overst night and took over the room he always stays in.

    Trigg came over and gave us the full rundown of everyone he thinks Costa brought to Vermont and all the known yers who viewed my contract. Half of them probably aren¡¯t even here, but he went through every one of them. Either way, it¡¯s good to know who to look out for.

    He stayed focused during his debrief, but for the rest of the night up until he left, Trigg was on his phone repeatedly. Every time I tried to catch a look at what he was watching, he quickly exited the screen.

    I would say that poor woman has no idea she has cameras in her house.

    Not that it¡¯s my business.

    It probably runs in his gics or something. Easton was all over Briar¡¯s ass for months, and she had no idea. I know better than to get between a psychopath and their current hyperfixation.

    Here¡¯s hoping we don¡¯t end up in jail for kidnapping¡­<hr>

    Knox stays in the SUV, but I follow Trigg to the door. Someone should probably be around to ensure he doesn¡¯t scare the poor woman to death.

    He seems like the type to tote her kicking and screaming from the house.

    Dammit.

    I should have waited in the SUV too.

    Maybe even encouraged Knox to drive off while Trigg was preupied.

    Speaking of the deranged alpha, he hits a knee by the front door and begins picking the lock.

    Jesus.

    Where the hell did that thinge from?

    Does he have a spawn tool like a video game character?

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think knocking would be a better approach?¡± I ask, shoving my hands into my pockets and rocking on my heels.

    ¡°No,¡± he says simply, moving from the top lock to the bottom. ¡°Once she getsfortable, it¡¯s difficult for her to get up.¡± He sighs heavily. ¡°Also, if that asshole who thinks he can beat me in an alpha pissing match is the one to open the door, I might snap his neck. Then I¡¯ll have to exin why he disappeared, and no excuses seem usible.¡±

    ¡°Man, tell me you¡¯re not about to try to kidnap a woman who has a boyfriend.¡± I¡¯ve seen Easton do some pretty questionable shit over the years¡ªillegal activities that I swore we would go down for¡ªbut he¡¯s calcting enough to n for all the variables before taking action.

    Trigg is a few years younger than us, which could be the reason, but he doesn¡¯t seem to have that same level of premeditation.

    He must feel confident that he¡¯s popped thest lock because he hits his feet and tries the handle.

    The door pushes open.

    My head falls back as it shakes, and I silently curse the universe. Of course she couldn¡¯t have had some super lock that Trigg couldn¡¯t sessfully pick. My luck isn¡¯t solid enough for that.

    I know one thing for sure¡ªI¡¯m not going to prison for Easton¡¯s half brother.

    Furthermore, this asshole is supposed to be here to keep me alive¡­not to kidnap some poor, unsuspecting woman.

    Trigg pushes the door open and strides inside, and I legitimately do not know what to do with myself.

    I¡¯m no stranger to illegal activities¡ªI kill people professionally¡ªbut I¡¯m not sure how I feel about this.

    If it wouldn¡¯t make me look like a snitch, I¡¯d call Easton and rat Trigg out. But in my line of work, loose lips get you murdered in your sleep.

    ¡°This is gonna go well.¡± I snort. ¡°I can feel it¡­¡± I curse under my breath and follow the psycho inside the house.

    My nose twitches.

    Am I hallucinating?

    No.

    No fucking way.

    That coconut and creamy vani scent is distinct. It¡¯s haunted my dreams for months.

    There¡¯s no possible way¡­

    ¡°Angel? I hate to drop by unannounced, but it¡¯s an emergency,¡± Trigg says, taking a left and disappearing into whatever room that leads to. ¡°Quincy?¡±

    My jaw hits the floor like I¡¯m a cartoon character.

 : Chapter 15

    I¡¯m sure I look like a drunk, stumbling into the wall outside the room Trigg entered. I lean against the doorway, taking stock of the living room.

    Trigg only made it a few more steps into the room than I did. He¡¯s turned sideways just enough for me to spot his scowl. His eyes narrow, and he res with the same look on his face that Easton gets when someone is about to suffer.

    This has to be a hallucination.

    Wishful thinking after wanting to find Quincy for so long?

    I asked Calder to look into locating her when I found out about Trigg¡¯s existence, but a first name and a city wasn¡¯t much to go on. He told me it would take some time¡ªpossibly weeks¡ªunless he got lucky and caught her on a security camera the night we hooked up. But he also warned me that a lot of local systems scrub their old feeds to make room for new recordings. Finding a ce that has footage from that long ago isn¡¯t likely unless it¡¯s one of the government cameras.

    The long dark hair of the woman on the couch is familiar and so is that scent.

    The man with his hand nted on the arm of the sofa as he cages her in is no one I recognize.

    At least, not at first.

    He growls and pops up, moving to kneel on the end of the sofa by the woman¡¯s feet, and that¡¯s when I catch sight of his face. ¡°What the fuck?¡±

    ¡°Trigg?¡± Quincy asks, and her voice is so familiar that my knees wobble.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you think you¡¯re doing here, but you need to leave,¡± Hartley says. ¡°I told you there was something wrong with that guy.¡± Thest part he says to Quincy, like Trigg can¡¯t hear every word of what he just said.

    I¡¯m still confused how Hartley Adams ended up snuggled on the couch with the woman I had the best sex of my entire life with, but I will slit his throat and leave his body to bleed out on the wooden flooring if he doesn¡¯t move away from her in the next two seconds.

    ¡°Holy shit, Ridge?¡± Quincy¡¯s voice sounds a lot more frantic now than when she spotted Trigg in her house, which doesn¡¯t bode well for her self-preservation skills.

    If she¡¯s more intimidated by me than she is him¡­

    Well, that¡¯s a bad look for me.

    My gaze swings to the side, taking her in. She was stretched out on the couch as she and the former quarterback were engaged in some kind of forey, but she now sits vertically.

    It¡¯s a good thing.

    It puts a whole cushion between her and Hartley.

    Holy fuck.

    Maybe I¡¯m in shock?

    I blink.

    And blink some more.

    But she¡¯s still pregnant.

    I never take off my sses in public, unless it¡¯s a situation where it would be rude to leave them on, but I rip them off, dropping them on the top of my head.

    She¡¯s super pregnant¡ªlike not a couple of months along. She has to be approaching the end of her pregnancy. I¡¯m not the best when ites to math, but I pull up my hand, trying to count backward from January to find out when she got knocked up.

    My God.

    Fucking hell.

    There¡¯s a possibility that baby is mine.

    If she¡¯s eight or nine months¡­

    Shit, I know from my sister¡¯s having a whole herd of kids that pregnancy is calcted in a weird way. It also goes the full forty weeks, which is technically the beginning of the tenth month. For once in my life, I¡¯m grateful for having four pain-in-the-ass sisters.

    The bottom line is, I¡¯m not going to know if I don¡¯t ask.

    My heart stalls, and my hand flies to my chest to rub at the ache.

    I¡¯m about to have a heart attack.

    My shitty eating habits have finally caught up with me.

    Absolute chaos transpires around us, but I can¡¯t form words.

    The dick in his boxer briefs helps Quincy off the couch, and all I can focus on is the swell of her stomach and how different she looks since thest time I saw her.

    She¡¯s just as beautiful as she was that night, but she¡¯s glowing now. I finally understand that saying about pregnant women looking more vibrant.

    Hartley is only in boxer briefs, but Quincy is in a thin sleep dress that hides all the important bits. Hopefully that means we interrupted them before the sex and not after.

    ¡°The two of you know each other?¡± Quincy asks, nting her hands on her hips. ¡°Someone needs to tell me what is going on.¡±

    I¡¯m of a simr mindset.

    We had a connection that night. A chemistry that I¡¯ve never felt with another human being, and she got up and left like it was nothing.

    And now she¡¯s pregnant?

    I¡¯m usually pretty fucking ster at rolling with the punches, but apparently that onlysts until my brain literally overloads.

    How am I supposed to ask if that¡¯s my baby without sounding like an absolute fuckface?

    Does it really matter if I sound like a dick?

    I have to ask¡­

    I¡¯ll just frame it in a polite way. And hold off asking how she could abandon me in that hotel room until after I¡¯m no longer bitter as fuck about it.

    ¡°Ridge and I are acquaintances.¡± Trigg crosses his arms. ¡°Coworkers, if you will. We only met when I came to Burlington. I also had no idea about any prior rtionship orck thereof that the two of you may have had.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a haughty fucker,¡± I growl, rolling my eyes.

    He ignores mepletely, instead splitting his focus between Hartley and Quincy.

    ¡°I know you¡¯ve been relying on your employer more and moretely, but I¡¯m here now, and we have an emergency,¡± Trigg says in a monotone voice that reminds me a little too much of Easton. ¡°Hartley can return to his restaurant while youe with me and Ridge.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Quincy squeaks. ¡°What are you even talking about?¡±

    ¡°I told you something was wrong with that guy,¡± the asshole at Quincy¡¯s side says. ¡°You need to go before I call the cops.¡±

    A low, dangerous growl rattles out of my chest. It¡¯s a warning that he should heed if he would like to continue breathing.

    Quincy is the only one who can kick us out. I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s his house¡ªwhich I don¡¯t think it is, based on what Trigg has said. Even then, if she doesn¡¯t want me around, she¡¯s going to need to answer a few questions.

    The most prominent being¡­

    ¡°Is that my baby?¡± I ask, pointing at her stomach.

    ¡°Um, w-we s-should talk,¡± she stutters, swallowing thickly.

    The look on her face as her hand flies to cradle her stomach tells me all I need to know.

    ¡°Holy shit,¡± I choke out.

    ¡°Seriously, where the fuck did my pants go? They couldn¡¯t have made it that far,¡± Hartley mumbles, ncing around. ¡°I never should have let my security team go. Trust me, beautiful. I can recognize a stalker when I see one?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Your opinion of me matters none,¡± Trigg says, rolling his eyes. He focuses on Quincy and goes on. ¡°And yes, you and Ridge clearly need to have a conversation. You can do that once we have you settled somewhere safe.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what bullshit mind games you¡¯re trying to y, but there¡¯s no way I¡¯m letting her leave with you,¡± Hartley growls, sounding like an alpha for the first time.

    Trigg stomps forward, unbuttons his jacket, pulls his gun from its holster, and ms the muzzle into Hartley¡¯s temple. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll remove you from the equationpletely, then.¡±

    ¡°Whoa!¡± Quincy chokes out with wide eyes. ¡°What in the world is wrong with you?¡± She looks at me. ¡°You brought him here. Aren¡¯t you going to do something to stop this?¡±

    ¡°Actually, I had no idea how to find you,¡± I say pointedly as I rock on my heels. ¡°He brought me here if you want to get technical.¡±

    Her eyes narrow. ¡°There were extenuating circumstances that I will tell you about.¡± She jabs a finger at Trigg. ¡°You specifically asked me if I was afraid of you, and I told you the truth, but this isn¡¯t okay.¡±

    ¡°You have nothing to fear from me,¡± he says calmly. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t, either, but he¡¯s being even more of a pain in the ass than normal. I would love to know why he thinks he has the right to stop you from leaving with me.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s my girlfriend, and I live here,¡± Hartley says, like he wants Trigg to stter his brain all over the living room floor.

    ¡°Is this true?¡± Trigg asks Quincy.

    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s all very fresh.¡± She nods. ¡°Please don¡¯t hurt him.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t react thest time he was over,¡± Trigg says petntly. ¡°But I believe you just hurt my feelings.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re really not helping yourself sound like less of a stalker,¡± I say out of the side of my mouth. ¡°Like, at all. Dial it back, man.¡±

    ¡°How would you know he was here before?¡± Quincy asks. ¡°You really have been stalking me?¡±

    I¡¯m more focused on Hartley. His jaw clenches, and everything in me says he¡¯s going to go for the gun while Trigg is distracted answering Quincy.

    ¡°I have been romantically checking in on you. Just to make sure you¡¯re okay here alone in this giant house,¡± Trigg says, not helping his case one tiny fucking bit.

    ¡°He¡¯s about to¡ª¡± My words cut off as Hartley ducks and pivots, mming Trigg¡¯s gun arm toward the back of the room. He¡¯s damn lucky the gun ends up pointing away from Quincy, or I would have rearranged both their faces for that stupid fucking move.

    Hartley tackles Trigg.

    Huh, looks like he did learn something from all those years on the field. He wasn¡¯t doing the tackling then, but he picked up a trick or two.

    I sigh as the gun goes flying.

    Quincy¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°I¡¯ve had enough of whatever this is!¡± Her head swivels until her gaze meets mine. ¡°Stop them!¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re just negotiating the pecking order. It¡¯ll be better if we don¡¯t interfere. That¡¯s something they have to hash out among themselves.¡± I shove my hands into my pockets and stride closer, trying not to look like a giant. It¡¯s practically impossible, but I still slouch, hoping it¡¯ll help me look like less of a threat. ¡°How pregnant are you?¡±

    ¡°The baby is yours,¡± she says, her eyes falling shut.

    My heart stalls in my chest, but the way her brow furrows as her lips purse keeps me from snapping something shitty. She looks like she¡¯s physically in pain, and I hate it.

    I also hate that if she¡¯s right, I¡¯ve missed out on a shit ton of memories that I can never get back. I¡¯ll never get to see the lines on the test turn pink with her. I won¡¯t be able to go to the appointment when you first get to hear the heartbeat or see the first ultrasound. Never get to battle it out over whether we want to know the gender of the baby. I won¡¯t have the chance to watch her stomach grow from a tiny bump into a significant curve.

    ¡°I am so sorry I left that morning¡­ I meant to leave my number, but I had an emergency¡ª¡± She cuts off when my handsnd on her hips, dragging her a few feet away as the idiots roll around, punching each other. ¡°Please, you have to stop them.¡±

    ¡°They are not my problem,¡± I deadpan, quirking an eyebrow. ¡°You and the baby are.¡±

    Shit.

    All this stress can¡¯t be good for either one of them.

    Apparently I hesitate for too long.

    ¡°Fine.¡± Quincy huffs, shaking out of my grip. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± She steps around me like she¡¯s about to interfere in an alpha fight, but I grab her by the hips and drag her back once more.

    She ends up leaning against my chest, and I can¡¯t help myself. My hand brushes over the soft material of her pajama dress.

    Yeah¡­

    She¡¯s definitely knocked up.

    I¡¯ve never felt anything like it. Her stomach is firm, almost hard, but also soft. I don¡¯t know how to exin it.

    My brain turns into a spiraling mess all over again as I realize all the moments I¡¯ve missed.

    I would have been with her at every appointment¡ªby her side every single step of the way.

    And all of that is¡­

    Gone.

    My teeth grind together to keep from demanding answers. She said she nned to leave her number, but that sure didn¡¯t end up happening, and I feel robbed.

    That¡¯s if she¡¯s telling the truth and the baby is mine, but I also know I need to broach that conversation when I¡¯m not concerned the top of my head might pop off.

    My mother never hid the fact that I¡¯m a birth control baby. Or rather, a birth control failure. She and my dad were in some kind ofmitted rtionship when she found out she was pregnant with me, but her idea ofmitted and his idea ofmitted were two very different things.

    Based on her ount, he didn¡¯t take the news well. Even went so far as to ask how she was sure that I was his kid. It destroyed any trust my mother had in him. Not that he deserved much¡ªagain, by her ount.

    I never met the man to have an opinion. Luckily my stepdads came into the picture and things were different for my little sisters.

    If I¡¯m not very careful, I can screw up any hope I have of Quincy trusting me. Not that I¡¯ve necessarily got a whole lot of trust in her at the moment.

    She¡¯s the one who walked out, but I¡¯m willing to hear her side of things before making judgments I can¡¯t take back.

    I missed out on a lot not having my old man around when I was growing up, or so I thought when I was a kid. In reality, I was lucky that my mom¡¯s pack treated me like their own.

    If nothing else, I¡¯ve got the opportunity to learn from my biological father¡¯s mistakes.

    ¡°Ridge, please,¡± Quincy says, running her small cold hand over mine where it rests on her stomach. ¡°Make them stop. They¡¯re going to hurt each other, and I still have so many questions.¡± The concern on her face as she peers up at me makes my gut twist.

    ¡°Fine, but you owe me a conversation,¡± I say, trying to shake off the pain in my chest. ¡°No excuses and no putting it off.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Hey, fuckers!¡± I bark. ¡°Enough! You identally smack into Quincy, and I will have no choice but to snap your fucking necks.¡± I grimace, peeking at her face over her shoulder. Fuck me. I¡¯m going to have to learn how to tone it down. She¡¯s a civilian. ¡°Uh, not to mention, you¡¯re stressing her out, which isn¡¯t good for her or the baby. Fucking stop!¡±

    Trigg freezes, allowing Hartley to m his elbow into the other alpha¡¯s head, but he gives up struggling when he realizes Trigg isn¡¯t fighting back.

    ¡°Now, if the two of you are ready to stop acting like toddlers, we need to leave,¡± I say, ring at the two idiots.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Quincy asks.

    ¡°Remember how I told you I run security for high-profile clients?¡± I use my hold on her hip to spin her to face me. ¡°I gained some attention from the wrong kind of enemy. The kind that holds a grudge.¡±

    Dammit.

    I don¡¯t know how much to say.

    Or how truthful to be.

    Being vague isn¡¯t going to do her any favors if she decides not toe with us. Telling her the truth might send her straight to the closest telephone to make good on Hartley¡¯s threats to call the cops.

    ¡°Trigg is here to watch my back,¡± I say, studying Quincy¡¯s beautiful face. Her eyes are so damn blue, and her confusion is clear as day. ¡°We¡¯re about to hunker down to see exactly how everything ys out, but Trigg¡¯s hyperfixation of eating at the restaurant you work at might have put you in their line of sight. He wouldn¡¯t let it go until I agreed you coulde stay at my house until this entire thing blows over, but that was before I knew the woman he¡¯s been stalking is you.¡±

    Quincy grimaces. ¡°You know, I¡¯m not a fan of that word. Let¡¯s all stop using it.¡± She nods, agreeing with herself. ¡°It makes it sound a lot less sweet and slightly more creepy than I¡¯mfortable with. Trigg has been nothing but kind to me.¡±

    I nce over her shoulder as the asshole in question climbs to his feet.

    ¡°You know he has cameras hidden in your house?¡± I quirk an eyebrow at the fucker.

    Let¡¯s see him bounce back from that revtion.

    Quincy goes stiff, spinning to face Trigg. ¡°Is that true?¡±

    ¡°Technology is my thing.¡± He shoves his sses up and sighs. ¡°I monitor everything and everyone, especially those I care about. I only wished to feel confident that you would be safe when I wasn¡¯t nearby.¡±

    ¡°Dammit,¡± Quincy whispers. ¡°I think there¡¯s something wrong with me. My instincts seem convinced that was not only a logical exnation, but also very sweet.¡±

    ¡°Are there cameras in her bedroom?¡± Hartley asks, crossing his arms over his nude chest.

    I don¡¯t know when he even had the chance to get to his feet.

    Trigg keeps eye contact with Quincy as he speaks. ¡°Just one.¡±

    ¡°Meaning you watched everything we didst night and this morning,¡± Hartley growls.

    ¡°Yes, but you¡¯re still alive.¡± Trigg spins to face him. ¡°That¡¯s solely because she¡¯s fond of you, but my patience is running thin.¡±

    ¡°Are you willing toe to my house for a few days?¡± I ask Quincy, trying to get us back on track. ¡°It¡¯s out of an abundance of caution, but with using here¡­¡± I frown, shaking my head. ¡°There¡¯s an even greater chance now that you might be on their radar.¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t be seriously considering going anywhere with these two,¡± Hartley says, his tone lined in pure disbelief.

    ¡°I think I might owe Ridge at least that,¡± Quincy says. ¡°The baby is his.¡±

    If the circumstances were anything other than the clusterfuck currently going down, I wouldugh at the way his jaw falls. We¡¯ve been discussing this for the better part of five minutes, but I think he¡¯s been willfully ignoring what¡¯s happening. More than likely due to his hatred of Trigg.

    Hey, there¡¯s something we can agree on.

    I really don¡¯t know how I feel about that dick. He¡¯s been stalking Quincy for weeks. That can be dangerous when the hyperfixation wears off.

    ¡°Just to rify,¡± I say, gently grabbing Quincy¡¯s forearm, ¡°you don¡¯t owe me anything outside of a conversation about the baby and what happened that morning I woke up alone in the hotel room.¡± She turns back toward me, and I release her wrist. ¡°There is some shit going down that I wouldn¡¯t want you to get mixed up in, but if you¡¯re notfortableing to stay with me, I will call my boss and have him assign a team to stay here with you. They¡¯ll need to be with you round the clock, but it will give you some autonomy. I don¡¯t want you to feel like the only way you¡¯ll be safe is with me.¡±

    ¡°Have him assign another team to you if that¡¯s the case. I¡¯m not trusting Quincy¡¯s safety to strangers.¡± Trigg looks from me to her. ¡°You¡¯ll never be safer than when I¡¯m by your side.¡±

    ¡°Jesus,¡± Hartley mutters, echoing my thoughts.

    For being sopletely socially inept, that was actually pretty smooth. I¡¯m probably going to end up stabbing Trigg before all of this is over.

    Fuck me. I need a beer or seven.

 : Chapter 16

    ¡°<span>I¡¯m not letting you go anywhere with them alone,¡± Hart says as he towers over me in the kitchen. ¡°That guy walked in like it wasn¡¯t shady as fuck, and I¡¯m genuinely surprised you¡¯re not freaking out right now.¡± He frowns. ¡°In case there¡¯s any question about it, I¡¯m positive that I locked the door after I grabbed dinner from the delivery driver.¡±

    ¡°I believe you,¡± I say, resting my hand over his heart and rubbing gently. His stress and anger are spilling over into me.

    Omegas are empathetic, but what I¡¯m feeling from Hartley is more extreme than I¡¯ve ever been able to pick up from another person.

    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why this is even a question,¡± Hart says, and his face betrays his agitation. ¡°Get that guy¡¯s phone number, and tell him you¡¯ll meet with him somewhere in public to discuss the baby. Then we ban Trigg from the restaurant permanently, get apany in here to do a security sweep, and we can stay at a hotel for a few days. I used to employ Stone Security back when I needed full-time protection. They do a lot of celebrity contracts. I will hire us round-the-clock security.¡±

    His muscles are so tense under my fingers, and his jaw is equally tight. It¡¯s clear he¡¯s trying to protect me, but the thing is, I truly don¡¯t believe I need to be kept safe from Trigg or Ridge.

    I¡¯m the one who approached Ridge that night, and I owe him more than a few heartfelt apologies.

    Trigg¡­

    Well, he probably does look sketchy.

    There¡¯s just something deep inside me that says he would never hurt me. And logically, I understand it doesn¡¯t make any sense, but my gut is convinced. It¡¯s the same pull that made me feelpletelyfortable shoving my face in his throat at the restaurant. Sure, I was embarrassed, but something in my stomach said that he wouldn¡¯t turn me away.

    ¡°Seriously, Quincy, why aren¡¯t you telling them to get out?¡± Hart asks, raking his gaze over my face.

    I frown, ncing away. ¡°Ridge and I might not know each other well, but if I had any way of finding him, I would have done it months ago.¡± I swallow thickly, trying to force away the ufortable bubbling in my stomach. ¡°And I know you don¡¯t like Trigg, but I do. There¡¯s some undeniable connection there. A pull, I guess you could call it. I think he¡¯s meant to be part of my pack.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no fucking way I can coexist with that guy,¡± Hart growls, studying my face. ¡°You like him better than me¡­¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I assure him as firmly as I can. ¡°But I don¡¯t like the idea of having to choose between you, either. I mean, I don¡¯t even know where either of their heads is at?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Have you ever heard of a soul match?¡± Trigg asks,ing into the kitchen.

    ¡°I asked for a minute alone with Quincy,¡± Hart growls, taking a step toward Trigg.

    My hand falls from his chest, and I almost make a grab for his wrist, but he doesn¡¯t advance any farther toward Trigg.

    ¡°Yes, you did,¡± Trigg concedes. ¡°I gave you one minute and forty-three seconds. I was feeling overly generous.¡± He smiles like he¡¯s quite pleased with his joke.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Ridge?¡± I ask, panic wing at my chest.

    What if he left?

    I have no way of getting in contact with him.

    ¡°He went to tell Knox that it¡¯s going to be a few minutes,¡± Trigg says calmly. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He won¡¯t disappear on you. I think he just needed a moment to himself?¡ª¡±

    ¡°That would be a mindfuck,¡± Hartley says.

    I sigh.

    This cannot be my life.

    ¡°Now, I asked a question,¡± Trigg says. ¡°Do you know what the soul match scent is?¡±

    I shake my head. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s probably some bullshit he just made up,¡± Hartley mutters.

    ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± Trigg shrugs. ¡°You don¡¯t need to believe a word out of my mouth. The only opinion that truly matters is Quincy¡¯s.¡± His gaze moves to me. ¡°I started to wonder if there was some deeper meaning behind your scent. Lightning, electricity¡ªwhatever you¡¯d like to call it¡ªis the scent reserved for soul matches. It¡¯s one step up from a scent match. I found multiple trustworthy websites and even ordered a book about them; although, it won¡¯t be delivered for several days. The bottom line is, there is an exnation for why you feel so drawn to me.¡± Trigg crosses the kitchen while my mind races.

    I¡¯ve never heard of soul match scent, but it sounds a lot like the concept of soulmates.

    Hartley growls, but Trigg ignores him. He doesn¡¯t stop until he¡¯s directly in front of me.

    ¡°Soul matches are happiest when they¡¯re in close proximity to one another. Even better if they¡¯re physically touching.¡± Trigg brings his hand to my cheek, brushing my hair away from my face. ¡°It¡¯s a soul-deep connection, and that leads me to believe that you can sense the truth in my words when I say I would never hurt you.¡± His sincerity radiates in my chest like an indescribable warmth, and I find myself nodding.

    ¡°You¡¯re a psychopath, aren¡¯t you? You have to be. Tossing around bullshit, saying whatever you have to say to convince her your lies are true,¡± Hartley says, breaking the spell between me and Trigg.

    ¡°What do I smell like to you?¡± Trigg asks, quirking an eyebrow behind his ck sses.

    ¡°Lightning or the weather right after a bad thunderstorm,¡± I whisper.

    Trigg beams.

    I¡¯ve seen teases of smiles that seemed sincere before, and a few that felt like he was smiling because it was what was expected, but this is a true smile. Itpletely transforms his face as his eyes sparkle.

    ¡°And that would be the soul match scent,¡± Trigg says, wrapping a hand around my lower back and pulling me closer. ¡°You¡¯re quite literally made for me.¡±

    My chest gets tight as he marks my cheeks with his scent, one after the other. It¡¯s almost like I can feel Hartley¡¯s anger radiating in the air.

    Why is it so hard for alphas to share? Shouldn¡¯t evolution have taken over and helped to curb their jealous nature?

    Being made for Trigg sounds like a dream¡­except the whole stalking part. Then again, I would have straight-up pulled his name off of his credit card if he had ever paid with one. Once I had it, I wouldn¡¯t have been able to stop myself from looking into him.

    But you wouldn¡¯t go as far as putting cameras in his house. Would you?

    ¡°You said you wouldn¡¯t harm me,¡± I say to Trigg, staring into his dark eyes. ¡°I want that same guarantee for Hartley.¡±

    Trigg¡¯s eyes narrow.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t give me your word that you won¡¯t hurt Hart, then I won¡¯t be going anywhere with you.¡± I shrug, refusing to look away from his piercing stare. ¡°It¡¯s that simple.¡± The baby rolls around, stretching against something important. I jolt, bringing a hand to run over my lower stomach.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Hartley asks.

    At the same exact time Trigg hisses, ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I assure Hartley with a soft smile. My gaze moves to Trigg¡¯s. ¡°She stretched, and it didn¡¯t feel great. It¡¯s also not my favorite thing in the world to still not have your promise that you won¡¯t hurt Hart.¡±

    I¡¯ve never seen such a petnt look on a full-grown man¡¯s face before. It would be cute if my feet weren¡¯t starting to hurt.

    ¡°I will not kill your boyfriend,¡± Trigg grumbles, rolling his eyes. ¡°No guarantees that Ridge won¡¯t try when he learns the two of you spent most ofst night having sex.¡±

    ¡°That has nothing to do with anyone but Hartley and me.¡± I squint up at the sullen alpha. ¡°You know what, Trigg? I¡¯m not even going to waste my breath telling you how inappropriate it was for you to not only put cameras in my bedroom, but to watch private moments you had no right to intrude on.¡± I pat his chest and step back. His hand falls from my back, and I step over to Hart, who tosses an arm over my shoulder. ¡°I need a moment to speak to Hart without an audience. Once we speak, and if he agrees toe with me, I will go with you and Ridge, but fair warning, I have to work the day after tomorrow.¡±

    Trigg¡¯s head tilts. ¡°You never need to work another day in your life. I will dly provide for you and the baby.¡±

    Damn omega instincts.

    I¡¯m fully aware that his words could sound ridiculously sweet or mildly creepy¡ªI know some people use financial abuse to trap partners with no way to escape¡ªbut I choose to view his statement as thoughtful. Mostly because I know if I were trapped in a terrible situation, I could call my mom and dads, and they would send me money for a ne ticket, no questions asked.

    Things have been strained between us since I asked for assistance cleaning out Gran¡¯s house after she passed away, but if I was in a truly dangerous situation, I know they would be there to help me.

    ¡°Tonight has been crazy, and it¡¯s not over yet,¡± I say, giving Trigg a tired smile. ¡°If you could give me a minute with Hart, I would appreciate it.¡±<hr>

    ¡°Hey, Quincy, right?¡± The guy in the driver¡¯s seat turns around as I climb into the middle row of the SUV.

    ¡°Yep. Hey, Knox.¡± I force a smile and a friendly wave. It¡¯s really starting to mess with my head that they¡¯ve been this close the entire time.

    Trigg is already in the back row, but Hart climbs into the middle row next to me as Ridge takes the passenger seat.

    ¡°Shit, this is going to be weird, but I need your autograph for my dad. He¡¯s a big fan.¡± Knox puts the vehicle in reverse and pulls out of the driveway. It takes me several slow blinks to realize he¡¯s talking to Hartley.

    ¡°Yeah, no problem, man,¡± Hart says, but it sounds forced.

    This is going to be an ufortable ride.

    I only packed a few outfits and necessities, like my phone charger and prenatal vitamins.

    My head is a wreck.

    Ridge and I need to have a conversation without anyone else around.

    I also need to have a talk with Trigg about what is and isn¡¯t appropriate behavior.

    I¡¯m probably more forgiving than most, simply because my dads used to hover and obsess about my mom. They still do. I just don¡¯t have to see it y out on a daily basis. It¡¯s all leftover evolutionary instincts from back when the world was a morewless ce, and alphas were solely responsible for their omega¡¯s safety.

    The ride is mostly silent other than the soft sounds of the radio ying some rock song in the background. Not more than five minutes pass as Knox heads south, turning toward the water.

    Okay, I¡¯ve been down here once when I got lost. The houses are all expensive, and there are private neighborhoods scattered about, some with views of Burlington Bay and Shelburne Bay.

    My blood runs cold as the houses getrger, and it looks less and less like the neighborhood my grandmother¡¯s house is in. These have to be multi-million dor homes, and all I can seem to think is that Ridge is going to assume I baby trapped him for his money.

    Which is ridiculous.

    I had no idea about his financial situation when we met. Honestly, I didn¡¯t think personal security got paid all that much, but I must have been wrong.

    The baby bounces around, and it almost feels like she¡¯s rolling. I can feel what might be her forearm as she moves about. It¡¯s always strange when I try to match up what body part I¡¯m feeling.

    Hart stretches over, running his hand over my stomach.

    My eyes fly to his, and he gives a soft smile.

    I grab his hand, interlock our fingers, and give him a squeeze to let him know¡­ I don¡¯t even know what.

    That I appreciate himing with me?

    That I¡¯m sorry I got him tangled up in my mess of a life?

    Anxiety pulses through my system, and I do my best to rx.

    Whatever will happen will happen.

    Ridge will either want to be a part of the baby¡¯s life or he won¡¯t.<hr>

    The neighborhood Knox drives into is intense. There¡¯s an actual guardhouse with two men inside, but they wave the vehicle through as Knox rolls down the window.

    We don¡¯t drive very far into themunity, but the houses are spaced far apart in that way that makes each piece of property feel sprawling.

    Knox turns into the driveway of a massive dark blue house. It has a covered white porch, and it¡¯s at least two stories. Maybe three, based on the tiny triangr windows at the top. That might be an attic, I¡¯m not sure. He brings the vehicle to a stop in front of a four-car garage on the right side of the house.

    I refuse to use the word mansion, even mentally, or I will be too intimidated to walk inside.

    My door pops open, and I jolt.

    Ridge holds out a hand. ¡°It¡¯s only a short walk until we¡¯ll be inside, but you might want to put your coat on.¡±

    I shake my head and grab it from the floorboard. ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I get hot really easily.¡±

    He frowns but nods.

    I ce my hand in his as the sounds of the garage door opening fill the air. He helps me from the SUV and steps back.

    ¡°I have a dog. Are you allergic?¡±

    ¡°No, I love dogs,¡± I say, shivering as a gust of cold wind blows through.

    Huh.

    Maybe I am stubborn. I should have put on my giant wool coat, even for the ten- or fifteen-foot walk.

    ¡°Good, his name is King.¡± Ridge grimaces. ¡°He¡¯s friendly¡­once he gets to know you. He¡¯ll just ignore you at first.¡±

    I can understand that.

    After all, I¡¯m about to be a guest in his home.

    ¡°The two of you can grab Quincy¡¯s and Hartley¡¯s bags,¡± Ridge says in his deep, growly tone. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ve got to unlock the door.¡± He steps back and strides off.

    My stomach tightens. I¡¯m not sure why it hurts so badly to see him walk away, but I thought he might escort me inside.

    This is such a weird situation.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe I let you talk me into this,¡± Hartley mutters, wrapping his arm around my lower back. ¡°We stick together, promise me.¡±

    I nod, nuzzling close to his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll ask Ridge to give us one room to share, but he and I do need to have a conversation. I feel like that will be best without an audience.¡±

    ¡°Come on, it¡¯s freezing, and you¡¯re barely wearing anything,¡± Ridge growls from inside the garage. He¡¯s standing on the top step, holding the door open and ring at Hartley.

    Or that¡¯s what I tell myself.

    If he¡¯s ring at me¡­

    No, I¡¯m not even letting my head go there. I will exin the circumstances, apologize, and then we can see where we go from here.

    If I could go back in time, I would do everything so much differently, but hindsight is twenty-twenty.<hr>

    ¡°This is King.¡± Ridge gestures to the adorable English bulldog on the couch. He¡¯s lying on a throw pillow, and he truly does look like a king on a throne. ¡°Just ignore him for now. He doesn¡¯t like new people, but we will get him used to you before the babyes.¡±

    I nod, leaning deeper into Hartley¡¯s chest.

    I need to find a way to get a few minutes alone with Ridge, but he seemspletely shut down.

    Something simr happened to me when my gran died.

    My system went numb, and everything felt hazy, like it wasn¡¯t real. I spent several days just coasting through, making decisions that should have fallen to the entire family, but since no one else was around, I had to make those calls.

    ¡°Once Knox and Trigg bring in your bags, Knox can show you to the primary bedroom. It has an attached bathroom.¡± Ridge shoves his hands into his pockets. ¡°I¡¯m going to find a menu and order dinner. Anything the two of you need to avoid?¡±

    Hartley¡¯s head shakes.

    ¡°No seafood, please. Even the smell can make me sick sometimes,¡± I tell him truthfully.

    ¡°No fish, no shellfish, got it.¡± He nods and strides off while I¡¯m still majorly confused if he even wants me here.

    That might be all Trigg.

 : Chapter 17

    Knox and I make it inside, and I¡¯m shocked to see Quincy sitting next to King. That mutt can¡¯t stand me, but thus far, I¡¯ve been able to head him off before he sessfully managed to piss in my shoes. That furry creature and I have a reckoninging.

    Animals are fine.

    I¡¯m generally indifferent to their existence, unless their presence makes my eyes water, my nose run, and that weird tickle of a dry cough appears in the back of my throat.

    ¡°You are the cutest little guy I¡¯ve ever seen,¡± Quincy coos, scratching the mutt behind the ears.

    His tongue hangs out of the side of his mouth, and the drooling almost makes me gag.

    I can see the benefits of certain breeds, but that dog isn¡¯t adding any protection value to the house. Perhaps an early warning alert if the security system was to go down in a power outage, but I know for a fact that Ridge has a backup system thates on with the generator.

    Also, the mutt failed to bark upon our arrival. Although he did growl at me for quite some time yesterday. He was simply toozy to jump from the couch to do anything about his distaste.

    Well, until Ridge served his dinner.

    Then he promptly attempted to piss in my dress shoes.

    ¡°He¡¯s got so many rolls,¡± Quincyughs, bumping her shoulder against Hartley¡¯s. ¡°Do you like dogs?¡±

    I believe I might be jealous of an animal that can hardly make it up the stairs on his own without needing to be carried.

    ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re great forpanionship, but I traveled so much, it didn¡¯t seem fair to get a pet.¡± Hartley reaches around her, scratching under the beast¡¯s jaw.

    King doesn¡¯t growl at the former football yer.

    I believe he has a personal vendetta against me.

    It¡¯s fine.

    The feeling is mutual.

    ¡°Ridge texted me,¡± Knox says. ¡°He wants me to show the two of you to the bedroom you¡¯ll be staying in.¡±

    ¡°You should probably rest and elevate your legs.¡± Hartley pats Quincy¡¯s thigh and stands. ¡°I¡¯m still full from thete lunch, early dinner that we had, but if you¡¯re hungry, I bet one of them will let us know when the food arrives.¡± He offers her his hands, and she takes them.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to spend a while unpacking myputers,¡± I say, just in case she cares. ¡°But I¡¯ll be happy toe find you when it gets here.¡±

    Quincy smiles. ¡°Please do. I tend to eat small, frequent meals.¡±

    ¡°That makes sense. You don¡¯t have much room with the baby taking up all your space,¡± I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

    shes of the show they put on rey in my mind like I¡¯m watching the live feed. The urge to slice Hartley¡¯s throat is strong, but I did give Quincy my word that I wouldn¡¯t harm him.

    Why did I do that again?<hr>

    Ridge leans against the counter in the kitchen next to the refrigerator. His arms are crossed, but he¡¯s got a bottle of beer gripped in one hand so tightly that it looks like he wants to deal with broken ss.

    Ie to a stop by the ind, trying to determine how to broach this conversation. ¡°How did you meet Quincy?¡±

    His head rolls around the top set of cabs as he twists to meet my gaze.

    Does he always wear those ridiculous aviators?

    Even at home?

    ¡°Knox and I were having drinks after work one night,¡± he says. ¡°We normally go to O¡¯Malley¡¯s because they have good food, but they were closed due to a water leak.¡±

    ¡°And she was your waitress?¡± I ask when he pauses for too long.

    ¡°No.¡± He pulls his beer to his mouth, taking a long swig. ¡°She was by herself. Some guys were hassling her, and she came over to ask if she could sit with us so they would leave her alone. I found outter that she walked in on her boyfriend with his receptionist or assistant or something. She went to the bar to have a drink before heading home to look after her grandmother.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡±

    ¡°And now she¡¯s here in my house, and she¡¯s pregnant.¡± He bangs his head against the cab. ¡°Oh, and she has a fucking boyfriend.¡±

    I open my mouth to tell him Hart isn¡¯t her boyfriend, but Knox interrupts.

    ¡°They¡¯re settled into the pack bedroom.¡± Knox chuckles. ¡°I thought you were exaggerating, but she¡¯s about to pop. She has to be close to her due date.¡±

    ¡°Where the hell are Leo and Shaw?¡± Ridge pushes off the kitchen counters, striding toward the dining room. ¡°I swear to fuck, I¡¯m going to puke. I¡¯ve seen someone holding their intestines and never felt a flicker of nausea.¡±

    My gaze moves to Knox¡¯s.

    ¡°Oh yeah, he¡¯s losing his shit.¡± The other alphaughs and takes off after his friend.

    I follow, and I¡¯m not even sure why. Ridge¡¯s mental breakdown is of no concern to me.

    I should be scoping out teams I can hire to take out Hartley Adams. I assured Quincy I wouldn¡¯t hurt him, but I never said a peep about other highly paid assassins.

    Ridge stumbles down the back steps and begins heaving in the grass.

    I frown.

    I¡¯m not going to be the one to offer him assistance.

    ¡°Well, damn, I¡¯ve never seen you puke.¡± Shaw¡¯s voice startles me, and I turn, just catching him and Leo as they stride in through the side gate. It allows someone to bypass the housepletely, leading from the front yard directly into the backyard. ¡°You¡¯ve got a stomach of steel.¡±

    I¡¯m not overly familiar with the two, but I have seen them around the Shadow Security office on two separate asions. From what I understand, they work with Ridge regrly. Easton mentioned that he often likes to group them together because they make for a solid team.

    I suppose that means they¡¯re friends outside of work. I personally like to keep my work and social life separate. The fact that I have no social life is irrelevant.

    ¡°Exactly how much has he had to drink?¡± Leo only stops totch the gate before following hot on Shaw¡¯s heels. ¡°Should we grab Valor? If he goes down, it¡¯ll be our only chance of carrying him without a crane.¡±

    The giant alpha is still bent over, dry heaving, but he raises his right hand, shaking his bottle of beer. ¡°This is my first, you fucking dicks.¡± More gagging. ¡°I need new friends.¡±

    ¡°Food poisoning?¡± Shaw asks, ncing between me and Knox.

    ¡°Pregnancy,¡± Knox says with a straight face. ¡°Fucked him right up.¡±

    I scoff.

    Seriously?

    These are the type of people my brother chooses to surround himself with?

    Ridge pops up and points at me. ¡°That son of a bitch has been stalking my baby mama for weeks while I had no idea how to find her.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been quietly courting a woman I¡¯m interested in,¡± I rify. ¡°I had no idea you were who impregnated her.¡±

    ¡°So¡­ This is for real?¡± Shaw asks with wide eyes. ¡°You knocked someone up?¡±

    Ridge shrugs. ¡°Sure looks that way.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so fucking confused,¡± Shaw says,ughing and thumping Leo in the stomach. ¡°Go make us some popcorn. This is getting good.¡±

    ¡°Make it yourself if you want it.¡± Leo ps Shaw¡¯s hand away.

    ¡°I¡¯m going back inside to ensure Quincy and her man friend don¡¯t try to escape while no one is around to stop them,¡± Knox says from near the sliding ss door. ¡°I suggest you get your shit together beforeing back inside.¡±

    ¡°Holy fuck,¡± Ridge groans. ¡°She¡¯s going to have to give birth. I did that to her. She¡¯s going to hate me.¡±

    ¡°I mean, is she dead set on having the baby?¡± Shaw asks. ¡°Did anyone ask how she¡¯s feeling about the situation, rather than making assumptions?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s way past that point.¡± Ridge takes a sip of his beer and mimics the size of Quincy¡¯s stomach with his free hand. ¡°She¡¯s like this pregnant. Super pregnant. Really fucking pregnant.¡±

    ¡°Damn,¡± Leo and Shaw say in unison.

    ¡°Quincy is excited about the prospect of meeting the baby.¡± My eyes narrow. I am, too, for that matter, not that anyone thought to ask. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean you have to be. I¡¯m more than happy to step in and fill the role you seem to want no part of.¡±

    ¡°I will stab you in both eyes while you sleep.¡± Ridge growls, jabbing his beer in my direction. ¡°Do not fuck with me right now. I found out about the baby an hour ago. I¡¯m allowed to spiral in private!¡±

    ¡°You know, I think you¡¯d be a great dad,¡± Shaw says, shrugging. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a surprise, but it doesn¡¯t automatically have to be a bad one.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got a boyfriend,¡± Ridge hisses.

    ¡°Hart is not her boyfriend. He¡¯s her employer,¡± I rify.

    Fine, yes, I heard them both confirm that they¡¯re now dating, but I refuse to acknowledge that.

    I¡¯m her literal soulmate!

    I just have to find a way to scare him off before they can bond. If that doesn¡¯t work, I might have to take more extreme measures, but I need to do it in a way that Quincy won¡¯t be upset over.

    ¡°She¡¯s been working five or six days a week out of financial necessity,¡± I say, crossing my arms over my chest. ¡°That¡¯s how the two of them grew closer.¡±

    ¡°Well, you can fix her financial situation, at the very least,¡± Leo says. ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to be working if she¡¯s that far along.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m frustrated as fuck,¡± Ridge growls. ¡°She left that morning! Not me. I don¡¯t go around sticking my dick in anything that moves, and there¡¯s a good reason for that. I don¡¯t want to be anything like my biological father.¡± He sighs, shaking his head. ¡°But I had no way of finding her. East kept sending me on job after job?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Her grandmother died. She got the call that morning.¡± I quirk an eyebrow. ¡°She was frazzled and walked out without leaving her number.¡±

    Apparently now I¡¯m lying to protect Quincy.

    Or I could be.

    I heard her mention to Ridge that she intended to leave her number, but there were extenuating circumstances. I know from one of our conversations after I started obsessing about the fact she has no alphas that her gran passed the night of her one-night stand.

    Adding all of that up leads me to believe it¡¯s a logical train of thought with just a few leaps to fill in the missing information.

    Normally, I find lying unnecessary and unptable, but I would go to much darker lengths to protect my literal other half.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Ridge mutters.

    ¡°Do you know if she looked for you after she found out she was pregnant?¡± Leo asks. ¡°Even if she did, I¡¯m sure she couldn¡¯t have found anything. You know how tight Easton has all of us locked down. There¡¯s not a trace of any of us anywhere on the inte.¡±

    ¡°Jesus.¡± Ridge swipes a hand over his face. ¡°I forgot about that.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to sound insensitive to your situation, because I would be upset too,¡± Leo says calmly. ¡°But I¡¯m going to y devil¡¯s advocate here. You¡¯re the one with ess to hackers. It would have been way easier for you to find her than vice versa.¡±

    ¡°Easton sent me out of town!¡± Ridge snarls, spinning in a circle. ¡°One job after another on a rotating loop of assignments. I haven¡¯t had a day off?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he does love to work us to the bone,¡± Shaw says, pointing at Ridge. ¡°It¡¯s aplicated situation, but no one is perfect. It sounds like you both made mistakes. Be grateful you didn¡¯t miss out on the birth.¡±

    ¡°No, I just missed out on like eight or nine months of milestones,¡± Ridge mutters.

    ¡°That is difficult toe to terms with,¡± Leo says as he approaches Ridge, pping him on the shoulder. ¡°Unless you¡¯d like to miss out on fifty percent or more of your child¡¯s life, I suggest you find a way to ept what happened, move on from it, and rebuild your rtionship with Quincy.¡± He looks at me. ¡°Is that right?¡±

    I nod.

    Does he think Ridge doesn¡¯t even know her name?

    Christ.

    I hate dealing with this many people. I greatly enjoy solitude, and they¡¯re all on myst damn nerve.<hr>

    Leaving Ridge on the back deck to have a beer and talk things out with his friends, I head back inside and straight upstairs to begin unpacking my equipment.

    Now that Quincy is here with us, I¡¯m even more on edge about Costa and his minions. Having my belongings organized will help offset some of the unsettled feelings thate from having my routine destroyed.

    I¡¯m in the process of hooking up my three monitors when Knox sticks his head in the door. He knocks after the fact, making my eyes roll.

    ¡°The food is here,¡± he says, aiming a thumb over his shoulder. ¡°Ridge is still out back, but he told me to tell you guys to feel free to eat. I¡¯m beat. I¡¯m about to hop in the shower. It¡¯s allid out on the dining room table.¡±

    Shoving up my sses, I nod. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll get Quincy.¡±

    Hopefully that barnacle who thinks he¡¯s dating her can be detached. I wouldn¡¯t mind a few minutes alone to speak with Quincy without Hartley verbally attacking me at each turn.

    There¡¯s every possibility Ridge wille to terms with things, and there¡¯s a chance that he won¡¯t. Logically speaking, I assume there¡¯s a slim possibility the two won¡¯t make amends.

    I would find it more convenient to have Quincy to myself, but at least Ridge and I have our profession inmon.

    If nothing else, I¡¯ve decided it can¡¯t hurt to have another capable alpha around to protect my omega.

    I can give a little.

    Allowing Quincy to keep Ridge will show that I¡¯m not as rigid or as selfish as everyone uses me of being.

    However, I can¡¯t seem to find a purpose for Hart. He doesn¡¯t have military or personal protection training. He¡¯ll be a liability¡ªanother civilian that I¡¯m forced to keep alive, simply to ensure Quincy remains happy.

    That doesn¡¯t bode well for his long-term survival.

    Hartley better prove himself useful before my patience runs out.<hr>

    Hartley, of course, decides to tag along to eat¡ªeven though he made it clear only an hour ago that he wasn¡¯t hungry.

    Quincy must have been cold because she has a cardigan sweater on over a new cotton dress. It¡¯s dark gray and falls nearly to her knees. She must prefer that style of dress because I¡¯ve seen her in it in several different colors. They always cling to her stomach, showing off her delicious curves.

    I¡¯m a fan of the style, and I like that she seemsfortable in them.

    ¡°Are you cold?¡± I ask as we approach the table. ¡°I can locate the thermostat and bump the heat up?¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m good. Thank you, Trigg.¡± She smiles softly. ¡°It just felt inappropriate to wear a nightgown around someone else¡¯s house. I figured I should at least put on a sweater.¡±

    Hartley doesn¡¯t hesitate to pop the lids on the boxes, checking what¡¯s inside each before moving on to the next. ¡°You got lucky.¡± Heughs. ¡°I see mozzare sticks with extra marinara sauce.¡± He tosses an arm around Quincy¡¯s shoulder.

    Acid reflux burns my gut and esophagus. I¡¯m not used to having to endure being in close proximity to people I dislike, and it¡¯s causing physical difort.

    Having Quincy here was supposed to go so much differently. I even thought she might allow me to cuddle with her as she slept. It would be the first time she knowingly allowed me to sleep at her side.

    I had ns, dammit.

    And Hartley is ruining every single one of them.

 : Chapter 18

    The sliding ss door opens as I¡¯m scooping thest bit of marinara sauce out of the small stic container. My insides light up for a brief moment¡­except it¡¯s a face I don¡¯t recognize.

    A blond guy with a beard steps inside.

    I shove my chair back and stand to introduce myself. My stomach twists as I watch the doorway. The small amount of delusional hope that Ridge will follow him in disappears as swiftly as it arose.

    Ridge doesn¡¯t want anything to do with you, and it¡¯s not like you can pretend you don¡¯t understand why.

    My chest gets tight. God, I hope I¡¯m just overreacting because I¡¯m pregnant and hormonal, but that¡¯s how it feels.

    The man¡¯s eyes widen as hees closer, and he trips over his own two feet. ¡°Holy shit, you are pregnant.¡±

    Trigg excused himself to the bathroom just before the man came in, but Hartley stands and steps close to my side.

    The unknown man is gorgeous in that way that¡¯s impossible to miss. He¡¯s tall, with lithe muscles and an easy smile.

    My nose wrinkles the closer he gets. He¡¯s drop-dead sexy, but his scent isn¡¯t appealing to my senses¡ªat all. Which is a good thing. I already have three stubborn alphas, who all seem to dislike each other.

    ¡°Shaw.¡± He holds out a hand,ughing. ¡°Really, this is blowing my mind¡­in the best way possible.¡±

    ¡°Pretend you have some manners,¡± an unfamiliar voice calls from outside on the deck.

    ¡°Quincy.¡± I shake and pull my hand away.

    ¡°Hartley,¡± Hart says, holding out his hand.

    They repeat the process as Shaw¡¯s jaw falls. ¡°No shit, I followed your career from the time you took the field your freshman year.¡±

    Hartughs good-naturedly, wrapping his arm around my lower back. ¡°I appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°Anyway, wee to the Shadow Security family.¡± Shaw gestures to me with the beer in his left hand. ¡°If you want some femalepany, let Ridge know. I¡¯m sure Saylor would love to hang out. That¡¯s my omega. Briar too. She¡¯s just a few streets down. That¡¯s our boss¡¯s wife.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, forcing a smile.

    I wasn¡¯t prepared to have to deal with so many people. Trigg, Ridge, and Hart are fine, but Knox and Shaw and whoever else is on that deck all know I had a one-night stand, got pregnant, and couldn¡¯t find Ridge.

    I¡¯m sure they don¡¯t think very much of me.

    ¡°Sorry to interrupt. I was just going to grab some fries or whatever you guys aren¡¯t eating.¡± Shaw steps over to the table like he¡¯s asfortable here as he is in his own house.

    ¡°No worries. I think we¡¯re about done.¡± Hart squeezes my hip. ¡°You said you were stuffed five minutes ago.¡±

    My cheeks heat, but I nod, appreciating the excuse to retreat to the bedroom we were given. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m full. Nice to meet you, Shaw.¡±

    He winks. ¡°You too, sweetheart. And I¡¯m serious. We just moved in. Saylor could use some friends.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I wave, and Hart thankfully guides me toward the stairs.

    That guy assumed I would be sticking around, but based on how Ridge has been avoiding me, I¡¯m not sure I see that happening.<hr>

    Without Hart being here, I would be crumbling. He keeps me grounded, even as I feel like I¡¯m about to climb out of my skin. We brush our teeth and get situated in the massive bed.

    My instincts are unsettled, and if it didn¡¯t seem inappropriate, I would have asked to sleep in the nest.

    This house is a mansion.

    There¡¯s no other way to describe it.

    The room is spacious, which might be nice if there were four or five of us all coexisting in this one space, but it¡¯s too much room for just Hart and me.

    The bathroom alone is unreal, with four side-by-side sinks, a massive tub with jets, a ss shower, and a door that leads to the nest.

    I didn¡¯t grow up poor, more likefortably middle ss, and this ce still makes me feel inadequate.

    ¡°Is your house like this?¡± I ask as Hart and I lie on our sides, facing one another.

    He grimaces. ¡°It¡¯s not as new or as updated as this ce, but yeah, it¡¯s probably about the same size, based on what I¡¯ve seen.¡±

    I scoff, grabbing the nket and pulling it over my head.

    My instincts are unsettled.

    The room is too open.

    And I¡¯m so embarrassed about everything that¡¯s happened over the course of thest few hours¡­

    Hiding is the only option.

    Being an omega rarely makes sense.

    Hart chuckles, scooting down and snuggling closer to my front as he hides under the nket with me. ¡°I didn¡¯t grow up with money. I get it. Harrison¡¯s pack house is a lot like the house you inherited from your grandmother, and that¡¯s where I grew up.¡± He kisses my forehead and moves down to peck my nose. ¡°Yeah, I can afford nice things now, but I¡¯ve also been really careful with my spending. I don¡¯t want to have to do brand deals and speaking engagements when I¡¯m seventy and no one remembers who I am.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry I dragged you here with me,¡± I whisper as my eyes squeeze shut. ¡°I know you didn¡¯t sign up for any of this, and I wouldn¡¯t me you at all if you wanted to leave.¡±

    ¡°Quincy,¡± he says, sounding exasperated.

    My eyes pop open to study Hart¡¯s face.

    It¡¯s darker under the covers, but I can still make out his bright blue eyes.

    ¡°You¡¯re not getting rid of me that easily.¡±

    My heart races, and my fingers dig into his bare chest. He¡¯s warm and so sturdy, while I¡¯m a walking disaster.

    God, I hope he means it. Without him, I¡¯d be ugly crying right this very moment.

    He gets very close to my ear and goes on. ¡°It¡¯s not a bad thing to have the nket blocking our view. Did you notice the room smelled heavily of Trigg when we came in?¡±

    My nose wrinkles. ¡°Maybe a little, but he came in when he told us the food was here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, or he used the bathroom excuse to pop in and put cameras in the bedroom,¡± he murmurs close to my ear.

    I frown.

    That does sound like something Trigg would do.

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to him,¡± I whisper.

    It¡¯s hard for me to be upset with Trigg, maybe because of what he said about the soul match thing, but mainly because he reminds me a lot of my best friend when I was growing up. Johnny also had no filter and didn¡¯t understand boundaries. He died in a car ident with his dad a week before our senior year.

    It¡¯s something I rarely talk about, but I trust Hart, and the words spill out as I tell him all about my childhood best friend.

    ¡°Shit,¡± Hart hisses. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your loss.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, but I hate thinking about it. Maybe that¡¯s part of the reason I¡¯m so forgiving of Trigg¡¯s quirks.¡± I shrug, bringing my hand to run over my stomach.

    The baby should be up any time, considering she likes to start bouncing around twenty minutes to an hour after I eat.

    ¡°There¡¯s a big difference between not understanding social cues or being overly blunt versus breaking and entering with a side of stalking,¡± Hart says, his tone deathly serious.

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to him. I promise.¡±

    ¡°I highly doubt that will be enough, but I¡¯m not trying to stress you out. We can revisit it again the next time he does something shitty.¡± Hart brushes his fingers over my cheek. ¡°I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t take too long.¡±

    I snort. ¡°That was bad.¡±

    ¡°Nah, just realistic.¡±<hr>

    Groaning, I roll over and remember I¡¯m not at home. My dder is ufortably full, and I need a bathroom trip like right now. Doing my best to keep from waking Hart, I make my way out of the massive bed and into the bathroom.

    I get back into the bedroom and nce between the bed and the door. Normally I bring a drink to bed with me, but since Hart and I came up with little nning, I didn¡¯t think to grab one.

    You could just drink from the sink¡­

    I contemte that idea for a few moments, but I don¡¯t want to have to pop up again in five minutes to do the same thing. Sighing, I take off toward the door. The bedroom flooring isn¡¯t bad because it¡¯s carpet. The hallway is wood, though, and it¡¯s cold against my feet.

    This ce is massive and confusing when I¡¯m half asleep. Trigg showed us the back stairs earlier when he guided us down to eat, but I make a wrong turn and end up heading down the staircase thates out near the front door.

    It¡¯s fine, this hallway will take me to the kitchen¡­ I think.

    Low murmuringes from the living room, and I find myself tiptoeing in that direction. There¡¯s another way to get to the kitchen if you go through it, so it¡¯s not even like I¡¯m going out of my way to snoop.

    Damn.

    Are you so forgiving of Trigg¡¯s behavior because you¡¯re terribly nosy too?

    Maybe.

    I kinda hope that¡¯s Ridge¡¯s voice, and that hispany has left so we can finally have a moment to ourselves.

    The archway that separates the entryway and the living room has to be ten or eleven feet tall. The tile lining the entryway is dark cream with swirls of gray, and it¡¯s equally chilly under my feet. Maybe even more than the wood flooring was.

    Peeking around the archway opening, my heart flutters.

    Ridge is stretched out on the long end of the sectional with King on his chest. He¡¯s busy scratching behind the dog¡¯s ear. ¡°What do you think, King?¡±

    My teeth dig into my lower lip as I study the two of them together. Knowing he has a pet that he takes excellent care of makes me hopeful. If you have animals, you intrinsically know you¡¯re responsible for their needs.

    A baby requires a lot more care, but it¡¯s roughly the same principle.

    ¡°You n toe in, or are you just going to stand there, eavesdropping?¡± Ridge asks.

    My entire body jolts.

    Covert mission failed.

    ¡°Sorry.¡± I meander into the room with my face on fire. ¡°I was headed to the kitchen to grab a drink, but I heard you talking.¡±

    Ridge frowns, stretching a long arm down and grabbing a bottle of water that looks unopened. ¡°Here.¡± He shakes it, and I step around the end of the couch to take it from his outstretched hand.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    He nods. ¡°No problem.¡±

    Opening the bottle, I take a sip, followed quickly by another. I¡¯m tempted to sit on one of the open couch cushions. My feet ache, and if I had to guess, I¡¯d say my ankles are swollen. Sitting would also take some of the pressure off my hips, but I don¡¯t want to force him to be around me if that¡¯s not what he wants.

    ¡°Is now a good time to talk?¡± I ask, frowning as he picks up the bottle of beer from the floor and takes a long pull.

    He scoffs, rolling his head around the back of the cushion that he¡¯s leaned against. His eyes are a vibrant turquoise blue that I¡¯ve never seen on a human being. They¡¯re so distinctive that it¡¯s hard to focus on any of his other features with howmanding they are.

    ¡°Why not, but fair warning¡­¡± He grins, shrugging. ¡°We might have to have it all over again tomorrow when I sober up. I haven¡¯t been this drunk in a long time.¡± He stretches down, putting the beer on the floor again. ¡°I¡¯m talking probably eight years or more.¡±

    Yeah, well, if I could have a drink right now, I probably would. ¡°It¡¯s okay. We can talk in the morning.¡± I turn to head back upstairs. ¡°Thank you for the water.¡±

    Ridge grabs my wrist, spinning me back to him. Despite his altered state, he¡¯s gentle with his grip. ¡°Why did you leave that morning?¡±

 : Chapter 19

    Quincy sighs and weirdly raises a foot, stretching it from side-to-side and front to back.

    ¡°Everything okay?¡± I ask, squinting.

    ¡°Yeah, I think my feet are swollen, but it¡¯s normal.¡±

    Releasing her wrist, I nt a hand on King and shimmy to the side, making room on the long end of the couch. ¡°Here. I¡¯ll even share my pillow with you.¡±

    She ces the bottle of water on the floor and climbs onto the edge of the cushion, wiggling around. She gives up trying to getfortable on her back and turns to face me.

    Her pregnant belly has to add six to eight inches to her profile, so even though it¡¯s an oversized cushion, it¡¯s still a tight fit.

    I scoot back to give her more space and end up half on the arm of the couch. Giving up on that, I turn fully on my side too.

    King grunts, showing his displeasure as he slides down my chest. Hends with most of his chubby ass wedged on me with a little on the couch. His side presses against Quincy¡¯s stomach, and I frown. ¡°Is he too heavy?¡± He¡¯ll be pissed if I move him to the floor, but he¡¯ll live.

    ¡°No, he¡¯s fine.¡± Quincyughs, reaching over to run her hand down his back. ¡°Sorry to disrupt your snuggle-fest.¡±

    Her smile threatens to steal all the breath from my lungs.

    She¡¯s just as beautiful as I remember. Her face is a little fuller, as is her chest, but I figure that¡¯s a side effect of baking a human being.

    I barely got to feel around the belly earlier, and I want more time spent with my hand nted on her stomach. I¡¯m sure the baby is big enough that I would be able to feel it moving, and I want to experience that as much as possible before she delivers.

    ¡°That morning I woke up¡­¡± She sighs, shoving her hair away from her face. ¡°I wasn¡¯t supposed to be gone all night. Donna, my grandmother¡¯s care nurse, was doing me a favor by staying with her. I panicked, climbed out of bed, and went to find a pen to leave you my number. Only I had a bunch of calls and texts from Donna, then she called again while I was digging for something to write with. It sounds so bad, but my brain just kinda shut down. I had a bad feeling, and I walked out into the hall to answer the call.¡± Her eyes fall shut, and she grimaces. ¡°I could lie and say I tried to get back into the room afterward, since most hotel doors lock after you, but honestly, I was dazed and only focused on getting home. I found out once I did that my grandma passed away that night.¡± Her eyes meet mine as they pop open, and I start to feel like a real dick.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about your grandma. Did you try to look for me once you found out about the baby?¡± I ask, and I don¡¯t know why it even matters. It¡¯s not like she would have found anything if she had.

    What Leo and Shaw beat into my head is true. Even if she looked for me, she would have been up against Calder and his team¡¯s tech skills. Easton keeps them on the payroll for a reason.

    She never had a chance.

    Not unless she would have woken me up to ask me to go with her.

    If she had, I would have.

    Then when Easton called, I would have told him to fuck off.

    So many things would have been different if she had just woken me up.

    ¡°I did. I think I might have reached Trigg-levels,¡± she says, going on to describe how she went back to the bar and the hotel so many times they banned her from the hotel premises. ¡°I mean, if you need an inventory of anyone in Burlington named Ridge, I have a list. I even moved on to anyone with Ridge as part of theirst name. I might have spent a month making sure to get eyes on each one to be sure it wasn¡¯t you.¡±

    I bark augh. ¡°You did a little stalking of your own.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I really did.¡±

    And I let myself be sent off from job to job, always telling myself that I¡¯d find her when I made it back to Vermont.

    ¡°Shit, Quincy, I¡¯m sorry. This isn¡¯t all on you,¡± I admit. ¡°As my friends so poignantly drilled into my head, I would have had a much easier time finding you than vice versa.¡±

    ¡°Did you look for me at all?¡± she asks, her voice small, almost like she doesn¡¯t really want to know.

    ¡°I intended to,¡± I say, grimacing. ¡°Only my boss sent me to Vegas that same day, and I kept thinking I¡¯d dig around for you when I got back. But then the next job came up before I even got back home, and that happened over and over again. I should have put my foot down months ago.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s tough,¡± she says, focusing on King. ¡°I bet it¡¯s hard being away from him.¡±

    I think this would be easier to handle if she just called me a hypocrite for not being out knocking on doors to track her down. Her disappearing that morning hurt my feelings, and my pride fucked me over real good.

    ¡°It is, but Knox stays here when I¡¯m out of town, and King has his own dog sitter whoes twice a day to take him for walks.¡± Why am I still going on about my dog? ¡°It bothered me when I woke up and you were gone. I thought we had a connection.¡±

    ¡°We did,¡± she says, grabbing my hand and giving it a squeeze. ¡°I felt safe with you. I know it doesn¡¯t mean much now, but before I even found out about the baby, I was hoping I would see you again.¡±

    ¡°Did you find out the gender?¡±

    ¡°I did, but if you want to be surprised, I can keep it to myself.¡± She frowns. ¡°I¡¯ll ask Hart and Trigg to do the same.¡±

    I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from growling. It really irks me that they both know, and I don¡¯t.

    Dammit.

    I can hold a grudge like nobody else, but I have to figure out how to let go of this resentment. If I can¡¯t, it¡¯ll destroy any chance I have of building a life with Quincy.

    What Leo said was like a punch to the gut. I don¡¯t want to only get to see the kid half the time or, even worse, only on birthdays and holidays and a month during summer break.

    I don¡¯t want Hartley fucking Adams there filling the role I¡¯m supposed to be filling.

    I got lucky with stepdads that love me, so I shouldn¡¯t shit on anyone who steps up and takes care of a kid that isn¡¯t biologically their own, and I¡¯m not. It¡¯s just hard to imagine him there in the baby¡¯s day-to-day life while I¡¯m out on contract after contract.

    Although, if ites down to it, Hartley is a much more viable option for a packmate than Trigg.

    ¡°I want to know.¡± My hand pulls from under hers as it rests on King¡¯s back, and I bring it to her stomach like I have the right.

    ¡°A girl,¡± she says, and my heart stutters.

    Jesus.

    A girl.

    Hopefully she looks just like Quincy, because I¡¯m an ugly motherfucker.

    She can only take after her mother¡­ But if she does, I¡¯m never going to be able to sleep again. At least, not once she starts dating.

    Fuck me.

    It couldn¡¯t have been a boy first? At least then, I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about ending up in prison once any little fuckerse nosing around. I could leave the boyfriend tormenting up to him and not even end up being the bad guy.

    It¡¯s what my dads did with me. They didn¡¯t even have to spell it out, and I knew what my job was.

    Not to mention, boys are safer than girls in our world.

    That won¡¯t matter.

    I¡¯ll be around to keep both Quincy and the baby safe. I¡¯m going to need to buy stock in a trackerpany. That way, I¡¯ll always know where they are.

    Fuck, maybe Trigg¡¯s obsessive ass wouldn¡¯t make for a bad packmate, after all.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Quincy asks,ughing. ¡°You¡¯re normally pretty tan, but all the color just drained from your face.¡±

    ¡°I have four younger sisters,¡± I admit, running my hand over her stomach.

    ¡°That must have been a wild ride, growing up with such a full house.¡±

    ¡°It was.¡± I also remember how much hell they gave my mom. ¡°When is your next doctor¡¯s appointment? I want to go with you.¡±

    ¡°The day after tomorrow.¡± Her adorable nose scrunches. ¡°Actually, it has to be after midnight, so not today but tomorrow. And you¡¯re more than wee toe. Will leaving the house be a problem? I know you and Trigg mentioned someone is after you?¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t let anything happen to you or the baby,¡± I say, really regretting letting her in on the Costa Maloney threat.

    Thest thing she needs is additional stress, but lying isn¡¯t going to do shit to build trust between us.

    ¡°Right, but you do private security¡­¡± That pert nose of hers wrinkles again. ¡°Why would anyone want to harm you for that? Or did I misunderstand why I¡¯m here in the first ce?¡±

    Fuck.

    The burning in my gut must mean I¡¯ve developed an ulcer at some point between this afternoon and tonight. No idea if it¡¯s physically possible to have it progress that quickly, but my stomach is fucked.

    No matter how I try to spin it, I¡¯m going to have to take one of two paths. I can either sugarcoat my job to the point of lying, or I can be up front and leave out the grisly details, which I would never tell someone like Quincy, anyway.

    ¡°Have you ever heard of off-the-books military contracts?¡± I ask.

    ¡°I guess. Maybe on one of those conspiracy theory documentaries or something.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re not conspiracy theories. The CIA isn¡¯t supposed to work on American soil¡­¡± I mean, it¡¯s pretty much an open secret at this point that it does, but they have to be sneaky about how and when they act. ¡°The FBI hasws and fail-safes that limit what it can do, but privatepanies do not.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± The look on her face says she has no idea what I¡¯m getting at.

    ¡°That¡¯s a portion of our jobs. Other contracts are for disposing of human garbage that has no right being around the general public. Thest is security contracts for high-profile businessmen or even politicians. That includes domestic and international kidnapping retrieval services.¡± Maybe if I sneak in that whole disposing of people between two that don¡¯t sound awful, she¡¯ll miss it.

    ¡°Why would someone need to hire yourpany to retrieve a kidnapped person here in the States? Wouldn¡¯t the police handle that?¡±

    Shit.

    That is a valid question for someone who doesn¡¯t understand how it goes.

    ¡°If someone high profile gets kidnapped, and the family wants to keep it off the news, they call us. Sometimes clients want a team outside ofw enforcement because they havews they¡¯re legally required to follow, and we do not.¡±

    Okay, technically everyone hasws they¡¯re supposed to abide by, but if you call in someone like Shadow Security, you know what you¡¯re asking for.

    She hums. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make much sense to me. You would think the police would have more leeway than a privatepany, but I think I understand what you¡¯re trying to hint at.¡±

    ¡°Look, it sounds worse than it is,¡± I say, hoping my words are true. ¡°There is a lot of trash out there, and sometimes it¡¯s hard to get to them if you¡¯re following legal channels and all thews, because they sure don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Gotcha.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, trying to think of a way to put it. ¡°You met Shaw. Leo was here, too, but he stayed outside. That¡¯s mostly irrelevant. I¡¯m only mentioning it so you know who I¡¯m talking about. They used to do private security for Senator Cahan. They were assigned to his daughter for a few years, but another team took over for them.¡± I sigh. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of backstory that won¡¯t make much sense to you, and most of it isn¡¯t relevant to what happened in Amsterdam. Saylor was on a trip with a friend from college when she was kidnapped. That¡¯s where I was for most of November and into the beginning of December. They took her to Germany, and it was up to the three of us to get her back. We¡¯re asionally on the wrong side of thew, but the work we do is morally sound.¡±

    Usually, I add silently to myself.

    ¡°Is she okay?¡± Quincy asks, studying my face.

    ¡°She¡¯s hanging in there as well as can be expected.¡± I shrug. ¡°That¡¯s the kind of thing that cane back to haunt you even yearster. One minute, you¡¯re fine, then the next, you¡¯ve got shbacks or nightmares.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d you guys were able to rescue her.¡±

    ¡°Leo and Shaw did most of the heavy lifting,¡± I admit. ¡°I was just there to watch their backs.¡± Teasing over Quincy¡¯s stomach, I pause when something moves under my palm. It¡¯s faint at first, almost like a heartbeat, but it happens again, this time even stronger. ¡°Is that¡­¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± She grabs my hand, moving it between her stomach and the couch cushion. ¡°It¡¯s really strong over here.¡±

    My pulse picks up to the point I can feel it in my ears. She¡¯s not wrong. The movements are a lot more powerful here.

    ¡°That¡¯s insane,¡± I whisper, my eyes aching.

    Do not burst into tears.

    Don¡¯t you dare do it.

    You¡¯ll get all snotty and embarrass yourself.

    She¡¯ll think you¡¯re a drunk or crazier than Trigg and run away.

    ¡°Have you picked a name?¡± I ask around the lump in my throat.

    The way her lips tip up only makes my blood pump faster.

    I¡¯m going to have to start eating healthier. I¡¯ve lived off fast food for thest year or so. My heart is working overtime here. I should probably take better care of it in the future.

    ¡°I have a few that I like, but I¡¯m open topromising.¡± She grins mischievously. ¡°As long as you don¡¯t have terrible taste in naming children.¡±

    Iugh. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±

    Quincy pulls her hand to my cheek, brushing her fingers over my beard. ¡°You¡¯re very handsome when you smile. I hope she gets your eyes. Can I ask why you wear your sses so often?¡±

    I¡¯ve got them off now, but that¡¯s because I¡¯m at home. I could y it off like it¡¯s to prevent UV damage. My ophthalmologist told me I¡¯m at a higher risk for cataracts, but that¡¯s a cop-out.

    ¡°My eyes.¡± I pull my hand off her stomach to gesture at my face. ¡°They make it nearly impossible to blend in. Having my sses on is conspicuous, but strangely, people are less likely to remember me if they¡¯re on versus if they see my eyes. The color gives me away even more than my height.¡±

    ¡°Huh, that is weird,¡± she says. ¡°Damn, my mouth is dry, and I already have to pee again.¡±

    I chuckle.

    King grunts, getting even more wedged between us as I stretch over Quincy to grab her bottle of water.

    She takes it and struggles to turn to sit up. I grab King and move him to the end of the cushion. He jumps down, shakes out his coat, and runs off¡ªprobably checking if Trigg left any shoes lying around down here that he can piss in. Turning back to the omega, I pull her up enough that she can get a drink without spilling.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± she whispers. ¡°Everything is embarrassing these days.¡±

    Iugh. ¡°You¡¯ve got nothing to be embarrassed about. It¡¯s cute. You¡¯re all belly. I bet it¡¯s ufortable.¡±

    She twists the cap back onto the bottle. ¡°It¡¯s not so bad. At first¡­¡± She leans back against the cushion. ¡°The constant nausea during the first trimester was bad. The second trimester was surprisingly easy, but I had the most vivid dreams.¡± Her eyes fall to herp where the bottle of water now rests between her thighs. ¡°I had dreams where I found you, and you were furious. Others where things went better, and I¡¯d wake up so relieved, only to realize it never actually happened.¡±

    ¡°Fuck, I¡¯m sorry,¡± I hiss, shaking my head. ¡°Listen, I know this is raw for both of us, but I want to be in the baby¡¯s life.¡± Bringing my hand to her chin, I tilt her face to mine. ¡°Your life too. I heard Hartley say you¡¯re dating?¡ª¡±

    ¡°That literally happened yesterday. Today? Whatever.¡± Her pretty blue eyes stare straight into mine like she¡¯s trying to will me to believe her.

    ¡°Fate really does seem to love to fuck me. I believe you.¡± My brows draw together. ¡°Fuck. I didn¡¯t mean that how it sounded. Or maybe I did. I¡¯m not used to censoring myself. I¡¯ll work on that.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do that. I liked you for you that night. I just wish everything that happened since wouldn¡¯t have made it so awkward between us.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not all that awkward. My boss kidnapped his wife¡­¡± I shrug. ¡°Twice, if you believe her ount of events. And for her to put up with Easton, let¡¯s just say, Stockholm syndrome probably had something to do with it.¡±

    Sheughs a light, airy sound. ¡°I can never tell if you¡¯re joking, but based on the way I ended up here, I should probably start taking your words at face value.¡±

    ¡°Good, do that,¡± I say, scooting down and rolling off the edge of the couch. I walk around to her side to help her off the sofa. ¡°That way you¡¯ll believe me when I say I want a second chance at making things work between us.¡±

    Quincy frowns, taking my outstretched hands. ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to ask me for a paternity test? Even my ex asked for one, and there was no chance of him being her father.¡±

    I pull her up, making sure she doesn¡¯t bump into the bottles. ¡°Are you lying?¡±

    She has to tilt her head up to see my face due to the height difference. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Any chance your math could be off?¡±

    ¡°Also no.¡±

    I nod. ¡°I¡¯ve always had an urate gut instinct. It hasn¡¯t led me wrong yet. If you say the baby is mine, I believe you.¡±

    Look at me¡­breaking generational curses.

    My mom will be so proud.

    After she and my sisters rake me over the coals for not being able to tell them about Quincy and the baby until she¡¯s practically ready to deliver.

    Family really is the gift that keeps giving. It¡¯s only a matter of time before they find out, and it¡¯s going to be a straight-up battle to keep them from trying to storm my house to meet Quincy.

 : Chapter 20

    Ridge guides me upstairs with King at his feet. He stops next to a bedroom door I don¡¯t recognize and nods to it. ¡°This is my room. If you need anything, don¡¯t knock, don¡¯t worry about bothering me, just barge right in.¡± He opens the door, flips on the light, and King trots inside. ¡°He¡¯s going to pout until I make it back, but he¡¯ll live.¡± He chuckles fondly and shuts the door. ¡°He has stairs to get up onto the bed, but he¡¯s toozy to use them. Why bother when he can be carried to bed like a king?¡±

    I smile and let Ridge guide me down the hallway with his hand on my lower back.

    ¡°Seeing how much you care for King is¡­¡± Iugh awkwardly. A lump forms in my throat as my eyes ache. Sometimes even I don¡¯t understand my fluctuating emotions, but it¡¯sforting to know he can care for another living being. I can only imagine how dedicated he could be to a human if that¡¯s how well he takes care of his pet. ¡°It¡¯s very sweet.¡±

    I want the baby to have that. For her to know her dad loves her and will look after her no matter what.

    It¡¯s silly to look back on one night with such fondness, but he really did make me feel like I was the only woman on Earth. He was so attentive in a way I had never experienced.

    Wee to a stop outside the door to the pack bedroom.

    Ridge keeps his hand on my back but moves until he¡¯s directly in front of me.

    That night we spent together, he had more of a yful, lighthearted energy. I saw little glimmers of that while we were talking in the living room, but the look on his face is so intense that I find myself taking a step back, followed quickly by another.

    My butt and shoulders hit the wall, but Ridge doesn¡¯t remove his hand from my lower back. He follows me, step for step, and my breathing quickens as his other forearmnds against the wall above my head.

    It traps me to the wall with Ridge as my confines.

    My head tilts to keep sight of his eyes. If I didn¡¯t, I¡¯d be staring at his pecs. The height difference really is staggering, more so than even with Trigg or Hart.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have a lot of time before the babyes, but I want to spend as much time as possible getting to know you before she gets here,¡± he says, studying my face. ¡°No matter what, we¡¯re going to be in each other¡¯s lives for at least the next eighteen years.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I agree. ¡°I want that too. I mean, I want to spend time getting to know you.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Ites out low and rumbly.

    A memory sparks.

    Ridge purring as he held me in his arms just before we fell asleep that night. My head resting on his vibrating chest and his huge hand smoothing up and down my spine.

    His expensive cologne scent was everywhere, while my nose enjoyed each one of the notes.

    Leather.

    Bergamot.

    Pipe tobo.

    None of those scents are particrly pleasant on their own, but they blend together to create perfection.

    A perfect smell that¡¯s so distinctly Ridge.

    ¡°Did you hear me, sweetheart?¡± he asks.

    I blink up at him and shake my head, trying to force away the memory.

    It¡¯s impossible.

    My body seems to remember how warm his muscr chest was as I cuddled up to him. I never meant to fall asleep, but hisfort was too enticing.

    A whimper escapes, and I fling myself forward. My nosends against his chest, then I¡¯m rubbing my face all over his T-shirt, desperate to soak up all his pheromones.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I whisper.

    I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m apologizing for. It could be the mess of losing touch and popping up pregnant with his baby. Or it could be the fact my hands dig into his back like I¡¯m terrified he might try to get away.

    I¡¯m sure he¡¯s as confused as I am.

    Ridge¡¯s hand on my lower back tightens.

    I keep wallowing around his chest like I have the right. ¡°You smell so good.¡± I didn¡¯t know I could moan an entire sentence, but I guess I do have that skill, after all. ¡°I forgot howpatible we are. Why are you so sweaty? You should be sweatier. It would make you smell even better.¡±

    Ridge snorts. ¡°I thought I was sobering up, but maybe not. I¡¯m not sweaty, sweetheart, but I also haven¡¯t had a shower yet tonight.¡±

    ¡°You smell great.¡±

    Ridge¡¯s hand meets my chin, and he stretches back, pulling my nose from his T-shirt. ¡°You smell pretty fucking fantastic to me too.¡±

    I lick my lips.

    He has a really nice beard.

    And eyes.

    His scent is kinda like a drug.

    I wonder if I could pin him to the wall and hold him in ce long enough to satisfy the urge to smell him. He might not even fight it if I tried. He might draw the line at licking, though.

    ¡°Can I have your T-shirt?¡±

    ¡°Are you okay, Quincy?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, there¡¯s this whole thing with pregnant omegas needing alpha pheromones and semen,¡± I blurt out, and my cheeks heat. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± I shake my head, but he¡¯s still holding on to my chin.

    Why isn¡¯t my brain working?

    I know what I want to say, but when I open my mouth, nothing seems toe out right.

    The door next to my bedroom opens, and Trigg pops out. I can only see him out of my peripheral vision, but Ridge loosens his grip on my chin when he notices I¡¯m struggling to get a look at what¡¯s happening.

    Ridge growls. ¡°Fuck off, Trigg.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Trigg is still in the same dress shirt and dark jeans that he was in earlier, but he strides closer with a small pile ofundry tucked under one arm.

    My eyes widen, and I whimper. ¡°Is that for me?¡±

    Trigg¡¯s face softens, and he nods. ¡°All for you, angel. Stick it under your pillow or cuddle it like a teddy bear.¡±

    Ridge sighs, runs his thumb over my cheek, and steps back.

    ¡°It¡¯s much more serious than she¡¯s letting on.¡± Trigges to a stop at our sides. ¡°Omegas need certain things from alphas to grow a healthy baby.¡± He looks at me poignantly. ¡°And to keep themselves from bing ill.¡±

    I¡¯m not proud of the fact that I pivot, snatching theundry from his hold. Before I can stop myself, I¡¯ve got my face buried in the small pile, attempting to sniff out which piece is the smelliest.

    ¡°This is the first I¡¯m hearing about this,¡± Ridge growls. ¡°Why exactly is this the first time I¡¯m hearing any of this?¡±

    ¡°We just reconnected today,¡± I say, but it¡¯s muffled by Trigg¡¯s clothing.

    ¡°You need rest.¡± Trigg quirks an eyebrow.

    ¡°That we can agree on,¡± Ridge mutters. ¡°We all need a good night¡¯s sleep. We can reconvene in the morning.¡±

    It takes everything in me to pull the clothes away from my face, but I nod. ¡°I am exhausted. Thank God I don¡¯t have to work tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°And on that note, I¡¯m going back to my room.¡± Trigg spins around and heads off. He grumbles something under his breath that I can¡¯t make out, but I¡¯m distracted by Ridge.

    He shoves my hair behind my ear and bends, kissing my forehead. ¡°You know where to find me if you need me. I get it. We¡¯re not there yet, but don¡¯t be stubborn. If you don¡¯t feel well, I need you to make sure you let Hartley take care of you.¡± He quirks an eyebrow. ¡°You understand?¡±

    I nod, and my chest gets tight. I hate the distance between us. I¡¯m just not sure how to go about fixing it.

    ¡°Sleep well, Quincy.¡± He teases the backs of his fingers over my cheek and strides down the hallway.

    It sucks watching him walk away.

    If my instincts had their way, I would have Hart, Trigg, and Ridge locked away in the nest. Omega impulses don¡¯t always understand the intricacies of modern society. They¡¯re much more animalistic than I am.

    Shaking my head, I push off the wall and let myself into the bedroom I¡¯m sharing with Hart.

    I get Trigg¡¯sundry snuggled under my pillow, visit the bathroom, and climb in bed next to Hart.

    The sexy alpha immediately cuddles closer to my front. ¡°Missed you,¡± he mumbles sleepily, nting a hand on my hip.

    Even the small point of contact makes me smile. It doesn¡¯t take long for me to get settled, and I¡¯m almost asleep when the baby starts to move. Even after all this time, it still surprises me. It¡¯s weird to feel my skin bounce as she wiggles and rolls. Sometimes her movements keep me awake, but I¡¯m just exhausted enough to ignore it.

    I¡¯m either dozing or just about there when Trigg¡¯s scent gets even stronger.

    ¡°You forgot your water. I brought you another. It¡¯s on the nightstand,¡± he whispers close to my ear. ¡°Good night, angel.¡±

    I suppose that answers the question of whether Trigg has cameras hidden throughout Ridge¡¯s house. If nothing else, he has them in the living room, meaning he watched and probably listened to my conversation with Ridge. I wouldn¡¯t be shocked to find he put cameras in here, too, but I¡¯m too tired to address it right this moment.

    I don¡¯t open my eyes to acknowledge Trigg. I never heard hime in, and I hear nothing that leads me to believe he¡¯s left the room, but some part of me is at peace knowing he¡¯s watching over me.

    Now to figure out how to get Hart on board with Trigg¡¯s unusual style.

    I¡¯m too tired for that now.

    It¡¯ll have to go on tomorrow¡¯s to-do list.<hr>

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re cute,¡± Hartley murmurs close to my ear as we take a quick shower the next morning. His warmth frames my back while his cock bumps around my ass. ¡°All I could smell when I woke up was Trigg¡¯s stinky armpit funk, and you snored worse than my old teammates back when we had to share hotel rooms for away games. That¡¯s kind of an aplishment.¡±

    ¡°Hart!¡± My hands fly to cover my face.

    Pregnancy is embarrassing.

    It¡¯s not the ideal time to start a new rtionship. I¡¯ve never been told I snore before, but I also have no trouble believing his words are true.

    He chuckles. ¡°Like I said, you¡¯re lucky you¡¯re cute because somehow the snoring was precious. I could do without smelling Trigg first thing in the morning, but waking up with your ass pressed to my dick was a solid diversion.¡± His hands slide down my sides. One teases over my hip and down to cradle my pussy while the other works up to cup my breast.

    It¡¯s a good distraction from how big and open the bathroom is. Even the shower is fancy, with a strip of frosted ss across the middle to offer some illusion of privacy. A bench takes up the entire end wall, and it has a panel of buttons that Hart mentioned is for swapping between the rainfall feature, the normal dual shower heads, and the wand-sprayer thingy hanging over the bench.

    He pinches my nipple and spreads my lower lips, circling my clit.

    My head falls back against his chest as my eyes close. The water helps mute some of it, but his scent still permeates the air. It¡¯s like the weather on a cold, snowy morning when you step out and want to take a walk in the woods.

    I love it¡­almost as much as I appreciate him keeping us from falling over. He nudges my feet apart just a little, which gives him more room to work my core. His hard length bumps my ass, and the low groans he releases as he scrapes his teeth over my shoulder are intense. But just like he held me together at the seamsst night, he also keeps me upright this morning.

    It¡¯s a wild feeling being able to count on him, and I¡¯m growing addicted to the way he always makes me feel safe.

    Long arms for the win.

    Hart teases his thumb around my swollen nub and tests my opening with what feels like two fingers.

    I¡¯m already slick¡ªjust from the tender touches as we soaped each other up. My inner walls cling to his thick digits, and I groan.

    He¡¯s magical.

    He knows just where to aim and how to stretch his fingers to send me soaring. ¡°You like that. Don¡¯t you, beautiful? Imagine my cock in ce of my hand. How stretched you¡¯d be then.¡± He growls, grinding his slick shaft against my ass.

    Hart swaps between teasing my tits and ttening his hand on my sternum to keep me in ce. Everything amps up, and I have to lean against his muscr chest with how violently my legs shake.

    ¡°Come all over my fingers, and I¡¯ll let you have my cock.¡± His warm breath fans over my neck, and he nips at my ear. He crooks his fingers, raking my G-spot, and I tumble over the edge.

    My shoulders tremble as euphoria rips through my nerve endings, and a choked moan slips from my lips. He knows just how to wring every ounce of pleasure from my system, stretching and twisting his fingers.

    Hartley keeps me upright, teasing my clit with lighter pressure while allowing me the chance toe back to reality. As soon as my eyes pop open, he pulls his hand free of my core.

    ¡°Don¡¯t fall over.¡± He chuckles and moves to the bench, stretching back and wrapping his fist around his length. His blue eyes meet mine as he licks his lips. ¡°I ache for you, Quincy.¡± Ites out low and gravelly.

    I move forward, and as soon as I¡¯m within reach, he wraps his forearm around my ass. He really must not trust my center of gravity.

    Not that I have much more faith in it these days.

    He tugs me closer, and I climb onto hisp. The shower bench digs into my shins almost painfully, but Harttches on to my nipple, flicking his tongue over it, and it distracts me from the difort.

    I moan, my head falling to rest on his shoulder. He released his shaft when I climbed onto hisp, but he works around my stomach and grabs his length once more. His tip bumps my lower lips and brushes my clit.

    His forearm flexes as he jerks himself a few times and repositions at my opening. Somehow my face ends up buried in his neck, and I lick and suck on the skin just below where his beard ends.

    Hart growls, and he uses his forearm around my ass to shove me down. His crown ends up buried just inside me, and I fall on my knees to force him even deeper. ¡°That¡¯s it. Let me in.¡±

    My tits ache as my nipples tighten painfully, and he pulls his hand from between us. Both of his palms move to my ass, and he lifts and drops me with force.

    I¡¯m warm and floaty and a little disconnected from reality.

    He feels too good, and my brain can¡¯t seem to focus on anything else. He¡¯s so hard, and the stretch is delicious.

    Warm water ricochets down my back and over my legs, but it doesn¡¯t drown out Hart¡¯s scent.

    He continues to help guide me over his length while his other hand teases up my back. He buries his fingers in my hair and pulls my face from his neck. ¡°You good?¡±

    I nod. ¡°You feel amazing.¡±

    ¡°Your slick is dripping down my knot and balls.¡± He growls. ¡°Fuck. Kiss me.¡± Bringing my face close to his, he shoves his tongue into my mouth.

    If I thought it was hard to focus before, I was wrong. Everything is hazy and muted, almost like a dream. Arousal sits heavy in my abdomen, and it builds as my oversensitive nipples tighten in the cool air.

    Hart must find a way to use his feet as leverage because he begins bucking up to meet me as I do my best to grind over him. My clit aches, and I stretch a hand down to tease it. I really want toe again, this time with him inside me, and the way his cock swells tells me I don¡¯t have much time to catch up.

    I might be on top of him, but Hart is the one in control. There¡¯s something so sensual about being surrounded by him. The way his strong forearm digs into my hip as his hand flexes on my ass. Even the little moans that vibrate out around our kiss.

    Speeding up, I apply firmer pressure to my clit.

    Hart¡¯s muscles get tight, and his shaft grows thicker and lower.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna fill your tight little pussy up.¡± His crown brushes that sensitive spot deep inside me, and he tugs my hair. ¡°Come for me, beautiful. I want to feel you strangling my cock as I fuck you full of my cum.¡±

    My body didn¡¯t need the instruction. I was already dangerously close to the edge, but his words send me over the cliff.

    A string of nonsensical begging spills from my lips as I grind over his jerking cock. My pussy is desperate to lock him in ce, but feeling him drag along my inner walls will have to do.

    My face falls to his shoulder, and Hart releases my hair enough to make the move possible. I sob, my face rolling around his skin as he curses. Pleasure lights through my system for so long it¡¯s almost painful.

    I¡¯m overstimted and exhausted, leaning into him as I struggle to catch my breath.

    He palms the back of my head, and it feels like a perfect moment in time. ¡°That was almost too good.¡±

    His scent soothes my system, and I mumble my agreement.

    My stomach pushes against his, and I know I should offer to climb off hisp, but I can¡¯t force myself to say the words.

    Hartley doesn¡¯t rush me. Instead, he cradles me to his chest while I breathe him in.

    He runs his fingers through my hair and uses his other hand to tenderly tease up and down my spine as my body shakes with the aftershocks of my orgasm.

    ¡°You make me really happy, Hart,¡± I whisper, biting my cheek.

    My chest tightens. I didn¡¯t mean to say that, but it¡¯s true. It feels like everything is moving really fast, and normally, I¡¯m a slow and steady kind of person. At the same time, I don¡¯t want him to question how I¡¯m feeling, especially with all the changes we¡¯ve been through in thest twenty-four hours.

    ¡°God, beautiful.¡± He nuzzles his cheek to the top of my head. ¡°Me too.¡±

    I find myself smiling against his shoulder. He¡¯s just so damn easy to believe.

    ¡°Ready for breakfast?¡± he asks, patting my back.

    It feels like it should be time to crawl back into bed to sleep for another hour or two.

    ¡°You can always take a mid-morning nap.¡± Hart chuckles, almost like he can read my mind. ¡°But we need to make sure you and the nugget are fed.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Hart.¡±

    ¡°Always.¡±

 : Chapter 21

    I should have put a camera in the bathroom in the pack bedroom. My attempt at being considerate backfired in my face.

    Quincy and Hartley have been in there for so long that I can only assume they¡¯re doing more than taking a quick shower. There¡¯s no doubt, Quincy needs ess to alpha pheromones¡­and more. I¡¯d just like her to obtain all of those things from me.

    I don¡¯t enjoy starting the day pouty, but here we are.

    If they take much longer, I might take it upon myself to check in and verify everything is okay.

    The door to my room flies open, and my hand pivots from holding the mouse to sliding under the edge of the desk.

    I would normally go for the Glock, but Quincy is somewhere around here. If I had to discharge the weapon, she would hear it. Wrapping my palm around the handle of the knife, I pull it from the sheath and twist.

    My eyes roll, and I shove the knife away as Ridge strides across the room. None of my fail-safes alerted me to any outside threats, so reaching for a weapon was likely an overreaction, anyway.

    ¡°What?¡± I ask, closing myptop. It features all the interior feeds, and Ridge doesn¡¯t need to see that.

    He tosses himself down on the end of my bed, and my forehead wrinkles. This might be his home, but this is the space I was given. He should have knocked and waited for me to grant him entrance.

    ¡°Were those links you sent mest night legit?¡± he asks, leaning back on his forearms as his legs hang off the end of the bed.

    That¡¯s what he wants to ask about?

    I can¡¯t decide if I¡¯m annoyed or impressed. Arge part of me assumed he wanted an update on Costa Maloney.

    ¡°They were,¡± I assure him, twisting in my chair until we face one another.

    ¡°So, basically, Quincy could have majorplications with the pregnancy unless she has constant ess to alphas?¡± Ridge pulls a hand to his face, scratching his jaw.

    ¡°That is correct.¡± I cross my ankles, stretching back in the chair. ¡°The times of highest risk are during the first trimester and thest eight weeks of pregnancy. She made it through the first window of concern, but she¡¯s in the second now.¡±

    ¡°How many weeks pregnant is she?¡± His forehead wrinkles. ¡°I tried a couple of different pregnancy calctor apps, and I only confused myself even worse than when I tried to count that shit out on the calendar on my phone.¡±

    ¡°Thirty-three weeks and a few days.¡± I frown. ¡°I think. Possibly closer to thirty-four weeks. I based my calctions from the time I asked how far along she was, and she told me she was thirty-one weeks, but I could be off by a bit since she didn¡¯t mention how many days she was.¡±

    ¡°So, we have six or seven weeks left,¡± he says, sitting up and leaning forward. ¡°We need to wipe out Costa and any of his minions before then. I don¡¯t want to have to deal with this bullshit once the babyes.¡±

    ¡°That makes two of us,¡± I agree tly.

    I do like that he said we have six or seven weeks left. It helps me feel included. I have no intention of leaving, even once my job isplete.

    ¡°Shit,¡± Ridge grumbles, leaning back and digging in his pocket. ¡°I¡¯ve got to keep an eye out for the call from the gate guards.¡± He chuckles. ¡°As it turns out, if you shop local, pay an absolutely astronomical rush delivery fee, and promise to take care of the drivers, you can get shit delivered within four hours.¡±

    I squint, trying to decipher what the hell that means. If he purchased extravagant items, they better not be courting gifts for Quincy. Not unless he ns to tell her they¡¯re also from me. I won¡¯t allow him to one-up me, and I tell him all of that.

    Ridge barks augh, stands up, and flips me off. ¡°What I did or didn¡¯t buy Quincy has nothing to do with you. You¡¯re not sponging off my presence of mind. Buy your own shit.¡±

    I checked his financials when Easton mentioned Ridge¡¯s yearly earnings, and he is more than capable of providing Quincy and the baby afortable life without ever needing to take another contract. However, I¡¯ve seen cheap individuals who only maintain wealth because they¡¯re too frugal to buy necessities, let alone gifts.

    Now I can¡¯t decide if I¡¯ll be more annoyed if he did buy Quincy somethingvish or if I¡¯ll be more bothered if whatever he ordered isn¡¯t for her at all.

    Easton made a point of calling Ridge cheap, and if he¡¯s buying anything, it really should be for Quincy or the baby.

    Dammit.

    I¡¯m moody.

    Even I don¡¯t know what will set my system at ease.

    ¡°If you see Hartley, tell him I could use some help if he has a minute. I¡¯m going to need more than just Knox to help me carry all that shit inside once it gets here.¡± Ridge takes off toward the door.

    ¡°Find a way to convince Quincy to quit her job,¡± I say to his back. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll burn Hartley¡¯s family restaurant to the ground to ensure she¡¯s not continually straining her body. She has no need for the meager amount of money she earns in tips.¡±

    In reality, I won¡¯t do it, but a highly sought after arsonist owes me a favor. It won¡¯t be easy to rece, so I¡¯ve held on to that marker for several years, and I would still call it in without question.

    I could burn the restaurant down on my own, but Flick has the ability to make it look like an ident.

    I dislike Hartley.

    I have no ill will toward his family. The least I can do would be to make sure they can cash in on the insurance payout.

    Ridge stops dead in his tracks and turns around. ¡°One of these days, Quincy is going to see you for who you really are.¡±

    ¡°She already has.¡± A cutting smile crosses my face. ¡°She still doesn¡¯t fear me, because she can sense that she has no reason to.¡±

    ¡°You might be crazier than your fucking brother,¡± Ridge mutters.

    My eyes narrow. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll broach the conversation with her myself.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah,¡± he scoffs. ¡°That¡¯ll go over great. Just make sure Hartley is around to hear it.¡±

    Shrugging, I shove out of my chair. ¡°If everything goes to n, he¡¯ll be busy with you. Now, won¡¯t he?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to check on my dog.¡± Ridge sighs, spinning around and walking to the door. ¡°If you see Quincy, let her know breakfast is on the stove.¡±

    I¡¯m apparently on my own for nutrition.<hr>

    Ridge must get the call he¡¯s been waiting for. He and Knox put on their coats and exit through the garage. I continue monitoring the cameras, watching as Hartley helps Quincy into her outfit for the day.

    My head tilts, and I contemte whether I should turn up the heat. She ends up in a sweater, a dress, and leggings. That is way moreyers than she ever wore at her house. However, what she said about being appropriately dressed in someone else¡¯s home rings in my mind.

    I close myptop, perfectly nning my interception. Let¡¯s see how Hartley enjoys that.

    ¡°Good morning.¡± I nod, stepping out of my room and closing the door behind me. Focusing on the annoying alpha, I continue. ¡°Ridge and Knox are outside, but Ridge asked me to send you out if I saw you. He said they could use another set of hands.¡± My message has been delivered, so I slide my gaze to Quincy. ¡°There¡¯s breakfast on the counter. I¡¯ll be happy to keep youpany while they¡¯re busy.¡±

    ¡°I am starving,¡± Quincy says, smiling. ¡°This is perfect. I was actually hoping to find a few minutes to talk to you alone.¡± She looks at Hartley. ¡°If that¡¯s okay with you?¡±

    His teeth grind together, and after a nearly ufortable pause, he nods. ¡°Yeah, where do I find them?¡±

    ¡°Head out through the garage. I believe you should see a delivery truck.¡± I smile as politely as I¡¯m capable of, but I¡¯m sure he can sense that it¡¯s a victory grin.

    ¡°I¡¯ll find you once I¡¯m done,¡± Hart murmurs.

    The man must have a death wish. He shoves his tongue into Quincy¡¯s mouth, and the two share a never-ending kiss.

    I¡¯m just debating how traumatized Quincy would be if I stabbed him in front of her when they finally separate. He pats her ass and gives her stomach a gentle caress before jogging toward the stairs.

    Hopefully he forgets to put his jacket on and catches pneumonia.

    He¡¯s barely out of earshot when Quincy quirks an eyebrow.

    ¡°You and I need to talk.¡±

    My lips purse.

    I¡¯m not sure I like the sound of that.<hr>

    There¡¯s a lull in our conversation as I make Quincy a te. The kitchen has barstools and a small breakfast nook, but neither will befortable for Quincy. As such, I grab a bottle of water from the fridge and guide her to the living room to eat.

    I frown, squinting at King as he lounges in the chair I was going to take. Settling for the couch, I put everything down on the end table and get myself situated.

    ¡°Come along,¡± I say, patting my thighs. ¡°I¡¯d like you to sit in myp as I feed you this time.¡±

    Her lips push together, and I almost think she¡¯s going to deny my request, but shees to kneel over me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t hover.¡± I grab the te, setting it on the arm of the couch.

    Quincy finally lowers onto myp, and it soothes the unsettled feeling that I¡¯ve been battling all morning. The baby belly pushes against my stomach, and I find myself smiling at the contact.

    I offer a bite of scrambled eggs, and her nose wrinkles. She still takes it, swallowing and reaching for the bottle of water I brought with us.

    She takes a swig and ces it down on the end table. ¡°I eat eggs asionally, but I usually prefer to have ketchup with them to hide the taste since they¡¯re not my favorite.¡±

    ¡°I can check the refrigerator?¡ª¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. Just for next time,¡± she says with augh.

    God, that smile will be my undoing.

    My entire adult life, I¡¯ve been able to tell, at least objectively speaking, I¡¯m attractive. It¡¯s always seemed like more of a nuisance, mostly because I don¡¯t enjoy being touched.

    Or I didn¡¯t before meeting Quincy.

    When someone flirted with me, I ignored their advances or pretended I didn¡¯t notice them at all. Well, unless I could use it to my advantage toplete a job.

    This has left me very ill-prepared for how to make Quincy want me. The soul match connection is on my side, but I don¡¯t like the idea that she may only end up with me out of a biological response.

    ¡°These are the types of things I need to know.¡± I twist and switch to cutting up the French toast. ¡°My memory is excellent. If you tell me something once, I won¡¯t forget.¡± Holding out the fork, I wait for her to take the offered bite.

    The way her lips wrap around the tines of the fork makes my cock jolt, and I frown. I normally have much better control of my body, but Quincy¡¯s sweet scent is too close to maintain my normal level of control.

    Her long dark hair falls over her shoulders, cascading down her breasts, and I swallow audibly. I brushed my fingers over her cheeks as she slept and teased my hands down her soft arms, but I do have some boundaries.

    No matter how hard my cock became, I never crossed a single line that I didn¡¯t think we coulde back from.

    Whoever cooked breakfast this morning went for sausage over bacon, and I slice the patty into several pieces. Jabbing a chunk, I ther it in the syrup and offer Quincy a bite.

    She takes it and lets out a contented sigh as she stretches to take another drink.

    Once she¡¯s done, she refocuses on me.

    Something in her energy says I won¡¯t like whateveres next, and I¡¯m tempted to keep her busy with more French toast.

    ¡°Well, get on with it, then,¡± I murmur, feeding myself a bite of the eggs since she didn¡¯t seem too enamored with those.

    The omega huffs, nting her hand on my chest just over my heart.

    ¡°Thank you for bringing me that pile of your clothesst night. They really helped settle my system.¡± She smiles, but it¡¯s tense. ¡°Did you put cameras in the pack bedroom?¡±

    I should have given her another bite¡­

    Dammit.

 : Chapter 22

    Trigg frowns and shoves his sses up before turning to collect another bite of food to offer me.

    I take it, chew, and swallow.

    He puts the silverware down on the te but stays silent.

    My head tilts as I continue to wait for his answer.

    I keep my eyes locked on his and ask again. ¡°Did you put cameras in the pack bedroom?¡±

    ¡°If I¡¯m not able to monitor the entirety of the house, I won¡¯t be able to keep you safe.¡± His gaze darts away and quickly returns to mine, like he¡¯s trying to assess if I¡¯m angry. ¡°I didn¡¯t ce any audio or visual recording devices in the bathroom. I have some boundaries.¡±

    ¡°Trigg,¡± I whisper, trying to determine how I feel about this turn of events.

    I can¡¯t say I¡¯m shocked, considering I had a feeling he listened in on my conversation with Ridge, but it makes Hart ufortable.

    I hate feeling torn between the two of them, and my first instinct is to coddle him, yet I don¡¯t think that will solve anything. In reality, it would only hurt Hartley¡¯s feelings even more.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure that¡¯s illegal unless you have someone¡¯s permission,¡± I tell him.

    ¡°Maybe in your house, since you didn¡¯t know about them, but Ridge is aware I¡¯m monitoring his home.¡± Trigg stretches back against the couch, his eyebrows rising. ¡°Do you intend to turn me in?¡±

    I gasp, shaking my head. ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Is Hartley nning on it?¡±

    ¡°Not that I know of?¡ª¡±

    ¡°If he tries, I¡¯ll have them removed before the police have the opportunity to investigate.¡± Trigg¡¯s lips tip up. ¡°I believe it¡¯s a crime to make a false police report.¡±

    ¡°That was uncalled for, and you know it.¡± My eyes narrow, and my fingers dig into the material of his shirt where my hand rests over his heart. ¡°For the record, I really don¡¯t like it when you say spiteful things. The way the two of you fought at my house¡­¡± A heavy sigh escapes my lips as the memories rey. ¡°I hated it. No more fights that get physical. You don¡¯t have to like each other, but the whole gun thing was way too extreme.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± he murmurs. ¡°I¡¯m sorry it upset you.¡±

    I study his face, waiting to see if he¡¯ll say more.

    He doesn¡¯t, so I focus on getting us back on track.

    ¡°As I was saying, the cameras make Hart ufortable. And I hadn¡¯t really thought much about it, but when I did, I realized you have a recording of Hartley and me¡­¡± My lips purse, and I try to find a polite way to put it. ¡°He¡¯s a well-known athlete. I can understand why that would bother him.¡±

    ¡°I would never allow anyone to see you like that.¡± Trigg snakes a hand around my lower back. ¡°I¡¯ve already separated out any intimate footage. I was going to ask if you¡¯d like to see it or if I should destroy it outright. Hartley has nothing to worry about. You¡¯re my soulmate. I would never do anything to harm you.¡±

    Dammit.

    It¡¯s like he knows just what to say to make my insides melty.

    The sincerity on his face is enough to make me believe him, but¡­

    ¡°Destroy it, please.¡± I give him a tight smile, running my free hand over my stomach. I didn¡¯t eat very much, and somehow my stomach still hurts.

    Trigg¡¯s brow furrows. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    I nod, then shake my head. ¡°My stomach is upset, but I¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°Is this conversation causing you distress?¡±

    ¡°Maybe a little,¡± I say, deciding honesty is the best choice. ¡°Only because I really want you and Hart to get along.¡±

    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t bother you when I watch you when I can¡¯t be there directly?¡± His tone and the way his head tilts lead me to believe he means it as a question.

    ¡°If I said it did, would you stop?¡± I tease my fingers over his heart, not giving him the chance to reply before continuing. ¡°It doesn¡¯t bother me. Maybe it should. I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve been lonely for a long time. It was scary living in that big house all by myself. It sounds weird, but it actually gives mefort to know you were watching over me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d. It was only ever my intention to protect you.¡± Trigg shes a small smile, and it seems almost pained. ¡°I have something I should tell you while I have the chance.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± My mind races with possibilities, but I have no guesses about what he might say next.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t just break into your house to ce the cameras.¡± His dark eyes stare directly into mine, and his hand on my back tightens. ¡°On asion, I snuck in to watch you sleep.¡±

    My jaw falls, and I blink repeatedly as my mind tries to process his words. ¡°You came into the house while I was home?¡±

    ¡°Only while you were asleep, but yes.¡± He nods, and I catch sight of myself in the reflection of his sses. Well, at least my face urately portrays my shock.

    ¡°And I never woke up?¡±

    Or sensed a threat?

    God.

    That¡¯s terrifying.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t,¡± he says, almost sounding amused. ¡°Clearly. Otherwise, we would have had this conversation before now.¡±

    My chest rises and falls in rapid pants as it really clicks. He could have murdered me in my sleep.

    But he didn¡¯t.

    It¡¯s still scary.

    How does he even have the skills to do that? To get in and out without leaving any damage? And without me or any of my neighbors noticing¡­

    ¡°How much practice do you have breaking into houses?¡±

    ¡°A fair amount.¡± His nostrils re, and his head tilts ever so softly. ¡°Your scent changed. Are you frightened of me now?¡±

    A horrible scoffing sound leaves my lips.

    I have no idea what I¡¯m feeling, but my instincts still don¡¯t view him as a threat. It probably means my system is broken.

    My head shakes, and I hear myself whisper, ¡°No, but I need you to exin why you did it.¡±

    ¡°Unbonded pregnant omegas are rare. At first, I wanted to see if you had a pack. I intended to leave immediately upon gaining that information, but¡­¡± His cheeks turn pink. ¡°You were peaceful, and you smelled nice. I¡¯ve never felt attraction to another person, and it intrigued me. More than that, I felt a deep need to watch over you. To say it¡¯s out of character for me would be putting it too mildly.¡± He shrugs. ¡°It made me wonder if something bigger could be at y. I did more research about female omegas and pregnancy, and after learning about all theplications that can ur, my instincts were even more convinced I was doing the right thing. I had to be sure you had ess to my pheromones, so I would simply stretch out next to you as you slept. I never touched you in inappropriate ways?¡ª¡±

    I pull my hand off his chest, bringing my fingers to his lips. ¡°If I was asleep, that makes any touch inappropriate unless you had prior consent.¡±

    On one hand, I¡¯m freaking out a little.

    If Trigg could break in and lie next to me while I slept¡­ That means I could have slept through a burry or something even worse, like someone breaking in to try to kidnap me simply because I¡¯m an unbonded omega.

    That¡¯s blowing my mind.

    Another big part of me wonders if my system was trying to entice him to stay close. Alpha and omega biology is crazy sometimes. Compatible pheromones can induce emotional attachments way faster than for betas. Not to mention, my system flipped out the other night with Hart. It was almost like it mimicked a mini heat.

    ¡°Does this bother you?¡± he asks, brushing his fingers down my arm. ¡°How about this?¡± He runs his thumb over my cheek and tucks my hair behind my ear.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t, but I¡¯m also awake and consenting.¡±

    An almost predatory smile takes over Trigg¡¯s face. His fingers spread on my lower back, and he leans closer, erasing nearly all the space between us. He dips his face close to mine, and his warm breath fans over my neck.

    ¡°Then give me permission.¡± His sses push against my cheek as his nose dances across my jaw. ¡°Tell me I¡¯m allowed to touch you whenever I want, even if you¡¯re asleep.¡± He pulls back, keeping his face close to mine. So close, in fact, that his lips almost ghost over mine as he speaks. ¡°Tell me you trust me to take care of you, in all ways, at all times.¡±

    His eyes darken, and it¡¯s almost like he has me in a trance.

    I can¡¯t look away, and he drums his fingers over my spine, indicating that he¡¯s waiting.

    Why does it feel like I¡¯m about to make a deal with the devil?

    I might need to have a serious talk with my body, because that thought shouldn¡¯t send a steady thrum of arousal to my core.

    Damn.

    Trigg looks good with that cocky little smirk tipping at his lips.

    ¡°Let¡¯s make a deal,¡± I offer. ¡°You stop purposely tormenting Hart, and I¡¯ll give you that nket permission, even when I¡¯m not awake. But you don¡¯t get to touch me sexually, unless we¡¯ve taken that step while I¡¯m conscious.¡± I lick my lips, and my fingers dig into his shoulder. ¡°D-Deal?¡±

    My heart thumps against my rib cage as he dips his face to mine once more. Our mouths meet, and he licks at the seam of my lips.

    I gasp, and he shoves his tongue into my mouth. It¡¯s not the most coordinated kiss I¡¯ve ever experienced, but smelling his electric scent and feeling how tight his muscles are only seem to spur me on. My hand moves to his jaw, and my fingers dig into his short, pokey stubble.

    Trigg growls, the sound vibrating out of his chest as tongues sh. It gets hard to breathe all too soon, and I¡¯m forced to pull back to suck down deep lungfuls of air. It doesn¡¯t help my head get any less foggy.

    I don¡¯t know when I stretched up on my knees to kiss him, but I settle against hisp. His eyes are wide as my eyes meet his, but a sexy smile quickly overtakes his face.

    ¡°Yeah, angel.¡± Trigg chuckles. ¡°You¡¯ve got yourself a deal. Now, you need a few more bites of food before I¡¯ll be satisfied you¡¯ve had enough to eat.¡±

 : Chapter 23

    The jury is still out on whether I¡¯ll be able to find somemon ground with Ridge. He could be an ally when ites time to deal with Trigg, but there¡¯s no guarantee.

    ¡°Here,¡± Ridge growls, chucking a pair of gloves at my chest when he sees me rubbing my hands together.

    We¡¯ve already unloaded one delivery truck of God knows what. Apparently, we¡¯re just waiting for another.

    I pull the work gloves on, stretching out my fingers and bouncing on my toes in an attempt to up my body temperature. It helps a little, but it¡¯s still cold as shit.

    Couldn¡¯t we shut the garage door and keep an eye out for the next delivery from the windows in the front room?

    That sounds like a solid n to me.

    Knox nces between the two of us and rocks on his heels, tossing a thumb behind him toward the door to head back into the house. ¡°I¡¯ve gotta take a piss. Text me if they get here. I might browse to see if there¡¯s anything left from breakfast.¡±

    He takes off, and Ridge sighs, moving to lean against the brick in the garage door opening.

    My gut says Knox dipped to give us the chance to talk privately. Might as well make the most of it.

    ¡°You think the delivery truck got lost?¡±

    Ridge grunts. ¡°The gate guards are doing a sweep of any unknown vehiclesing into the neighborhood. It¡¯s just a precaution, but it takes extra time.¡±

    My breath fogs the air as I exhale.

    I almost don¡¯t even want to broach the subject of who¡¯s after him or what the hell is going on.

    Truthfully?

    Everything in me believes Quincy would have been better off if she had never met Trigg. He wouldn¡¯t have led Ridge to her, and we wouldn¡¯t be tangled up in whatever dangerous mess they¡¯re wrapped up in.

    ¡°You¡¯re not normal private security,¡± I say, turning toward Ridge. ¡°I¡¯ve worked with a lot ofpanies over the years, and yeah, they pay their guys well, but not well enough to afford this kind of house. Not unless you grew up with money.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re an expert on the matter, huh?¡± Ridge chuckles, but it¡¯s not a friendly sound. ¡°If you¡¯ve got something to say, say it.¡±

    My eyes narrow.

    His flippant tone is about to piss me off.

    ¡°You¡¯re a mercenary at best.¡± I shrug but keep a close eye on his face as I go on. ¡°A straight-up assassin at worst.¡±

    ¡°I made a point of telling Quincy all about what I do for a living when she and I talkedst night,¡± he says, looking out toward the street.

    ¡°Do you really think that¡¯s a safe lifestyle to have Quincy and the baby around?¡± I deadpan the question.

    I¡¯ve been half in love with her for months¡ªsince way before I ever slipped inside her. I slowly put in the work to get to know her, and it scares the shit out of me wondering what he might have gotten her messed up in.

    ¡°You don¡¯t want to fuck with me right now,¡± Ridge growls, jabbing a gloved finger in my direction. ¡°I sure as fuck would have handled the issue if I had known about it. I found out I was being hunted days ago. Okay, fucker? So, you can go ahead and climb off your high horse at any time. I wasn¡¯t expecting any of this, but I¡¯m doing the best I can. I found out about the baby less than twenty-four hours ago.¡±

    Does he think I¡¯m going to feel sorry for him?

    Because I don¡¯t.

    He made his choices in life.

    He gets to live with them.

    The extent of my concern is how those choices might impact Quincy.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to let anything happen to either of them,¡± he says firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll call in every favor I¡¯m owed if that¡¯s what ites down to, but one way or another, they will be protected.¡±

    ¡°I have feelings for Quincy. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡± I cross my arms over my chest, not backing down when his face transforms into even more of a scowl. ¡°I don¡¯t know how things are going to work out between the two of you, but I¡¯m already attached¡ªto Quincy and the baby.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t say,¡± he says, scoffing. He has on the same reflective pair of sunsses that he wore when he came to Quincy¡¯sst night, so I can¡¯t see his eyes, but it looks like he rolls them. ¡°I never would have guessed.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to keep being a sarcastic dick?¡± I growl, taking a step toward him. ¡°Or are you going to grow up and have a conversation with me man-to-man to try to find somemon ground?¡±

    ¡°Sorry, bro.¡± He snorts. ¡°I didn¡¯t know we were having a male-bonding moment.¡±

    A low growl rattles out of my chest. ¡°If you want to go on hating each other, that¡¯s fine by me, but I¡¯ve been the one keeping an eye on Quincy. I¡¯m the one who¡¯s been there, putting in the work. I don¡¯t think you¡¯d like the oue if you asked her to choose.¡±

    ¡°Probably not.¡± His head tilts, and it¡¯s unnerving being able to see the scowl on my face reflected in his sunsses. His jaw flexes, and he raises a hand, flipping me off. ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter, because I¡¯m not nning on imposing any ultimatums. I¡¯m going to unload that truck, carry in all the shit I ordered, and get to work setting up a nursery for the baby. You can help or you can fuck off.¡±

    My head whips up, and sure enough, he¡¯s right.

    The other truck is here.

    I was so distracted that I didn¡¯t notice the sounds.

    The loud hum of the diesel engine approaches as the truck drives just past the driveway and prepares to back in.

    ¡°That¡¯s what all of this shit is?¡± I ask, gesturing to the pile of boxes we already unloaded and back to the truck. ¡°You bought baby furniture?¡±

    Ridgeughs mirthlessly. ¡°I bought the entire fucking baby store.¡±

    ¡°Without so much as a paternity test?¡±

    ¡°Without so much as a paternity test.¡± He steps out onto the driveway to wait for the truck. ¡°Would you ask Quincy for one?¡±

    He¡¯s got me there.

    No, if I was in his shoes, I probably wouldn¡¯t. Once you utter those words, they can¡¯t be taken back.

    There are certain circumstances where I could see myself asking for one, but I understand why he would be hesitant to do so. Even if she¡¯s understanding¡ªwhich I think she would be¡ªit¡¯ll still always be in the back of her mind.

    ¡°You gonna help or should I text Knox?¡± he asks, startling me out of my thoughts.

    I sigh.

    The goal was to see if I could find an ally against Trigg, and I¡¯m not sure I aplished that. Ridge is a hell of a lot more tolerable than the psychopath, but I let my pride get the better of me, and I picked a fight rather than finding something we could bond over.

    It¡¯splicated.

    I¡¯m normally fully confident in who I am and what I bring to the table, but Ridge and Quincy share something I¡¯ve never experienced.

    They created a life.

    I¡¯m sure that bonds two people in a way someone who doesn¡¯t have kids would struggle to understand. At least, that¡¯s what it feels like being on the outside, looking in.

    ¡°You get tackled one too many times in your career?¡± Ridge asks,ughing obnoxiously when I take too long to answer his earlier question.

    Raising a hand, I flip him off this time, despite how awkward it is in the gloves he gave me. ¡°Let¡¯s get this shit done. I¡¯m freezing my balls off.¡±<hr>

    Ridge and I unload an ungodly number of boxes. The second truck hasbeled packages that give away what¡¯s inside. Ridge must have dropped ten grand on baby shit¡ªif not more.

    I didn¡¯t have the heart to tell him, but Quincy already has a crib and a car seat. She told me about it when she got them. At the time, I nned to surprise her with the matching changing table and dressers. It looks like Ridge has that covered, though.

    Ridge cuts open boxes from the first delivery, digging around in each.

    I wait on the steps.

    I¡¯m itching to get inside and out of the cold, but more than that, I need to check on Quincy.

    I left her with Trigg, of all people.

    Ridge tugs a ck and red stic storage bin from one of the boxes. It¡¯s huge, stretching his arms wide as he strides toward the steps. ¡°You mind getting that? My hands are full.¡±

    He nods at the door, and I get my shit together. I head in first and Ridge follows, kicking the door closed behind him.

    ¡°What¡¯s all that?¡± I ask over my shoulder.

    ¡°I might need you to take credit for this one. We¡¯ll see how it goes,¡± Ridge grumbles, picking up his pace to walk past me.

    I have to tten my back against the wall to keep from getting smacked with the bin.

    He takes the turn into the living room, and I follow behind him, still really confused about what¡¯s happening.

    Quincy is stretched out on the long end of the sectional with a throw nket tucked around her and King snuggled behind her feet.

    The dog opens one eye and closes it.

    I snort.

    I¡¯m pretty sure he was checking for Trigg.

    Quincy is awake and facing the TV. Her head tilts to get a look at us, and her eyes widen. ¡°Whoa, what¡¯s all that?¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s Trigg?¡± Ridge asks, dropping the bin on the floor between the chair and the couch.

    Quincy struggles to sit up, and Ridge steps forward, helping her switch to a more seated position instead of lying on her side. ¡°He fed me breakfast, and we snuggled for a bit, but Knox came in and said he got a call from someone named Easton. They went upstairs, and King joined me for a cuddle.¡±

    ¡°He jumped up there on his own with no problem?¡± Ridge¡¯s eyes narrow.

    ¡°Yup,¡± Quincy says,ughing.

    ¡°Interesting.¡± He stretches over her and scratches the dog¡¯s back. ¡°I knew you were a faker. Everyone tells me you¡¯re just a spoiled little dick.¡±

    Iugh.

    Ridge reminds me of the guys I yed football with. No filter. No censoring hisnguage when ady is around.

    Hell, I¡¯m not much better, but Ridge is unapologetically himself. At least you know what to expect, unlike Trigg.

    ¡°What¡¯s in the bin?¡± the little omega asks, looping her arms around her stomach and linking her fingertips. I¡¯m impressed they can even touch with how substantial the baby bump is, but she has long arms.

    King raises his head and growls, making my head twist to see what pissed him off.

    ¡°Can we put a pause on that?¡± Trigg strides into the room and focuses on Ridge. ¡°Knox needs to speak to you for a moment.¡±

    Ridge sighs, but takes off while Trigg skirts around the couch andes to a stop at Quincy¡¯s side.

    ¡°I got a call,¡± he says, cupping her cheek in his hand. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I have to go into work for a few hours.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she says, searching his face. ¡°But you¡¯ll be back before bed?¡±

    ¡°I will,¡± he agrees, dipping his mouth to hers.

    My damn teeth grind together. That must mean their talk went well.

    Trigg pulls back, running his thumb over Quincy¡¯s lower lip. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you back a few goodies. It¡¯s only right, now that we¡¯re courting.¡±

    Her hand flies up, grabbing his wrist. ¡°You didn¡¯t ask¡­¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I thought I did.¡± He chuckles. ¡°Perhaps it felt implied. Quincy, can I court you?¡±

    Her head bobbles up and down, and my stomach sinks.

    I was raised in a pack.

    I know how it goes. The omega builds their pack based on who they feel will bring fulfillment to their life. Quincy will choose the alphas she feels connected to, and I don¡¯t get a say in how that ys out.

    I could remove myself from the situation, but that¡¯s not what I want.

    Quincy is my endgame.

    I just can¡¯t seem to fathom why she can¡¯t see Trigg for who he is.

    Hell, maybe she does.

    Omegas are wired to seek out the biggest, baddest alphas they can find to protect them. With her being pregnant and even more vulnerable than normal, her system might be pushing that instinct to try to ensure she has protection.

    Either way, now is not the time to show my ass.

 : Chapter 24

    Trigg strides out, and Hartes over, taking a seat on the edge of the couch.

    My chest gets tight.

    It could be from worrying about whatever work Trigg is about to attend to. It also could be concern about how Hart will react to Trigg courting me.

    The baby moves, and I pull a hand to chase the movements. She¡¯s grown so much stronger over thest couple of weeks. Feeling her bouncing around and knowing that she¡¯s safe and progressing like she¡¯s supposed to be is a huge relief.

    It¡¯s just ufortable sometimes, like how she just moved into a position that makes it difficult to take a full breath.

    The baby kicks me right in the diaphragm or something. I have no idea what that organ is, but it makes me jolt.

    I do my best to ignore it, focusing on Hart.

    ¡°Trigg said he would delete the video of anything intimate,¡± I blurt out. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t have a conversation with you?¡ª¡±

    Hart frowns, bringing his hand to my stomach. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have to apologize to me for building your pack.¡± He must feel a solid kick because his jaw falls. ¡°Holy shit.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I agree. ¡°She¡¯s getting a little vicious with those kicks and punches.¡±

    ¡°Listen, Quincy.¡± Hart¡¯s face turns more serious. ¡°I don¡¯t think Trigg is all he¡¯s cracked up to be, but I¡¯m going to work on finding somemon ground for your sake. I don¡¯t want you to feel torn in two directions or like you have to choose between us.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± I ask, trying not to get my hopes up.

    He nods. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not trying to add any additional stress to your te, but I will be here if he ends up being not what he seems.¡±

    I snort. ¡°You mean if he¡¯s not actually a stalker with major boundary issues? That would be disappointing.¡± His eyebrows rise, and Iugh. ¡°I¡¯m only kidding.¡±

    Footstepse our way, and Hart leans in close. ¡°Ridge is going to try to tell you that box is from me. I¡¯m not sure if he thinks you won¡¯t ept it if you know it¡¯s from him, but I think you should know the truth, and don¡¯t be afraid to take it.¡±

    My eyes widen.

    He didn¡¯t have to warn me about that, but I appreciate it.

    I whisper a quick, ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Ridge makes it into the room, rubbing his hands together. ¡°Okay, I heard there are gifts.¡±

    Hart pulls his hand away from my stomach and stands. ¡°I¡¯ve got to run up and call my brother. I need to warn him about your doctor¡¯s appointment tomorrow and let him know neither of us will being in.¡±

    ¡°I need to speak to Dr. Lindsay to see if she has a timeline of how much longer she thinks it¡¯s safe for me to work.¡± That way, I¡¯ll be able to give them notice. At this point, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll ever make it back to working at the restaurant after I deliver or if they would even hold my job for me, but I don¡¯t want to leave them shorthanded now. ¡°I know they¡¯ll probably fire me, but I¡¯ll work until they find someone to rece me.¡±

    Ridge looks from me to Hart. ¡°She¡¯s not going back to work while Costa is out there somewhere. Let your family know she won¡¯t be back until well after the baby is born.¡±

    Dammit.

    I had a feeling he was going to say that.

    ¡°I have bills to pay,¡± I grind out, trying not to turn into a hormone-fueled gremlin. ¡°I can¡¯t just take a few months off work.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to let the two of you discuss that,¡± Hartley says, sounding amused. He abandons me without another word, and I re at his back.

    ¡°Did you n to strap the baby into a carrier and wait tables with her on your chest?¡± Ridge asks, taking a seat at my side. He grins and slides his hand over my stomach. ¡°Is she moving?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s trying to rearrange my organs at the moment,¡± I grumble, grabbing his hand and relocating it to just under my breasts. ¡°Keeping up with the doctor¡¯s visits, saving for my hospital stay, and managing my household bills doesn¡¯t leave a lot leftover for a lengthy maternity leave. Not all of us live in multi-million dor mansions.¡± I bite my lip, ncing away. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have said that.¡±

    ¡°Nah, I probably deserved it,¡± Ridge says, pulling his sses off and resting them on top of his head. ¡°I¡¯ll pay off the doctor tomorrow when we go in for your visit. Find me the contact information for the hospital, and I¡¯ll handle that whenever.¡±

    My head shakes. ¡°I don¡¯t mind doing my part. That¡¯s not what I was trying to say.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve already done your part,¡± Ridge says, sliding his hand over my dress as he chases the baby¡¯s movements. ¡°You¡¯ve been working and trying to track me down, all while growing a human being. You get to rx now.¡±

    That sounds amazing, but I also don¡¯t want to take advantage of his kindness. He really should have asked for a paternity test before even bringing me here. I know the baby is his, but we spent a total of one night together.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind working?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Then go back whenever you¡¯re ready.¡± He shrugs. ¡°I¡¯m cool with staying home with the baby if you want the freedom of getting out of the house.¡±

    I¡¯m so confused.

    Does he think I¡¯m going to live here now?

    I have my own house to take care of.

    Not to mention, we barely know each other.

    ¡°Anyway¡­¡± He jumps up, grabbing the massive storage container and bringing it back. He drops it on the floor next to the couch. ¡°You should open this.¡±

    My hands tten on the cushion, and I push myself back even farther until I¡¯m fully sitting up. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t ruin the surprise,¡± he says, chuckling. He pops the lid off the bin, and my jaw falls. It¡¯s difficult to see what¡¯s under the silver and baby blue tissue paper, but the container is packed full.

    There¡¯s a card on top, and Ridge plucks it off, handing it to me.

    The front says The Divine Omega. Flipping it over, it has a personalized message.

    Quincy,

    This gift was perfected for you by your alpha. All products have been individually selected to match your scent profile. Our process targets which products should work best based on the questionnaire your alphapleted, but we all know how persnickety omegas can be.

    If something isn¡¯t up to your standards, you can return any product, at any time, for any reason. We have a one-hundred percent satisfaction guarantee.

    Keep your eyes out.

    The gift doesn¡¯t end here.

    You¡¯ll receive five deluxe boxes, one every two months for the next year.

    The Divine Omega

    ¡°How in the world did you get this delivered this fast?¡± I ask,ying the card on my thigh.

    ¡°Maybe Hartley used his star power, and they were motivated to get it here fast.¡± Ridge shrugs.

    I¡¯m thankful Hart warned me Ridge might try to pass off the gift as not being from him.

    ¡°Yeah, or maybe you paid a rush fee. Either way, thank you.¡± I stretch a hand over, patting his strong thigh.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t even seen what¡¯s inside,¡± he says, chuckling. ¡°Save the gratitude for if you like it.¡±

    I¡¯m sure I will.

    It¡¯s even more unreal that he got a subscription that will be delivered five more times. I¡¯ve checked out their catalog before, and I¡¯m pretty sure he got the biggest package.

    ¡°Unless you want to keep hold of me while I dig in the bin, you might want to just hand me the items.¡± Iugh. ¡°My center of gravity is way off, and I don¡¯t want to take a header straight onto the floor.¡±

    His eyes widen. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s avoid that.¡±

    He unfolds the tissue paper, and underneath is something light gray and fuzzy. He pulls it out and hands it over. There¡¯s a ribbon tied around the middle, and I give it a quick tug.

    As I shake out the fabric, a pair of slippers that must have been folded up inside go flying. It¡¯s a super fluffy and warm robe, and I can¡¯t help myself. I pull it to my face, rubbing it around to test the material.

    ¡°This is incredible,¡± I whisper, tugging it down to see Ridge has plucked something else out of the bin. ¡°I love it.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re easy to please.¡± Heughs. ¡°We haven¡¯t even gotten to the good stuff yet.¡± He shakes the small zip-up carrying case. ¡°This has a bunch of shit. An eye mask, earplugs, scent-blocking soap, scent-enhancing soap, and that kind of thing.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even realize they made scent-enhancing soap,¡± I say, my nose wrinkling. ¡°I doubt I¡¯ll use that. Sometimes my scent gets so thick it makes me feel like I¡¯m about to gag. Maybe we can swap out that item?¡±

    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s not for you, sweetheart. That one is for your alphas,¡± Ridge says, putting the carrying case down on the couch. He reaches back into the bin. ¡°This is the same stuff, but in a cologne. It¡¯s supposed to help settle your system when you¡¯re in heat.¡± He shrugs and drops it next to the other items. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I got it.¡±

    I almost want to tease him for slipping up and admitting he got it, but I¡¯m not sure if we¡¯re at the joking stage yet. Putting him on the spot when he¡¯s doing something thoughtful feels like a terrible way to show my appreciation.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never even heard of that, but it sounds like something that coulde in handy.¡±

    Ridge digs in the container and pops up again. ¡°These are exchangeable if you don¡¯t like them or they don¡¯t fit. They didn¡¯t really have a lot in the maternity section¡­¡± He frowns, handing me a stack of folded clothes. ¡°Or that¡¯s what Hartley said.¡± He shrugs. ¡°But I do know we have a The Divine Omega store in town, so changing them out should be easy if they don¡¯t fit.¡±

    I take them, drop them onto my stomach, and grab his hand before he can pull back. ¡°If this gift happens to be from you, I wish you would just be truthful about it.¡±

    His bright aqua-blue eyes meet mine, and he studies my face. ¡°I bought it, but it¡¯s from all of us. It doesn¡¯t have to mean anything?¡ª¡±

    ¡°And if I did want it to mean something?¡±

    Ridge leans forward, sliding his huge, scratchy palm over my cheek. His fingers dig into the back of my skull, weaving into my hair.

    I¡¯m not sure who moves first, but I wouldn¡¯t be shocked to learn I¡¯m the one who dives for his mouth. His stubble scratches against my cheek, and his thick lips brush over mine. Seriously, he has incredibly plush lips that I¡¯m a little jealous of, and they feel amazing pressed to mine.

    My nostrils re, breathing in his potent scent.

    Bergamot.

    Leather.

    Pipe tobo.

    So perfectly Ridge.

    He licks the seam of my lips, and I open, only for him to tease his tongue into my mouth. It¡¯s slow and sensual, made even more intense by the tight grip he keeps on my skull.

    I freaking whimper, which is kinda embarrassing when it¡¯s just the beginning of the kiss.

    Ridge growls, the sound vibrating out of his chest and around the room. It¡¯s a little muffled by our mouths, but he pulls back, giving me the chance to breathe. I¡¯ve barely gotten a gasp of air when he leans into the kiss once more, pushing my top half against the couch cushion. He follows me, careful not to put any weight on the baby.

    The way he cradles my skull while kissing the ever-loving hell out of me seems to steal all the air from my lungs.

    God, I missed him.

    My fingers dig into the back of his neck, but I¡¯m forced to pull my mouth from his all too soon.

    This baby is taking up all my breathing room.

    His baby.

    And that makes everything even more real.

    ¡°You are beautiful,¡± Ridge says, nuzzling his nose to mine. He goes on to mark each of my cheeks with his pheromones, and my insides light up. It¡¯s somewhat of an intimate move shared between alphas and omegas. ¡°Now, I need you to finish checking out the rest of your gifts. After that, I have one more thing to show you.¡±

    My heart races.

    Shit.

    I think my crush on Ridge never really disappeared, and it just came rushing back with a vengeance.

 : Chapter 25

    I examine the rest of the goodies while Ridge watches with a soft smile.

    The dresses will fit once I have the baby, so I make the choice to keep them. There are two circr LEDmps that are small and can be voice activated to give a little lighting in the nest if you¡¯re busy or don¡¯t want to get up. It also came with two candles, a white-noise machine, and pillowcase ice packs. Most of the space was taken up by a vacuum-sealed pillow, two throw nkets, and a bigforter.

    It¡¯s avish gift, but I do my best not to make a big deal about it.

    Once we¡¯re done examining everything in the bin, Ridge asks me to apany him upstairs. Watching King follow him up the stairs makes me snort. He¡¯s like a little tank on a mission, and his grunts and chuffs are cute as hell.

    With the massive container in his arms, I can¡¯t get too close to Ridge, but I follow him down past the pack bedroom. At the very next door, he drops the bin near the wall.

    ¡°This room is the smallest, but it¡¯s the closest to the pack bedroom.¡± He clears his throat and reaches for the door handle, pushing into the room.

    He steps inside and stands against the door, waiting for me to follow him.

    King has no reservations. He bounds inside, and I follow him in.

    It¡¯s not smallpared to what I¡¯m used to, butpared to the house, I understand what Ridge meant. It¡¯s empty, other than a brown dresser on the wall to the left.

    Ridge steps up behind me, snaking a hand around my middle. ¡°What do you think?¡± he murmurs, resting his chin on my shoulder.

    ¡°It¡¯s a very nice room.¡±

    Does he want me to move out of the pack bedroom and into this room? I wouldn¡¯t mind. It¡¯s smaller and will likely help to soothe my instincts.

    ¡°It¡¯s right across the hall from me and right next door to you and Hart.¡± He soothes his hand over my stomach. ¡°The hallway that leads to the nest and the bathroom in the pack bedroom actually ends on that wall where the dresser is. We could probably have apanye in and make a doorway if you¡¯d like. That way, you won¡¯t even have to walk out into the hall to get over here.¡±

    ¡°W-Wait¡­¡± My jaw falls as what he¡¯s saying clicks. ¡°You want to turn this room into a nursery?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the n.¡± There¡¯s a hopeful lilt to his tone, and my eyes ache as I blink back tears.

    He might have made me nervousst night, but he¡¯s more than made up for it since. Beyond that, I firmly believe that he was owed a couple of hours to freak out and decide what he wanted to do moving forward.

    I took weeks toe to terms with things.

    No matter how hard I try, I can¡¯t force away the tears, and they fall down my cheeks. Spinning around, I bury my face in his side and stretch up on my tiptoes to get closer to his neck. It¡¯s useless, but I end up with my forehead resting against his shoulder and my nose in his armpit.

    Ridge freezes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I whisper, sniffling and trying to force myself to rx.

    I¡¯m happy.

    A little overwhelmed, but I¡¯m grateful he¡¯s making an effort to set up a room for the baby.

    ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± he murmurs, nuzzling his cheek to the top of my head. His strong arms wrap around my back, and I whine. Ites out sounding muffled, and even I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m asking for.

    Comfort, maybe?

    Reassurance that he forgives me for leaving that morning with no way to contact him?

    Why am I suddenly losing my shit?

    ¡°All right,¡± Ridge says softly. ¡°You need a minute. I didn¡¯t mean to spring too much on you at one time.¡± He kinda squats and wraps a forearm under my bottom. He lifts me, and the baby belly pushes against his stomach. I try to suck in a little, but it doesn¡¯t help, and he chuckles. ¡°Yeah, sorry about that. I¡¯m going to need toy off the pizza and beer.¡±

    I snort.

    We both know he¡¯s not the reason this is awkward. He strides out of the room and across the hall into his bedroom.

    My eyes adjust slowly since it¡¯s darker in here, likely because this room has the blinds closed and curtains covering the sides of the windows. If they were all the way closed, it would be dark as hell with only the light from the hallway to give illumination.

    Ridge takes a seat on the edge of his bed, and King¡¯s cor jingles as he follows us into the room, heaving like he just ran a marathon.

    Not that I should judge.

    I¡¯d sound like him if I tried to jog anywhere these days.

    Ridge palms the back of my head as I stretch up onto my knees, burying my face in his throat. ¡°Well, if you didn¡¯t like thest surprise, you¡¯re going to hate what¡¯s in the garage.¡±

    My head shakes and more tears well in my eyes. ¡°I loved it¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re killing me here, sweetheart,¡± he says, soothing his other hand up and down my spine. ¡°No more apologies. Please, for the love of God. I can¡¯t do it. I feel like I¡¯m about to crawl out of my skin every time you apologize.¡±

    The overwhelming urge to apologize again¡ªthis time for making him ufortable¡ªwashes over me from nowhere. Instead of doing the exact thing he asked me not to, I cry harder, because apparently pregnancy hormones have turned me into someone I don¡¯t recognize.

    ¡°The room didn¡¯t upset you?¡±

    I shake my head, sniffling.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Ridge says. ¡°Then, you gotta let go of whatever it is you¡¯re carrying around. No more apologizing. No more beating yourself up. Bad shit happens every day, and in the grand scheme of things, I¡¯d say we got off pretty lucky.¡± He runs his fingers through my hair, holding me to his chest. ¡°Yeah, it sucks. I¡¯m dealing with my own anger and guilt, too, but at some point, we¡¯ve both gotta leave that shit where it belongs¡ªin the past. You get what I¡¯m saying?¡±

    I nod, clutching his back. ¡°I just didn¡¯t mean to hurt you or to make this giant mess¡­¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve already been over this, sweetheart,¡± he says in a tender tone. ¡°It¡¯s not all that messy. Truthfully, I¡¯m grateful for Trigg¡¯s psychopathic tendencies. Otherwise, things might have gone a lot differently.¡±

    ¡°So you would be open to being in a pack with Trigg and Hart?¡±

    Ridge snorts. ¡°I can understand Hartley. Trigg still baffles me, but I¡¯m not judging.¡± He shrugs. ¡°Then there¡¯s that whole no one in their right mind is going to separate a psychopath from their obsession thing. That would be like me offering to help Briar escape¡­ Easton would rain down hell.¡± He briefly mentioned Briarst night when he joked about how his boss kidnapped her, but it¡¯s hard to conceptualize who they are since we¡¯ve never met. ¡°I¡¯m starting to understand how Keir and Calder must feel dealing with East on a daily basis.¡± He chuckles, massaging my scalp. ¡°But in all seriousness, I¡¯m happy Hartley was around when I couldn¡¯t be. As for Trigg¡­ That¡¯s your call. The omega chooses who they think will be a good fit for their pack.¡±

    I snuggle even closer, kinda wishing we were cuddled up under a nket, or even better, in the nest.

    My instincts are still frazzled, but it¡¯s a huge relief to hear him say the words. I hoped that¡¯s what the courting gifts meant, but having verbal confirmation helps offset a lot of my stress.

    ¡°I thought about namesst night,¡± he says out of the blue. ¡°How about you? What¡¯s on the top of your list?¡±

    ¡°Way to put me on the spot,¡± I mumble against his skin. ¡°What if you hate them all?¡±

    A boomingugh fills the air, and his chest vibrates against mine. ¡°Then we¡¯ll negotiate. If we still can¡¯t find somemon ground, we can each toss a couple into a hat and let fate decide.¡±

    My nose wrinkles.

    That¡¯s very levelheaded, but my heart doesn¡¯t like the idea of leaving it up to chance. It needs to feel right, and I¡¯m afraid something might not click until I meet her.

    ¡°Throughout my pregnancy, I¡¯ve tried a few,¡± I admit.

    ¡°Oh yeah? Lay ¡¯em on me.¡±

    ¡°Hadley, Lainey, and Journey, but none felt quite right.¡± I sniffle, wiggling my nose around to a ce I haven¡¯t corrupted with my scent.

    ¡°Those are all nice. It sounds like you¡¯re gravitating toward something with a few sybles.¡±

    ¡°I also tried out Lake, Nova, Opal, and Dove,¡± I admit, smiling.

    ¡°And nothing fit?¡± He shrugs. ¡°We¡¯ve got time. I¡¯ll order a baby name book, and we can scour it together.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Are you feeling any better?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know why my hormones went crazy for a minute.¡± My face feels hot, but I can¡¯t tell if it¡¯s from the actual crying or the embarrassment of crying all over him.

    ¡°That happens sometimes.¡± Heughs. ¡°Remember, four little sisters. They all have kids. But I think I might know what will help you feel better. How do you feel about setting up the nest?¡±

    My insides light up.

    Every omega wants their very own nest, and I¡¯m not too proud to admit that sounds like just the thing to get me out of this momentary funk.

 : Chapter 26

    Annoyance is one emotion I¡¯m well-acquainted with. Everyone is testing the limits of my good nature today.

    Hart with how he kissed Quincy in the hallway this morning.

    Ridge ovepensating with too manyvish gifts all at once. He made Quincy cry, and I could do nothing but watch it on my phone screen.

    Even the restaurant I once looked forward to visiting has been ruined. The club sandwich doesn¡¯t taste anywhere near as delicious when anyone but Quincy delivers it.

    My half brother seems dead set on putting me in a foul mood. There¡¯s no other reason he would drag me away from the house. I wasn¡¯t about to tell him I couldn¡¯t leave because Ridge and Hartley would be busy assembling the nursery, thus giving me the perfect time to woo my omega.

    And while I might not have spilled the beans, someone did.

    If I had to ce a bet on who was responsible for sharing that tidbit of knowledge, I would put my money on Shaw.

    That fucker seems like he has a big mouth.

    Knox stretches back against the booth, ncing around like he¡¯s desperate for something to do. We long ago finished our food, but he¡¯s a big boy. I¡¯m confident he could find something on his phone to entertain him while we do our job as bait.

    This would have been much more effective with Ridge as the prey. However, Easton must have taken pity on him after learning about Quincy and the baby.

    No one decided to take pity on me, and my mood has not improved as the hours have passed. Although, I am looking forward to getting out of here and going shopping. That will brighten my outlook on the day, I¡¯m sure of it.

    I¡¯ve already selected several rings that I¡¯d like to examine in person. The shop closes at five, so one way or another, these assholes need to make themselves known if they intend on it.

    Seeing members of Costa¡¯s team strolling by the restaurant the other day may have simply been a coincidence.

    Normally I don¡¯t believe in coincidences, but if they intend to act, I doubt they would do so while Knox and I are still in the restaurant. Easton is ultimately hoping Leo and Shaw can get eyes on Costa, his team, or the hired mercenaries.

    If they¡¯re in a spot where a covert shot can be taken¡­

    Even better.

    At least, that¡¯s my line of thinking.

    Sure, it would be convenient to obtain one of Costa¡¯s team¡ªthat way, they could be tortured for information about Costa¡¯s whereabouts.

    It would be even better if they could quietly take out the boss himself, but I don¡¯t see that happening. He can afford to pay his minions to do his dirty work for him. If I were Costa, I wouldn¡¯t stick my nose out and risk someone cutting it off. I would simply stay hunkered down and allow the paid help to do what they were contracted for.

    This day is never going to end.<hr>

    ¡°Easton is pissed,¡± Knox says, jogging to keep pace at my side in the horrendous-smelling alleyway.

    I stop dead in my tracks and turn to face him. ¡°Yes, because it wasn¡¯t suspicious at all that we spent the better part of six hours sitting in the restaurant.¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re more than wee to go back in. Spend some additional time flirting with the hostess.¡±

    I believe her name is Sutton, but I barely spared her a nce. She came over to ask if I had any information on Quincy.

    I lied through my teeth, assuring her that as far as I knew, Quincy was at home resting. After all, she looked rundown thest time I saw her in the restaurant.

    Although, I should probably encourage Quincy to check her phone when I make it back to Ridge¡¯s. Otherwise, the helpful friend might get concerned and pop by Quincy¡¯s empty house, which would only open another can of worms.

    ¡°The jewelry store closes in twenty-five minutes,¡± I growl, taking off down the alley. I could have used the front sidewalks, but my phone assured me this route would shave off two minutes. It¡¯s already getting dark, despite it not even being five p.m. Winter in Vermont is ridiculous. ¡°I¡¯ve spent all day following Easton¡¯s orders. If he doesn¡¯t like it, he can fire me.¡±

    I haven¡¯t been paid, making that threat rather innocuous.

    ¡°I¡¯ll let you pass on that message,¡± Knox says, again picking up his pace to try to keep up with me. ¡°You¡¯re not, like, nning to buy Quincy a ring or anything? Right? A ne would?¡ª¡±

    The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, and something niggles at my senses. It¡¯s a half-second choice to act, and I spin, shoving Knox to the wall with one hand mmed into his sternum.

    He lets out a ridiculous oomph, but I¡¯m already reaching for my Glock with my dominant hand.

    I always use a holster capable of amodating a suppressor, which is convenient, considering we¡¯re on the edge of town. There¡¯s no need to draw extra attention to ourselves.

    The gun isn¡¯t technically illegal, but the silencer is another story.

    Movement from behind the dumpster that Knox and I just walked past catches my eye, and I pivot, lining up to take my shot.

    Jesus.

    I didn¡¯t even sense him.

    That sets a bad precedent.

    His eyes go wide as he spots me, and he gets his shit together, aiming at me faster than I would like. The low whoosh of his silenced shot being fired pushes me to act. His bullet flies past my head, only missing my ear by a few inches. It was too close forfort, that¡¯s for damn sure.

    My bulletnds in his chest, and his body jolts. That wasn¡¯t where I was aiming, and I frown, lining up for a follow-up shot, but one of Easton¡¯s snipers finally does their job. The side of his head explodes against the brick wall of the alleyway.

    Another assant pops up, keeping low as he attempts to flee. I course correct from myst shot, focusing on his skull, but his neck snaps to the side, the shot clearly taken by one of the snipers. The bullet entered mid-cranium and exited through his jaw, by the looks of it. Although, they are ten to fifteen feet away, so it¡¯s difficult to be sure.

    Either way, it¡¯s going to be an ugly sight. Here¡¯s hoping Knox has a stronger stomach than he¡¯s led me to believe.

    This is a fucking nightmare.

    My internal clock says I have less than twenty minutes left to make it to the jewelry store and pick out a ring for Quincy.

    ¡°Goddammit,¡± I growl, jogging forward while scanning for additional adversaries. If two decided to show themselves, there could be more just waiting to pop up to ruin my proposal ns.

    Coming around the edge of the dumpster, I keep my finger on the trigger, just in case there is a third who was too frightened to act.

    There¡¯s not.

    The first body lies slumped against the dumpster with vacant eyes and a half-open mouth. Blood pools beneath him, soaking into the concrete.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Knox says, reaching my side. ¡°How do we cover this up?¡±

    Sighing, I holster my weapon and reach for my wallet. ¡°We need at least three or four two liters of Coke and a few quarts of motor oil.¡± I shove a hundred at him and put my wallet away. ¡°But first, I need your help getting these bodies into the dumpster.¡±

    Pulling out my phone, I text Easton.

    Hopefully you have a contact with a garbage truck capable of handling a dumpster. You¡¯d better get your guys down here to keep an eye on it until it can be removed. I check the time, and my teeth grind together. I have eighteen minutes to purchase a ring.

    By the way, I hate this job.

    There.

    That was concise.

    Focusing on Knox, I shove my phone away and pull out thetex gloves I brought just in case. ¡°We need to get them out of sight. There¡¯s not much that can be done about the bone fragments, but cover the blood in the Coke. Let it sit for five minutes and have a field day with the oil. It¡¯s not perfect, but it will help cover the smell and wash away evidence.¡± I toss a pair of gloves at his chest. ¡°While I¡¯m in the jewelry store, I need you to find dinner. Ridge and Hartley were still assembling a dresser when I checked. I doubt they¡¯ve had a chance to think about feeding Quincy.¡±

    Knox blinks at me with wide eyes. ¡°You scare me.¡±

    I scoff, rolling my eyes.

    They should all be afraid. This was aplete waste of time. If they had warned us we had a tail, we could have captured at least one of those assholes alive.

    ¡°Help me check for cell phones or IDs. We need to be quick.¡±<hr>

    Everyone in my general vicinity should be very grateful that the jewelry store owner was willing to stayte. I¡¯m sure the five hundred dors I offered just for staying open an additional thirty minutes helped matters.

    There¡¯s a pep in my step as I make it back to the alleyway.

    Leo and Shaw stand around, talking among themselves.

    I nod, stopping to investigate whether Knox followed my instructions.

    It appears he did.

    That¡¯s a good sign.

    Of course my half brother is nowhere to be seen. Much like Costa Maloney is intelligent enough to order around his minions, Easton holds the same cold indifference for his employees. He¡¯ll likely do a quick survey of the area after the dumpster has been removed, but he won¡¯t show his face until the majority of the crime has been cleaned up.

    In general, I prefer to be the one to clean up my crime scenes, but I¡¯m very rarely forced into action in public.

    ¡°East has a truck on the way that will be able to swap out the dumpster,¡± Shaw says, keeping his voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Once that¡¯s in ce, he¡¯ll have another teame in and cook some s¡¯mores.¡± He holds his hands out, flipping them like he¡¯s warming himself by a fire. He winks. ¡°If you get what I mean.¡±

    I blink repeatedly.

    Is there something in the water here that makes grown men lose brain cells? I¡¯ll need to be careful not to drink the tap water.

    ¡°Enough. He gets it.¡± Leo ms his shoulder into Shaw¡¯s and looks at me. ¡°How¡¯s Ridge doing? Still losing his shit?¡±

    I nce toward the end of the alleyway. That reminds me, I¡¯m in a hurry. ¡°He was fine when I saw him earlier. We have an appointment tomorrow with the obstetrician.¡± I offer a polite smile. ¡°Thank you for the assist earlier. I have to go.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure he¡¯s not rted to Easton?¡± Shaw asks, failing to keep his voice low enough to prevent me from hearing the question.

    I scoff.

    Easton must not have shared that piece of information with them.

    Not that I care.

    I have more important things to tackle, like where the hell Knox disappeared to. Making it to the mouth of the alley, I turn right and follow the next equally smelly alleyway past the back of the restaurant and toward the parking lot.

    Once I hit the sidewalk, I take it parallel with the building until the railing ends and stride across the roundabout that circles the front of the building. The parking area is raised, with a walkway in the middle and another railing to prevent cars from pulling forward too far and heading over the three-foot decline.

    The same feeling I always get when I¡¯m being watched hits me right in the gut, and I frown, swiveling my head and taking inventory of the parking lot. Well, that instinct might be on the fritz, considering I never noticed the men in the alley until it was nearly toote.

    However, the hostess from the restaurant that Knox spent several hours flirting and chatting with stares directly at me with wide eyes. Her hands are glued to the steering wheel, like she¡¯s holding on for dear life.

    She twists and frantically digs for something in the passenger seat, and I sigh, making my way to the driver¡¯s side door.

    I keep the jewelry bag in my left hand and use the knuckles of my right to knock on the window. Her head whips up, and she shoves her key into the ignition, starting the vehicle.

    It¡¯s frigid.

    There¡¯s no reason she would be sitting in abject terror unless¡­

    Fuck my life.

    This day is never going to end.

    Where is Knox?

    He¡¯s built a much better rapport with the quirky woman.

    I knock again, this time with more force.

    If she attempted to put the vehicle in reverse, she would run over my feet if I didn¡¯t jump back.

    ¡°Sutton, roll down the window.¡± It¡¯s firm but not a bark.

    I¡¯ll take that route next if necessary.

    She jerks to the side and ms her finger on the button to open the window. ¡°I didn¡¯t see anything¡ªI swear!¡±

    Well, that was the least convincing lie I¡¯ve ever heard, and I¡¯ve listened to some real pieces of shit try to bargain right before I took their lives. Oh yes, I¡¯ve heard many lies in an attempt to save themselves, but somehow this woman is the most transparent of them all. If she truly believes her life is in danger, I would think she could put a little more effort into being convincing.

    I quirk an eyebrow.

    She twists, grabbing something from the passenger seat and holding it out the window. ¡°Your friend forgot this. That¡¯s the only reason I followed you. I mean, I was going to give him my number, but¡­¡±

    Taking the beanie from her outstretched hand, I mentally weigh the chances Quincy will forgive me if I have to kill her work friend. At least, to my knowledge, they¡¯re only coworkers. I don¡¯t consider those I¡¯m forced to be friendly with for work purposes to be actual confidants, but Quincy is especially soft.

    I don¡¯t believe she would take it well if Sutton went missing. Dropping the beanie into the top of the small jewelry bag, I open the car door and grab the tops of my dress pants at the knees, pulling them up enough that I¡¯m able to squat down.

    Christ.

    She must be traumatized if she put on her seat belt only to sit in the car for at least thirty minutes without ever leaving.

    ¡°Can I be honest with you, Sutton?¡±

    Her eyes widen, and she leans deeper into the vehicle in an attempt to get away from me. ¡°I won¡¯t call the cops or anything. It was clear you were just defending yourself. I didn¡¯t even really see anything. Oh God, except all that blood.¡±

    ¡°Listen to me carefully,¡± I say, forcing every bit of alphamand that I¡¯m capable of into my words. ¡°You care about Quincy. It¡¯s easy to see. You¡¯ve been a great friend to her when no one else at work has given her the time of day.¡± Okay, that¡¯s just my personal observation, but I¡¯m astute. ¡°Quincy is tangled up in something that she had no part of getting herself into. I can¡¯t give you specific details, but I can assure you that I¡¯m here to keep her safe. If you were to turn me in, I wouldn¡¯t be around to protect her.¡±

    ¡°Wait, what?¡± Sutton¡¯s jaw falls. ¡°You told me you haven¡¯t seen her.¡±

    ¡°Yes, well, I was attempting to keep you out of their line of sight,¡± I say calmly. ¡°Quincy is safe. I will make sure you speak to her, but for her sake, and the baby¡¯s, I would appreciate keeping what happened earlier between us. She doesn¡¯t need any additional stress.¡±

    ¡°I know how to keep my mouth shut,¡± she says, nodding repeatedly. ¡°Please don¡¯t kill me.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t harm innocent people.¡± I shove my sses up with my free hand. ¡°Quincy is being hunted because of her association to her daughter¡¯s father. She¡¯s done nothing wrong. They¡¯ve found her guilty simply because of her proximity to him.¡±

    And me, too, but I keep that morsel of information to myself.

    ¡°Where is she?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s close and safe. Hartley is with her.¡± I offer a polite smile. ¡°The type of men we¡¯re dealing with are not deterred by cops orws. They nned an execution in the middle of town¡­¡±

    ¡°But there were others watching your back,¡± she says, like she¡¯s trying to force the pieces together.

    I nod. ¡°And I¡¯m lucky they were.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want Quincy to get hurt.¡± Her voice wavers, and her eyes dart away.

    She hasn¡¯t decided if she¡¯s going to file a police report. It¡¯s clear she¡¯s struggling with what she thinks is the morally sound call, and she¡¯s saying what she needs to say to ensure I don¡¯t kill her.

    ¡°I know you don¡¯t,¡± I say, cating her. ¡°And I won¡¯t allow that to happen, but again, to ensure her safety, I have to be in a position to protect her. These aren¡¯t the kind of men who run when sirens get close. They won¡¯t hesitate to take out a cop or two if that¡¯s what it takes toplete their contract.¡± Seven hundred and fifty thousand dors is a motivator like no other, but I keep the financial details to myself. ¡°Quincy is at risk. We¡¯re not talking about low-level thugs or a pissed-off ex-boyfriend. These are contract killers. They don¡¯t knock. They don¡¯t warn you that you¡¯re next, but now that you know what¡¯s happening, you¡¯re at risk too. They wille for you if they even think you have information that might lead them to their target.¡±

    Her hand flies to cover her mouth, and I prepare myself to duck out of the way if she vomits.

    There we go.

    It seems Sutton is finally realizing what she walked herself into while trying to return Knox¡¯s beanie.

    ¡°I understand that you¡¯re a good person. You want to do what¡¯s right. That¡¯s an admirable trait.¡± I reach out and awkwardly pat her thigh. ¡°The hard partes when doing the right thing on paper trantes to the wrong thing in reality.¡±

    ¡°Do you always talk in riddles?¡±

    I nearly snort.

    I¡¯m much better at making direct threats than veiled ones, but I¡¯m trying to handle this situation in a way that won¡¯t make Quincy hate me if she hears about it.

    ¡°Let me put it to you this way,¡± I say, letting the mask of civility fade. ¡°Would you rather experience a few moments of guilt or a lifetime of looking over your shoulder?¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s going to protect me?¡± she snaps. ¡°You said I¡¯m involved. If I don¡¯t call the cops, who is going to watch my back?¡±

    Shit.

    She has a point there.

    There¡¯s every possibility that I should have called Easton the moment I saw her. That would have made her his loose end to tie up. I intervened, and now this is my mess.

    ¡°You¡¯re fond of Knox.¡± I bring the bag up, shaking it to show his beanie. ¡°He¡¯s highly trained in personal security. You can leave your car here tonight. You¡¯re rattled and in no state to drive safely. I¡¯ll have him apany you home, and he will stay with you until I can speak to someone about having a team assigned to you. They¡¯ll protect you while this ys out.¡±

    ¡°And if I say no?¡± Her chin tilts in the air.

    ¡°Then you take your chances on your own.¡± I shove myself to my feet. ¡°Best of luck, Sutton. Hopefully the police response times will be up to your standards if you truly need to call upon them.¡±

    ¡°Hey, wait!¡± she calls out as I turn. The sound of her seat belt being flung off fills the air. ¡°I changed my mind.¡±

    A slow smile crosses my face.

    I¡¯ll just bet she did.<hr>

    The drive to drop me off at Ridge¡¯s is awkward.

    Sutton¡¯s fear permeates the air, making my nose wrinkle. She¡¯s an omega, by the smell of it, and I¡¯m baffled how I failed to notice until now.

    Knox doesn¡¯t seem heartbroken to know he¡¯ll be keeping a close eye on her for at least a day or two. Easton opens my messages and leaves me on read. Perhaps he¡¯ll callter, since I was sparse with details in text, but he knows Knox is now responsible for keeping Sutton quiet.

    I¡¯m mildly amused how wide her eyes get when we pull into Ridge¡¯s neighborhood. She scoffs as she spots the gate guards, but I probably would too if I didn¡¯t understand the severity of the situation.

    ¡°I¡¯ll stay with Sutton while you run in to grab your belongings,¡± I tell Knox before twisting in my seat to face the omega. Bringing the jewelry bag to sit on the armrest between the front seats, I grab out his beanie and toss it on the dashboard. ¡°Now, I was rushed a bit, but I¡¯d like your opinion on a few things I purchased for Quincy.¡±

    Knox shuts the door, grumbling about something, and I ignore him.

    ¡°Okay,¡± she says, leaning forward. ¡°But you said you would prove to me that Quincy is okay.¡±

    I frown.

    Did I say that, or is that just how she interpreted things?

    Either way, I collect my phone and pull up the cameras. ¡°She¡¯s setting up her nest. Pregnancy increases the instinct even more strongly than her just being an omega. She is fine.¡±

    Holding out my phone, I provide the proof Quincy is alive and well.

    ¡°Now, back to my gifts. Do you think she¡¯ll like them?¡±

 : Chapter 27

    The nest in the pack bedroom is incredible. When Ridge showed it to me, I almost shed a few tears. Which is solid confirmation that my hormones arepletely unhinged.

    I spend the day setting it up and trying to get everything just right.

    I¡¯m usually not too fussy about the aesthetics of a ce I intend to nest. I used my walk-in closet when I was a teenager, and it was more than enough space. As an adult, I¡¯ve never had an apartment that came outfitted with a nest, so I mostly made myself a bird¡¯s nest contraption on top of my mattress.

    It¡¯splicated.

    The pack nest is spacious, with two separate areas. One is a cushioned bay window that looks out over the backyard. Gauzy curtains can be pulled to close the space in, but you¡¯re still in front of a giant window. Maybe it wouldn¡¯t be so bad if I had an alpha or two to cuddle up with, but it¡¯s too open at the moment to set my emotions at ease.

    The main area of the nest is cozier.

    It has three steps to get up to the walled-off area. The front has a huge curtain that can be pulled to close in the fourth wall. Most of the space is taken up by a bed that has to be bigger than a king. It has carpeted walkways around the bottom and both sides, and up by the head of the bed are two floor-to-ceiling cabs. They have little end tables at bed height, but they¡¯re all one piece.

    I was pleasantly surprised to learn the cabs were stocked with other necessities, like brand-new pillows and nkets. I¡¯m not tall enough to check, but I think the top shelves even have recement curtains and drapes. They¡¯re opposite colors from the ones already in use, but I¡¯m fine with the charcoal gray and salmon pink that are currently hanging around the room.

    I¡¯ve covered the nest mattress with so many different nkets that it gained an additional inch or two in height. Each piece has a different feel against my skin, and I buried the materials I like least at the bottom of the pile.

    King-size pillows line the top of the mattress with throw pillows tossed in front to make it look a little fancier. In reality, I¡¯ve done about all I can do, but it was a solid distraction.

    If the pillows and nkets were saturated in the guys¡¯ scents, it would probably be harder to force myself out of the room, but they¡¯re not.

    I can fix that, though.

    I head out of the nest, through the pack bedroom, and go searching.

    Ridge and Hartley seem to be getting along. They¡¯ve mostly left me to my own devices, except when I popped in to ask them if they wanted any lunch. They came down, and Ridge made us sandwiches, but it has to be almost dinnertime.

    The nursery door is open, and one of them has music ying on their phone. They talk in low voices about something, and my eyes widen as I peek around the corner. They¡¯ve done so much, it¡¯s almost hard toprehend, but I don¡¯t want to ruin the big reveal.

    Closing my eyes, I step aside and lean against the wall. They¡¯ve spent the better part of the day together, and neither of them is sporting any bruises.

    God, I hope that¡¯s a good sign.

    Laughter fills the air, and I bite my lip. If they can make jokes, I¡¯m hopeful that imagining a future with all three of them isn¡¯t delusional.<hr>

    I make it downstairs and run into Knox in the kitchen. I didn¡¯t even realize he and Trigg were back. Only, Knox has a bag tossed over each shoulder.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t eat,¡± he says, shing a smile. ¡°There¡¯s takeout in my SUV. Trigg will bring it in.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I cane help if there¡¯s a lot to carry in.¡± I let go of the refrigerator door handle and turn toward the garage.

    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s cold as hell.¡± Knox backs away. ¡°Seriously, don¡¯t worry. Trigg can handle it.¡±

    I frown.

    That was weird, but okay.

    I hoist myself up onto one of the ufortable barstools and wait. All three of them have fed metely. I figured the least I could do would be to make dinner. It was a bit of a gamble, considering I had no idea what¡ªif anything¡ªRidge had that could be cooked quickly.

    Not even five minutester, Trigges in. He¡¯s damn sexy in his suit coat and that vest thingy guys wear under it. I¡¯m so distracted by checking him out that I fail to hop up to help him tote the bags until he¡¯s already close to the kitchen ind.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t have to get up,¡± he says in a low, yful rumble that sends a shiver down my spine.

    ¡°I don¡¯t mind.¡± I smile and make my way around the counter to get closer to him. ¡°I was going to help carry it in, but Knox assured me you had it. He had his bags¡­ Is he leaving?¡±

    ¡°He is.¡± Trigg puts the bags down and grabs something ck out of one of them. He drops it on the counter and moves the bags to block my view of it. ¡°We¡¯ve decided, because of our proximity to the restaurant, and just to be on the safe side, Knox will be staying with Sutton to keep an eye on her. Easton will bring in another team to help out, but she seems at ease with Knox. They spent several hours this afternoon flirting.¡±

    ¡°You were at the restaurant?¡± I ask, frowning.

    It¡¯s the most ridiculous of all overreactions, but I hate the idea of anyone else serving him.

    Trigg chuckles. ¡°For the record, my sandwich didn¡¯t taste anywhere close to as delicious as it does when you serve it.¡± He snakes an arm around my lower back, pulling me close to his front. ¡°Did you have a good day, angel? I missed you terribly.¡±

    ¡°I missed you too,¡± I admit, burying my face in his vest.

    ¡°Are you hungry?¡± he asks, running his hand down my spine. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I should shower before I can feed you. It¡¯s been a long day.¡±

    There¡¯s a strange smell that clings to his clothing, but mentioning it seemed rude. Everything in me wants to ask if he was able to handle the problem of whoever is after Ridge.

    Only, I¡¯m not sure I really want to know that kind of thing. I¡¯ve always been a smidgen on the nosy side, but I firmly believe there are things I don¡¯t need to know¡­

    One of those is if he killed a bunch of people today or broke anyws. It would only make me worry.

    ¡°I can wait until after you have a chance to clean up. I¡¯m not starving or anything.¡± My nostrils re, breathing in his electric scent mixed with whatever that other smell is. His pheromones hit me just as hard as they always do, making me feel floaty and a little disconnected from reality.

    ¡°Perfect, I¡¯ll take a quick shower and meet you back down here. How does that sound?¡± he asks.

    ¡°Or I coulde up with you, and we could take a shower together.¡± The words slip out before I can stop myself, and my teeth dig into my lower lip.

    Trigg¡¯s head tilts. ¡°You¡¯d like to join me in the shower?¡±

    I nod.

    ¡°Well, then, let¡¯s go.¡±<hr>

    My eyelids flutter as Trigg helps me out of my dress in the bathroom attached to his bedroom. If I had been thinking clearly, I would have run into the pack bedroom to grab something to wear after our shower.

    His warm skin teases mine as he reaches around to help with my bra. I should have pushed for him to get me out of my leggings and underwear first, since they would have been hidden. There really aren¡¯t cute maternity underwear, at least none that are functional.

    He fumbles with my bra, and I smile, focusing on the three buttons on his vest. With his arms wrapped around me, his scent is everywhere, which only makes thinking clearly even harder. He made sure to strip out of his jacket and shoes in the bedroom while I got the shower running, and something tells me he was trying to keep me from seeing an arsenal of weapons.

    Trigg grins as he finally manages the hooks on my bra. ¡°That was moreplicated than I expected.¡±

    Iugh and revel in my own victory of getting his vest unbuttoned. My bra straps fall down my arms, and I step back to shake out of it. Trigg removed his sses when he took off his coat, and he looks different without them. He¡¯s always handsome. It just makes his dark eyes even more intense.

    His pointy canines dig into his lip as I toss my bra into theundry hamper. I¡¯m going to have to stop by my house sometime soon to gather more clothes and supplies.

    Trigg keeps his eyes on mine while working the buttons on his shirt, but I don¡¯t have the self-control that he possesses. My eyes greedily skim down his chest with each popped button.

    To keep myself busy, I thumb the top of my leggings and underwear, pushing them down in one quick go. I¡¯ve gotten very good at using my toes for picking things up, since my center of gravity is off, but it takes three tries to pick up the pile of clothing, and I nearly tumble over as I bend to grab it from my toes.

    Trigg growls, grabbing my hips and pulling me into his chest. ¡°Careful, angel.¡± My nipples brush his strong chest as he reaches one long arm down to pluck the clothing from my hold. He tosses it into theundry basket, and all I can seem to focus on is his warm skin against mine and how heavy his stormy scent is in the air.

    He shrugs out of his button-down and vest. So many well-defined lines of muscle. He has wings and the words King of Hearts across his chest and sleeves that twine down both arms, but there are no tattoos on his stomach or sides. Although, he does have several white inch-long scars littering his abdomen.

    ¡°Trigg¡­¡± I gasp, brushing my fingers over the one a few inches under his heart. ¡°What happened here?¡±

    ¡°My mentor taught me a lesson.¡± He shrugs and loops his arms under mine to work his belt and eventually the button and zipper on his dress pants. ¡°I missed the heart exactly one time. It was a very effective exercise. Well, that and the ridiculous nickname that he forced on me because of my failure.¡±

    My eyes widen, and I choke out, ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Would you prefer I lie to you in the future to offset any distress that an honest answer may produce?¡± He pushes on the top of his boxer briefs, and they slide down his legs with his pants.

    ¡°No,¡± I say, desperately trying to keep my eyes on his.

    It doesn¡¯t work.

    Trigg is tall and lean, with sculpted muscles. I follow his dark happy trail down to a small tuft of clipped pubic hair, and my face heats. I¡¯m not sure how long it¡¯s been since I¡¯ve seen my vagina without a mirror, but it¡¯s been a while¡­

    Like over a month.

    Maybe two.

    Each of his abs and obliques flex as he moves to dispose of hisst bit ofundry in the basket. He stands to his full height, towering over me.

    His handsnd on my hips again, and he brushes his thumbs over my stomach. ¡°Ready to clean up?¡±

    It¡¯s warm in here with the heat of the shower radiating around the room as steam fills the air. Still, I¡¯m not sure why I¡¯m sweating¡­

 : Chapter 28

    Being a gentleman has alwayse naturally to me. It¡¯s easy not to objectify the opposite sex when I rarely, if ever, experience sexual desire. That is not the case when Quincy¡¯s delicate scent is within reach.

    And my cock is starting to piss me off.

    I normally have excellent self-control¡­

    I still need to feed Quincy dinner, but my body isn¡¯t cooperating with my wishes. It has other things on its mind. This is why men be idiots¡­ Rationally speaking, there is only one head to think with.

    The omega leans back into the shower spray, allowing me to cradle her skull as my free hand runs through her long dark hair in an attempt to rinse away any lingering soap.

    Some dark part of me likes that she so easily trusts me to look after her.

    I have honorable intentions, but she¡¯s taken me at my word, while Ridge and Hartley have done nothing but try to discredit me. I wouldn¡¯t be shocked if the soul match bond was responsible for at least part of our connection. But with the world working against me, I¡¯ll take any leg up that I can get.

    My cock brushes her stomach, and I bite back a groan. Quincy¡¯s nails dig into my biceps as I help her out of the spray of water, waiting until she seems confident standing vertically.

    ¡°Thank you. The scalp massage was an especially nice touch.¡± She smiles. ¡°You¡¯re a natural caregiver.¡±

    I nearly scoff.

    No, I¡¯m not.

    I¡¯m making an effort for her, but this type of contact doesn¡¯te naturally to me.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been hogging all the hot water.¡± She slides by me, using her grip on my arms to guide me into the shower spray. ¡°It¡¯s time we switched.¡±

    Quincy¡¯s wet hair falls over my forearm as she stretches to reach for a pump of body wash. I clear my throat awkwardly and give my body a stern pep talk about not responding inappropriately when her hands slide over my skin.

    It¡¯s useless.

    She starts at the tops of my shoulders, caressing my pecs on her descent. I¡¯ve done my best to keep my eyes on hers, but I do have peripheral vision. Her nipples are tight, and her heavy tits jiggle with every movement she makes.

    It¡¯s entrancing.

    Not to mention, her swollen stomach draws my attention back to it, even as I attempt to find something else to focus on. Her skin is mottled with small bright-pink stretch marks that prove exactly how taxing it is to grow a baby. Even her belly button, which I think used to dip in, is now t with the rest of her stomach.

    It¡¯s fascinating, but not enough of a distraction from the way Quincy¡¯s hands skate lower down my sides.

    I jolt, grabbing her wrists. ¡°I¡¯m afraid if you move any lower, my chances of remaining a gentleman are slim.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so cute.¡± A lopsided smile takes over her face, and she shakes out of my grip. ¡°That was the point, Trigg.¡±

    A low growl rattles out of my chest as she teases her soft fingers over the indents of my hips. She brushes over my pubic hair and soaps my cock.

    My head falls back as I curse under my breath. Each breath saturates my system in her scent, and my vision gains a hazy sheen that¡¯s mildly rming.

    I¡¯ve never experienced rut.

    Then again, I¡¯ve never been so close to a potent omega either.

    Quincy fists my shaft and loops her other hand around the back of my neck, pulling my head down. She stretches on her tiptoes to meet in the middle, and I haphazardly capture her mouth. My teeth rake over her lower lip, and the nearly overpowering urge to plunge them in washes over me from nowhere.

    This is a problem.

    I keep a tight hold on myself out of necessity, but Quincy makes it difficult to fight against my baser urges. Her fingers dig into my neck, and she continues to jerk my cock. The sticky tip drips precum against her skin, and I buck into her hold.

    The location is inconvenient, considering all the things I ache to do to her. Her bnce isn¡¯t the best, and with myck of experience, it seems dangerous to attempt our first time together in the shower.

    I¡¯m the one who is supposed to be meeting her needs, yet I can¡¯t help myself as I grind into her tight hold. Her tongue teases around mine, and she whimpers against my lips.

    Sliding my hand around her lower back, I guide her to lean against the wall and give in to the moment. My teeth ache with the same throb that pulses in my knot.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going tost if you keep that up,¡± I murmur, brushing my nose against hers.

    She smiles. ¡°That¡¯s okay. If I could get down on my knees and back up again, I¡¯d already have your dick in my mouth.¡± Her words cause a visceral reaction, and my shaft jumps. She keeps right on grinning, working me off with more vigor.

    My forehead rests against hers as my mind ys sexy little images of what she would look like on her knees¡ªfollowed quickly by a multitude of other positions.

    I slide my hand down Quincy¡¯s backside, cupping her ass and pulling her closer as my pleasure builds. She runs her thumb over my crown, and it¡¯s game over.

    Sealing my mouth to hers, I tune out the hot water beating on my back and focus solely on her scent and the tight grip she has on my cock. It bes impossible to multitask as my shaft swells. Luckily, the naughty little vixen takes over the kiss. She wrecks me as my balls tighten and my spine tingles.

    Hot cum sprays from my tip, and I groan against her lips. My legs shake to the point I¡¯m grateful that I¡¯m not responsible for keeping us both upright. I doubt I could safely do so.

    My head is a mess of alpha fog.

    The need to bite her ms into my chest, and I pull my mouth from hers to keep instinct from taking over.

    Quincy continues working my cock, and she smiles as she brings her hand to her mouth, licking my cum from her fingers.

    The sight does my fucking head in.

    Or maybe that¡¯s my first orgasm that wasn¡¯t self-induced.

    No, it¡¯s absolutely the captivating little omega that takes my breath away.

    Now I just need to negotiate her allowing me to bond her¡­

    And she¡¯ll never be able to escape.<hr>

    Once I realize the pregnant belly is pushing what my T-shirt can cover, I run over to Ridge¡¯s room to dig for something morefortable for her to wear. She¡¯ll want to be surrounded by at least one of our scents while we eat.

    I¡¯m even thoughtful enough to warn Ridge and Hart about the food.

    They promise they¡¯ll meet us downstairs, and I leave, only to realize they should know what happened today.

    If not, Ridge will surely ask in front of Quincy.

    Sighing, I pop back into the nursery, taking in all the progress they¡¯ve made as I give them a thirty-second rey of the day. Boredom, death, cleanup, h h h. ¡°As such, Knox is no longer here, but I was able to talk the jewelry store owner into staying an extra thirty minutes, meaning the day wasn¡¯t aplete waste.¡±

    I ignore Hart with his mouth hanging open and dart back to my bedroom to prevent Quincy from needing to wait any longer.

    The little omega pouts adorably as I help her into Ridge¡¯s T-shirt and sweatpants.

    I¡¯m not sure why she¡¯s suddenly huffing and puffing, but I believe she¡¯ll tell me what I¡¯ve done wrong when she¡¯s ready. I dress quickly and pull on my sses before offering her my hands.

    She gives a look I can¡¯t decipher but allows me to help her up off the edge of the bed before guiding her from the room.

    I wrap my arm around her lower back, holding on to her hip as we hit the top of the stairs. Perhaps I should carry her up and down them from here on out? It would be less physically taxing on her body and probably safer too.

    Quincy continues to frown.

    ¡°Is everything okay?¡± I mentally scan through every second of our encounter, trying to understand where I went wrong.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she says, and there¡¯s not an ounce of vitriol to be found in her tone. ¡°I wasn¡¯t nning to head right back downstairs to eat, but it¡¯s fine.¡±

    My forehead wrinkles.

    The n was always to rinse off any murder residue, then return to the kitchen.

    Oh¡­

    I believe she may have hoped to continue our interlude outside of the shower.

    Possibly in my bed.

    My chest puffs, and I pull my shoulders back as I guide her down the stairs.

    Only¡­

    Jesus Christ.

    I forgot to make here.

    I got too focused on feeding her and the baby. I¡¯m going to make a terrible husband¡ªat first¡ªbut I will adapt and learn from every mistake.

    We head down the hallway, and I keep my hand on Quincy¡¯s hip as I get close to her ear. ¡°I will do my best to make youe¡­many times. As long as you eat a decent meal.¡±

    There.

    Maybe that helped me look less like an ipetent fool who has no idea what¡¯s happening and more like a concerned soon-to-be father.<hr>

    Ridge and Harte down while Quincy and I are eating. We nearly ate at the bar, but I quickly relocated everything to the dining room table when I realized how ufortable she looked trying to get up onto the barstool.

    I fed her breakfast in the living room tobat the need for her to sit on one of those stools, so I have no idea why it didn¡¯t cross my mind sooner. Apparently, orgasms are not good for my brain functioning.

    The two sweaty alphas take seats close by, and my nose wrinkles.

    Well, Quincy will be pleased to pick up their stench with how potent their pheromones are from a day of physicalbor assembling furniture.

    I pat Quincy¡¯s thigh to catch her attention and offer her a bite of the chicken club she selected from the food options. Perhaps I should feel guilty for stealing the food Knox procured. I failed to ask if one of the containers was meant for him, but he¡¯s more than capable of making another stop before heading to Sutton¡¯s.

    Quincy takes the bite and grabs the bottle of soda from the table, twisting off the lid and taking a sip.

    I was under the impression pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake, but I only see her drink a small amount at meals. I¡¯ll do a little research before bringing up that concern.

    She turns to me, and I offer her another bite before cing the sandwich back in the container.

    ¡°How¡¯s the nugget?¡± Hartley asks, taking a bite of the burger he found in the first box he opened.

    ¡°She¡¯s good.¡± Quincy smiles, running a hand over her stomach. ¡°Did you two get everything done? You¡¯ve been in the nursery all day.¡±

    Something brushes against the leg of my sweatpants, and I frown, darting a look at the floor.

    It¡¯s the mutt.

    He sits back on his haunches, staring up at Ridge, but he¡¯s so fat that he appears to be using my foot and leg to keep him upright. The strong urge to nudge him away washes through my system, but I resist.

    Even if I was gentle, I¡¯m sure Ridge would take offense to it. I¡¯d like to get along so I can get through this meal and take Quincy up to my bed.

    ¡°Not done yet.¡± Ridge breaks off a piece of his burger and disgustingly feeds it to the drooling creature with his bare hands before picking up a fry and eating with the same fingers. ¡°We should be able to wrap it up in another hour or two. Those dressers took like four hours each to assemble, even with two people.¡±

    I look away, bringing a hand to my mouth in an attempt to keep from gagging.

    That cannot be sanitary.

    I make a mental note to never allow Ridge to feed Quincy unless I¡¯ve watched him wash his hands.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see it,¡± the little omega says, patting my thigh. I swivel my head to see what she needs, and she smiles. ¡°I¡¯d like a fry with ketchup, please.¡±

    It soothes some territorial piece of me to see that she¡¯s just as open with our rtionship in front of Ridge and Hartley as she is when we¡¯re alone. She grins and leans forward, eating directly from my hand.

    ¡°What time is your doctor¡¯s appointment tomorrow?¡± Ridge asks.

    She pulls her hand to her mouth and chews before taking another drink of her soda. ¡°Nine-thirty, but I need to run by my house and grab something to wear. I didn¡¯t pack to be here long term.¡±

    I stretch around her, grabbing the bottle to check for the milligrams of caffeine. Once I have the number, I return her soda and pull my phone from my pocket.

    Apparently, it¡¯s safe for pregnant women to have about two-hundred milligrams. She could have four of those small bottles, ording to a bit of mental math, but I¡¯ve never seen her finish an entire soda¡­

    Meaning, I should let this hyperfixation die without ever being voiced.

    ¡°Are youing with us?¡± Quincy asks, bumping her shoulder against mine.

    Ahh, to the doctor¡¯s? Like she could keep me away.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I agree, picking up the sandwich and offering her another bite.

    ¡°We should leave a little after eight to give us plenty of time for you to swing by and change.¡± Ridge nods to Quincy and looks at Hartley. ¡°How about you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got something I can wear tomorrow, but I need to run by my brother¡¯s house soon to get the rest of my shit.¡± Hartley wipes his mouth with his napkin. ¡°We won¡¯t need to do that until after the doctor, but I would like to pick up my SUV from Quincy¡¯s at some point.¡±

    Hartley and Ridge go on to discuss the ns for tomorrow, but I¡¯m too focused on the grunting dog leaning against my foot.

    I thought King and I had an understanding¡­

    Apparently not.

    I¡¯m going to have itchy, watery eyes tomorrow. I can feel it. If I have that weird dry cough¡­

    Quincy leans over and grabs the sandwich. This time, she offers it to me. ¡°You¡¯ve barely eaten. This whole feeding each other thing has to go both ways.¡±

    My lips tip up, and I cate her by taking a bite. She grins, making my heart thump erratically.

    Hmm, perhaps I should n a grocery delivery trip.

    I¡¯ve been eating rather unhealthily sinceing to Vermont.

    I don¡¯t want to cause permanent damage to my body, and an elevated pulse can be a sign of distress.

    Putting down the sandwich, she grabs my bottle of water and leans closer, tipping it to my lips. It¡¯s quite cute, and something flutters in my stomach.

    Christ.

    Maybe I need a full-blown checkup.

    I¡¯ve never given much thought to when I might die. When it¡¯s my time, it¡¯s my time.

    I no longer find that thought ptable.

    I need to be around for many years toe to spend each one of them by Quincy¡¯s side.

 : Chapter 29

    After dinner, Ridge lets the mutt out, and he and Hartley go back to the nursery to finish up whatever project was left toplete.

    Quincy leans close to my side as we head upstairs. There¡¯s a clear disconnect between where I think we¡¯re headed¡ªmy room¡ªand where she leads me to¡ªthe pack bedroom.

    I intended to give her the ne tonight. I got the ring to have on hand for the perfect moment, but even I know there needs to be some hype or special circumstances nned for when I give it to her.

    Or ask.

    That¡¯s right.

    She hasn¡¯t said yes¡­yet.

    She will.

    I just have to be patient and n the perfect proposal. And remember to ask not tell her we¡¯re getting married. Perhaps I should write out my speech; that way, I won¡¯t forget what I¡¯m supposed to say.

    ¡°May I ask where we¡¯re headed?¡±

    Quincyughs. ¡°I spent all day setting up the nest. I¡¯m itching to show it to someone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m honored to be the first.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to need you to set your dirtyundry aside, at least the stuff you won¡¯t miss from your wardrobe.¡± She smiles up at me, trusting me to guide her to the nest, even though, to her knowledge, I¡¯ve never been inside. ¡°Thest thing left is to help it smell right.¡±

    We make the turn into the nest, and it¡¯s immediately apparent how much work she put into it.

    ¡°You¡¯ve been a busy little omega. Haven¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I couldn¡¯t reach to swap out the drapery or the gauzy hanging curtains, but the colors are fine.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯d like to change them, I¡¯m happy to help,¡± I assure her.

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind,¡± she says. ¡°But for now, these work.¡±

    We make it to the steps, and the entire area smells heavily of Quincy.

    My canines pulse, and my head gets foggy, which is not a great sign.

    I¡¯m an unbonded alpha.

    I could slip into rut and hurt her or the baby¡­ It¡¯s thest thing I¡¯d ever want, but biology is not on the side of lucidity. Nature instinctually wants a bond created between Quincy and me, and it will y dirty if necessary to get its desired oue.

    She climbs onto the mattress on all fours, and Ridge¡¯s shirt hangs in the front. It¡¯s strange seeing the baby protrude on her sides but also insanely sexy.

    I never considered that I might be drawn to creating life, but it does seem to have me firmly in its grasp. I¡¯m experiencing legitimate excitement over the thought of meeting our daughter.

    I just need to get Quincyfortable with the idea that I n to stick around permanently. The courting conversation was supposed to convey that¡­

    Right?

    Christ.

    Maybe I should download a few books tonight before bed.

    I need to do some research about understanding rtionships.<hr>

    Quincy snuggles close on her lumpy pile of nkets. I¡¯m not sure why lying directly on the sheet would have caused her distress, but at least it¡¯s not hot in the nest.

    Those cirction vents must be doing at least something. Although I¡¯m not sure what, considering Quincy¡¯s scent is still so potent in the air that I can taste it.

    She lies on her side facing me, and her fingertips brush over my T-shirt. ¡°So, tell me about you, Trigg. Where do you normally live?¡±

    Clearing my throat, I attempt to focus on her question. However, my body is still being difficult. Reys of the way her fingers circled my crown sh through my mind, making my knot throb.

    My palm brushes her cheek, and I slide my fingers into her hair, cradling her skull. ¡°My main home is in Vegas. I also own condos in Washington State, New York, and Miami.¡±

    Her eyes widen. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Did you just say you own four houses?¡±

    I chuckle. ¡°Just the one. The others are little more than glorified apartments.¡±

    ¡°Trigg,¡± she whispers.

    I frown.

    She stopped caressing my chest, and I want more of that.

    ¡°You¡¯ll own half of everything I do once you agree to be my wife.¡± Using my hold on her skull, I pull her closer and meet her in the middle.

    I shove my tongue into her mouth, mostly because I want to kiss her, and partially to give her a chance toe to terms with the idea we will be wed.

    If I keep her mouth busy, she can¡¯t tell me to fuck off.

    Her soft gasp escapes around our lips, and her fingers dig into my shirt as she pulls me closer.

    There¡¯s nothing I wouldn¡¯t give her, so I ster my front to hers. I always manage to forget how small she is inparison to my height, but that¡¯s nothing unusual when alphas and omegas are concerned.

    My thickening cock brushes her thighs, and I fight the urge to grind against her.

    This isn¡¯t about me.

    I had my time earlier.

    But Christ, that¡¯s hard to remember when her lips are soft and pliant against mine.

    She rolls onto her back, and I follow her, careful to avoid putting weight on the baby.

    My fingers trace her jaw, backing away enough that she can breathe.

    ¡°Are you okay in this position?¡± I brush my nose against hers, trying to burn the look on her face into my retinas.

    She nods.

    My heartbeat picks up.

    I pluck off my sses, stretching over and tossing them on the nightstand portion of the huge shelving unit next to the bed.

    Quincy squirms under me, and her pheromones flood the air. She tugs on my T-shirt, and I follow hermand, settling back over her. It¡¯splicated with how pregnant she is, but my forearmnds next to her head, and I keep most of my weight off to the side.

    She leans up and catches my bottom lip, rolling her tongue over it. The reaction in my sweatpants is extreme, and I have no doubt that she can feel it even through the material.

    Growling, I lock my muscles to keep from grinding into her and fight for dominance of the kiss. It tickles my instincts when she lets me take over.

    She whimpers, and her head falls to the mattress. I follow her down, trying to remember what I¡¯m supposed to be doing.

    She¡¯s going to know how underprepared I am for this mission, but here¡¯s hoping my enthusiasm and work ethic shine through. They have to make up for myck of experience.

    The sensual tease of her tongue around mine has my cock a sticky, leaking mess. I¡¯m so lost in the physical sensations and her scent in the air that it takes me ages to realize she¡¯s grinding her pussy against my knee that rests between her thighs.

    My hand ttens on the top of her head while I tug my other from her cheek, trailing down her neck as I give her another opportunity to breathe.

    She smiles, all red cheeks and sweaty brow, but my stomach drops when her face contorts.

    ¡°I need¡­¡± She groans, shaking her head. ¡°You. I need you, Trigg.¡±

    My rm ratchets higher with the realization of how hot her skin feelspared to mine. She makes a frantic grab for my hand, pulling it around her stomach and settling it over her sex.

    She yanks up the waistband of Ridge¡¯s sweats that she¡¯s d in and guides my fingers lower. ¡°See? I ache¡­¡±

    ¡°Fuck,¡± I growl, shoving my tongue into her mouth once more.

    I¡¯ve never felt more helpless and inept. She continues pushing my hand down, and I brush her drenched lower lips.

    Every inhale sends her scent flooding my senses until a strange warmth takes over my chest.

    My lungs buzz.

    My heart thunders.

    And my cock throbs with an ache that I couldn¡¯t describe if I tried. All I know is that I won¡¯t be satisfied until I¡¯m buried inside her.

    Quincy has no problem showing me exactly what she needs. She cups my hand, and her fingers almost intece with mine, but not quite. Just enough that she can guide my middle finger around her clit.

    Coconut and creamy vani, mixed with that indescribable electric tinge. I¡¯ll never look at dessert the same way again.

    Quincy pulls her hand from mine, leaving me to manage her pleasure while she struggles to get Ridge¡¯s sweats down around her thighs.

    It¡¯s a tangled mess of limbs and fumbled movements, but I hold myself out of the way and eventually release her cunt to help get her out of the material. I assume the sweats end up bunched by her feet, but I have no idea. I¡¯m too focused on removing my shirt with a hand at the back of my neck.

    Quincy whines, running her hand down my bare chest. She scratches her nails over my stomach and hits the band of my sweatpants. ¡°These too.¡± She grins, her eyes ssy. ¡°Please.¡±

    My body scrambles into motion, handling that.

    I barely have the presence of mind to keep from trapping her to the mattress with my weight as I settle over her once more.

    I¡¯m shocked to find she pulled Ridge¡¯s T-shirt up while I was busy. My canines pulse painfully, and a foggy sheen takes over my vision.

    Closing my eyes doesn¡¯t help.

    Shaking my head fails to clear it away.

    Mount. Rut. Breed. im.

    The thoughts take over, and my skin pebbles with goose bumps. I stiffen as she wraps her small fist around my length and begins to jerk my tip against her clit.

    Aren¡¯t we missing steps?

    The steps are mount, rut, breed, im.

    Do it now!

    Anxiety rips through my chest as I recognize the signs they warn all alphas about. The ones that mean rational thought is on the way out and rut is on the way in.

    ¡°Just roll over. I can ride you,¡± Quincy says, nodding dramatically. Her long dark hair fans around her, and she¡¯s a vision.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never done this, but I¡¯m forgetting something,¡± I admit, nuzzling my cheek to hers.

    She releases my dick, and it falls against her pussy. ¡°Roll over, Trigg!¡±

    My system once again snaps into action at her bossy order, and I end up on my back next to her. She grunts and struggles to sit up, and I curse myself for failing to be a gentleman. My forearm slides between her and the bed, and I help her up.

    Ripping off Ridge¡¯s T-shirt, she tosses it aside and climbs over me. Her hair falls over her breasts and around her swollen stomach as she traps my shaft to my pelvis.

    She¡¯s so damn beautiful.

    I caress her hips, and my eyes widen.

    There¡¯s no way she¡¯s not running a fever.

    She¡¯s slick and warm, and the friction feels fucking incredible, but concern bites through the haze of fog thates before rut.

    ¡°What will help you feel better?¡± I ask, teasing my hands up her side.

    ¡°This,¡± she groans, grabbing my cock and guiding it to her opening. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. We can have sweet first-time sexter. If that works?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you can have a first time twice. That would be a sweet second time, but far be it from me toin about implied additional intimacy.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re making my brain confused.¡± She grunts, wiggling her hips and sinking down my length. ¡°Just tell me I¡¯m pretty and you want me.¡±

    I would¡­if I could form words.

    Her walls stretch around my crown, and I growl, pushing up onto my forearms until I¡¯m vertical. Sucking in my abs makes room for the baby, and I wrap my arm around her lower back.

    ¡°You¡¯re stunning, and I want you more than my next breath,¡± I growl, fighting against the fog.

    She¡¯s clearly hazy. That means one of us has to keep our wits about us.

    I¡¯m not sure what I imagined sex would be like, but I ache to toss her down and rut into her like a beast.

    She rises and falls on her knees, resting her forehead against my shoulder. Her warm breath fans over my skin, and she melts into me. ¡°I¡¯ve never done drugs, but if I had topare this feeling to something, I would say I¡¯m high. Like warm and floaty, but I want toe.¡±

    Anything I¡¯ve attempted in life, I¡¯ve excelled at. Well, unless you count connecting with other people, but I never put much effort into that until meeting Quincy. Considering she¡¯s riding my cock, I¡¯ll count that as one in the win column.

    I suppose the universe had to humble me at some point. I only wish it wasn¡¯t at such a vital time. It¡¯s not putting on a dismal performance that is my concern. It¡¯s genuinely not knowing how to meet her needs.

    Heats are more than simple desire.

    They¡¯re a biological response.

    And I need to be able to take care of her. My system is convinced it understands how to make that a reality, but giving in to my instincts feels dangerous with the baby in the mix.

    ¡°Fine,¡± Quincy huffs. ¡°I can do it.¡± She snakes her hand between us, teasing her clit.

    Only she stops riding me.

    My hands fall to her ass and hips, lifting and dropping her over my shaft. I¡¯d love to be able to kiss her, but at some point, she moved to resting her face in my throat.

    My knot aches.

    My cock isn¡¯t in much better shape.

    And my head is a mess.

    ¡°More,¡± she begs, nodding. ¡°God, Trigg, you feel so good.¡±

    ¡°You too, angel,¡± I choke out, focusing on anything but the way she feels wrapped around me. Her breasts jiggle against my chest as she works her swollen nub, and the sight is erotic.

    I¡¯d love to watch them bounce as I trap her below me, but I don¡¯t have the first clue how to make that happen safely.

    Why haven¡¯t I spent time researching sexual positions?

    Oh, likely because I found the thought utterly appalling prior to meeting Quincy. I¡¯m frequently covered in bodily fluids, and yet, blood and brain matter seemed less unappealing than physical intimacy¡­

    How wrong I was.

    Quincy¡¯s begging moans grow even louder, and her pussy spasms around my length. No amount of gritting my teeth or clenching my muscles can help.

    She sobs, shaking against my chest, and I lose the battle to hold on.

    Pleasure rips through my nerve endings, and I growl, filling her full of my cum.<hr>

    At some point, Quincy and I change positions. I¡¯m granted the opportunity to watch her tits bounce and jiggle with each snap of my hips as I kneel between her spread thighs, but I can¡¯t get too close.

    Not just because of the baby either.

    It¡¯s too dangerous to be within biting distance. I keep her knees on my forearms and fuck her through another orgasm. She doesn¡¯t appear to be cooling off, and I need more information.

    Possibly some backup.

    Lowering her legs to the mattress, I pull free of her sex and crawl over her. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back. Don¡¯t move.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she groans.

    ¡°Be right back, angel.¡± I peck a kiss on her lips and scramble off the bed.

 : Chapter 30

    Ridge isn¡¯t badpany. Hell, after a day of assembling baby furniture, setting up the nursery, and moving the old carpet and dresser that were in the room out to the garage, we¡¯ve bonded.

    We both love football, have an extreme distaste for sushi, and don¡¯t intend to let Quincy get away. I figure that¡¯s more inmon than some people have. At the very least, it¡¯s the basis for the beginning of a friendship.

    We stand around the hallway, finishing our beers just outside the pack bedroom. It almost feels like Ridge is dropping me off at my door after the world¡¯s strangest first date.

    ¡°You sure you want to go in there?¡± he asks, nodding at the door behind me as he takes a swig of his beer.

    I snort. ¡°Where else am I going to sleep? The couch?¡±

    He¡¯s not wrong to ask, though.

    I¡¯ve been asking myself the same damn thing.

    ¡°It¡¯s prettyfortable. Or you could take Trigg¡¯s bed, since he¡¯s obviously not using it.¡±

    I roll my eyes but jolt, tossing my arms out to stabilize myself as the door is ripped open behind me.

    ¡°Jesus Christ,¡± Ridge mutters. ¡°You forgot your pants.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I know,¡± Trigg says, sounding frantic. ¡°That¡¯s not the point. I need assistance.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m not touching that with a ten-foot pole,¡± Ridge says.

    I spin around, frowning at how close Trigg is. Close and naked and smelling entirely too strongly of Quincy.

    ¡°Her fever hasn¡¯t lessened, and despite my best efforts, I don¡¯t know what the fuck I¡¯m doing,¡± he growls, grabbing my arm.

    My eyes widen.

    I just had a long day.

    I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m mentally prepared to watch Quincy get fucked by someone who isn¡¯t me.

    Are you going to leave Quincy¡¯s well-being to that psychopath?

    Fuck no.

    ¡°Yeah, you two have fun with that. I¡¯m going to let my dog out, drink another beer or three, and call it a night,¡± Ridge says from behind me as Trigg pulls me toward the nest.

    God.

    I hope Quincy understands just what I¡¯m willing to endure to stay by her side.<hr>

    I drop my beer on the dresser in the pack bedroom on the way in and kick out of my shoes by the door to the nest.

    It smells heavily of sex, while Quincy¡¯s pouty face says it all. She¡¯s not pleased Trigg left even for the short amount of time he was gone.

    She pushes up onto her forearms, and her face lights up when she spots me. ¡°Hart.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to search the cabs for an omega thermometer,¡± Trigg says, climbing the steps. ¡°Any ideas on where I might find one?¡±

    ¡°Check the nightstand.¡± I pull my sweaty T-shirt off over my head and chuck it to the little omega. ¡°If you don¡¯t have any luck there, I would try the bathroom medicine cab.¡±

    ¡°That would make sense,¡± Trigg mutters, shaking his head. He digs through the end table on the right side of the bed before skirting around it to head to the other.

    Quincy brings my sweaty shirt to her face, breathing me in as I work on getting out of my belt and jeans.

    Trigg must not find what he¡¯s looking for, because he stomps back down the steps and past me.

    ¡°You could always ask Ridge if he¡¯s got one,¡± I say to his back as I kick out of my jeans and lean down to peel my socks off.

    ¡°Hartley,¡± Quincy whines.

    My head whips in her direction, and I take off for the stairs.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, beautiful.¡± I hit the edge of the bed and climb on, ignoring how weird it is to have my dick hanging out when Trigg will be back at any time.

    All packs are different.

    Some alphas have their own rooms, and the omega rotates between them each night. In that case, they might only all sleep together in the nest during heats. Others sleep in one giant puppy pile in a shared pack bedroom. The fact that Ridge¡¯s house is set up with one leads me to believe that¡¯s probably how his family pack did things.

    Mine was a little different.

    My parents had a primary bedroom, which my mom always slept in, but my dads rotated in and out. It gave them more one-on-one time with her, but other nights, two or three of them would sleep in the primary bedroom with her.

    I always assumed that I would want that same kind of setup.

    At least, before meeting Quincy.

    Now?

    I don¡¯t like the thought of being away from her for even one night.

    As soon as I¡¯m within reach, she tosses my shirt up by the pillows and stretches out her hands for me. My fingers brush her cheek, and I try topare her current temperature to the one she had at her house.

    It¡¯s fucking stressful feeling her skin instantly heat mine. Not to mention, how strange it is for my cock to harden from just how thick her pheromones are in the air.

    My concern shouldbat that physical response, but biology has taken over.

    ¡°Tell me what you need,¡± I murmur, brushing my lips over hers.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Everything is achy. I¡¯m burning up¡­¡± She sobs. ¡°Make it stop.¡±

    I pull back to study her face. ¡°Want me to take you to the hospital?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she says firmly. ¡°That won¡¯t help. I need to be knotted and touched. Hold me.¡±

    Marking both her cheeks with my pheromones, I try to determine which position is feasible. ¡°Stay just like this.¡±

    She¡¯s close to the edge of the mattress, meaning when Trigg gets back, he¡¯ll be able to pop the thermometer right under her tongue.

    I climb over and settle behind her. Pulling her hair away from her face, I get close to her throat and breathe her in as she grinds her ass against my thickening shaft. Her skin scalds mine as I cup her breast and tease down her stomach to her pussy.

    She lifts her leg to make it easier for me to ess her clit and loops her hand back, running over my head. ¡°Hart!¡±

    A low snarl rattles out of my chest as I work her clit. ¡°I¡¯ve got you, sweet girl. We¡¯re going to get your fever down.¡±

    Quincy wiggles, and my cock moves between her thighs. It means every rock of her hips grinds my length closer to her opening. She¡¯s soaked¡ªlikely somebination of her slick and Trigg¡¯s cum, but I don¡¯t let myself focus on that.

    My omega is in pain, and it¡¯s my job to fix it.

    ¡°Focus on my scent and breathe,¡± I say close to her ear, keeping my tone low and soothing. ¡°No more panicking. No more stress. I¡¯m right here.¡± I nuzzle my cheek to hers from behind, and she gets lucky with the next swivel of her hips. She forces my tip to her opening and freezes. I can¡¯t see it, but I can feel her entrance spasming, like her cunt is searching for the knot it knows is within reach. ¡°Did it help when Trigg knotted you?¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t try,¡± she whispers. ¡°But I wanted him to.¡±

    I¡¯d like to say I pull back and m inside her because that¡¯s what she needs, but I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s my instincts not liking the idea of another alpha locked inside my omega.

    Quincy wails, throwing her head back. She connects with my cheek and nose, which hurts like a bitch momentarily. Her tight cunt clenches around my length, and I work her clit as I see how deep I can get on each rut.

    ¡°Finally,¡± Trigg says, startling the fuck out of me.

    I growl, baring my teeth at him.

    He rolls his eyes, crawling onto the bed in front of Quincy. ¡°Open for me.¡±

    ¡°Harder,¡± she begs, mming her hips back against mine at the same time I thrust. It wedges my knot just inside her entrance, and she whines.

    It¡¯s quickly muffled by something.

    Even though I want to focus on the immense pleasure thates as my knot locks us together, I stretch around her.

    Trigg has shoved the thermometer under her tongue, and the psycho is holding her mouth closed with a hand under her jaw and the other on top of her head. ¡°You¡¯re okay. I¡¯ve got you. We just need to know where we¡¯re starting from to determine if knotting helps bring your fever down.¡± He smiles. ¡°You¡¯re cute when you¡¯re furious. Feel free to re at me like that anytime.¡± His low chuckle fills the air. ¡°Focus on Hart. Does he feel good inside you?¡±

    She nods and moans around the thermometer as her core clenches. My knot pulses in response, and my dick jerks.

    Shit.

    I forgot about her clit.

    I get back to work, circling it with firmer pressure and practicing grinding into her.

    ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Trigg coos. It sounds weird as shiting from him, but I ignore him, focusing on Quincy. ¡°Such a good little omega, letting your alphas take care of you.¡±

    The thermometer beeps, and he plucks it free of her lips.

    ¡°What is it?¡± I growl, trying to stay clear.

    ¡°107.9,¡± Trigg murmurs. ¡°That¡¯s high, but not dangerous for an omega.¡±

    ¡°How about for the baby?¡± I choke out as her walls cling to my length.

    Quincy¡¯s pheromones are everywhere, and they¡¯re fucking with my ability to think clearly. As is evidenced by the fact my brain won¡¯t shut up about breeding her. That shit doesn¡¯t even make sense, but precum spurts from my tip like my system is convinced we can get her more pregnant if we try hard enough.

    Being an alpha is wild sometimes.

    ¡°I truly don¡¯t know,¡± Trigg says, lying down facing Quincy. ¡°I¡¯ll do a little research after we verify if knotting is helping. I believe this has a higher chance of working faster than packing her up and taking her to a hospital.¡±

    ¡°You should knot me too,¡± Quincy says, slurring her words. ¡°At least kiss me!¡±

    ¡°Such. A. Bossy. Little. Thing.¡± I punctuate each word with a thrust. Well, as much as I¡¯m able to when we¡¯re locked together.

    Trigg chuckles. ¡°That she is.¡±

    He pushes his lips to hers, and I lean down, burying my nose in her throat.

    The smile he had just before he kissed her says it all. He genuinely cares about her. At least as much as someone like him is capable of. And I¡¯ve already seen how fond she is of him.

    Growing up in a pack should have taught me that just because she cares for him, it won¡¯t take away from our rtionship. I guess I¡¯m just a territorial asshole.

    Fuck.

    We need some bonds in ce.

    They¡¯re supposed to help curb that alpha instinct to hoard her all to myself.

    Thinking about bonding Quincy is dangerous. My canines ache, and my head gets even hazier as her perfume smacks into my senses. Her pussy strangles my cock, and I groan.

    Pressure builds at the base of my spine, and within a blink, euphoria rips through my body. I jolt, holding on to her hip for dear life.

    Fuck. I don¡¯t know when I abandoned her clit, but I pull my head back to ensure I can¡¯t bite while I¡¯m foggy.

    Quincy sobs against Trigg¡¯s lips, working her hips back to force herself over my jerking cock. Every tiny movement produces an unreal amount of pleasure. Knotting is more addictive than I ever would have expected.

 : Chapter 31

    Quincy¡¯s fever does lessen by a degree and a half with knotting, but it¡¯s still higher than I would like.

    Trigg forces her to drink something before we fall asleep, but it can¡¯t have been longer than an hour when she wakes up again. Moaning, she grinds over my length until the sexy dream disappears and my consciousness catches up to reality.

    This process happens several more times over the next few hours until my dick is done for. The next time I fall asleep, I pray she¡¯s actually able to get some rest.<hr>

    Quincy¡¯s system doesn¡¯t regte. It¡¯s acting like she¡¯s an omega in heat. The only thing that keeps her fever manageable is being locked on a knot, but as I¡¯ve already told Trigg¡­

    My dick is done for.

    I¡¯ve had a long day and more orgasms than I can count. I¡¯m pretty sure Quincy made mee a time or two while I was still asleep, and I¡¯m half delirious as I walk Trigg through what he¡¯s supposed to be doing.

    ¡°I¡¯m telling you,¡± he snarls, ¡°my tip is hitting the bottom of her pussy on every thrust. There¡¯s no way she can reach my knot. It¡¯s just not working. Maybe I have a bigger dick than you?¡±

    I cradle Quincy¡¯s cheeks as he fucks into her doggy style, and it¡¯s the only thing that stops me from pulling a hand away to flip him off.

    ¡°Try harder, then,¡± I growl.

    At the same time, Quincy scoffs. ¡°I¡¯m more than capable of taking your knot.¡±

    ¡°Doggy style isn¡¯t working.¡± I release her face, looping my arms under hers and pulling her up until she¡¯s vertical on her knees. Trigg follows, repositioning himself while keeping his crown inside her. ¡°Let¡¯s see if this helps. If not, might I suggest fucking her harder?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doing the best I can,¡± he grinds out. ¡°Battering her cervix seems especially violent for very little payoff. My dick must be too big to make this work.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m totally fine,¡± Quincy slurs. ¡°Batter away. My cervix is great.¡±

    I snort. Seriously, life with an omega in the house is a trip. I¡¯m grateful my parents sent us kids to our grandparents¡¯ house every time my mom went into heat.

    ¡°She¡¯s gonna be fine,¡± I say firmly. ¡°Knot her and bring down her fever.¡±

    Trigg res at me over Quincy¡¯s shoulder.

    I get it.

    We¡¯re both nervous and doing the best we can. I¡¯ll personally feel a lot better once we can talk to the doctor in the morning. And that¡¯s if the random waves of heat that she¡¯s experiencing let up for long enough for us to venture out in public.

    My nerves are shot.

    I¡¯m exhausted.

    I¡¯m also not the goddamn sex whisperer.

    Quincy moans, resting her head against my chest. I¡¯m the only thing keeping her upright at the moment, so I tease my hand over her shoulder ande to terms with how close Trigg and I have gotten tonight.

    ¡°Buck up into her, but once you get as deep as you can get¡­¡± I shrug. ¡°Grind even more. Buck a little harder.¡±

    ¡°And if I injure her?¡±

    I can¡¯t help myself. My eyes roll. ¡°You won¡¯t. Her body needs this. I¡¯m pretty sure omega biology is set up to convert pain to pleasure during waves of heat, anyway.¡±

    Do they have adult sses on how to take care of an omega? Because if so¡­ Trigg and I might need to sign up.

    Quincy has had enough waiting. She begins to bounce on her knees as her nails dig into my sides. I¡¯m basically hugging her, but I keep my forearms touching her sides and grab her ass. The next time she falls over his length, I use my hold to give her a solid shove.

    Trigg¡¯s wide eyes meet mine over her shoulder, and a string of nonsensical begging spills from Quincy¡¯s lips.

    ¡°That worked,¡± he chokes out.

    Fucking thank the universe.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± he says, moving to kiss over her shoulder.

    I nod.

    Tonight has been eye-opening. There¡¯s no way I would be able to take care of her solo.

    Hell, I¡¯m a little worried the three of us won¡¯t be able to manage once one of her real heats hit.<hr>

    We¡¯re all exhausted the next morning.

    Except Ridge.

    That fucker is chipper and ready to take on the day.

    Quincy oversleeps and eventually tells us she¡¯ll wear something she has here rather than leave early to swing by her house for fresh clothes.

    She¡¯s no longer feverish like she wasst night, and that causes a fair amount of concern over whether this is something we¡¯ll have to face every night.

    I will.

    I just might need a few short naps throughout the day. I¡¯m too old to stay up all night and all day. I used to manage that shit with ease in my early twenties, but I turned thirtyst year, and I¡¯m feeling it.

    Trigg is probably a few years younger than I am, and now that they¡¯ve taken the sex step, he can help.

    Hopefully he won¡¯t need his hand held during every encounter, but I shouldn¡¯t be shitty.

    I was scared, too, even more so than the night her fever spiked at her house.

    Last night was intense.<hr>

    After three cups of coffee, the caffeine finally kicks in. I feel sorry for Quincy since she only let herself have a baby cup, and it¡¯s obvious that she wants more. She stares at the coffeemaker longingly, and I barely hold back augh.

    She¡¯s cute as hell in Ridge¡¯s sweats and one of my team long-sleeve T-shirts. It¡¯s stretched to the limits over her stomach. I¡¯vee to terms with the fact it¡¯ll never fit me right again, but seeing it on Quincy is way more satisfying, anyway.

    The ride to the doctor¡¯s office is mostly silent. We¡¯ll have to swing by her house on the way home to get more supplies and my SUV. At some point, I really need to tackle packing up my shit at Harrison¡¯s.

    Ridge has a washer and dryer, though, so I¡¯m willing to put that off until another day.

    What really sounds heavenly is climbing into the nest with Quincy to sleep the day away.

    The doctor¡¯s office is downtown with a decent-sized parking lot. Ridge whips his truck into one of the spots and nces into the back seat.

    Quincy has her eyes closed with her cheek resting against my shoulder. She was talking a minute or two ago, which makes me think she¡¯s just resting her eyes and not actually asleep.

    I¡¯ve got my arm around her and my hand on her side, so I give her a tender pat to warn her it¡¯s time to get moving.

    She jolts and guilt twists in my gut.

    I should have acted sooner to see if she needed a roommate. We spent a lot of days together just chatting and eating while standing in the kitchen at the restaurant, but I tried to wait for some cue from her that she was ready for more than just friendship.

    Seeing how exhausted she¡¯s been outside of work makes me realize how good of an actress she was. She never let on how much she was suffering, and now I¡¯ll spend the next few hours spiraling over how I failed to notice that she was floundering.

    ¡°We should go,¡± Ridge says, unbuckling his seat belt. ¡°We have fifteen minutes before your appointment time.¡±

    Quincy nods, rubbing at her eyes. ¡°Okay, but no one look when they ask me to step on the scale.¡±

    I grin, shaking my head.

    She really is too fucking cute.<hr>

    The waiting room has a few other pregnantdies, most of them with at least one partner. I¡¯d guess this isn¡¯t an omega-only doctor, or maybe some packs have to work and alternate which alpha attends each appointment. Either way, it kills me to know Quincy has beening here every single monthpletely fucking alone.

    It¡¯s been such a bncing act between trying to build trust and not overstepping any of her boundaries, but no part of me likes to think about how much she¡¯s had to tackle on her own.

    All while worrying about money and the future.

    Quincy has already done her paperwork, but once they see us, they ask the biological father to fill out some additional information about his family medical history.

    The little omega sits on my right with her head resting against Trigg¡¯s chest while Ridge is on my left, scribbling away at the questionnaire.

    He grunts, stretching closer. ¡°I can fill in the shit from my mom¡¯s side of the family, but I don¡¯t have anything on my dad¡¯s side. Do you think I should just leave it nk?¡±

    Damn.

    No wonder he was so serious about wanting to be in the baby¡¯s life.

    I nod. ¡°Yeah, I bet that happens all the time. Just fill in what you can.¡±

    He sighs and leans back. ¡°I could call my mom to see if she knows, but I try not to pick at that old wound if at all possible.¡±

    I p him on the shoulder. ¡°Having your information is the most important part. I¡¯d say that and anything you know about your mom¡¯s side of the family is plenty.¡±

    Look at that.

    It¡¯s like I can see the friendship forming before my very eyes.

 : Chapter 32

    With how much I¡¯m sweating, I bet Quincy would like my shirt for her nest. Hopefully, she still wants me, considering she had all her needs met frequentlyst night by Trigg and Hartley. It¡¯s my own damn fault, but she hasn¡¯t invited me into her nest, and barging in felt questionable with how hazy she must have been.

    I got a recap of the events this morning over breakfast, and I¡¯m still annoyed with myself for not at least checking in on her. If I had, I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t have been able to keep my head clear.

    We still have shit to negotiate between us, but overall, I¡¯m hopeful.

    When the nursees to get her, she lets mee back with her for all the initial stuff while Trigg and Hartley stay in the waiting room. They make Quincy pee in a cup, take her blood pressure and temperature, and put her on the scale to determine her weight.

    I keep my eyes averted like a gentleman, but my fucking heart tries to take flight out of my chest when her small hand wraps in mine while I¡¯m still staring at the wall.

    I can¡¯t help myself.

    I turn toward her, running my free hand over her cheek and tilting her face up to mine. It seems inappropriate to kiss her while the nurse is waiting, so I brush my lips over her forehead and force myself to pull back.

    Goddammit.

    Maybe Trigg isn¡¯t as unhinged as I made him out to be, because my head sure is plotting ways to dispose of Hartley and Trigg to ensure I get a significant amount of one-on-one time with Quincy, and fast.

    We follow the nurse down the hallway, and Quincy leans against my side.

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been on this side before,¡± she whispers. ¡°I think this is the hallway with rooms big enough to fit more people.¡±

    The nurse leads us into a room, and Quincy stands next to the hospital table as she answers a few questions. I try to take up as little space as possible as the nurse steps around us to grab something.

    Shees back, offering Quincy a gown. ¡°You know the drill. Dr. Lindsay should be in pretty quickly. I¡¯ll give you a few minutes to get changed, and I¡¯ll bring in the other two from the waiting room once you¡¯re done.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± Quincy smiles politely and waits for the nurse to leave the room before looking up at me. ¡°She checked my cervix at myst appointment, since I¡¯m technically considered high risk, but I¡¯m wondering if that won¡¯t be the case anymore.¡±

    Every time she speaks, it rips at my heart a little more. Yeah, I missed out on some big milestones, but she¡¯s faced her own shit too. More than anything, I wish I could have been there to support her.

    She shrugs. ¡°Now that I have you guys?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Do you want me to step out while you get changed?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s okay,¡± she says, dropping the gown and weird-ass paper sheet on the exam table.

    There are four chairs along the wall of the room, and I move to take a seat in one. Until I see Quincy struggling to get her coat off. Striding back across the room, I help her out of it.

    ¡°My arms never felt short before I had to contend with a giant baby bump,¡± she grumbles, rubbing the side of her stomach.

    ¡°It¡¯s cute,¡± I assure her, bending to kiss her temple.

    Fuck if I know who gave me permission to do that, but I swear she¡¯s dumping out pheromones like crazy. They make me ache to pull her into my arms and snuggle the hell out of her.

    It has to be some type of biological response.

    Quincy smiles shyly over her shoulder. ¡°Thanks, Ridge.¡±

    I¡¯m hit with the most insane sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu, and it¡¯s all that look on her pretty face.<hr>

    The Night of The Prologue

    Steamy hot water beats down on my arms and chest as I help Quincy soap her back. She¡¯s so fucking soft inparison to my calloused skin. It¡¯s mind-blowing that she even trusted me enough that she left the bar with me.

    I¡¯m not a creepy dick, but she has no way of knowing I¡¯m safe.

    I should have a conversation with her about safety when ites to unbonded omegas.

    My job has exposed me to a whole heap of shit that I wish I could forget, but I can understand the average person doesn¡¯tprehend how ugly the world can be.

    At the same time, I don¡¯t want to scare her by warning her how vignt she needs to be.

    Quincy is tender in a way I¡¯m not used to. Her boyfriend must not have had many brain cells.

    She¡¯s the kind of woman who dropped everything to take care of her ailing grandmother. It shows how loyal she is and that she¡¯s family oriented, both traits I find extremely attractive.

    I¡¯ve only known her for four hours, and I¡¯m already daydreaming ways to keep her forever. Her coconut and creamy vani scent is everywhere, even managing to drown out the cheap hotel soap.

    I¡¯ve never been enamored with the thought of finding an omega of my own. My entire adult life, I¡¯ve put my career first, but she¡¯s the kind of woman I could see myself settling down for.

    No morest-minute trips to the dregs of the earth to take out some cartel psychopath who doesn¡¯t want to y by the rules. No more spending months away from home, tracking a target and learning every second of their daily routine to put an end to them for an insane payday.

    Hell, I might be bored doing nothing but security contracts, but Leo and Shaw seemed happy enough back when they were working for Senator Cahan. I think I¡¯d adapt quickly if I had someone like Quincy toe home to at the end of the day.

    The little omega grins over her shoulder at me, and my heart races. She spins to face me, allowing the water to rinse off her soapy back.

    Her pupils are huge as she runs her hands down my chest. ¡°You¡¯re so tall. It¡¯s kinda ridiculous.¡± Her teeth dig into her lower lip. ¡°Pick me up, please?¡±

    Fuck me.

    I¡¯m not sure I could deny her anything. She could ask me to carve my heart out, and I¡¯d say, Yes, dear, of course. Here you are.

    My hands wrap around her ass, and I lift her as she scrambles up, looping her forearm behind my neck. Her wet tits ster to my chest, and she stretches up, pushing her lips to mine.

    I should have taken her to my house. My shower is built for someone my size. She seemed skittish about evening here, and my ce is a hike, so it was a nicepromise, but the shower is cramped with both of us.

    Her naughty little tongue slides around mine, and the scent of her pussy is everywhere, teasing my system into rut.

    If the shower was tall enough, I¡¯d toss her up onto my shoulders and feast on her cunt right here.

    Un-fucking-fortunately that¡¯s not going to happen, but I turn, trapping her back to the wall.

    Her nails dig into my throat, and she sobs into the kiss as she grinds her core against my pelvis.

    My half-hard cock perks up, and my knot throbs, aching to be buried inside her.

    Can¡¯t do that¡­

    Condoms are tricky when alphas and omegas are involved. Then again, she mentioned her suppressants also have her birth control all in one.

    My head is a foggy mess.

    Fuck her.

    Don¡¯t fuck her.

    Quincy makes the call for me, reaching between us and gripping my shaft. She guides me through her slick lower lips, and instinct takes over.

    I move a hand to cradle her skull to protect her from the shower wall and buck up inside her with little thought to anything but breeding her.

    It¡¯s taken several rounds to get her prepped enough to even take this much of my cock, but I¡¯m a giantpared to her.

    She moans against my lips, and I fuck into her a little too deep. My knot slides inside her opening, swelling to lock us together.

    My knees shake as we both groan.

    Alpha instincts are baser as fuck, and my brain screams to bite and breed her.

    Every tiny movement produces so much pleasure that I lose all rational thought.<hr>

    Present Day

    Memory is weird.

    I¡¯ve reyed that night about a million times. Jerked off to it at least fifty times, and I still couldn¡¯t remember any specifics about what we did in the shower, no matter how hard I tried. But that¡¯s what happens when the haze of rut takes over.

    I help Quincy up onto the table, and the guyse in shortly after, but I¡¯m lost in thought. It¡¯s confusing how those memories could stay hidden for so long, only to pop up monthster.

    The doctores into the room, and I¡¯m still in a daze, but I focus on getting my shit together.

    Dr. Lindsay introduces herself and focuses on Quincy. She¡¯s probably early to mid-thirties with a friendly smile and upbeat energy. ¡°We¡¯ve got a few new faces,¡± she says, patting Quincy¡¯s thigh.

    She turns to the three of us in our line of ufortable chairs, and her eyes widen when she catches sight of Hart.

    He waves awkwardly. ¡°Hey, Casey, long time no see.¡±

    My gaze immediately darts to Quincy, and her eyes narrow. Hartley mentioned he grew up around here, and now I¡¯m wondering if he dated the doc way back when.

    ¡°I never thought I¡¯d see the day,¡± the doctor says,ughing. She focuses on Quincy and continues. ¡°I dated Hartley¡¯s best friend all throughout high school, but he never looked twice at anyone.¡±

    Quincy smiles politely, but I¡¯m convinced she¡¯s contemting how hard it would be to find a new doctor.

    I shove out of my seat and extend a hand to the woman. ¡°Ridge. Nice to meet you. Just let me know when I can ask questions. I¡¯ve got a shitload.¡±

    The doctorughs, shaking my hand. ¡°I¡¯m so happy you two found each other. It¡¯s been Quincy¡¯s biggest concern.¡±

    I really don¡¯t like her putting Quincy on the spot, but I release her hand and step over to my baby mama¡¯s side. I reach for Quincy, but she¡¯s already in the process of linking our fingers.

    I smile, shake my head, and lean down to kiss her forehead.

    ¡°First up, we¡¯ll take the baby¡¯s heart rate and see how you¡¯re measuring,¡± Dr. Lindsay says. ¡°Then you can bombard me with all your questions.¡±<hr>

    The low whooshing sound that fills the air as Dr. Lindsay finds the heartbeat makes my damn knees weak. I keep a death grip on Quincy¡¯s hand and use my other to record the rapid thumps on my phone.

    My eyes get misty, and I bite my cheek to keep from bursting into tears. Once she¡¯s satisfied that the heartbeat is good, she pulls out a weird measuring tape and palpates around Quincy¡¯s stomach.

    ¡°You just hit thirty-four weeks, and your measurements look great.¡± Dr. Lindsay steps back. ¡°You can help her up.¡± She reaches to the opposite side of the exam table and pulls something, allowing the table to move upright as I help Quincy sit up.

    ¡°Last night, Quincy had a fever of just shy of 108,¡± Trigg says, not wasting any time. ¡°She was perfuming heavily and experiencing pain and difort.¡±

    The doctor finishes washing her hands and grabs several paper towels. ¡°Did ite down on its own?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Hartley chimes in. ¡°Not even close. She needed to be knotted pretty much all night.¡±

    Dr. Lindsay smiles, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I should have been more specific. It came down once her physical needs were being met?¡±

    ¡°Yes, a bit.¡± Trigg hums. ¡°However, it hovered at 105 for several hours.¡±

    The doctor grabs the tablet off the counter and begins clicking around. ¡°I see, and you were running a slight temperature at intake. 101.3 isn¡¯t considered high for an omega. Any symptoms to indicate you might have picked up a virus? Headache, nausea, sore throat, that type of thing.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Quincy says. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a cold or anything like that.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t either,¡± Hartley says. ¡°It¡¯s happened two out of thest three nights. She gets hot, starts perfuming and begging. It reminds me a lot of what we¡¯re told to look out for when an omega is about to go into heat.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s actually not unusual, especially in unbonded omegas,¡± the doctor says calmly. ¡°Before suppressants were in widespread use, we almost never saw pregnant unbonded omegas. Over thest five or ten years, that has been quietly changing to the point we now have guidelines for how to handle caring for them.¡± She twists toward Quincy once more. ¡°I had a feeling something like this would being, just based on your symptoms at ourst appointment. It¡¯s why I was trying to get you tomit to the Alpha Pheromone Therapy.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I growl, shoving my phone away. ¡°But what does that mean for Quincy and the baby?¡±

    Quincy squeezes my hand, running her thumb over mine, like she¡¯s trying to offer mefort.

    ¡°It means, I¡¯m relieved Quincy now has the three of you,¡± Dr. Lindsay says. ¡°Her biology is making its needs known, and it¡¯s up to her alphas to meet those demands. Lots of snuggling and cuddles. Spend some time nesting, and yes, soak up that physical intimacy while you can. If her fever won¡¯te down after being knotted, that¡¯s an emergency. If she has cramping that doesn¡¯t resolve with knotting, same thing. Any bleeding or severe difort, call us. We have an answering service, and someone will get back to you to tell you how to proceed.¡±

    ¡°Would bonding help to alleviate the symptoms?¡± Trigg asks.

    The doctor hums. ¡°It might. There are mixed opinions on why we see these types of symptoms inte-stage pregnancy. Some believe it¡¯s an omega¡¯s system mimicking a heat to drawpatible alphas for safety reasons after the omega gives birth. It harkens back to the days before civilized society, when omegas counted on their alpha or alphas for theirplete protection. Others believe it¡¯s an emergency beacon, shing and telling you what she needs.¡± She smiles politely at Trigg. ¡°But again, I¡¯m not too worried. If Quincy were here alone, that would be a much different story.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Quincy says.

    ¡°Of course,¡± the doctor replies. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t think the why is as important as what you do once those symptoms persist. Having a pack ofpatible alphas to meet your physical needs is more than even we could offer. If I ced you in the hospital to monitor your fevers, we would keep you on bed rest and give you medications to stop any early contractions. But we know ess to alpha pheromones and semen often halt those symptoms without medical intervention ever being necessary. That¡¯s my vote.¡±

    I almostugh at the look of horror on Quincy¡¯s face. She¡¯s cute as fuck when she¡¯s embarrassed. Not to mention, I really like the idea that I can help with something after being MIA for months.

    ¡°I¡¯m taking notes,¡± Trigg says, typing away on his phone. ¡°Are there any other symptoms we should watch out for? How high of a temperature is concerning?¡±

    ¡°Anything over 110 that doesn¡¯te down immediately after being knotted,¡± the doctor says, typing on her tablet in return. ¡°And by that, I mean, if her fever stays that high for even an hour, take her to the emergency room. If ites down with knotting and ess to pheromones, continue to monitor it. Decreased fetal movements are another big one to look out for, but if you have any concerns, call our office.¡±

    I wonder if she gets tired of repeating the same thing over and over again in different ways. I¡¯m sure all dads are just as neurotic as I¡¯ve be in thest forty-eight hours.

    ¡°Knotting, nesting, and pampering,¡± Hart says, ¡°got it.¡±

    The doctor nods and goes on. ¡°Now, the normal schedule would be to see you back at thirty-six weeks when we would do your Strep B test. But that¡¯s two weeks away. I don¡¯t want you to wait that long if you¡¯re having any concerns. Call, and we¡¯ll fit you in if things don¡¯t start regting within the next couple days.¡±

    ¡°Okay, thank you,¡± Quincy says, leaning her head against my chest as I stand by her side.

    ¡°Baby is doing well.¡± Dr. Lindsay smiles. ¡°I¡¯m hopeful. We¡¯d like to see your daughter stick around in there until at least thirty-seven weeks, but we¡¯re at the stage when babiese at any time. Take care of yourself and rest up while you can.¡±

    There¡¯s something else we can help with. I¡¯ll carry her anywhere she needs to go and make sure she doesn¡¯t need to lift a finger during thesest six weeks of pregnancy.<hr>

    Quincy is quiet during the trip to her house, but she doesn¡¯t seem upset. She¡¯s more than likely exhausted from all the fuckingst night.

    She ends up in the passenger seat while I drive, and I keep my hand on her thigh during the trip. It¡¯s a simple point of contact, but I can only hope my reassurance pours through my touch.

    Trigg and Hartley end up in the back seat, and they talk in low murmurs about God knows what.

    ¡°Just in case you don¡¯t remember how to get there, you¡¯re going to take the first right, and then it¡¯s three houses down on the left,¡± Quincy says out of nowhere. ¡°I have to pee so bad. I should have gone before we left the office.¡±

    ¡°Actually, I believe it would be safer to park in the alleyway behind her home,¡± Trigg says firmly. ¡°Second right instead of the first. Look for the two ck garbage cans, and there will be a small pull-in where you can park that noses right up to the back gate.¡±

    ¡°I really stinking have to pee,¡± Quincy mutters.

    ¡°If anyone is keeping watch, it will be the least likely entry point to be seen,¡± Trigg says. ¡°The neighbors will be unable to see us due to the huge brick fence that lines the entire backyard.¡±

    Well, I suppose we know how Trigg got in and out.

    ¡°Whatever,¡± Quincy says in a strained tone. ¡°Just hurry. Please. She rolled right over on my dder, and things are getting questionable.¡±

    I speed up a little and follow Trigg¡¯s instructions, making the right and looking for the garbage cans. It¡¯s easy enough to tell where I¡¯m supposed to turn in because Quincy unbuckles and frantically points.

    Damn.

    It must be a real emergency.

    It couldn¡¯t have taken thirty seconds for me to get us here. I pull the truck in, concerned my back end might be hanging out in the alleyway, but we¡¯ll be quick.

    ¡°If you could wait while my phone connects to the cameras, that would be preferable,¡± Trigg growls, but Quincy is already in the process of pushing open the passenger door.

    I chuckle, shutting the truck off and tossing open the door. ¡°I¡¯ll go with her.¡±

 : Chapter 33

    Cool air rushes the cab of the truck as the entire vehicle jostles from Ridge climbing out.

    I keep an eye on them as Quincy waddles toward the house. The tall wooden gate is the only break in the brick wall. The gate swings open, and Quincy heads in first with Ridge hot on her heels.

    The house has two sidewalks on either side that run parallel to the fence. I can¡¯t see where the one on the left leads, but the one on the right hits another small fence that seems to lead to the front yard. The right side also has a small cutoff with stairs downward that must lead to the basement entrance.

    I¡¯ve never been back there, but the fenced-in yard looks cozy.

    ¡°Motherfucker!¡± Trigg hisses and types furiously on his phone screen before tossing onto the seat between us like it burned him. ¡°I¡¯ll bet that fool didn¡¯t even gear up after the doctor.¡± He leans over, digging under Ridge¡¯s seat. ¡°Step out and call them back to us, but stay calm. I don¡¯t care if Quincy pees her pants. You get them back here, but don¡¯t let on that anything is wrong.¡±

    My heart rate picks up.

    ¡°Is something?¡± I ask, even though¡­it clearly fucking is.

    ¡°Now, Hartley!¡± he barks.

    I¡¯m not expecting it, and my body snaps into motion. I don¡¯t even bother grabbing my jacket off the floorboard. I throw the door open and climb out, jogging around the front of the truck and through the open gate.

    A flicker of movement catches my eye near the hedges that line the left side of the fence. It¡¯s obscured by the end of the house, but I don¡¯t think that was a bird or other wildlife.

    ¡°Trigg said we have to go. We¡¯lle right back, but he has to pick up¡­¡± I frown, trying to multitask as I scan for a weapon or any other adversaries. ¡°A prescription. He said it¡¯s an emergency. He¡¯s been waiting on it to be restocked for days.¡±

    Ridge goes rigid, wrapping an arm around Quincy¡¯s middle.

    Fuck.

    Hopefully he got her right under the breasts to protect the baby.

    ¡°I¡¯m literally about to pee myself,¡± she sobs, struggling against his hold as he turns them toward me.

    He doesn¡¯t have any mercy, walking her toward the gate with long strides. He keeps her held in front of him, using his body as a human shield.

    A man in a ski mask pops out from the stairs to the basement, making my eyes widen.

    Fuck.

    I¡¯m not cut out for this kind of life.

    I¡¯m still not going to stand by and do nothing.

    Or even worse¡­run.

    When I was at peak performance, I could throw a football consistently between fifty and sixty miles an hour. It¡¯s like a shot to the gut if you¡¯re not prepared for something flying at you with that kind of velocity.

    The only weapons I can spot are the small bricks lining the sidewalk. They¡¯re half buried in the snow-covered gravel that separates the fence and the walkway.

    Adrenaline ravishes through my system, just like it used to before a big game.

    ¡°Behind you,¡± I say, keeping my voice low as I drop to a crouch like I¡¯m about to tie my shoe. I make a mad grab for a brick instead, prying it out of the ground and testing the weight in my hand.

    ¡°Run,¡± Ridge growls, dropping Quincy. She hits her feet, and he gives her a solid push. She stumbles, barely keeping herself from falling.

    A low whooshing sound breaks through the air, and Ridge flies forward.

    His low growl follows, but he keeps his back to the threat, continuing to block Quincy with his massive form.

    The bright red blood that spills from his shoulder makes Quincy scream, but I refocus on the man in the mask. He raises his arm¡ªabout to take another shot.

    I don¡¯t hesitate.

    Bringing my arm up, I rear back and throw the brick as hard as I can, aiming for the side of the man¡¯s head.

    It flies through the air, connecting with a vicious crunching sound that I doubt I¡¯ll ever be able to forget.

    The man slumps against the wall as another bullet flies from his gun, but this onends in the dirt a few feet away from Ridge.

    Quincy runs into my chest, and I let out an oomph as she knocks the air from my lungs. I struggle to catch a breath and grimace, spotting how badly Ridge is bleeding. He¡¯s right-handed¡ªI know from us assembling furniture yesterday¡ªbut he raises a gun in his left hand, shooting toward the area on the left side of the house where I initially saw movement.

    ¡°Fucking adrenaline. That shit is not actually helping.¡± He continues cursing and brings his right hand up to stabilize his left before taking another shot followed quickly by another. ¡°Anyone else want to pop out and get their head taken off? Because I can do this all damn day.¡±

    ¡°Get her into the vehicle,¡± Trigg growls, walking by with a gun in his left hand. He aims at the guy I hit with the brick, pulling the trigger three times.

    I take a step back, yanking Quincy with me with my arms still locked around her back.

    Trigg is fucking terrifying. His face remains cid¡ªunbothered, almost¡ªand that shit is not normal.

    I make the mistake of looking at the guy I pegged, and his blood and brain now cover the wall.

    Well, either I didn¡¯t kill him, or Trigg was just making sure he¡¯s super fucking dead.

    I blink, trying to force myself to move, but I¡¯ve never seen this kind of carnage before.

    Quincy trembles against my chest, and I¡¯m still frozen, staring at the gore.

    ¡°I said, get her out of here!¡± Trigg barks.

    My head whips to the side just in time to catch Ridge stagger.

    He hits a knee on the ground, holding his gun up like he¡¯s still appraising for threats. ¡°Fuck, this one might be worse than I thought.¡±

    With all the blood?

    Jesus Christ.

    I need my phone.

    We¡¯ve got to call 9-1-1.

    We need medical assistance now.

    Not to mention, there could be more of them.

 : Chapter 34

    Quincy will have no part of being guided to the truck. She rips out of my arms and holds up a short finger. ¡°Don¡¯t try me right now, Hart. We have to help Ridge.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got this. You¡¯ll only get in the way.¡± Trigg hits his knees next to Ridge, who now lies on his back with his hand against the gunshot wound.

    Bright red blood spills around both their fingers, and my stomach tightens. That doesn¡¯t look good at all.

    ¡°Holy fuck that burns,¡± Ridge groans.

    He¡¯s better than me. I¡¯d probably be wailing in agony if I were him. He didn¡¯t even scream when the bullet hit him, and everything in me says that¡¯s because he didn¡¯t want to scare Quincy.

    Trigg shoves his hand against Ridge¡¯s and uses his other to lift the giant alpha¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It went all the way through. That¡¯s a good sign. Can you wiggle your fingers?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ridge grinds out, doing exactly that.

    ¡°Excellent. Maybe we had a bit of luck on our side today, after all. It clearly missed your subvian artery¡ªotherwise you¡¯d be dead by now or much closer to it,¡± Trigg says. I stare at him incredulously. He needs to learn how to censor himself. Quincy is already on the verge of freaking out. ¡°The other concern in this area is the brachial plexus, but your movement is good. You took out both of the men on the left after being shot. I doubt you could have done that if the bullet hit your brachial plexus. It¡¯s like having moltenva poured into your shoulder and chest.¡±

    ¡°Not to be a baby, but this doesn¡¯t feel great,¡± Ridge hisses.

    ¡°I¡¯ll bet not.¡± Trigg rolls his eyes, splitting his attention between Ridge and ncing over at Quincy and me. ¡°Hartley, toss me your shirt and get her into the vehicle.¡±

    ¡°I already peed a little. Unless you want me to ruin the interior of Ridge¡¯s truck, I need a bathroom right now,¡± Quincy sobs. ¡°Ridge is bleeding out. Someone needs to go get to a phone so we can call for help?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Hell no,¡± Ridge growls, gritting his teeth.

    ¡°The only assistance we need has been alerted. They¡¯re already on the way.¡± Trigg nods at us. ¡°Head over by the bushes. Hartley will help hold you up. I haven¡¯t had the chance to secure the interior of the house.¡±

    ¡°That is not happening,¡± Quincy says, her tone leaving little room for negotiation. ¡°I¡¯ll just hold it until I can¡¯t anymore. God, Ridge, we are going to have a talk about you using your body as a human shield. You can¡¯t die. Think of King and the baby and me.¡± She pushes up on her tiptoes and dances around, shaking out her hands. ¡°This is all my fault. I should have peed before we left the office, and I know that, so I have no idea why I¡¯m so angry with the three of you. Could I be in shock? Is anger a side effect?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, sweetheart,¡± Ridge says, raising his head.

    Fuck.

    His coloring is bad.

    His deep tanplexion is almost ghostly pale.

    ¡°You are not fine,¡± she hisses. ¡°And if I wasn¡¯t about to pop at any second, I would be right there holding your hand, but I don¡¯t want to risk contaminating your wound.¡±

    The fact he immediately falls back to rest on the snowy grass is an even worse sign.

    ¡°Don¡¯t we need towels?¡± I ask. ¡°What if I go in with her?¡±

    Trigg sighs. ¡°Take off your shirt and hold it to the front and back of his wound. Don¡¯t be afraid to apply too much pressure. You can¡¯t¡ªnot in this situation.¡± His eyes narrow. ¡°Now, Hartley! I can¡¯t remove my hands until you¡¯re here to put yours in their ce.¡±

    I take a tentative step back.

    Holy fuck.

    Seriously¡­ I am not built for this shit.

    It might be time to take Quincy and run. I¡¯m sure Costa and his henchmen would be more interested in Ridge than us. And either way, I would hire an entire toon of security to keep eyes on us at all times.

    Plus get uspletely off the radar.

    Maybe even off-grid.

    Shit.

    Am I in shock?

    I¡¯m pretty sure I killed that guy or caused irreparable brain damage before Trigg took the final shot.

    Jesus.

    I¡¯m just asplicit as they are.

    More than that, I don¡¯t even want to think of what it would do to Quincy to lose Ridge right after she found him.

    I get myself in gear.

    Stepping around Quincy, I stride over, ripping off my shirt as I move.

    ¡°Tell me what to do.¡± I don¡¯t even know why those are the words thate out of my mouth when he just gave me instructions, but I hit my knees at Trigg¡¯s side. My hands shake violently as I prepare to cover the wound, but Trigg rips my shirt from my hold. He shoves it where he wants it and grabs my wrists, showing me where he wants me to apply pressure.

    Blood immediately saturates the fabric around my hand, and I fight the urge to pull away.

    Ridge groans. ¡°Give a man a little fucking warning next time.¡±

    ¡°This is never happening again,¡± Quincy says, taking off toward the house. ¡°If I had the money, I would hire you your own personal security. So much security. You wouldn¡¯t be able to turn around without bumping into someone who¡¯s there solely to keep you alive. You clearly need it.¡±

    I blink repeatedly as she waddles toward the house.

    She must be in shock.

    She¡¯s handling this pretty well, but now all I can think about is how this might affect the baby.

    Trigg grabs his gun off the ground and takes off after her. ¡°Angel, you will wait for me?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in shock!¡± she snaps. ¡°Don¡¯t growl at me all bossy like or I will punch you.¡±

    Ridge smiles. ¡°At least she has something else to focus on, but I imagine she¡¯s going to be mighty pissed once she¡¯s no longer about to pee herself.¡±

    Iugh. ¡°Can I do anything to help?¡±

    ¡°Just keep applying pressure.¡± He tilts his head. ¡°Honestly? This is such bullshit. If the bullet had been two inches higher, it would have missed mepletely.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± I scoff. ¡°Or it could have been a few inches lower, and we wouldn¡¯t be having this conversation at all.¡±

    The sounds of Trigg and Quincy bickering fill the air as background noise, but Ridge¡¯s face sobers.

    ¡°Thanks for helping out with that guy,¡± he says. ¡°I saw the second bulletnd out of my peripheral vision.¡±

    I nod. ¡°I don¡¯t know that I even made the choice consciously. Most of it felt like muscle reflex and panic, but I am d you¡¯re alive.¡±

    I wonder if it¡¯ll hit me in full forceter?

    I needed to make sure that man couldn¡¯t take a second shot that could have gone through Ridge and hit Quincy.

    Or killed Ridge.

    He¡¯s growing on me.

    I hate that we¡¯re all tangled up in something like this.

    I don¡¯t think Ridge is a bad guy. He may do illegal shit for a living, but these guys are trash. Anyone who would take shots with a pregnant woman within hitting distance is a special kind of evil I¡¯ve heard of but never been faced with.

    The more I think about it, the angrier I get until I feel like I might chip a tooth.

    ¡°Man, you can back off just a smidge,¡± Ridge says, gritting his teeth.

    ¡°Shit.¡± I frown, realizing I¡¯ve been squeezing the fuck out of him. ¡°Seriously, don¡¯t die. Quincy would be heartbroken.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m good. It¡¯s little more than a glorified scratch.¡±

    If only.<hr>

    Quincy and Trigge out, and my head tilts as I realize she changed clothes. Trigg has several towels under one arm, but I¡¯m more focused on my omega.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± My heart thumps as every worst-case scenario spills through my head.

    Did the stress send her intobor?

    ¡°She didn¡¯t quite make it to the toilet,¡± Trigg says, hitting a knee at my side.

    ¡°He was very slow about clearing the rooms.¡± Quincy sighs,ing to Ridge¡¯s other side. She struggles to get down on her knees but finally manages it. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± She brushes her fingers over Ridge¡¯s cheek and grabs his bloody hand. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry you got shot protecting me. Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, Mama.¡± He smirks, tilting his face toward her. ¡°Sorry about this.¡±

    I suppose he earned the right to call her a nickname, but that is a cute one. Too bad I missed out on it.

    ¡°Don¡¯t apologize.¡± She leans in, brushing her lips over his. ¡°Especially because I¡¯m going to yell at you some more once you¡¯re feeling better.¡±

    Ridgeughs.

    Trigg pulls my hands away, shoving a towel at me. ¡°Get cleaned up. We should have backup here any minute. Someone will escort you and Quincy to Ridge¡¯s house while I apany him to see the doctor.¡±

    ¡°Hell no!¡± Quincy says, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯m going with him!¡±

    ¡°Nah,¡± Ridge says. ¡°The doctor probably won¡¯t allow anyone else in the room. It¡¯ll be better if you and Hartley head home. I know Easton will have guys there to watch you until Trigg and I make it back.¡±

    Trigg¡¯s head tilts, and he grabs his gun while holding a towel over Ridge¡¯s wound with the other.

    ¡°It¡¯s just us,¡± a voice says from near the gate behind me. My head swivels, taking in Shaw. Come to think of it, the voice did sound familiar. ¡°Shit, you¡¯re all fucked up. All right, everyone clear out and give Leo a chance to work. We brought Valor in case it was impossible to get his big ass up.¡±

    A man with dark brown hair and a medical bag beelines for us, moving even faster than Shaw. That must be Leo if he has some type of medical training.

    ¡°I¡¯m just lounging here. Don¡¯t mind me, I can get up with no trouble,¡± Ridge says, but I don¡¯t think any of us buy it.<hr>

    Everything happens fast.

    Quincy and I are introduced to Valor¡ªShaw and Leo¡¯s packmate.

    Nextes Easton, who is their boss, and his packmate, Keir.

    Keir apanies us inside to help Quincy pack, and once she¡¯s done, he drives my SUV to Ridge¡¯s house.

    ¡°The gate guards are going to give your vehicle a full sweep. I did a quick scan, but they¡¯re going to give it the deep dive treatment,¡± Keir says, pulling into Ridge¡¯s driveway. ¡°The door should be unlocked. I¡¯ll be back as soon as I help them process the SUV.¡±

    I mumble a quick thanks and help Quincy from the vehicle before grabbing the most important bags and following her inside.

    If I thought things would calm down once we were safely inside Ridge¡¯s house, I was wrong.

    There are entirely too many new faces, but I do my best to keep up. It¡¯s not easy, though.

    My hands shake from leftover adrenaline, and my head is a mess.

    Omen is the white-haired beta who is in a pack with Leo, Shaw, and Valor. Their omega is Saylor.

    The woman with long dark brown hair is Briar, and she belongs to Keir and Easton.

    Omen looks dangerous. I have no trouble believing he¡¯s an assassin or whatever Ridge and these guys do for a living, but Saylor seems sweet. That¡¯s my assumption after knowing them for two minutes, anyway.

    ¡°It¡¯s very nice to meet you, but I smell like pee, and Ridge was just shot¡­¡± Quincy¡¯s voice shakes, and she frowns like she can¡¯t believe she just said that. ¡°I need a shower. Can we have a do-over meeting when I¡¯m not so out of it?¡±

    ¡°We really could have nned the timing better,¡± Briar says, linking her hands and resting them against her chest. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. Please, go shower and nest or whatever you need to do to rx.¡±

    ¡°We have gifts and party trays if you think you could eat,¡± Saylor says, shoving her long golden-brown hair over her shoulder. ¡°Sorry. Never mind. Pretend like we¡¯re not here.¡±

    My head feels like it¡¯s about to explode.

    They clearly know Ridge and possibly Trigg, but why are they here in the first ce?

    Omen might be who Ridge mentioned would guard us until he and Trigg get back, but these chicks don¡¯t seem trained at all. And that¡¯s not me being a judgmental dick. I had a female alpha on my security team for two years when I was in the pros, and she was one of the best bodyguards I ever worked with. These two don¡¯t have that energy, though.

    ¡°It probably looks like we¡¯re celebrating Ridge being shot,¡± Omen says in a thick Irish ent. ¡°We¡¯re not. All of this was nned for this evening, but our timetable moved up under the circumstances.¡±

    ¡°It was nned for tonight,¡± Saylor says, nodding dramatically. ¡°Briar and I wanted to introduce ourselves, and it¡¯s rude toe without gifts. But then Easton told us to set up for the party and take pictures, just in case any of you guys need an alibi.¡±

    That¡¯s either scary or impressive that Ridge¡¯s boss thought to set up an alibi with everything else going on.

    ¡°It was going to be a surprise mini-baby shower, but the vibes are ruined now,¡± Briar says, smiling tightly. ¡°Go shower off the blood and change. We¡¯ll be here if you¡¯re up forpany or just ignore us if not.¡±

    It¡¯s time I take charge and get Quincy upstairs so she can have some breathing room.

    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say, hiking Quincy¡¯s bag higher on my shoulder before scooping up the one I dropped at my feet.

    Fuck.

    I¡¯m so out of it, I don¡¯t even remember dropping it.

    Quincy leans into my chest, and we head for the stairs.

 : Chapter 35

    Hartley helps me shower. Watching Ridge¡¯s blood spiral down the drain sends me into something like a panic attack, but not really. It¡¯s much less frantic than thest panic attack I experienced, and more like a state of numbness that doesn¡¯t make any sense considering the circumstances.

    I continue crying silently as Hartley helps me into my underclothes, followed quickly by leggings and one of my dresses.

    ¡°You¡¯re killing me here, beautiful,¡± he murmurs, brushing his thumb under my eye to catch one of my tears. ¡°Ridge is tough. If they were really worried, they would have taken him to a hospital.¡±

    I nod and grab his hand as he moves to caress my jaw.

    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t know what I would do without you.¡± I bite my cheek to keep anything else from escaping while my brain-to-mouth filter is broken.

    ¡°Don¡¯t thank me. I¡¯m here for you always, Quincy.¡± He kisses my forehead and steps over to the bed to get dressed.

    I try not to obsess about why he didn¡¯t call me beautiful, but I¡¯m sure he¡¯s just as rattled as I am.

    We never even got to make it to Harrison¡¯s to get his belongings, and what he wore today is destroyed.

    Once he¡¯s in jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt, hees back and helps me fully dry my hair.

    ¡°I just mean, I know you hurt one of those guys.¡± I swallow around the lump in my throat. ¡°That¡¯s not who you are as a person, and I¡¯m just so sorry it came to that.¡± It kills me because I¡¯m pretty sure he only acted to protect me, which I appreciate, but I¡¯m also struggling toe to terms with the fact it was necessary in the first ce.

    ¡°I¡¯m an adult. I made choices that I don¡¯t regret.¡± He tosses the towel over the chair by the dresser andes back, pulling me into his arms. ¡°You always hear about how vicious alphas are in protection of their omega, and we got to see that firsthand today.¡±

    I nod against his shirt. ¡°You just mean a lot to me.¡±

    I¡¯m also terrified that he¡¯ll say enough is enough. He didn¡¯t sign up for any of this, and he still got dragged into it.

    ¡°Me too, beautiful. Now, ready to hide under the covers with me?¡±

    An unexpected bark ofughter escapes my lips. He did exactly that when I got overwhelmed our first night here. ¡°I would love to snuggle with you.¡±

    I¡¯d also kill for an update on Ridge.<hr>

    Hart purrs for me, and I almost give in to the urge to fall asleep. Last night was rough with the never-ending waves of heat, and I was exhausted before we even left for my doctor¡¯s appointment.

    Only shes of Ridge¡¯s blood y through my mind on repeat, and it makes my skin crawl. The sound that came when the bullet ripped through his flesh, and the crunching sound when Hart connected with that brick he threw¡­ It¡¯s a lot.

    I give up on being able to sleep, so Hartley apanies me downstairs.

    Wee around the corner into the living room, and I¡¯m once again immensely grateful for Hart. He has his arm wrapped around my lower back, and it¡¯s the only thing that keeps me from bolting when all four faces swivel in our direction.

    I go over their names in my head.

    Omen.

    Saylor.

    Briar.

    Even the guy who drove us here is back from having the SUV checked, and he kneels beside the couch, talking quietly with Briar.

    Keir. That¡¯s his name. We got a quick introduction, but I was beyond frazzled. I think he¡¯s one of Briar¡¯s alphas. He stands when he spots us and bows his head. ¡°You look better.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m hanging in there.¡± I offer a tight smile and scan around for King.

    He¡¯s on the floor getting belly scratches from Omen. He tries to roll over, possibly toe greet us, but he looks like a turtle trapped on his back. He wobbles, never quite getting enough momentum to fully flip over onto his stomach.

    Omen smiles, patting King¡¯s stomach. ¡°You are a portly gentleman, aren¡¯t you? Here, would you like an assist?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let Ridge hear you talk shit about that dog,¡± Keir says,ughing. He refocuses on Hartley and me. ¡°Your vehicle was clean, but I¡¯m going to do a sweep of the perimeter.¡±

    I take a step forward, and I don¡¯t know what I n to do¡­

    Block him from being able to leave the room?

    Beg him for a status update?

    ¡°Have you heard anything about Ridge?¡± I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my tone.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡± He shakes his head. ¡°But believe it or not, that¡¯s a good sign. Ridge is an old friend. One of the first employees Easton hired back in the day. He¡¯ll make sure he¡¯s taken care of.¡±

    ¡°And Keir will update us as soon as he hears something,¡± Briar says, pushing herself off the couch and stepping over to her alpha. ¡°Be safe. I don¡¯t know how I feel about you being out there without backup.¡±

    He chuckles, grabs her ass, and pulls her closer for a quick kiss. ¡°The gate guards are on high alert, and we have four guys simply driving around the neighborhood. I¡¯m good, little one.¡±

    My heart thumps erratically, and I focus on not bursting into tears in a room full of strangers.

    I just really need Ridge and Trigg to get here so I can see with my own eyes that they¡¯re safe.<hr>

    Briar and Saylor are clearly trying, but with everything going on, I¡¯m not greatpany.

    Hart sticks to my side like glue, which I appreciate. His pheromones help settle my frayed edges, but I¡¯m still barely keeping it together. He pulls me onto hisp in the recliner and stretches back.

    I try not to liepletely t too often, but this is just enough of an angle that it feels fine.

    Hart rubs my stomach, and the two women make small talk. It¡¯s very sweet how they try to include me here or there, but considering I¡¯m still a mess, they don¡¯t push too hard.

    Nothing quite seems real, like there¡¯s a sheen between me and reality.

    Omen finds one of King¡¯s toys and ys tug of war. Once he wins, he tosses it across the room, and King stares disdainfully.

    ¡°You little shit, are you truly not going to fetch it?¡± Omen asks in his thick Irish ent. Heughs, pushing himself off the floor and going over to pick it up. ¡°You could not be more aptly named.¡±

    Iugh, and my stomach lets out an embarrassing growl so loud that everyone swivels to look at me.

    ¡°Someone better feed the pregnant woman before she turns into a zombie and tries to eat all of our faces.¡± Omen chuckles.

    ¡°Want me to grab you something?¡± Hart asks, nuzzling his cheek to the side of my head.

    ¡°We have mini sandwiches,¡± Saylor says, smiling. ¡°And a fruit and veggie tray, cheese and crackers, and these fancy olives Briar picked out. I¡¯ll be happy to make you a te.¡±

    ¡°Or you cane browse with us.¡± Briar shoves herself off the couch andes over, offering me her hands. ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, but eating always cheers me up.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a dessert tray too.¡± Saylor pops up over Briar¡¯s shoulder, smiling.

    I¡¯m still embarrassed from all the stuff I blurted out earlier, but I barely nibbled at a piece of toast before my appointment. Putting something in my stomach when I¡¯m this stressed might be a bad idea, but having a few bites is better than nothing.

    I tilt my head and smile at Hartley. ¡°Would you put down the leg part? I should at least try to eat something.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± he says, kissing my temple. He pushes his legs down and swivels the chair forward.

    I take Briar¡¯s outstretched hands, and Hart helpfully gives me a push up.

    It sparks a memory of being outside my house this morning.

    Everything happened so fast¡­

    I was too focused on needing a bathroom to understand why Ridge put me on my feet and gave me a shove. By the time I righted myself and turned around to bitch him out, the sound cracked through the air, and he was bleeding everywhere.

    If he had still been holding me, I¡¯m pretty sure the bullet would have hit me too.

    Dammit.

    I¡¯m so conflicted.

    I owe him an apology for snapping at him, but I¡¯m beyond frustrated that all of this happened to begin with.

    The worryes back in full force, and I remind myself of what Keir said¡ªno news is good news.

    ¡°Come on,¡± Saylor says, taking off for the kitchen. ¡°The dessert tray has bite-size cheesecake bars and brownies.¡±

    Well, that¡¯s enough to perk up any omega, especially a pregnant one.<hr>

    Surprisingly enough, I feel much better after half a te of party foods. After taking a long sip of my water, I refocus on the two women.

    ¡°Sorry I ranted earlier. I wish I could have a do-over there.¡± I smile, thankful at how not weird it¡¯s been to have them here.

    ¡°The first day I met Valor and Omen, I forced my way into their cell¡­¡± Saylor shrugs. I blink repeatedly until I remember Ridge told me she was kidnapped. I guess there was more to that story than he mentioned. ¡°Valor wouldn¡¯te out of the bathroom, and it was an emergency. I busted right in but forgot to close the door. Omen still picks on me about it anytime I try to kick him out when I have to pee.¡± Sheughs, doing an Irish impression. ¡°But I thought you liked having an audience, pet.¡±

    ¡°They give you privacy when you pee?¡± Briarughs. ¡°I¡¯m going to have to be firmer about telling Keir and Easton to get lost.¡± She turns toward me. ¡°There was a massacre at my first wedding. It was a bloodbath. I¡¯m lucky to be alive. I finally found a safe ce to wait for one of them to pick me off, but I had something hard in my mouth. At first, I thought I lost a tooth.¡± She makes a gagging face. ¡°Nope, it was a bone fragment¡­and not my own. The warmth all over my face was blood, and I didn¡¯t even realize it was what I had been tasting. Yeah, let that sink in.¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s actually disgusting,¡± Saylor says, eyeing the pepperoni and cheddar on the cracker she was about to bring to her mouth. Sheughs and shoves the thing into her mouth.

    That is a pretty intense story, but I don¡¯t know what to say, so I keep my mouth shut and grab a miniature brownie.

    ¡°We¡¯ve all been there. You have nothing to be embarrassed about,¡± Briar says, smiling. ¡°Plus, you¡¯re pregnant. I feel like that means you get a free pass for anything.¡±

    They¡¯re kind, and I do hope to get to know them better eventually, but maybe when I¡¯m feeling like myself again. I¡¯m still stuck in survival mode at the moment.

    I just really need to know that Ridge is going to be okay. Then maybe I¡¯ll feel like I can breathe.

    Shit.

    And I should probably check on Sutton.

    I meant to text herst night, but the wave of heat came out of nowhere¡­ That about seals it. I¡¯m a terrible friend and an awful baby mama. No matter what Ridge said, I should have gone with him and held his hand.

 : Chapter 36

    Several Hours Earlier

    ¡°<span>They took a shot at me with my pregnant baby mama three fucking feet away,¡± I grind out, lying on the table in the makeshift hospital room that Easton keeps in the Shadow Security outfitting warehouse. ¡°I am going to rip Costa¡¯s heart out with my bare hands.¡±

    ¡°Simmer down,¡± Easton says ndly.

    ¡°I¡¯m serious. I need to get patched up fast so I can get out there and fuck some shit up.¡±

    Easton and Trigg must have some weird psychopath telepathy going on.

    That, or weird half-brother vibes.

    They each grab an arm, pinning me to the table.

    Easton shows no mercy as my wound bubbles with blood. ¡°Trigg and I will regroup to make a n once you¡¯re safely at home and recovering. For now, keep your ass on the hospital bed, or I will have the doctor sedate you.¡±

    ¡°Fuck no,¡± I hiss, shaking my right arm out of his hold. It hurts like a bitch since that¡¯s the shoulder that was clipped. Calling it my trapezius would be more urate, but Shaw already gave me shit about how the bullet likely would have missed me if I didn¡¯t skip leg day.

    Whatever.

    I like to work my shoulders and arms.

    If they¡¯re not going to let me go on the offensive after this, I need to get back to Quincy as soon as possible. She was freaking out, and I know she¡¯ll want to see with her own two eyes that I¡¯m okay.

    ¡°Then lie back and cooperate while Dane patches you up. The wound packing Leo did is not going to keep you from bleeding out. You¡¯re concerningly pale,¡± Easton growls.

    ¡°Oh, he¡¯s definitely going to need a transfusion,¡± Dr. Dane says. Fuck if I know if that¡¯s his first orst name. ¡°I¡¯m just waiting for the database to load to make sure I have his blood type on hand.¡±

    ¡°Ridge and I are a match,¡± Shaw says, pushing off the wall in the corner. ¡°He direct donated to mest time I got pegged.¡±

    ¡°I still prefer to use cleared donor blood unless we have no other option,¡± the doc says.

    I frown as my vision gets even fuzzier. ¡°Yeah, just hurry up. I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m about to pass out.¡±

    And I promptly do exactly that.<hr>

    I¡¯m not dead.

    Dr. Dane hooked me up with the good drugs.

    The bullet went straight through and didn¡¯t clip anything vital.

    I got lucky.

    It¡¯s hard to be grateful when all I can think about is if Quincy is going to say enough is enough.

    I don¡¯t think she can technically break up with me when I don¡¯t know if we¡¯re even dating, but I did ask to court her. That¡¯s supposedly like going steady for alphas and omegas.

    At least that¡¯s what I was taught.

    She better not try to break up with me over this.

    Costa was already going down, but I swear to fuck I¡¯m going to make that son of a bitch suffer. This is exactly what I was telling Quincy when I said the bad guys don¡¯t y by the rules.

    Even among contract workers, there¡¯s a code we follow.

    You don¡¯t involve women and children.

    Hell, I¡¯ve had opportunities to take out a target but held off because they had their wife or kid with them. Sometimes you get a window, and you either take it or you might not get another for a month. Still, you wait it out, even if your target is a grade-A piece of shit, because the goal isn¡¯t to traumatize the target¡¯s family.

    These are unwritten rules, much like you never risk harming a civilian toplete a contract.

    Whoever Costa hired has no honor.

    Fuck.

    My head is swimming with the pain meds. I don¡¯t even know if my thoughts are making sense.<hr>

    ¡°You are going to be able to keep yourself vertical, right?¡± Shaw asks, holding open the door that leads from the garage to the back hallway. ¡°The stairs might be pushing it.¡±

    I squint and try to remember how high to lift my foot to hit the step.

    Damn.

    Dr. Dane is my new best friend.

    He came through with the good drugs.

    ¡°We should have gone with Easton and let Valor handle getting Ridge inside,¡± Leo says, wrapping his forearm around my lower back.

    ¡°In case you forgot how to climb stairs, you lift one foot at a time.¡± Shaw cracks a shitty smile.

    ¡°I¡¯m more than capable of walking up the stairs,¡± I grumble. ¡°You guys are dicks.¡±

    I don¡¯t p Leo¡¯s arm away solely because I¡¯m still light-headed. If I take a header into the concrete, that would take the day from questionable to downright shitty. It¡¯s a slow process, but I make it up the stairs, and Shaw steps inside to get out of the doorway.

    ¡°Hartley and Quincy are still here, right?¡± They better not have bolted while I was in surgery.

    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± Shaw says as Leo releases me to close the door behind us.

    ¡°Well, thank fuck for that. Don¡¯t leave with my meds or the extra dressings,¡± I grumble, shuffling along down the hallway.

    I¡¯m shirtless because mine was ruined, and no one thought to bring me a backup, but whoever is here can appreciate my impressive stomach.

    I¡¯ve put a lot of work into maintaining this physique¡ªmainly beer and pizza.

    Oh, and wings and burgers.

    I love a good Italian spread too.

    All the carbs.

    Damn.

    Now I¡¯m kinda hungry, in addition to being fucked up from whatever Dr. Dane popped into my IV before pulling it. Hopefully, the pills will keep up with the pain because I¡¯m going to have to pretend like this little scratch doesn¡¯t hurt a bit¡ªat least in front of Quincy.

    Everything is bright as shit, which might be why I¡¯m squinting so much.

    I pull my good arm up, mindlessly checking for my sses.

    Motherfucker.

    Those dicks cost me my favorite pair of sses. Not that my aviators really matter, considering the circumstances, but it¡¯s just another thing to be pissed about.

    Low talking spills from the living room as I make the left to head into it, and I squint even harder to figure out why the ce is decorated for a baby shower.

    Not to mention, Briar and Saylor are here. So is Omen, but at least he has a purpose. I mean, I guess it¡¯s nice that they threw Quincy a baby shower to take her mind off things.

    She¡¯s sitting on Hartley¡¯sp in my recliner and smiling at something Briar said.

    It¡¯s good that Briar and Saylor came over. Having femalepanionship probably put her at ease more than if she hade home to a house full of mercenaries. Shadow Security is kind of a testosterone fest.

    King spots me first. He struggles to his feet, and his entire ass shakes with excitement.

    ¡°d to see you¡¯re in one piece,¡± Omen says from his spot on the floor where he was busy spoiling King with scratches.

    ¡°Yeah, except for that chunk of my shoulder,¡± I say, rolling my eyes. ¡°I was kinda fond of it, but ording to the doc, it¡¯ll grow back.¡±

    Omenughs. ¡°I believe the word you¡¯re looking for is heal.¡±

    ¡°That too.¡± I shrug and immediately regret the choice.

    ¡°Please help me up. This is getting embarrassing,¡± Quincy says with a huff.

    Hartley grins, leaning the recliner forward and helping her up with his hands on her hips.

    I love that chair.

    It¡¯s supersized to fit my giant ass, and it rocks and swivels. Not to mention, it has a lie-t setting that I used a lot when King was a puppy. He pissed all over everything the first few weeks after I brought him home, especially at night. He¡¯d walk to the end of my mattress and piss right there ande back and lie by my head.

    Eventually, I realized that if he slept on my chest in the chair that when he walked down by my feet, it was time to go out. Everyone told me to crate train him, but they didn¡¯t see him the night I found him. I don¡¯t think he¡¯d been out of that tiny-ass three-by-four-foot cage in weeks.

    ¡°You¡¯re okay,¡± Quincy whispers,ing to a stop in front of me. ¡°God, I¡¯ve been so worried. Can I hug you? Or will that hurt too much?¡±

    I chuckle, wrapping my good arm around her lower back. ¡°I¡¯d risk popping a stitch to pick you up, if you asked me to.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous.¡± She buries her face in my bare chest, twisting sideways slightly to amodate her stomach. ¡°All I could focus on was hoping you¡¯d be okay, but now that you are, I¡¯m tempted to throat punch you all over again for just standing there shielding me. You probably could have gotten him first if you weren¡¯t worried about me. We¡¯re never leaving the house again.¡±

    ¡°When we first got back from Germany, my instincts freaked out any time one of my guys tried to leave the apartment,¡± Saylor says.

    I appreciate her trying to help Quincy feel like her reaction is normal, but things are a little different here. We can¡¯t just camp out indefinitely.

    ¡°That might be a problem. You still have doctor¡¯s appointmentsing up.¡± I soothe my hand over Quincy¡¯s back.

    Not to mention, I nned a special excursion for us tomorrow. That was before I got shot, but I really don¡¯t want to miss out on a chance to experience at least one ultrasound before she delivers. I found a 3D/4D ultrasound ce that can record the heartbeat so we can keep it forever, along with her movements on the screen. We¡¯ll also get pictures.

    Fuck.

    I really don¡¯t like the idea of Costa costing me that experience, but I don¡¯t want to needlessly risk Quincy or the baby¡¯s safety.

    ¡°Did you happen to see Keir?¡± Briar asks, shoving off the couch. ¡°It¡¯s probably time for us to get out of your hair.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll keep watch once you guys head out,¡± Leo says from behind me.

    I pull Quincy into the living room with my hand on her lower back to give Leo and Shaw room to get through to Saylor. ¡°We didn¡¯t see Keir, but I¡¯m sure he¡¯s out there somewhere.¡±

    ¡°Well, damn. Someone go find my alpha and make sure he¡¯s okay,¡± Briar says, nting her hands on her hips.

    ¡°Give me two seconds to kiss my omega, and I¡¯ll brave the cold to find your husband,¡± Shaw says,ughing. ¡°Although, for the record, that man ispletely capable of keeping himself alive.¡±

    Quincy looks up at me, blinking her big blue eyes. ¡°I¡¯m very overwhelmed. Can we go upstairs now?¡±

    I chuckle. ¡°Yeah, sweetheart.¡±

    It goes back to that whole thing where I couldn¡¯t deny her if I tried.

    My eyes dart to Hartley, and he shakes his head before I can even ask if he¡¯s nning toe up with us.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to stay down here for a bit, but if you need anything, just text me.¡±

    Nodding, I try not tough.

    All it took to finally get some one-on-one time with my baby mama was to be shot.

    Yeah, my life isn¡¯t a clusterfuck or anything.<hr>

    It can¡¯t even be four in the afternoon, and I¡¯mid up in bed. Not that I shouldin, especially with the tender little bundle of omega next to me. She¡¯s curled up on her side as close as she can get with her stomach pushing against my left side. I¡¯ve got that arm wrapped around her back, but if she would just lie directly on me, the day would be looking up significantly.

    Quincy is gentle, barely touching my skin as she runs her fingers over my chest. ¡°You have a ton of scars. We¡¯re going to have to get you a bulletproof vest. Do they make entire bodysuits out of that stuff?¡±

    A bark ofughter escapes my lips, and I bite back a groan. This isn¡¯t nearly as bad as the gut shot I took eight years ago, but it seems worse because Quincy is here to witness the aftermath.

    ¡°How¡¯s our daughter?¡± I murmur, using the arm wrapped behind her back to brush over her stomach.

    ¡°She¡¯s good,¡± Quincy says. ¡°Not moving at the moment, but just give it a few minutes. Anytime I getfortabletely, she wakes up. That probably means we¡¯re going to be in for a wild ride once she¡¯s born.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t fucking wait,¡± I tell her truthfully. ¡°But I¡¯m also not mad about having a few weeks to get to know you better.¡±

    ¡°Me too. I definitely don¡¯t want to rush her arrival. Does six weeks count as a few?¡± Quincy asks. ¡°Never mind, hardly any babies are born on their actual due date, anyway.¡±

    ¡°You are safe here, Quincy. I know today was a shit show, but my boss is finally engaged in knocking the threat out as swiftly as possible.¡± I tilt my head until I can see her face. ¡°We will protect you and the baby at all costs.¡±

    Her pretty pink lips blow together as she exhales. ¡°Yeah, I saw firsthand what you were willing to do to keep me and the baby safe, so it¡¯s very easy to believe you.¡± She pushes up on her forearm and struggles to scoot higher until her face hovers just above mine. Pulling her hand from my chest, she cups my jaw, turning my face even more to hers. ¡°I have such mixed feelings about this morning. Pregnancy has turned me into an irrational, hormonal gremlin. Because rationally, I know if one of us had to get shot, then it should be the not pregnant person. And at the same time, I¡¯m so angry with you for getting shot for me.¡± Sheughs mirthlessly. ¡°None of my emotions make much sense, so I¡¯m just going to say thank you.¡± Her thumb brushes my lips, and she pushes her mouth to mine.

    She¡¯s soft, and I love the way her tits press against my chest as she teases her tongue around mine. My hand cradles her stomach, but I wish I could hold her face. The position doesn¡¯t allow for that. Not unless I was going to move my right arm, but the doc made it clear that I need to give it time to heal if I want to be back to my old self by the time the baby gets here. He gave me a sling, which I won¡¯t be wearing. I do n to take it easy, though.

    Quincy pulls back, taking a deep breath.

    There¡¯s a pink tinge to her cheeks that makes my heart thump erratically.

    ¡°Can we talk about making sure you¡¯re safe and protected too?¡± She runs her fingers over my cheek, but I wish that sexy look woulde back. ¡°How can we guarantee this won¡¯t happen again?¡±

    ¡°They upped the ante,¡± I murmur, trying to keep myself focused.

    Dammit.

    I want more kisses.

    And full range of motion with my arm so I can make all the naughty positions I¡¯ve been dreaming of a reality.

    ¡°We won¡¯t be leaving the house without a backup team, and that¡¯s outside of me and Trigg. Easton called in a few guys who are normally based out of Virginia. One team is going to help out with your friend Sutton. The others will rotate around where they¡¯re needed, but we¡¯re no longer being hunted. Shadow Security is going on the offensive.¡±

    ¡°Shit,¡± she whispers. ¡°I really need to check in with Sutton. So much has been going on¡­¡± Her teeth dig into her lower lip. ¡°And she¡¯s involved in all of this because of me.¡±

    ¡°Nah, sweetheart. She¡¯s involved because Trigg has no chill when ites to you. That¡¯s not your fault.¡±

    ¡°Still¡­¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s got Knox and a couple guys from the office with her. They¡¯re going to protect her, but truthfully, today proved she¡¯s probably not on their radar at all.¡±

    Quincy stops holding herself up on her forearm and cuddles up to the left side of my chest while her freezing-ass toes dig into the side of my calf. ¡°I appreciate you guys looking after her. Maybe I¡¯ll call her once you fall asleep. You need rest.¡±

    I tilt my head down and almostugh. She¡¯s the one with her eyes closed. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best.¡±

 : Chapter 37

    My eyes narrow as I study Easton once we¡¯re back in his office at Shadow Security.

    I would like to get this shit show over with so I can get home to my omega. At the same time, her safetyes before all else, and even though we managed to take out the team waiting at her house¡­

    There are others.

    Valor leans against the wall next to me as several other mercenaries stand with their backs to the wall just inside the doorway. For some reason, Easton didn¡¯t want them lined up on the opposite wall from me and Valor, and I¡¯m interested to see what the purpose of that was.

    ¡°Are we waiting for something in particr?¡± I ask, trying to keep my tone respectful, considering the room full of his employees.

    ¡°We are.¡± East nods at Calder, who types away on hisptop.

    ¡°All right, we¡¯re good,¡± Calder says.

    Easton grabs a remote, and a screen lowers on the wall across from me.

    ¡°Now that I have a license te number to follow, I¡¯ve been backtracking the vehicle that belonged to the team that hit Quincy¡¯s house,¡± Calder says, putting hisputer on Easton¡¯s desk and typing away. ¡°Well, one of the two teams that have been splitting the surveince of her house since two nights ago. That leads me to believe someone was following Trigg, Knox, and Ridge when they first picked Quincy up. They must know our neighborhood is fortified, and as such, not a desirable location to try to hit.¡± He clicks the trackpad, and the projector screen lights up. ¡°They knew she would have to return to her house at some point. It became a waiting game.¡±

    ¡°We have confirmation from the cleanup team from this morning,¡± Easton says, gesturing at the screen. ¡°The three individuals who attacked are from Costa¡¯s personal team.¡±

    Photos pop up in two lines on the screen. Most are driver¡¯s license pictures, but a few are candid shots, meaning they must not have been in any government database. Three of the eight men have red Xs over their faces. I¡¯m going to take that to indicate there are five others suspected to be in Burlington, but I¡¯m more bothered by the fact they were never on my radar.

    I never forget a face, and the members of Costa¡¯s personal team that I gged as being in town aren¡¯t on the screen.

    My teeth grind together.

    Either I fucked up, or Costa called in reinforcements.

    ¡°We have a location for the five remaining members, but Costa has not been spotted entering or exiting the rental house.¡± Easton stands and walks to the screen. ¡°They¡¯ll be handled tonight?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Are we trying to take at least one alive?¡± Valor asks from my side, his words rolling together with his Scottish ent.

    ¡°Ideally.¡± Easton nods and points toward the men near the door. ¡°You two are headed to back up Knox. Dismiss the other team and have theme back to the office. You¡¯ll be with him until Costa is handled or I tell you otherwise. Calder will text you the information.¡± The men don¡¯t move, and Easton sighs. ¡°Go.¡±

    They exit, and the other three wait to be given their orders.

    East doesn¡¯t keep them waiting long. ¡°You¡¯re going to take Calder to my home?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I live there too. That makes it our house,¡± Calder mutters without looking up.

    Easton¡¯s head tips toward the ceiling as it shakes. ¡°You will safely deliver Calder to our house, and Keir will give you further instructions on where you¡¯re needed.¡±

    There¡¯s some additional back and forth between the team leader and Easton, but I tune them out, studying the faces on the screen.

    It sets a bad precedent to have that many unknowns on the board.

    Stepping over to stand near Calder, I ask, ¡°The two from the alley yesterday were from the first contract. Is that right?¡±

    The first listing Costa set up was for three hundred and fifty thousand dors. He more than doubled it with the second. The first would have appealed to any lower-level contract workers¡ªthe ones looking to make a name for themselves¡ªor those who were already in the area and considered it easy money.

    Costa failed to mention the listing was for a fully trained mercenary.

    Target information is usually kept minimal in the listing, so perhaps he forwarded extra details once someone epted the job. However, I doubt they had any information about Shadow Security. I can¡¯t imagine anyone wanting to make an enemy of Easton for such a low payday.

    The higher bounty is closer to what I would assume would be necessary to coax out the real threats, but truth be told, even that is a bit on the low end.

    ¡°The ones who went after you and Knox? Yeah, they were who snagged the contract for the lower bounty,¡± Calder says, nodding. ¡°I¡¯ve been monitoring the listing to see if it bes active again, but either Costa doesn¡¯t know they¡¯re dead, or he doesn¡¯t n to reopen it.¡±

    Some listings are one-shots while others are free-for-alls. The first bes inactive when someonemits to the job. The second indicates more than one team may be fighting it out to see whopletes the contract first.

    Bothe with benefits andplications. When multiple teamspete to see who can get the target first, there may be arger spectacle. They also might decide to try to take out each other to knock out thepetition.

    ¡°The second listing¡­¡± I murmur as I make my decision. ¡°I¡¯m going to take it.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Calder asks, twisting to face me.

    ¡°Get out,¡± Easton says, but I ignore him. He¡¯s talking to the team that¡¯s waiting to take Calder home. The sounds of them exiting the room fill the air, and the door closes quietly.

    I nod, agreeing with myself. ¡°It will lull Costa into a false sense of security.¡±

    ¡°And fuck up yourpletion rate when you don¡¯t fulfill the transaction,¡± Easton says with a hint of amusement lining his tone.

    He¡¯s not wrong about that.

    ¡°Costa¡¯s team already knows who you are,¡± Calder says. ¡°Even if that first time they passed by the restaurant was a coincidence, they clearly made the connection when they tried to kill you and Knox in the alleyway.¡±

    Stepping back, I lean against the wall near Valor once more. ¡°They know my face. They also know I¡¯m guarding Ridge. That does not mean they know I¡¯m the King of Hearts.¡±

    I despise that fucking name.

    It was a parting gift from my mentor, much like the scar Quincy asked about.

    I don¡¯t care who you are¡ªeven if you¡¯re born with psychopathic traits and an excellent ability topartmentalize¡ªyou don¡¯t get murder right on the first try. No matter how much you study or practice, it¡¯s a honed skill.

    ¡°There are no pictures of me rted to my professional persona. Very few past associates could pick me out of a lineup, and none of them would partner with Costa Maloney.¡± I shrug. ¡°Tell me if you think I¡¯m misreading the situation, but I believe we should have gone this direction from day one. Granted, if I had taken the first bounty, it would have looked suspicious, but the three quarters of a million offering is something I would normally consider if it was convenient and the target was interesting. Considering my reputation, I believe Costa will gleefully ept my bid.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way he¡¯ll meet with you unless it¡¯s to receive proof the contract has beenpleted,¡± Easton says, his tone thoughtful. ¡°But if we try to take him out under the guise Ridge is dead, it will not only tarnish your reputation but also Shadow Security¡¯s.¡±

    Yes, well, no one would have known about my connection to Shadow Security if I had taken this route from the beginning, but I think it¡¯s still possible as long as we y our cards right.

    If it were anyone other than my half brother who made the call asking to bring me in, I would have declined, but I¡¯ve been a bit aimlesstely. I might not be as old as Ridge or even Hartley, but I turned twenty-seven a few months ago. Perhaps being on the downhill slope to thirty put me into a bit of a rut.

    I¡¯ve been bored.

    My general strategy is to stay hidden behind the curtain, but when Easton called, I thought it might be a nice change of pace to be out in the open. Not that Burlington is the ce for an all-out war, but I thought protecting a client without the need to hide might be something new and exciting when I¡¯m always slinking around, taking out adversaries who don¡¯t realize I¡¯m there until it¡¯s toote.

    After meeting Quincy, I¡¯ve determined what was missing from my life. Her sweet scent and indulgent smiles have changed me on a molecr level.

    After two small failures in my early days, my main goal in life was to get my rating to ny-nine percent. I finally achieved thatst year, putting me in the top one percent of respected assassins in the country. That particr victory no longer holds much appeal.

    It¡¯s a nice de, but I want Quincy more. Our daughter will be here in less than two months, and my priorities have changed.

    My first goal is to take out Costa and his team by any means necessary. Then, I¡¯ll simply kill off my professional persona and slip into a more normal life. My enemies will be none the wiser, and I can focus all my energy on what truly matters.

    ¡°My professional reputation means little to me at this point,¡± I deadpan. ¡°I believe if we y our cards right, we can pull this off without anyone making the connection between the King of Hearts and me as Ridge¡¯s new guard from Shadow Security.¡±

    ¡°That might actually be brilliant,¡± Calder says. ¡°But you don¡¯t just throw away a 99.1% contractpletion rating. Guys work their entire lives and never get higher than ny-seven percent.¡±

    I roll my eyes. I¡¯ve already made a n of attack. It¡¯s time they get on board. ¡°Now, you said you had a location for the five members of Costa¡¯s personal team? Will Valor be my partner? I¡¯d like to tackle that as soon as it gets dark. I need to get back to Quincy.¡±

    ¡°I will be joining the two of you,¡± Easton says with a cutting smile. ¡°From time to time, it bes necessary to remind people why it¡¯s best not to fuck with me. Tonight will serve as a brutal reminder.¡±<hr>

    I¡¯m up and over the four-foot metal chain-link fence in a blink. I don¡¯t hesitate, moving toward the house in a crouch.

    Thest thing I wanted to do was be away from Quincy for even longer, but they were right. Doing thister made sense. If we had gone in as soon as the sun set, it would have been loud. Having at least four of them settled into bed for the night increases our odds of pulling this off without any of the neighbors calling the cops.

    Before we exited the SUV, Calder verbally ryed everyone¡¯s locations through ourms. Four upstairs, hopefully asleep, but possibly watching their phones. One remains downstairs, obviously designated to keep watch.

    ¡°West side window is clear, proceeding to the front door,¡± Valor whispers.

    Easton follows him over thems, saying, ¡°In position.¡±

    I hit the wall at the rear of the house and tten my back against it, moving toward the door. Once I reach it, I take a knee and begin to work on the locks.

    Luckily for us, this ce is a rental and not set up like Costa¡¯s personal residence would be. These idiots mistakenly think being on the edge of a neighborhood will keep them safe. They must not know how Easton operates.

    Or me, for that matter.

    Calder has the video feeds blocked from the homeowner, and several teams are set up across Burlington, ready to create a diversion if need be. Simple things like a bar fight here, an rm triggered at a pharmacy there. Basically, just enough to spread the police force thin if they do end up tipped off.

    I move through the locks quickly, and once the final pin clicks, I shove the lock-picking kit into the side of my boot.

    ¡°I¡¯m in ce,¡± I say, keeping my voice low. ¡°The door is clear to breach.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re good to go,¡± Valor says through thems.

    ¡°Calder, count us down,¡± Easton whispers.

    The low crackling of breathing filters through as background noise while Calder does the countdown. Once he hits one, I fully twist the handle, popping open the door.

    Keeping my gun in my dominant hand, I pull the knife from the holster on my thigh and shove my forearm against the door.

    The long hallway goes all the way down to the front door, and I nod at Valor. We¡¯re all masked as a safety precaution, but his size gives him away.

    My job takes me into the kitchen on the left, and I don¡¯t breathe as the one who¡¯s supposed to be keeping guardes into view. He¡¯s seated at the small table, bent over a bowl of something as he shovels a bite into his mouth. His gaze stays on his phone, which is propped up with a napkin holder.

    Ie up behind him as silently as possible, but my shoes catch on the tile, and a soft brushing sound fills the air.

    He drops his spoon, his head whipping up as he reaches for his gun.

    It¡¯s toote for him.

    My left hand still holds my gun, but I use it on his forehead to pull his head back. The de rips across his throat, and blood sprays across the table, over his phone, and even into his bowl. He gives up on the gun and tries to staunch the bleeding, but I bury the knife in his heart for good measure.

    No one can use me of not being thorough. I swipe his phone out of reach, as well as the gun, and release his forehead. He twitches as he falls face-first into his bowl of marshmallowden cereal.

    I hope he enjoyed hisst meal.

    Spinning around, I exit the kitchen and hit the long corridor. This time, I make my way toward the front door to ess the stairs.

    I¡¯m unused to working with a team, and I frown. Fucking hell. I¡¯ve tuned out everything they¡¯ve said.

    ¡°Trigg?¡± Easton hisses.

    ¡°One down. I¡¯m headed up to you.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t bother,¡± Valor growls. ¡°We¡¯reing down. We¡¯ve got one in tow.¡±

    My lips tip up.

    That is an excellent turn of events.

    For us.

    Not for the poor soul who will now be tortured for information before meeting his demise.

    Easton¡¯s voicees over mym next. ¡°Send in the disposal team.¡± They¡¯re close but not currently on site, so he can only be speaking to Calder.

    From what I understand, that team wille in, remove the bodies, and light the ce up.

    How they manage the cleanup is of no concern to me. Neither is questioning the one they kept alive.

    I¡¯ll let Easton handle that.

    I have an omega to get back to, and this has already taken way too long.

 : Chapter 38

    ¡°<span>Look, I just feel like I should say thank you for having sex with me. You¡¯re gorgeous. You know that, right? I¡¯m an ugly motherfucker, so we can all agree that you¡¯re out of my league¡ª¡± Ridge¡¯s rambling cuts off as I shove the thermometer under his tongue once it¡¯s reset. ¡°Did you take pity on me that night? Oh God, was I a pity fuck?¡±

    ¡°Stop messing with the device.¡± Iugh. ¡°I don¡¯t know who lied to you, but you¡¯re very handsome.¡±

    His eyes cross as he tries to check out the numbers on the thermometer, and I smile like a total goofball. This Ridge reminds me a lot more of the guy I met that night in the bar.

    ¡°You¡¯re sexy. I¡¯m wildly attracted to you.¡± I pat his cheek in hopes he¡¯ll look at me and not the thermometer. ¡°You¡¯re also funny, sweet, and unbelievably brave.¡±

    Maybe it¡¯s easier to bepletely honest with him because I¡¯m not sure he¡¯ll even remember thise tomorrow morning.

    Dr. Daniels stopped by earlier to check on Ridge. I verified his name twice, so I have no idea why Ridge calls him Dr. Dane, but maybe that¡¯s his first name.

    Ridge and I shared a killer nap this afternoon andte into the evening. It was the best sleep I¡¯ve had in a long time, but unfortunately, we slept through when he was supposed to take his pain medication. The doctor gave him an IV thingy for antibiotics, and when he saw how severe Ridge¡¯s pain level was, he gave him a dose of something that sent Ridge flying. He¡¯s been on a roll since, but with how out of it he is, I have doubts this will stick in his memory.

    The doctor also gave me and Hartley a serious talk about setting an rm and giving him his pain medication every four hours¡ªat least for the next two or three days. In his words, we need to keep Ridge¡¯s pain from ever getting to a ten because it¡¯s much harder to get it back down to a manageable level once it gets that high.

    He exined that it¡¯s not just about not letting Ridge suffer needlessly. Pain can increase blood pressure, and especially while he¡¯s healing, it¡¯s best not to tax his heart any more than it already is.

    It¡¯s frightening to be managing all of this on our own. A normal person would have gone straight to the hospital via an ambnce¡­ Actually, a normal person wouldn¡¯t have had three men attempt to shoot them in broad daylight to begin with.

    And my silly gics are just as enamored by how dangerous and well-trained Ridge is as they were about learning there was more to Trigg than I originally thought. My system is coded to find the most dangerous alphas. That way, they¡¯ll be able to protect me from any threats that pop up.

    Evolution just doesn¡¯t seem to understand that it bes a moot point if they¡¯re the ones attracting all the danger.

    What peril did I have in my life before being reunited with Ridge? Pete? That thought almost makes meugh. Still, I would dly choose being here with Ridge over being stuck with Pete.

    It¡¯s just scary since the doctor left. With how strict Dr. Daniels was with his list of instructions, it seems like someone more qualified than me should be providing his medical care.

    Either way, I¡¯m taking my job seriously.

    I¡¯ve followed the instructions to the letter, hence why Ridge is a bit cross-eyed as he stares at the thermometer.

    God, he¡¯s so out of it, and I find it adorable.

    Fever is one of the symptoms of infection, so I¡¯m supposed to check his temp every two hours if we¡¯re awake and try not to go more than four hours even if we¡¯re asleep.

    Ridge¡¯s hand tightens on my ass, and he grins around the thermometer as he moves to sensually caress my backside.

    ¡°You must have been on your best behavior thest few days.¡± Iugh and pluck the device from his lips as it beeps. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m getting a chance to meet the real Ridge.¡±

    I hate that he had to be injured to show this side of himself, but I love his yful energy.

    He¡¯s silly, says what he¡¯s thinking, and doesn¡¯t act like he has to walk on eggshells around me. I just hope he really is as attracted to me as he seems to be while loopy from the medication.

    ¡°Your temperature is good.¡± I pull off the cover, toss it into the trash, drop the thermometer back into its case, and note his temp and the time on the little notepad I left on the nightstand next to the pack bed. ¡°You¡¯re not due for medication for two hours. Would you like me to run down and make you a sandwich or something?¡±

    ¡°Nah, just lie here with me. You could lie on me.¡± Azy smile crosses his face. ¡°Climb all up on me, sweetheart.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re injured,¡± I remind him, nting my hands on my hips.

    There¡¯s something about Ridge that is so charming, it makes it hard to say no to him.

    I crave physical closeness between us. Not to mention, the need to get to know who he is as a human being. It feels like he¡¯s already shown me a lot of his personal character in how he immediately stepped up and started preparing for the baby. Then he shielded me with his body, rather than twisting around and taking a shot.

    I have no doubts he¡¯s a good man.

    ¡°I need you to know.¡± His massive hand cradles my ass, giving it a yful squeeze. ¡°A kiss would improve my chances of survival by at least twenty-five percent.¡±

    Laughing, I crawl onto the edge of the bed, doing my best not to jostle him too much as I lie down at his side. It¡¯splicated, but I keep my top half up using my forearm as leverage to make it easy to see his face.

    ¡°If you slip me the tongue, I can safely up that to fifty percent.¡± He grins, wiggling his eyebrows. ¡°If you sat on my face, I could probably up the chances to?¡ª¡±

    I cut him off, pushing my mouth to his. A low growl vibrates out of his chest, and I focus on the way he owns the kiss to keep from worrying if this could make his injury worse.

    Ridge¡¯s hand tightens on my lower back, and my instincts hum with satisfaction. He knows exactly how to confine me to appeal to the part of my brain that is distinctly omega-coded.

    Everything about the kiss is perfect, even the way his facial hair pokes into my cheek. My nostrils re, breathing in hisplicated scent. It affects my system just as violently as it does every time I smell it, and I give my body a stern mental pep talk.

    Now isn¡¯t the time, but as soon as he¡¯s feeling better, I¡¯m going to show him just how attracted to him I am. Pulling back, I take a deep breath.

    Ridge licks his lips, and his bright aquamarine eyes sparkle. He¡¯s sexy in some gruff, manly way that makes my brain melty.

    I smile and getfortable at his side once more. ¡°I like you a lot, and if you want me to sit on your face sometime, I need you to heal quickly.¡±

    He chuckles, a low raspy sound. ¡°I¡¯m doing my best, Mama.¡±

    He called me that earlier, but I was so distracted, I barely even processed it.

    It¡¯s cute.

    I like it.<hr>

    I¡¯m warm and confused when I wake up. Trigg¡¯s scent is everywhere, and it mixes perfectly with Ridge¡¯s.

    ¡°Two pills. I added the dose and the time to the chart Quincy is keeping,¡± Trigg says softly.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna spill all over myself trying to drink lying t,¡± Ridge grumbles. ¡°Oh well, still worth it. I forgot how shitty it is to heal from a real gunshot wound.¡±

    My eyes pop open.

    Ridge is in front of me, tipping a bottle of water to his lips while Trigg is wrapped around my back.

    Hartley nned to sleep in the bed in the primary bedroomst night. It might have been morefortable for Ridge if we had gone that route, but my instincts needed to keep watch over him in the nest. Though I invited Hartley to join us, he simply gave me a quick kiss and told me toe get him if I needed anything.

    Having that one-on-one time with Ridge was what I needed, and I appreciate Hartley being understanding of that.

    ¡°Morning, angel,¡± Trigg says, kissing my cheek from behind. ¡°I¡¯ve medicated your injured alpha, but you¡¯ll have to take his temperature yourself. My forehead assessment says he¡¯s fine, but I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll feel more confident with using the thermometer.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Trigg.¡± My voicees out raspy with sleep. ¡°You look better today.¡± I pat Ridge¡¯s chest, studying his face. It¡¯s not empty words, either. His coloring is still on the pale side, but much closer to his normal.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine as soon as the meds kick in,¡± Ridge says. ¡°But we have to get moving. We have an appointment at ten-fifteen.¡±

    ¡°No way. Cancel it,¡± I say before I can stop myself. ¡°We¡¯re safe here. We shouldn¡¯t leave unless we absolutely have to.¡±

    Ridge struggles to sit up enough that he can see Trigg, and he hands him the bottle of water. ¡°Can you call Easton? Remind him we need a team here by nine-forty-five.¡±

    Trigg sighs but climbs off the nest mattress. ¡°I will, but I draw the line at helping you shower. So, good luck with that.¡± He leans over the bed, brushing the hair back from my ear. ¡°That doesn¡¯t extend to you. If you need a shower buddy, I¡¯m more than happy to oblige.¡±

    I smile and mumble a quick thank you, and Trigg heads out.

    Ridge frowns, and I can only assume he sees how serious the look is on my face. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t take you out of the house if I wasn¡¯t sure that we could keep you safe.¡±

    ¡°I still haven¡¯t had the chance to ask Trigg what he was up to all day yesterday and up until almost four in the morning¡­¡± My thoughts are a jumbled mess, and I don¡¯t know what pieces are important and what¡¯s just chatter in my anxious mind. ¡°Unless you know everyone who is after us is dead, I just don¡¯t think it¡¯s worth it.¡±

    His face falls, and my chest gets tight. ¡°I hate that you¡¯ve lost faith in my ability to protect you, but this appointment is important to me. It was also meant to be a surprise courting gift for you.¡±

    Shit.

    None of that is what I was trying to say.

    ¡°I do trust you. Don¡¯t doubt that,¡± I tell him, struggling to sit up. It¡¯s miserable, and I have to clench my thighs to keep from worrying I¡¯ll have an ident. Big surprise¡ªI have to pee really bad. I finally get situated and turn toward him. ¡°I saw how far you would go to keep me and the baby safe. I just need you to be okay too.¡±

    I don¡¯t need fancy courting gifts, either. What he did, setting up an entire nursery and the subscription to The Divine Omega, was more than enough.

    But I also don¡¯t want to destroy his ns.

    I finally sigh. ¡°Will we be in town?¡±

    They¡¯ll be slightly less likely to attack us in public, right?

    Ridge nods. ¡°We¡¯ll be in town, and we¡¯ll have an escort.¡±

    My heart thunders.

    Dammit.

    I wish we could stay safely locked in the house forever, but Ridge literally took a bullet to protect me yesterday. If this is that important to him, I don¡¯t want to ruin what he has nned.

    ¡°Okay, but if even one thing happens, we¡¯re finding a midwife and doing a home birth,¡± I say, shaking my head. Ridge barks augh. ¡°I¡¯m serious. We won¡¯t leave the house again¡­ Maybe ever. So, I guess it¡¯s a good thing this is a literal mansion.¡±

    His bright blue eyes sparkle as he nods. ¡°You¡¯ve got yourself a deal, sweetheart.¡±

 : Chapter 39

    Hartley and Quincy are not pleased to be out of the house, but Trigg seems unbothered.

    Hell, maybe I am in the wrong.

    I don¡¯t know.

    I just can¡¯t stand the thought of Costa Maloney costing me memories that I¡¯ll never be able to get back.

    Then again, I could always knock Quincy up again as soon as the baby gets here. But even then, that wouldn¡¯t bring back what we missed out on with this baby.

    She needs a name, and I need to get her mama to let me bond her before she makes her entrance into the world.

    Quincy talks to her friend from work, Sutton, while Hartley drives us to our appointment. Trigg watches her in the rearview mirror as if he¡¯s waiting for Sutton to say the wrong thing and him to have to wrestle the phone away from Quincy.

    Now, that might annoy her.

    She does seem to have a permanent soft spot for him, though.

    The call wraps up when we¡¯re almost in town, and I¡¯m grateful that she had something to keep her busy.

    I¡¯m in the back passenger seat of Hartley¡¯s SUV, which puts my good arm closest to Quincy.

    I stretch over, patting her thigh. ¡°Feel better now?¡±

    Her soft skin runs over mine as she links our fingers. ¡°Yeah, Sutton is fine. She said Knox is goodpany, but she¡¯s not sure about the other two guys who took over for the other team yesterday.¡± She sighs. ¡°I think she was most upset about her job. She said Harrison wasn¡¯t happy when she told him she needed time off, especially since Hartley and I disappeared with almost no notice too.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Harrison about it once everything is settled,¡± Hart says, flipping on his blinker. ¡°But I spent half the night worrying whether I got my family messed up in all of this. Should I be hiring private security for Harrison and his pack?¡±

    ¡°I believe Easton has a team surveilling the restaurant in case any of Maloney¡¯s men show up,¡± Trigg answers before I can. ¡°But I would be surprised if they went after your family.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just not sure I want to take any chances,¡± Hartley says.

    ¡°I know you still need to pick up your belongings,¡± I chime in. ¡°After this, we¡¯re heading to Shadow Security. While Quincy and I handle some paperwork, you and Trigg can go over and take care of that. When we¡¯re in the office, we won¡¯t need the team support, so they can escort the two of you.¡±

    ¡°It would be better to get that out of the way sooner rather thanter,¡± Trigg says.

    Hartley¡¯s jaw looks tight from what I can see, but he gives a clipped nod. ¡°That works.¡±<hr>

    Quincy¡¯s entire demeanor changes as we walk into the ultrasound ce, and even Hartley gives me a nod of what I hope is understanding. We only get one chance to do these kinds of things.

    Quincy fills out the paperwork while I handle payment. Once that¡¯s done, we chill in the waiting room.

    My hands are shaky, and I can¡¯t tell if it¡¯s excitement about seeing the baby or anxiety about being out in public. I wouldn¡¯t have pushed for this appointment if I didn¡¯t think we¡¯d be safe, but Quincy will never forgive me if something happens.

    Trigg filled me in on what went downst night while Hartley and Quincy were busy showering.

    If nothing else, taking out seven of Costa¡¯s guys in one day should have sent a pretty clear message. As far as he knows, that number is eight, but that poor fool they took alive is probably wishing he were dead.

    If Costa has any intelligence, he¡¯s hunkered down, licking his wounds and really thinking through if it¡¯s worth it to continue this vendetta. After I took out Cash, Costa inherited full control of their empire.

    If he called off this bullshit and headed back to California or Vegas¡ªhis business hubs¡ªI would let him live for a few more months. At least long enough for Quincy to have the baby and get settled in. That way, she wouldn¡¯t miss me and Trigg if we had to take a weeklong work trip.

    The only reason I¡¯m willing to make that concession is because Costa doesn¡¯t have the same affinity for strangling barely legal girls that his twin had. The scary part is Cash Maloney never would have been on my radar if he hadn¡¯t dated and subsequently killed Evan Franklin¡¯s niece.

    The Vegas cops really should have had enough to put Cash away for that particr crime, but they didn¡¯t want to go up against the Maloney brothers, which is how I got tangled up in this mess in the first ce.

    It¡¯s hard to have regrets when I know taking Cash out was the right call.

    There¡¯s no doubt in my mind. More women would have died if I hadn¡¯t killed him.

    If I could do it all over again, I would, but I¡¯d make sure I took out Costa too. After this clusterfuck, maybe Easton will actually listen to my advice. Nah, even I¡¯m not delusional enough to believe that.<hr>

    The ultrasound teaches me two things¡ªI¡¯m a blubbering crybaby, and there really is a tiny person in Quincy¡¯s stomach. An entirely new human being that we can see opening her mouth in real time. Her little hands il, and she turns away from the wand like she¡¯s shy to have her picture taken.

    ¡°Fuck me,¡± I whisper.

    ¡°Ridge¡­¡± Quincyughs, squeezing my good hand.

    I check out her face. ¡°Yeah, sweetheart?¡±

    ¡°Could you tidy up thenguage just a little?¡±

    ¡°Shit, sorry.¡±

    Okay, I¡¯m basically fucked there, but I¡¯ll try. I don¡¯t want to be at the hospital and have them be afraid to send the kid home with us because I have no manners.

    My damn knees tremble like they¡¯re about to give out on me.

    I¡¯ve got to buckle down and call my family. My mom is going to be especially pissed. I just saw them at Christmas and didn¡¯t mention the baby. She¡¯s going to rake my ass over the coals like only a mother can do. But she¡¯ll also have a brand-new granddaughter to focus on.

    The ultrasound tech moves the wand to a different part of Quincy¡¯s stomach, and we get a view of one of the baby¡¯s feet.

    Holy shit.

    She has five toes.

    The room shakes.

    No, that¡¯s just my legs.

    My world is being rocked here.

    If I had any sense, I¡¯d take my big ass over to one of the seats, but I want to stick as close to the screen as possible despite the room being small.

    I¡¯m so distracted that I barely notice Trigg popping up behind me.

    ¡°I¡¯m only offering support because I think it would be traumatizing for Quincy if you passed out,¡± he murmurs close to my ear. He nts a hand on my hip and leans around me to keep sight of the screen.

    I roll my eyes.

    He¡¯s so much like Easton.

    Would it kill him to show that he cares outside of how it would impact Quincy?

    Probably.

    ¡°That is crazy,¡± Hartley says, leaning even farther forward in his chair. His forearms rest on his thighs, and he¡¯s got his hands sped together. At least he¡¯s not afraid to show a little emotion based on his ssy eyes. ¡°We should have done this months ago.¡±

    My lips push together as my face morphs into a frown.

    I would have missed that too, but at least I could have seen pictures of the baby along the way.

    Whatever.

    I¡¯m here now, and that¡¯s all I¡¯m going to let myself focus on.<hr>

    Once we reach Shadow Security, Trigg and Hartley break off to head to Hart¡¯s brother¡¯s house. They take the backup teams with them, but I know Quincy is antsy, and she will be until they make it back to the office safely.

    We enter the building through the employee entrance and step into the elevator. I scan my badge and hit the button to head up to the second floor, while trying to figure out how to break the ice.

    Quincy leans against the wall, and I step up next to her, doing the same.

    ¡°Sorry I burst into tears during the ultrasound,¡± I say, my head bobbing like a chicken. ¡°I¡¯ll try to be less embarrassing when you give birth.¡±

    Sheughs, turning and wrapping her arms around my middle. ¡°Please don¡¯t change a single thing about who you are. I like you just this way.¡±

    I quirk an eyebrow, staring at her over the top of my sses. ¡°You sure? I¡¯m thinking you¡¯ll be tired of me by the time the baby?¡ª¡±

    Quincy pushes up on her tiptoes, and I bend to meet her. Her naughty little tongue licks at the seam of my lips as she haphazardly pulls my sses up, dropping them on my head.

    I wouldugh, but I kinda like the idea of her making a gentleman out of me. It¡¯s going to take some work. I¡¯m pretty set in my ways.

    I¡¯ll still try, though.

    Especially if the sweet little omega keeps treating me to kisses like this one.

    My hand moves to her ass, pulling her even closer.

    I might be fucked up.

    I don¡¯t know.

    Is it weird to be totally turned on by her baby bump pushing against my stomach?

    Nah, it¡¯s probably the whole breeding impulse alphas and omegas have.

    So that makes it normal.

    And it¡¯s hot as fuck, so again, I really don¡¯t care.

    I love that every alpha who looks her way can see that she¡¯s taken.

    Damn.

    The dose of pain meds Trigg gave me in the truck must be kicking in.

    Quincy nips at my lower lip. Even though it hurts like a bitch, I turn her, shoving her back to the wall and caging her in as well as I can with one arm. A low growl rattles out of my chest, and she whimpers against my lips.

    ¡°Ahem,¡± Easton says from behind me. ¡°We have a strict no fucking in the elevator policy. Find an empty office¡ªthere are enough of them.¡±

    Quincy squeaks, shoving her hands into my stomach in an attempt to get me to step back. It doesn¡¯t move me, but it does make my shoulder sting like a bitch.

    I¡¯m ming Easton for that, though.

    Quincy isn¡¯t used to his abrasive ass.

    I step back, wrapping my hand in hers. ¡°Quincy, meet my boss, Easton.¡± She shuffles out, and I follow behind her. ¡°East, this is Quincy.¡±

    I barely hold back from calling her my baby mama. I think it¡¯s cute, but I don¡¯t know how she feels about it. I¡¯ll save that for another introduction when I can be like, meet my baby mama, soon to be upgraded to wife.

    Hmm.

    Is that really an upgrade for her?

    It is for me¡­

    ¡°Briar had nothing but lovely things to say about you.¡± Easton steps forward, extending a hand to Quincy. I release her so they can shake. His eyes meet mine over her shoulder, and I realize I never put my sses back on. I pull them into ce as he goes on. ¡°I¡¯m d you decided not to waste time tackling the paperwork.¡±

    I frown.

    Motherfucker.

    I haven¡¯t even had time to warn her about that yet, but Easton lives to stir up shit.

    I tease my hand over Quincy¡¯s hip from behind as she steps back after shaking. ¡°We should go. Calder is waiting for us.¡±

    ¡°It was nice to meet you.¡± Quincy gives a little wave. ¡°This is so weird, but when I first caught sight of you, you reminded me so much of Trigg. It¡¯s uncanny.¡±

    Easton rocks back on his heels, ncing between me and Quincy. ¡°Yes, well, I needed to see who caught my half brother¡¯s eye. Not many around here know that tidbit of information. I would appreciate it if you kept it to yourself until I¡¯ve had the chance to inform everyone.¡± He must have assumed one of us let the cat out of the bag, but I figured that was Trigg¡¯s conversation to have.

    Also, thank God I kept my mouth shut. If I had told Quincy, and she outed me, Easton would never have trusted me again.

    ¡°I won¡¯t say anything,¡± Quincy says softly. ¡°I¡¯m a little surprised Trigg didn¡¯t mention it?¡ª¡±

    ¡°We didn¡¯t meet until well into adulthood, and I have two brothers and a sister that I should warn before I share that news with the office,¡± Easton says. ¡°Wee to the family, Quincy.¡±

    With that, he does an about-face and saunters down the hallway.

    I peek at Quincy over her shoulder.

    ¡°You can barely tell they¡¯re rted. Am I right?¡± Iugh to show I¡¯m only joking. ¡°Come on. We have an appointment to keep.¡±

 : Chapter 40

    I¡¯m going to strangle Ridge¡­once he¡¯s healed and when it won¡¯t actually hurt him, but holy shit, he¡¯s on myst nerve.

    No one should ever surprise anyone with bringing them into their ce of employment to sign survivor benefit forms.

    That¡¯s the kind of thing someone should be warned about. Then have some time to mentally process before being tossed into the deep end.

    Someone¡ªwho is not me¡ªshould also have a serious conversation with Ridge about how not to be taken advantage of in the future.

    Honestly, he¡¯s a very sweet man.

    But he should have demanded proof of paternity before signing any of this stuff over to me.

    The tech guy, Calder, has big ck framed sses and an easy smile as he walks us through everything. ¡°Okay,st one. This is just for you, Ridge. It¡¯s your life insurance?¡ª¡±

    ¡°The one outside of the survivor benefit package if I die on the job?¡± Ridge asks, like that thought is no big deal.

    ¡°Yeah, we already handled that one. This is the extra coverage you picked up. We¡¯re swapping it out from going one-hundred percent to your mom to being split fifty-fifty between her and Quincy.¡±

    My hands wrap around the arms of the chair to keep from popping up and yelling that Ridge quits.

    The notary guy catches my gaze and offers a polite smile, but I¡¯m about to beat Ridge to death with my ballet t.

    What in the hell is he thinking?

    First of all, he needs to see paternity results, just so I¡¯ll always feel confident that he knows the truth.

    Second of all, who the fuck is okay with working a job that¡¯s so dangerous thepany gives your family a million-dor severance package¡ªsurvivor benefits¡ªwhatever, if you die while on a mission?

    This is insanity.

    My eyes ache from the thought of something happening to him.

    I can¡¯t even fathom it.

    The gunshot was bad enough, but actually losing him? It would break me. Not to mention, our daughter would never get to know what an incredible man he is.

    I cross my arms over my chest and rest them on my stomach. He and I are going to have a very serious conversation as soon as this meeting is over.<hr>

    ¡°Well, I feel better knowing that¡¯s handled,¡± Ridge says, guiding me out of Calder¡¯s office.

    ¡°Oh, do you?¡± I hiss, even though I gave myself a serious pep talk about not addressing this conversation until we were home. Or at the very least, no longer in Ridge¡¯s ce of employment.

    I don¡¯t even recognize myself anymore.

    Before I got pregnant and Ridge got shot, I had a decent amount of decorum. All of that seems to have slithered away about the time I peed myself three feet from the bathroom door when Trigg demanded he check the space for intruders before letting me at the toilet.

    I¡¯m going to have a conversation with him about that too.

    I stop dead in my tracks, spinning out of Ridge¡¯s hold so I can face him for this conversation. ¡°How about you just don¡¯t die! Is that a possibility? Because that¡¯s the one I would like to go with.¡±

    Oh, shit.

    I¡¯m losing it.

    My eyes ache, and as soon as I blink, fat tears spill from my eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± I shake my head, ncing away. ¡°I just need you to not die, okay?¡±

    ¡°Sweetheart,¡± he murmurs, pulling me closer.

    I still refuse to meet his gaze.

    Yes, I am officially a crazy person, but I feel like that¡¯s at least half his fault. He nted this tiny human in my uterus, and the hormone fluctuations are kicking my ass. Not to mention, I don¡¯t know how to process these emotions. I¡¯m terrified of losing him again when I just found him.

    ¡°Mama,¡± Ridge says, using his hand on his injured arm to tilt my face up as he keeps me in ce with his other forearm across my lower back. ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. You hear me, Quincy? You¡¯re going to be stuck with my ass for a long time.¡±

    I nod, but the tears keep falling.

    Who knew I was this well hydrated?

    And herees the snot¡­

    I¡¯m not sure why any of these guys even put up with metely. I¡¯m a hot mess, and we all know it.

    ¡°I know how much it hurts to move your shoulder,¡± I whisper. ¡°Don¡¯t injure yourself just tofort me.¡± I gently move his hand from my chin and bury my face in his chest, sticking to the left side to stay away from his injury. ¡°My system is all out of whack, but you should have warned me before bringing me here.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he concedes. ¡°I thought if I did, you might try to back out. You¡¯re really going to hate it when mywyeres over tomorrow with the paperwork to get you added to my ounts and the deed to the house, but once it¡¯s done, we never have to talk about any of this again.¡±

    ¡°Ridge¡­¡± I don¡¯t even know what to say.

    His tobo, bergamot, and leather scent is everywhere, making my head fuzzy. I need more of it, but I¡¯m just coherent enough to understand he¡¯s injured.

    That means I can¡¯t climb him or ask him to pick me up. My system aches to be confined by him. All I want is his strong arms wrapped around me, and my nose buried in his throat.

    A whine leaves my lips, and I freeze.

    I¡¯m not sure what my system is asking for, but Ridge growls, like maybe he does.

    ¡°Come on. You need somewhere to dpress.¡± His calloused fingers wrap around mine, and he pulls me into the open area of the office. The hallway was smaller and enclosed, and I felt safer there than here.

    The main office area is filled with a few small cubicles, a giant whiteboard in the middle of the room with chairs around it, and there are offices lining three walls.

    Ridge tugs me past all of it as he guides us somewhere.

    ¡°Do you have an office?¡±

    ¡°Hell no.¡± He chuckles. ¡°I¡¯m not here enough to need one, but we can use Keir¡¯s. I¡¯m barely in the office, and I still can¡¯t count the number of times I¡¯ve walked in on him and Briar fucking in some random ce. The elevator rule came from those two not understanding appropriate ces to have sex. Then they moved to Keir¡¯s office, but I¡¯ve walked in on some shit my virgin eyes should never see.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you should start knocking?¡± I suggest with augh.

    ¡°I finally smartened up and made a sign.¡± He stops at a door and flips over a piece ofminated copy paper before sticking it back in the clip.

    The new side says, Probably fucking. Enter at your own risk, in what I assume is Ridge¡¯s messy handwriting.

    ¡°Ridge,¡± I whisper, smiling.

    He has so much personality.

    I don¡¯t know anyone else who would be so brazen as to put that on their boss¡¯s door. Okay, I don¡¯t actually know if Keir is his boss, but I would assume so since he¡¯s part of Easton¡¯s family pack.

    Wouldn¡¯t that mean he also owns the ce? Isn¡¯t that how it¡¯s supposed to work in a pack?

    Ridge pulls me inside the office and closes the door behind us.

    A leather sofa takes up most of the wall to the left, and he guides us over to it before taking a seat on the middle cushion. His face contorts as he stretches back, and my stomach wobbles.

    If I could take his pain away, I would.

    ¡°I have vague memories of asking you to sit on my facest night.¡± Heughs, almost managing to cover for the pain I know he must be experiencing. ¡°You need a cuddle. Climb on.¡±

    I¡¯m overwhelmed, and everything in me says being as close to him as possible will help, but I¡¯m so afraid of hurting him that I hesitate.

    ¡°I¡¯m not going to break,¡± he says, reaching for my hand.

    I scramble forward and fall into him when I have to pull my hand back to keep from resting it on his injured shoulder.

    That gunshot wound is all I¡¯ve thought about since it happened, so I have no idea how I momentarily forgot about it.

    Before pregnancy, I would have been able to climb onto hisp without needing to hold onto something to keep myself bnced. Now that I¡¯m a million months pregnant, that is not the case. ¡°Oh no!¡±

    Ridge¡¯s face ends up buried in my breasts, and he cups my hips, guiding me to rest on hisp. ¡°Damn, woman. You had killer tits before I knocked you up, but I think they¡¯re bigger now.¡±

    I nce down. ¡°Yeah, a little. Sorry for assaulting you with them.¡±

    My chest got a smidgen bigger during the first trimester, then I saw no change until I hit close to thirty weeks. They might be close to a full cup size bigger than thest time he saw them, but I keep that to myself. I¡¯ll let him appreciate the difference firsthand¡ªonce he¡¯s feeling more like himself.

    ¡°That was the highlight of my day so far.¡± Heughs a low and throaty sound that sends a shiver down my spine. ¡°You sitting on myp is a close second, but tits are always going to squeak into the first-ce spot.¡±

    Reaching up, I pull his sses off and drop them on top of his head. Having my boobs shoved into his face couldn¡¯t have felt great, but just like with everything else, Ridge is a good sport about it.

    His massive hand smoothes up and down my back, and I sniffle.

    What causes me to break down only with Ridge?

    I had a simr meltdown when he showed me the room he nned to set up as a nursery.

    Could it be guilt?

    It must be.

    I¡¯ve been trying to work on not letting it eat me alive, but even if I want it to disappear, it¡¯s reasonable to expect it to take some time.

    Then with everything elsepounding on top of that¡­

    I bury my face in his shoulder and breathe him in. There¡¯s no avoiding my stomach pressing against his, but I purposely stay away from his injured arm. He doesn¡¯t show any physical cues that indicate I¡¯m hurting him, so I melt into the soft material of his shirt and focus on staying in the moment.

    ¡°I feel like a broken record, but I have to say it again. I can¡¯t lose you when I just found you,¡± I say barely above a whisper.

    ¡°And you won¡¯t.¡± His heart beats under my ear, and I focus on breathing in his rich pipe tobo scent. The other notes of leather and bergamot are there, but only when I focus extra hard on sniffing them out, and before I know it, my entire body buzzes.

    His pheromones affect my system like a truth serum, and I speak without even meaning to.

    ¡°I hate that I keep freaking out on you.¡± My eyes clench closed as embarrassment washes through my entire body. ¡°I yelled at you for getting shot. Who does that? I¡¯m so remorseful over the time we lost and the things you missed out on?¡ª¡±

    ¡°All right, sweetheart. We went over this, but we can have this conversation again if you need to hear it.¡± He soothes his hand over my back, and a few seconds pass before a ragged purr starts in his chest. ¡°Let¡¯s see if that helps settle your nerves. Fear makes people react in different ways. I¡¯d say you got angry because it was easier to process in the moment than it was to be afraid. It¡¯s a pretty solid survival mechanism, by the way. But I¡¯m not holding any grudges, and you can¡¯t carry that guilt around forever.¡±

    All of that makes sense.

    Omegas are rarely logical, though¡­

 : Chapter 41

    The vibration of Ridge¡¯s purr against my cheek,bined with how potent his pheromones are, seeds in settling my system. My face rubs against the material of his shirt, and I run my fingers over his corbone.

    Ridge is so big that he manages to make me feel tiny inparison. I have to rise on my knees to see his face. We both have blue eyes, but while mine are pale, his are shocking and vibrant. With his dark hair and beard, they stick out even more drastically.

    When I didn¡¯t know how to find him, I was afraid that the baby woulde out looking like him, and for the rest of my life, I would see the one who got away every time I looked at her.

    Now? I hope our daughter gets his eyes and his sense of humor.

    I want her to have all those traits that make him who he is.

    My fingers dig into his jaw as I catch his bottom lip between my teeth, tugging it and swirling my tongue around it.

    Ridge¡¯s hand mps down on my hip, and his forearm pushes against my lower back, bringing me even closer to him. He tastes slightly minty, likely from the candies he snagged from the dish on Calder¡¯s desk, and he feels so sturdy under me.

    In my entire life, I¡¯ve never been as afraid as I was yesterday, and I do my best to pour my emotions into the kiss. At first, it¡¯s frantic as I attack his mouth, but it transforms into a tender, sensual kiss with lots of tongue.

    Time loses all meaning, and I find myself gyrating over his zipper as his hand tightens on my back. I hate that I have to pull back to breathe, but there¡¯s no way around it.

    My cheekes to rest against Ridge¡¯s, and although I can¡¯t see it, I can feel the curve of his smile.

    ¡°I was a little worried the medication would keep my dick from working, but I¡¯m happy to announce, that is not the case.¡± He grips my hip, grinding me over hisp.

    He is very hard, and I would love to feel him inside me, but he needs more time to heal. That doesn¡¯t stop my body from dumping out an obscene amount of pheromones.

    Ridge growls, and my instincts force me to bare my neck to him. A wild groan vibrates from his lips, and he moves to fist my hair, bringing my neck to his mouth.

    His beard pokes into my skin, and he scratches his teeth over the tender flesh. It¡¯s a good thing I have a long torso, which helps evenly distribute the baby belly, because if it stuck out even one or two more inches, I don¡¯t think this would be possible.

    My nipples tighten, and my core follows suit, pulsing with need.

    I didn¡¯t have any waves of heatst night, and I was grateful for that. It¡¯s possible the pure terror kept my system busy, but now that I¡¯m no longer panic-stricken, my physical needs havee back with a fury.

    ¡°Ridge¡­¡± I whimper and bite my lower lip to keep a whine from escaping.

    The way his tongue flicks over my throat doesn¡¯t help my head stay clear. He¡¯s so hard under me that I would give just about anything to have him stretching me to capacity.

    ¡°Yeah, sweetheart? All you gotta do is tell me what you need.¡±

    What I need is him!

    Working my hands between us isplicated, mostly due to the ridiculous size of my stomach, but I focus on getting Ridge¡¯s belt unbuckled while he continues sucking on my pulse.

    He smells so damn good, and he¡¯s been amazing since we reconnected. Every cell in my body aches to show him how grateful I am that he¡¯s made this whole thing as seamless as possible.

    I smile as I get his belt undone and move to work on his jeans. Sliding my hand down the front, I groan at the feeling of his soft skin. He¡¯s not wearing boxers or briefs, and my fingertips brush through his pubic hair.

    Okay, so sex might be too much exertion, but I bet I could suck him off. That would take minimal effort on his part, right?

    I tug against his hold in my hair, and he lessens his grip, making it possible for me to kiss him. His lips feel of a simr temperature to mine, and at least I know this is regr desire and not a wave of heat. I just really want to blow his mind and show him how much he means to me.

    The low grunts and growls that he releases are enough to make my pussy embarrassingly wet. Being confined by his jeans makes it harder than it should to touch him, but I stay focused.

    I¡¯m eventually able to tease his knot and down a few inches of his shaft as our tongues sh. He manages to make me feel just as desired and consumed by him as he did that night in the hotel.

    Pulling back to breathe, I peck a quick kiss on his lips. ¡°I¡¯m going to climb down and suck you off, but I don¡¯t want you to overdo it, so let me handle everything.¡±

    ¡°Aww, fuck. You don¡¯t have to do that.¡±

    ¡°I know. I really want to, though.¡± I grin and start the slow process of climbing off him. As soon as the air hits my panties, it¡¯s even more evident how soaked I am.

    Ridge helps steady me with his good hand, and even if it¡¯s not pretty, I get settled between his thighs.

    ¡°Lift up for me,¡± I instruct, grabbing the top of his jeans. He takes over, shoving them to his knees and allowing them to fall down his calves.

    The front of my dress is super stretchy, making it easy to pull my tits out the top. It¡¯s not much¡ªI¡¯m not willing to getpletely naked in some unknown person¡¯s office¡ªbut he should be able to enjoy the show. And damn, with my tits popping out of the top of the bra, it makes them look even perkier than normal.

    ¡°These fucking tits¡­¡± Ridge groans and stretches down, flicking his fingers over my nipple.

    My core clenches around nothing, and my body aches to be greedy. Sex would be good for both of us, but I really want to pamper him for a change.

    Pushing up on my knees, I scoot even closer. His jeans trap his legs together, but I fit myself between them and rest my hands on his thighs.

    Oh, shit.

    I might have been overly optimistic that I could rock his world. I forgot how big he is. This is where determination and prayere into y.

    His massive cock rests against his lower stomach, and I wrap my fist around it.

    Jeez.

    His shaft is heavy and thick.

    He has every reason to be cocky, but he¡¯s actually really down to earth.

    His dick will definitely be the biggest one that¡¯s ever been in my mouth. The night we hooked up, he was super focused on me. He never let me try then, but I¡¯m going to do my best now.

    Bringing his crown to my lips, I inhale deeply to prepare for needing to hold my breath. The rush of his pheromones that I¡¯m hit with helps to wash away thest bit of nervousness.

    Flicking my tongue around his swollen crown, I peek up at him from under myshes. He tastes salty and manly, and I can¡¯t get enough.

    Ip at the slit on the head of his dick like an omega lost to the fog. His shaft jolts, gracing my taste buds with even more of his precum.

    A low moan escapes around his tip, and he really seems to like that.

    ¡°Shit, Quincy.¡± Ridge¡¯s head falls back against the couch, and his muscles tighten almost as if he¡¯s holding himself back from thrusting.

    Having him take over by fucking my mouth and using me to get himself off would be so damn sexy, but I don¡¯t want him to inadvertently hurt himself.

    I pop off just long enough to say, ¡°Just rx and enjoy. I know I am. You taste delicious.¡± Cupping his knot in my hand, I give it a squeeze and dive back onto his dick, hollowing my cheeks and working deeper down his impressive length.

    Ridge groans, brushing the backs of his fingers over my nipple. ¡°This isn¡¯t going tost long. I haven¡¯t been with anyone since you, and that night broke a two-year celibacy streak.¡±

    My eyes widen.

    Holy shit.

    I vaguely remember him mentioning that he wasn¡¯t the type of person to hook up randomly, but under the circumstances, I wasn¡¯t sure if he was being truthful.

    My lips drag down his shaft, and I curl my tongue to cup the bottom of his dick as I really start to get into it.

    My right hand works the inches of his length that won¡¯t fit in my mouth, and I bring the other to tease and gently roll his balls.

    ¡°Jesus fuck,¡± he growls out the words, wrapping his good hand in my hair. ¡°I can¡¯t even watch or I¡¯m going to embarrass myself.¡±

    I smile around his length and move to focus on his tip to give myself a chance to catch my breath. Maybe it wouldn¡¯t hurt if he guided me with his good arm.

    ¡°You can take over if you want.¡± I release his knot and tten my hand over his on my skull to show him what I mean as I get back to swallowing as much of his cock as I can.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think that¡¯s going to help mest any longer,¡± he grunts.

    God, he¡¯s so freaking cute.

    If I was riding him, I¡¯d want him tost as long as possible, but for a blowjob, it¡¯s actually kinda hot thinking about making him lose control before he¡¯s ready.

    He takes over, and time starts to lose all meaning as the scent of his arousal,bined with his pheromones, turns my head into a foggy mess.

    ¡°Your mouth is fucking heaven,¡± he growls. ¡°I want to be in so many ces all at once. Just wait until my arm is healed; I¡¯m going to toss your thighs over my shoulders and devour your pussy while you fuck my face. You can use my hair to hold on.¡±

    I can¡¯t help but smile.

    It might not be the sexiest praise I¡¯ve ever heard, but it¡¯s very Ridge.

    He¡¯s gentler than I would expect, even as he shoves my face farther down his throbbing length. For being afraid he mighte too fast, that¡¯s not the case at all.

    On one particrly deep bob of my head, his crown hits the back of my throat, and I gag a little. It makes my pussy clench, and I ache to feel him stretch my core the way he just did my throat.

    ¡°Fucking hell,¡± Ridge groans. ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore. Get your sexy little ass up here.¡± He tugs on my hair, and I give in, letting his shaft fall against his pelvis with a wet p. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a mental block. Maybe it¡¯s the meds. I don¡¯t fucking know, but it feels disrespectful toe in your mouth while you¡¯re pregnant.¡±

    Okay, he¡¯s adorable, and it kills me in the best way to listen to his rambling. It seems like he¡¯s just as affected by me as I am by him.

    My stomach flip-flops, and my chest gets warm and fuzzy.

    I really like him. Is it weird to have a killer crush on my baby daddy?

    ¡°Now, sweetheart,¡± he growls.

    It¡¯s not a bark, but it snaps my body into motion like it was. Using his knees as leverage, I push myself up and stay bent toward him as he pulls me closer using his hold in my hair as leverage.

    Everything is hazy and muted, but I try to be gentle as I climb over hisp.

    Only¡­

    ¡°I forgot to take off my underwear.¡±

    ¡°Just pull them to the side,¡± he says, staring at my tits.

    He obviously doesn¡¯t realize maternity underwear are not the same beast as the panties and thongs I wore before getting pregnant.

    But if they rip¡­ Oh well.

    I lean against his left shoulder and yank the material to the side, suddenly manifesting superhuman strength. Using my other hand, I guide him to my opening and sink down before I can stress about if it¡¯ll sting.

    There was a time before meeting Ridge that I thought there was no such thing as too big of a dick. However, the universe taught me a lesson the night we met.

    The whole experience was excruciatingly slow, at least at first, because he wanted to make sure he wouldn¡¯t hurt me. And even with all that prep, it still took my breath away when he slid inside me.

    The same thing happens in real time as I stretch around the extreme girth of his crown, but it also feels amazing.

    Ridge spits a string of curses and nts his hand on my hip. ¡°I somehow forgot what a tight fit that is.¡±

    I nod against his shoulder and fight the urge to turn into a melty pile of useless omega. My instincts want my nose buried in his throat and to simply enjoy the feeling of how hard he is inside me, but that would be selfish.

    Wobbling on the cushion, I get myself vertical and study his handsome face. He lost his sses at some point. They must have fallen off the top of his head.

    His eyes are darker than normal, and he looks a little feral. ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°Now, I¡¯m going to ride you.¡±

    And I do exactly that.

    Each swivel and descent of my hips forces more of him inside me, but it feels impossible that I¡¯ll ever be able to reach his knot.

    Not that this is the appropriate ce for knotting.

    Ridge¡¯s right hand moves to my ass while his left slips between us. He cups my tits one by one and groans. ¡°I wish we were both naked. Fuck. I wanna see your tits really bounce and¡­goddamn.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I whisper, working him even deeper. Everything is more intense with both of our pheromones flooding the air. Alpha and omega biology feeds off one another, but I can¡¯t let myself get foggy like I was the other night with Hartley and Trigg.

    My chest pangs.

    The only thing that would make this moment even better would be to have them here with us.

    Ridge gives up on ying with my tits, and my nipples throb in the cool air. He works his left hand between us and pinches my clit.

    My need builds, and I bounce over him with greater fervency as I chase my own orgasm. He¡¯s right-handed, but he does a solid job of teasing my swollen nub with his left.

    Everything seems to disappear but Ridge¡¯s handsome face.

    Goose bumps break out on my skin, and I try to force him against my G-spot on every grind of my hips, but it¡¯s just not enough.

    I stretch closer and whisper, ¡°Kiss me.¡±

    He dips his head, ravaging my mouth with his tongue.

    That¡¯s all it takes to send me tumbling over the edge.

    My core locks down almost violently, and his shaft swells, growing longer and thicker, which only intensifies every sensation.

    ¡°Aww, shit,¡± he growls into our kiss. Slick leaks around his hard cock, and I sob, unable to do more than experience the moment.

    I¡¯m hazy and out of it, so I have no idea where the ideaes from, but it bes clear what I have to do.

    I need to get Ridge to bite me.

    Once we¡¯re bonded, he won¡¯t take needless risks.

    Cupping his face in my hand, I nip at his lips. ¡°Bite me. Please, Ridge. I want you to im me!¡±

    He groans, and his length jolts inside me, spilling hot cum.

    ¡°Bite me.¡± I work my hips in a circle, trying to milk every ounce of his pleasure while sucking on his lip.

    Ridge snarls, wrapping his hand in my hair. He takes over the kiss, then there¡¯s a sharp pain in my lower lip.

    My insides light up, and I freeze.

    Holy shit.

    He did it.

    My soul epts the connection, and the bond floods in like a cool breeze. The first emotion thates through seems to be bewilderment¡ªalmost like he can¡¯t believe he actually bit me, or maybe he¡¯s surprised that I epted the bond.

    Immediately following that is a wave of satisfaction. He¡¯s quite smug and happy to be tied to me for life.

    It steals all the air from the room, and my eyes ache, but I refuse to burst into tears while we¡¯re having sex.

    That would be entirely too embarrassing toe back from.

    Ridge is a grinning mess as he retracts his teeth from my lip and swirls his tongue over the wound to clean and seal the bite.

    ¡°That¡¯s going to be a fun spot to nurse to keep the bite clean,¡± he murmurs before kissing the hell out of me.

    Being able to feel his desire for me makes it impossible to stay focused, so I kiss him back and give in to the urge to ride him.

 : Chapter 42

    Putting up with Hartley in a pack isn¡¯t going to be easy. Not only do the two of us have nothing inmon outside of our fondness for Quincy, but people flock to him. Even worse, he seems to want to engage with them.

    Where I have no problem walking away if I¡¯m bored or a conversation is no longer serving me, Hartley nods and asks questions to continue the torture.

    He¡¯s really not that special, but everyone in the office flocks to him like he¡¯s the one with the 99.1% kill rating. If anyone should be a star around here, it¡¯s me.

    Rolling my eyes, I focus on anything outside of Hartley and his fans.

    Easton¡¯s door is open, and I could pop in for an update on how the actual torture is going for the assant we took alivest night, but I¡¯d prefer to check on Quincy.

    Calder¡¯s office would be a good ce to start. Spinning around, I take off for the corridor where the tech offices are housed. However, I don¡¯t even make it halfway across the room before my nostrils re.

    The scent of Quincy¡¯s arousal is unmistakable, and my brain switches to ways to murder Ridge without her noticing. That will be practically impossible, which is unfortunate.

    What the hell was he thinking?

    This ce is full of alphas, and very few of them are bonded. In fact, the only ones in the building at the moment with an omega of their own are members of Easton¡¯s pack.

    Keir leans against the wall just outside his door. His ck wool coat seems stretched to capacity with the way his arms are crossed. He spots me beelining across the room and sighs, stepping in front of the door.

    Ie to a stop, rocking on my heels.

    Nothing and no one will keep me from getting to my omega. However, I¡¯m sure Easton would not be quick to forgive me if I had to put an end to one of his packmates.

    ¡°Fucking Christ,¡± Keir says, shaking his head. ¡°It weirds me out how much you look like Easton sometimes.¡±

    My eyes narrow.

    ¡°If nothing else, I can read your mind just like I can read his. I¡¯m not going to let you go in there and show your ass,¡± he says. ¡°Ridge is a good guy. He shows up without question¡ªone of the most loyal people you¡¯ll ever meet.¡±

    ¡°Is there a point to this little speech?¡± I ask, unable to hide my exasperation.

    ¡°Yeah, you petnt fucker, there is,¡± he says in his thick Scottish ent. ¡°You¡¯re selfish just like your half brother. You can¡¯t fathom empathy because you don¡¯t experience human emotion like the rest of us.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m experiencing annoyance right now,¡± I deadpan. ¡°That alone proves I am capable of experiencing at least one emotion.¡±

    His arms are still crossed, but he pulls his right hand free, gesturing at me with two fingers. ¡°The limitation of your awareness ends and begins with how it impacts you.¡± He quirks an eyebrow, but I¡¯m just as lost as I was thirty seconds ago.

    My head tilts, and I tell him that.

    Muffled moaning spills from his office, making my teeth grind together. If there truly is a point to this intervention, I would prefer to get to it quickly.

    ¡°Ridge and Quincy deserve time to get to know each other before their kid is born,¡± Keir says, squaring his shoulders.

    I¡¯m very close to pulling the knife from the holster under my left arm and shoving it directly into his heart.

    That baby is just as much mine as it is Ridge¡¯s. I might not do well at expressing my emotions, but I am fiercely protective of my things. My obsession with Quincy has spilled over into genuine excitement about meeting our daughter, and I will kill anyone who attempts to keep me from either of them.

    ¡°I¡¯m not letting you in that room if I think you¡¯re going to ruin their time together,¡± Keir says, drawing me out of my thoughts. ¡°Your face says it all.¡±

    ¡°Quincy is my soulmate. She cares about Ridge. I¡¯vee to terms with it.¡± I push my sses up using my middle finger. ¡°Move.¡±

    ¡°You really are just like Easton,¡± he mutters, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯ll shove yourself into any situation you want to be involved in. It¡¯s like talking to a brick wall.¡±

    ¡°Great. d you were able to get that off your chest,¡± I say, my voiceing out clipped. ¡°Now, if you could step to the side, I¡¯d like to check on my omega.¡±

    ¡°After I make one thing clear.¡± Keir¡¯s face breaks out into a cutting smile. That look might intimidate someone who isn¡¯t me, but it has no effect on my system. ¡°You¡¯re young and unpredictable. I remember what Easton was like eight years ago. He never would have been able to share Briar with me and Calder. At some point, you¡¯re going to get tired of pack life and start plotting ways to ensure you can have Quincy all to yourself. Just know, half brother or not, Easton will let me kill you if you touch Ridge. He¡¯s part of the family¡ªblood or not.¡± My metaphorical hackles rise as Keir pats my shoulder condescendingly. ¡°That goes for Hartley Adams now, too. Not to mention, that woman you just called your soulmate would never forgive you. Remember that, Trigg.¡±

    He finally steps out of the way, and everything in me aches to turn and bury my knife in his spine. Slitting his throat from behind would work too.

    Exhaling heavily, I refocus on the office door. What I really need to do is to check on Quincy. Seeing her beautiful face settles me in a way nothing else can.<hr>

    The overpowering scent of Quincy¡¯s arousal smacks into me as I stride across Keir¡¯s office.

    Briar is going to have a shit fit when she smells how thoroughly Quincy¡¯s scent has saturated the ce. Oh well, she can bitch at her alpha since he obviously ensured Ridge and Quincy wouldn¡¯t be interrupted.

    Quincy faces Ridge, and the view as Ie to a stop behind her is obscene.

    Jesus.

    Perhaps I shouldn¡¯t have been so concerned about damaging her cervix. She doesn¡¯t seem to be making much progress taking his dick either, and there are at least several inches left if she intends to take his knot.

    They¡¯re both still fully clothed. Her dress is simply pulled up around her hips.

    My head tilts.

    They must have been in a hurry.

    It appears even her panties are still on.

    ¡°Fuck off, Trigg.¡± Ridge growls, baring his teeth at me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t growl.¡± Quincy pushes her fingers to Ridge¡¯s lips, but she peeks at me over her shoulder. ¡°Hey, handsome.¡±

    I smile, hitting my knees behind her. ¡°I missed you, angel. Your scent is quite potent.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ridge agrees. ¡°Is Hartley around here somewhere?¡±

    I¡¯m sure he would prefer the ex-football star to me. Unfortunately for him, I¡¯m the backup that has arrived.

    I roll my eyes and slide my hands over Quincy¡¯s hips. ¡°He got stuck signing autographs for his newfound fan club.¡±

    ¡°Can you help?¡± Quincy mumbles against Ridge¡¯s shirt. ¡°I got all melty and everything seems like hard work.¡±

    Leaning over her shoulder, I intend to peck a quick kiss on her lips¡­

    Only my nostrils re, breathing in the change to her scent.

    I rear back before I can stop myself, and Ridge notices, even if Quincy does not.

    They¡¯re bonded.

    Was Keir stalling me to give Ridge the opportunity to bite Quincy without my interference? That must have been the goal because his pep talk is a moot point.

    I won¡¯t be able to harm Ridge without it filtering through the bond to Quincy.

    Goddammit.

    I¡¯m going to have to find creative ways to torment him that don¡¯t include physical pain or actual death. ¡°Here, lovely, allow me to help since Ridge is useless at the moment.¡±

    ¡°We are going to teach you some manners if it kills me.¡± Quincy groans. ¡°Don¡¯t listen to him, Ridge. You¡¯re far from useless.¡±

    Ridge smirks. ¡°Are you sure you aren¡¯t ready to go home? We can continue this with a lot more space.¡±

    My hand twitches as I barely hold myself back from reaching around Quincy to jab him in his bullet wound.

    ¡°Just let mee one more time,¡± she says, nodding. ¡°Maybe twice.¡±

    This is not about Ridge or that shitty little smile tipping at his lips.

    This is about proving that I will provide whatever Quincy needs, even if I would much rather add several additional bullet holes to Ridge¡¯s person.

    ¡°How about you spin to face me?¡± I murmur, teasing my hand down her spine. ¡°That helped the other night. I¡¯ll simply y Hartley¡¯s role this time.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she mumbles.

    I stand and wrap my arms under hers, lifting her.

    Ridge res, but I ignore him, cing her on her feet and spinning her around. Once she faces me, I help her out of her destroyed panties and shove them into my pocket. After that¡¯splete, I pick her up and assist as she gets situated with her back to Ridge¡¯s chest.

    I want to be annoyed that he didn¡¯t even have the decency to get her fully undressed, but I suppose under the circumstances, that¡¯s a good thing. If anyone who is not Hartley walks through that door, I will have to remove their eyes from their sockets.

    Quincy leans with her head against Ridge¡¯s good shoulder, but I know any time she moves, it has to hurt like a son of a bitch.

    It serves him right.

    I wanted the first bond.

    Quincy¡¯s dress is once again trapped around her hips, and she stretches her arms down to guide his cock to her opening.

    ¡°Congrattions on your bond.¡± I take the opportunity while she¡¯s distracted to jab my finger against Ridge¡¯s shoulder. I avoid the exact location of the bullet wound, but he deserves a little suffering.

    Quincy sinks down on his length with perfect timing to exin away his hiss.

    Oh, would you look at that¡­

    It¡¯s my turn to sport a bemused smile.

    Seeing his cum spill out as she rises and falls on her knees is strangely erotic. Possibly because it¡¯s easy to imagine myself in his position.

    Quincy groans, her head falling forward.

    I¡¯m torn.

    I would love to suck on her breasts while teasing her clit, but I know from experience that she gets tired easily when she¡¯s on top. It gets even worse when she¡¯s hazy with a wave of heat.

    I work my hands under her thighs, lifting and dropping her, while leaning close to steal a kiss. She doesn¡¯t pull away, and it pleases me greatly to know she still wants me even though she¡¯s now bonded to Ridge.

    ¡°Damn, sweetheart. You keep wringing my cock like that, and I¡¯m done for,¡± Ridge growls.

    I would be jealous, but the faint taste of her blood hits my tongue, and I ache to bite her.

    The ultimate goal is to im her as mine.

    Though I¡¯d like to have my ring on her finger when I do, or at the very least, my makeshift cor around her neck.

    Right. Call it a ne when gifting it to her.

    My intent is only to show she¡¯s taken, not to dominate her. I actually prefer when she takes the lead sexually. I find it wildly attractive when she gets bossy.

    Quincy gets loud as I apply firmer pressure to her swollen nub, and I capture her lips again to conceal her sounds from those out in the office.

    I follow her lips as she falls back against Ridge¡¯s chest. She stops bouncing and moves to grinding over his length before freezing altogether.

    Ahh.

    I believe she¡¯s getting that orgasm she asked for. Pulling back, I watch her face as she falls apart. My fingers end up coated in her slick as she shivers and moans. I¡¯m almost tempted to bury my face in her pussy, but Ridge¡¯s knot is still down there somewhere.

    Body parts don¡¯t bother me when I¡¯m removing them, but I¡¯m still growing ustomed to sexual contact. I think it¡¯ll be better if that¡¯s something I work up to.

 : Chapter 43

    The walk out of the building is mortifying, but I keep my face buried in Ridge¡¯s chest and refuse to make eye contact with anyone.

    Being an omega is embarrassing at times.

    I¡¯m sure it¡¯s hard for betas to hide the scent of sex, but it¡¯s even worse for alphas and omegas because of our overactive pheromones.

    Everyone on that floor had to have known what was happening.

    Things get even more stressful as Hartley helps me into the backseat of his SUV. He leans close, brushing his lips over mine, and I can see the exact moment that he realizes Ridge and I bonded.

    His eyes widen, and he pulls back, studying my face.

    ¡°I was going to tell you. I just thought that conversation would be better one-on-one.¡± I smile tightly.

    Trigg wasn¡¯t joking when he said Hartley had a fan club. Even for as long as we were wrapped up in Keir¡¯s office, Hartley was still talking to a bunch of guys I didn¡¯t recognize by the time we made it out.

    ¡°I get it,¡± he says, kissing my cheek.

    I try not to let it hurt my feelings that he didn¡¯t give me a real kiss, but it kinda does. He carefully closes the door as Trigg climbs into the back passenger seat.

    Hartley climbs into the driver¡¯s seat, and I watch the back of his head. Okay, this counts as ring at the back of his head. He didn¡¯t evene to look for me when I was in the office, then he didn¡¯t give me a real kiss.

    I swear my moods were never this erratic before I got pregnant, and I can only hope they go back to normal once I give birth. I¡¯m sure it was a shock to learn that Ridge and I bonded, but I have to believe Hart will understand once he calms down.

    Trigg stretches an arm over, patting my thigh. ¡°Things have been chaotic, but I have a gift for you that I¡¯ve already held onto for longer than I nned. I would like to give it to you soon.¡±

    I nod and link my fingers with his.

    I¡¯m honestly surprised how well he took the newspared to Hartley. Everything is moving at super speed, and the baby will be here before we know it.

    I just need to get things settled between the four of us before she makes her arrival. It would be a whole lot easier if all three of them weren¡¯t exceptionally stubborn.<hr>

    Trigg helps Hartley unload the boxes and bags from Hart¡¯s SUV. It¡¯s all stuff they grabbed from Harrison¡¯s house.

    Ridge and I need a shower, but Trigg makes a big deal about us not showering alone, just in case Ridge were to pass out. However, that idea only solidifies that I¡¯m not letting my injured alpha bake in the hot water by himself, which ends in a very awkward shower for the three of us.

    Ridge is yful and teasing.

    Trigg is hyperfocused on ensuring we all actually get clean.

    I¡¯m annoyed with both of them.

    ¡°How does it feel to be the world¡¯s most boring cock-blocking dick?¡± Ridge heckles.

    ¡°I¡¯m genuinely surprised you¡¯ve survived this long,¡± Trigg retorts. ¡°So focused on your baser desires rather than caring for your omega. If I were you, I¡¯d be embarrassed of myself.¡± He continues soaping my middle, like all he can concentrate on is the goal he had when he climbed into the shower. ¡°Now that you and Quincy have bonded, I¡¯ll be the one who has to continually focus on keeping you alive.¡± Trigg pats my hip. ¡°Thank me for keeping the useless Neanderthal alive.¡±

    I roll my eyes, smiling at Ridge. ¡°He¡¯s just joking.¡±

    ¡°Hardly,¡± Trigg says with a snort.

    ¡°I do a fine job of keeping myself alive,¡± Ridge mutters, looking strangely pouty.

    I get back to scrubbing his stomach and hips as a distraction, but seriously¡­

    Is this what my life will be like forever?

    Listening to grown men bicker like children?

    They better up their sex game if this is what I¡¯m going to have to endure for the next fifty or sixty years. I¡¯m going to need a lot of really incredible orgasms to overlook the constant arguing.

    I almostugh at the thought.

    ¡°And yet, I¡¯ll be the one you look to when you need your bandages reced,¡± Trigg says, getting one final jab in.

    Next time, I might just let them shower together while I snuggle up with Hartley.

    If he even still wants me¡­

    Shit.

    I need to check in with him as soon as the shower from hell is over.<hr>

    Trigg stays in the bathroom to help rebandage Ridge¡¯s gunshot wound, but as soon as I pull my dress over my head, I go searching for Hartley.

    He¡¯s bent over near one of the dressers, dropping some type of clothing into the drawer, and I exhale in pure relief.

    Okay, so he didn¡¯t run the second I was preupied.

    Thank God.

    My ankles are swollen, which makes waddling over a slightly ufortable experience, but I smile as Ie to a stop at his side. ¡°Getting settled in?¡±

    Hartley stands to his full height and swipes his hands off on his jeans. ¡°Yeah, I picked a corner of the closet and shoved my stuff in it.¡± His hand swivels, gesturing at the dresser. ¡°Then I needed somewhere to put the things that couldn¡¯t be hung up. Hopefully this is okay.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure it is.¡± I rock on my feet, trying to move enough to make the weird shooting pains in my soles stop. It¡¯s almost like they¡¯ve gone to sleep, but not quite.

    He nods. ¡°My dads have their own bedrooms, but Ridge put us in here?¡ª¡±

    ¡°You wanted us to stick together,¡± I remind him.

    ¡°I did,¡± he says, reaching out an arm and wrapping his hand around my lower back. ¡°But now you¡¯re bonded to Ridge, and it feels like I¡¯m supposed to give the two of you time alone, but I have nowhere to disappear to. Trigg and Ridge both have their own rooms.¡±

    My handse to rest on his shirt as I stare up at his handsome face. ¡°If you need your own space, I¡¯ll go clean the room Knox was staying in.¡± I try to get a read on where his head is at, and my brow furrows. He¡¯s not giving me anything. ¡°I can understand wanting a little breathing room or somewhere that¡¯s solely for you. I just hope you would tell me if you¡¯re rethinking wanting to be together. I¡¯m not sure if I was supposed to ask before bonding Ridge?¡ª¡±

    ¡°No,¡± he says firmly. ¡°I saw thating a mile away, and more than that, I get it.¡± The throbbing in my feet and lower legs gets worse, and I lift my left foot, shaking it from side to side, and Hart frowns. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°My feet and ankles don¡¯t feel great, but I¡¯m fine. I really want to stay on track with this conversation.¡±

    Hartley sighs. ¡°You¡¯ve had so much going on. This is the kind of thing you need to speak up about.¡± He guides me over to the bed and pulls back theforter. ¡°Lie down, beautiful. I¡¯ll get you a couple pillows from my side so you can elevate your legs.¡±

    Climbing onto the bed isn¡¯t a pretty process, but I get situated while Hartley shoves two pillows under my ankles.

    Once that¡¯s done, he sits on the edge of the bed, facing me, and tucks a wet strand of hair behind my ear.

    I wish he would say whatever is bothering him. His warm fingers brush over my cheek, and I pull a hand up, cupping his.

    ¡°Tell me what¡¯s bothering you. Please?¡±

    His blond waves fall over his forehead as he shrugs. ¡°I¡¯m just wondering where I fit in here. Ridge and Trigg are both dangerous¡ªhighly trained¡ªwhatever you want to call it. That¡¯s not me.¡±

    ¡°Hartley,¡± I whisper, my chest aching with spillover difort from him.

    ¡°Trigg is supposedly your soulmate. You and Ridge are having a baby?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Before we ever even came here, you said paternity didn¡¯t matter.¡±

    ¡°I did say that, and it¡¯s still true,¡± he says as his blue eyes bore into mine. ¡°I¡¯m so fucking excited to meet the baby. I guess it just feels like¡­¡± He shrugs. ¡°What do I bring to the table that you can¡¯t get from them?¡±

    ¡°A sense of normalcy? Comfort? You?¡± My head shakes. ¡°You¡¯re what I can¡¯t get from them. There¡¯s a perfect piece of my heart carved out where you shoved yourself in. Please don¡¯t ever question how much you mean to me.¡±

    His eyes sparkle as he studies my face, and my stomach flip-flops. He¡¯s one of the most attractive guys I¡¯ve ever seen. It¡¯s hard to believe he could have any feelings of self-doubt, but I must not have done enough to reassure him how much he means to me.

    All rtionships areplicated, but trying to mesh their three unique personalities into one family pack is harder than I ever could have imagined. I¡¯m always going to have to be aware of not identally showing favoritism or leaving one of them out.

    ¡°I would be lost without you, Hartley,¡± I say, praying the sincerity in my words rings through to him. ¡°I care about you so much. When I envision the future, you¡¯re right by my side for every step of it, and I hope you want that too.¡±

    ¡°I see the same things. I¡¯m with you, beautiful.¡± He leans closer, kissing me.

    My lower lip is swollen and tender, but I ignore the slight difort and focus on Hart¡¯s smell. That fresh, snowy, woodsy scent that is distinctly Hartley.

    His tongue swirls around mine, and a low growl vibrates out of his chest. He pulls back all too soon, and I find myself chasing his lips.

    He chuckles. ¡°I love it when you do that. It makes me feel like you can¡¯t get enough of me.¡±

    ¡°I really can¡¯t.¡± I grin back. ¡°I just want you to befortable, and if you aren¡¯t, I need you toe talk to me about it so we can fix it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m an adult. I¡¯m responsible for my own emotions. I¡¯m still adjusting to this new normal, but if it¡¯s something big, I will address it.¡±

    A sharp pain flickers through the bond, and my right shoulder starts to throb. Gasping, I pull a hand up to rub at the ache. ¡°Holy shit. That¡¯s Ridge¡¯s pain.¡±

    ¡°Damn,¡± Hartley says. ¡°That much filters through?¡±

    ¡°I guess so.¡± I was distracted by the seriousness of our conversation, but now that I¡¯ve noticed the throbbing ache, it¡¯s getting worse.

    ¡°All right, let me run and grab Ridge¡¯s meds.¡± Hartley pats my thigh. ¡°Rest and keep your legs elevated. I¡¯ll make sure I note it on the chart, but I want you to focus on yourself and the baby.¡± He leans close and gives me another quick peck before climbing off the bed and standing.

    I really don¡¯t know what I would do without him.

    ¡°Think about what you want to eat.¡± He takes off for the hallway with the nest and the bathroom. ¡°We might need to break down and order groceries for delivery, but for now, think about which restaurant you¡¯re craving.¡±

    My insides light up.

    He really does know how to sweet-talk a pregnantdy.

 : Chapter 44

    Being trapped in Ridge¡¯s house has me going stir crazy, but it¡¯s better than putting ourselves in danger just to be able to leave. After making it back from the ultrasound, grabbing my stuff from my brother¡¯s, and the subsequent trip to Shadow Security yesterday, we spent the rest of the night at home.

    Ridge¡¯swyeres by early the next morning, and Quincy, Ridge, and hiswyer go into the downstairs office to handle whatever business they need to tackle.

    I have no idea what anyone else¡¯s ns are for the day, but I need to get my ass in gear where courting gifts are concerned.

    It still bothers me on some level that Quincy thought I would just dip out after she and Ridge bonded.

    That¡¯s not how I was raised.

    Not at all.

    I wouldn¡¯t have spent all those months covertly courting her as we worked together if I had nned to walk away if she found the baby¡¯s father.

    I¡¯ve always known that it was a possibility, but I also know what I bring to the table. Which is why I¡¯m still having trouble understanding why I was so pissy yesterday afternoon.

    I wasn¡¯t lying when I told Quincy I was in this for the long haul. She¡¯s meant to be mine, even if I have to deal with Trigg and Ridge to keep her.

    Some of my emotions might be erratic from processing that I more than likely killed someone. It¡¯s wild how it hits out of nowhere, and the flood of anger, grief, and sadnesses back in rolling waves that I was unprepared for.

    I don¡¯t regret acting.

    The risk was too great if I didn¡¯t.

    I guess it¡¯s all part ofing to terms with the fact I¡¯m not who I thought I was. It¡¯s hard to exin, but I would do it all over again if I had to. I just never thought I would be capable ofmitting murder.

    Then I think about how those motherfuckers weren¡¯t afraid to catch Quincy in the crossfire, and I know I would do much worse things to keep her and the baby safe.

    Idle hands and too much time to think aren¡¯t doing me any favors.

    I need to keep myself busy¡­<hr>

    I tapped my mom in a while ago to help brainstorm cute courting gifts, and that was long before Ridge and Trigg came into the picture.

    Being able to take Quincy out for courting dates would be ideal, but it¡¯s not feasible with everything going on. Not that I me Ridge for pushing to keep the ultrasound appointment yesterday. If I were in his shoes, I might have done the same thing. Seeing the baby moving around on the screen made everything even more real than when I¡¯m able to feel her wiggling around when I touch Quincy¡¯s stomach.

    With my options limited, I take over the living room, setting up for Quincy¡¯s courting gift. There¡¯s still a random pile of presents in the corner from Briar and Saylor, as well as baby shower decorations, which all point to how chaotic life has be.

    My mother made a point of telling me how important it is to tailor Quincy¡¯s gifts to her as a person.

    Ridge already tackled the nursery stuff I was going to help with before he came back into the picture.

    Trigg is on jewelry and, apparently, murdering all of our enemies.

    That left me with a small window of opportunity. A few things came to mind, mostly a wardrobe offortable clothes in a variety of sizes to amodate any changes to her body after giving birth.

    My mom warned that idea might be well-received or it might not go over well, depending on how Quincy is doing mentally after she delivers.

    So while I did purchase a variety offortable dresses, socks, and lounge clothes, I think I¡¯ll hold off on giving them to her even after they arrive. That way, they¡¯ll be on hand if she needs them, but if not, I can save them for some other asion.

    Which brings me back to what I finally settled on for my first courting gift.

    The living room is covered in colored paper, glue sticks, stickers, markers, and a whole heap of other craft supplies.

    I bought a photo printer, and it¡¯s doing its thing, printing any of the candid shots I had from different stages of Quincy¡¯s pregnancy. Almost all of them were taken in the restaurant, so hopefully she finds it romantic and not creepy that I took so many pictures of her over thest few months.

    Hell, I¡¯m figuring if Trigg can get away with putting cameras in her house, then she shouldn¡¯t be too upset over a few pictures that were taken in a public ce.

    That¡¯s my hope, anyway.

    Thinking of the psychopath seems to summon him, and he approaches, shoving up his sses. ¡°What is all of this?¡±

    ¡°A courting gift,¡± I grumble, grabbing thetest printed picture from the tray. ¡°It¡¯s a photo album¡ªscrapbook thing¡ªof her pregnancy.¡± I also have two more in a box next to my thigh that are baby books to bepleted during the first year of the baby¡¯s life, and one that¡¯s a journal, which has questions for Quincy to answer. It¡¯s meant to be given to your baby once they are an adult. I figured it was a cool connection to the past, and it¡¯s something that will be truly meaningful one day. ¡°Wanna help?¡±

    King lies on the carpet next to my left leg, and he raises his head, resting it on my thigh as he eyes Trigg with suspicion. He no longer growls every time Trigg walks into a room, so I guess that means he¡¯s getting over whatever distrust he had of him.

    ¡°Once Ridge is done in his meeting, I¡¯m afraid we have an errand we have to run.¡± Trigg adjusts his shirt sleeve and appraises the coffee table covered in decorating materials. ¡°I usually try to put myself into a state of almost meditative calmness when I know I¡¯ll be torturing someone, but I suppose this is a good reminder of what he¡¯s being punished for.¡± He nods like he¡¯s agreeing with himself. ¡°Mindset is everything. I have several pictures of Quincy that I¡¯m fond of. Can I print those?¡±

    Every time I think this shit isn¡¯t as absurd as I¡¯m making it out in my mind, Trigges in like a battering ram to prove just how wrong I was.

    My mouth opens and closes a few times as he takes a seat across from me on the other side of the coffee table.

    What the fuck happens if someone like Trigg goes feral? If he¡¯s this unhinged when he¡¯s lucid, I don¡¯t want to find out what he¡¯s capable of while being disconnected from reality.

    ¡°Just connect to the Wi-Fi, and it should pop up as a printer option,¡± I mutter, patting around for the scissors I must have dropped at some point. Once they¡¯re located, I put them on the coffee table alongside the picture I just printed and dig around for one of the loose album pages before shoving it toward the psychopath. ¡°You can pick a background color or pattern from the stacks there.¡± I gesture to those. ¡°Then you cut them out to make a border for the picture and paste it all down where you want it. There are calligraphy pens somewhere. You can use those to write out a message or the date, or if your handwriting is as bad as mine, there are stencils somewhere.¡±

    ¡°I have several lovely still photos from the cameras in Quincy¡¯s home that I¡¯m fond of. Those would be a good ce to start.¡± Trigg pulls his phone from his pocket and begins to scroll. ¡°We really need to make a point of taking more pictures together in thesest few weeks. I could ess her camera roll with little difficulty, but there¡¯s a possibility that she might be rmed if she saw those pictures in the album without any forewarning.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Iugh, shaking my head.

    What fucking does he live on where that¡¯s even a question?

    Then again, Quincy does have a ridiculous soft spot when ites to him.

    Trigg doesn¡¯t say anything else, and King begins to snore with his mouth hanging open as his head lies on my thigh.

    I still can¡¯t believe I thought life would be boring when I came home to Burlington. My roommates in Charleston are probably still living it up. Partying every night and sleeping until three in the afternoon before getting up and doing it all over again.

    After retiring, I didn¡¯t have much to focus on, so I fell into bad habits. I spent my days feeling sorry for myself and kinda just existing, but I was getting tired of that life before Harrison even called. I almost told him to hire someone else to run the ce while he was out.

    I grew up around here, anding back for months on end sounded like fucking torture. Vermont was the most boring ce on the in my mind.

    Ridge and Trigg proved me wrong, or maybe life needed to teach me a lesson. All my dreams now revolve around getting back to a more sedate kind of life¡ªone where we can leave Ridge¡¯s neighborhood without needing an escort of two security teams.

    I grab the stack of patterned pages and flip through them to find something to put on the sheet I¡¯m working on.

    Trigg clears his throat, and my eyes fly up to meet his.

    ¡°You didn¡¯t kill that assant,¡± he says, stretching over to grab the picture that just finished printing. ¡°He was still breathing when I took my shots. I thought you might like to know that.¡±

    My mouth goes dry, and my head tilts. I¡¯ve spent a lot of time wondering exactly that.

    It¡¯s not like Trigg is omniscient, so I have no idea why the urge washes over me to ask if he would have died anyway. Like, if Trigg didn¡¯t finish him off, would that brick to the temple have done the job?

    Everything I know about physics says I probably would have killed him, but it¡¯s a relief to know I didn¡¯t.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m thanking him for telling me or for taking those shots. No, it¡¯s definitely both. ¡°Seriously, thank you, Trigg.¡±

    ¡°Of course. I¡¯d like it if the two of us could be friendly, if not actual friends.¡±

    I nod. ¡°I want that too.¡±

    It¡¯s a shocking revtion, but it¡¯s the truth. Not just for Quincy¡¯s benefit, either. If the three of us don¡¯t find somemon ground, life will be miserable for all of us. I don¡¯t want the baby growing up in an environment where we only tolerate each other.

    ¡°Very good.¡± He shoves his sses up and examines the picture he printed. ¡°Now, I¡¯ve noticed Quincy doesn¡¯t wear much jewelry, but I bought her a ne and a ring. From what I¡¯ve read, her fingers might swell the farther she gets into her pregnancy.¡±

    I¡¯m not sure what he¡¯s getting at, so I stay quiet.

    ¡°Even if she can¡¯t wear the ring, I believe the ne will be a decentpromise,¡± he says, dropping the picture on the sheet I gave him. They¡¯re meant to be decorated individually, then you clip them into the album in whatever order you choose. ¡°I intend to ask her to wear one or the other whenever I get back. If you¡¯d like the opportunity to bond Quincy before that happens, I suggest you not squander your time alone.¡±

    My eyes narrow.

    Does that mean he¡¯s going to ask her to marry him tonight?

    ¡°Are you saying the ring you bought is an engagement ring?¡± I ask, trying to keep the annoyance out of my tone.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Jesus Christ, Trigg,¡± I mutter. ¡°There are three of us who should all be involved in picking her engagement ring. At the very least, you should let us chip in on whatever the one you bought cost. And we should get the chance to ask her together.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± he says, smiling tightly. ¡°I¡¯ll give her the ne. I want her to have at least one gift that¡¯s solely from me.¡±

    I sigh. ¡°Can you send me a link or something so I can check it out?¡±

    ¡°Fine.¡± He grabs his phone, clicking away on the screen. ¡°Although this is just to give you an idea. The one I selected wasn¡¯t listed online. I was torn between a round and an oval shape, but I believe the oval will fit her hand to perfection. None of this means much to me, so I took his word for it. It¡¯s just under four carats, E color rating, super ideal cut, rity FL. The jeweler assured me it was the best he had in stock. I could have saved a few thousand dors if I paid by wire transfer, but it was after five p.m., and I didn¡¯t want to wait to pick it up.¡±

    I grab my phone as it vibrates and unlock it before clicking on his text. The picture is of an oval diamond solitaire in tinum.

    ¡°It¡¯s set in a low basket setting, which should keep her from snagging it on things. That was purely by luck, because again, I didn¡¯t want to wait to have the band swapped out.¡± Trigg sighs. ¡°Are you going to give me your opinion?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what most of that means either, but I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll love it.¡± I smile tightly, tossing my phone down. No matter what I give her, it¡¯s going to pale inparison to that thing. Hell, I could buy her a brand-new car, and I bet it wouldn¡¯t evene close to what that ring cost. Jabbing a finger at him over the table, I say, ¡°Warn Ridge, and don¡¯t ask without us. That¡¯s how a friend would handle that situation. The three of us have to get better about working together.¡±

    Trigg¡¯s eyes narrow, and his face morphs into something terrifying for a split second. It disappears as quickly as it appeared, and a shiver runs down my spine.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell him while we¡¯re at the warehouse. If he¡¯s even up for apanying me,¡± he says. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. There will be a team here to watch over you and Quincy.¡±

    Not once in my entire life have I ever felt incapable of protecting myself or someone I love.

    This whole situation is a mindfuck.

 : Chapter 45

    I¡¯m emotionally exhausted by the time thewyer leaves. Ridge tries to be a good sport, but he¡¯s physically exhausted, and he kinda copses on the couch for what he calls a prenned mid-morning nap.

    Technically, it¡¯s probably closer to noon. I don¡¯t mention that, though. Ridge needs rest to heal, and watching King try three times to get up on the couch makes me smile. He finally gets enough momentum with his fourth try, or maybe he realizes Ridge can¡¯t lift him to give him a boost. Either way, he struggles his way onto the couch and lies down next to Ridge¡¯s stomach.

    Even as exhausted as he is, Ridge lifts a hand and moves it to King¡¯s back to pet him as he falls asleep.

    That man is going to make a damn good father, and I once again try not to obsess about how lucky I got in finding him.

    Or I guess how Trigg led Ridge to me.

    Whatever.

    I¡¯m counting my blessings without fixating on them.

    Trigg has to leave to handle¡­something.

    I¡¯m not sure I want the details about what it is he has to do, so I don¡¯t ask.

    Even when I spot the weird metal briefcase he¡¯s toting toward the door, I still don¡¯t want to know. He seems annoyed that Ridge won¡¯t be going with him, but Trigg is always hard to get a read on, so maybe I¡¯m just misinterpreting his focused expression.

    I linger near the archway that leads from the entryway into the living room as I prepare to say my goodbyes to Trigg.

    Hartley has something set up all over the living room, but I want to give that my full attention when I finally get to see what it is. Since Trigg is leaving, I figured I should address this first so my brain doesn¡¯t obsess while he¡¯s gone.

    ¡°Were you nning to give me a goodbye kiss?¡± I ask, poking out my lower lip as he reaches for the door handle.

    Trigg freezes, and it¡¯s easy to see how tense his muscles are. He sets the case down by his feet and spins around. His jaw is tight, and there¡¯s something intense about his eyes that makes me lean even farther into the wall.

    Yeah, there¡¯s no doubt about it.

    Trigg is a natural predator.

    My instincts can sense it.

    It¡¯s a strange feeling because I¡¯m not afraid of him per se, but I still have the urge to run as he appraises me.

    ¡°I apologize,¡± he says, his face twisting into a predatory smile that makes goose bumps break out down my arms. ¡°Of course I want a goodbye kiss. I got too focused on what would be expected of me.¡± Hees to a stop and brushes his hand over my stomach while the other moves to cradle my cheek. ¡°Make sure you eat something nutritious for lunch. I¡¯ll do my best to be home before it gets dark.¡± With that, he dips his mouth to mine for a quick but tantalizing kiss. ¡°And when I get back, you¡¯re finally going to open one of my courting gifts.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait,¡± I say, struggling to catch my breath. ¡°Please be safe.¡±<hr>

    I make my way into the living room and approach Hartley. He¡¯s got stickers everywhere, open glue sticks, and scraps of paper littering the table.

    A silly smile crosses my face that I can¡¯t help. ¡°You look like you¡¯ve been to war with the craft supplies,¡± I say,ughing.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m just not sure if I won or lost.¡± Hart snags my wrist, pulling me toward him.

    I almost think he wants me to sit on hisp, facing the table, but he directs me to kneel with my face toward him. The baby, who really needs a name, is busy wiggling around, and with my stomach resting against Hartley¡¯s abs, I¡¯m not shocked when he can feel it.

    ¡°Jesus, that¡¯s crazy.¡± He smiles and works a hand between us to chase the movements. ¡°I love being able to feel her moving.¡± He¡¯s so damn handsome with his eyes sparkling, and his blond waves falling over his forehead.

    ¡°Me too,¡± I agree, keeping my voice low, just in case Ridge did manage to fall asleep.

    ¡°My gift isn¡¯t as fancy as what Ridge or Trigg got you,¡± Hart says, chasing the baby as she stretches or rolls.

    ¡°I¡¯ll love it just as much,¡± I assure him.

    And it¡¯s true.

    Hartley is the kind of guy who puts in time overvish gifts. He¡¯s the one who stood around talking to me about the future when the restaurant was slow. He helped Ridge build all the furniture, and if I¡¯m not mistaken, he made a memory book for the baby.

    Even before I knew he was interested in me, I used to muse about what an amazing husband that he would be to some lucky woman someday. I just never imagined that woman would be me.

    You don¡¯t drop your life to move states away to help out your brother with his business unless you¡¯re the kind of person who puts family first.

    I¡¯ve had a hell of a crush on him for ages, but I¡¯m pretty sure the light fluttering in my stomach thates any time he smiles at me is proof that I¡¯m falling in love with him.

    And I think now more than ever, he needs to hear that.

    ¡°I understand how important courting gifts are between alphas and omegas, but I already know I¡¯ll love your gifts no matter what they are because you¡¯re the type of person who puts thought into everything you do.¡± I wrap my fingers around his jaw, brushing them through his fluffy beard as I tilt his face down to mine. ¡°Presents are nice, but you¡¯re the prize I¡¯ve got my eye on.¡± Okay, that was cheesy. It¡¯s how I feel, though. I smile, stretching up on my knees until I can reach his mouth. ¡°You¡¯re brave and loyal and so damn handsome it makes my brain melt. I love you, Hartley. I started falling for you when I thought we were just friends, and it¡¯s so much more now?¡ª¡±

    A low growl rattles out of his chest, and he shoves his lips to mine. Pulling his hand from between us, he relocates it to wrap it in my hair. The way he holds me in ce and sucks on my bottom lip sends a pulse through the bond that settles directly in my nipples and clit. My new iming bite is tender, but I find it fascinating that any of them can send such a reaction through the link.

    My head gets hazy as our kiss goes on and on until I find myself grinding over hisp.

    Everything about Hartley just does it for me. Working my hands between us, I catch the bottom of the long-sleeve shirt he¡¯s wearing and tug.

    He chuckles and gives me one more open-mouthed kiss before leaning back. He tugs the shirt off with a hand at the back of his neck and drops it on the carpet. ¡°By the way, beautiful, I love you too.¡±

    My heart thunders, and I grin at him like a total goofball, which might be how I miss what he ns to do next.

    His hands wrap around my back and ass, and he manages to stand while lifting my not insignificant weight with his.

    ¡°Hart!¡± I squeak. ¡°Holy shit! You¡¯re going to destroy your back.¡±

    ¡°My back is fine,¡± he says, striding over to the couch. He holds out a hand, and I twist to find Ridge is awake. ¡°You¡¯re just as bad as your dog with the one-eyed peeking. Are youing or not?¡±

    ¡°Far be it from me to turn down that kind of offer.¡± Ridge sps his hand in Hartley¡¯s. ¡°Sorry, King. You gotta stay down here. I can¡¯t be responsible for scarring your innocent eyes.¡±<hr>

    Undressing three bodies can be chaotic, but it can also be a lot of fun.

    Ridge¡¯s facial hair digs into my cheek as he sucks on his bondmark. Fun fact, while anyone can send a pulse through the bond, it¡¯s way more intense when they tease their own iming bite.

    I¡¯ve already helped him out of his shirt, and I fight back a smile as I get his jeans undone. They fall down his muscr thighs, and he¡¯s once againmando. I have no idea why, but I find that super sexy.

    My fist wraps around his length, jerking it as he shakes out of his jeans and kicks them aside.

    Hartley crouches behind me, helping me out of my underwear.

    I squeal as he bites my ass cheek, and Ridge chuckles, brushing his palm over my stomach and pushing his lips to mine once more.

    Hartley¡¯s hands skim up my thighs and over my waist as he stands. He tugs me backward, causing me to break the kiss with Ridge.

    ¡°My turn.¡± Hart spins me to face him, and I have no choice but to release Ridge¡¯s hard shaft.

    I barely have time toment that loss before Hart cradles my cheeks in his massive hands and kisses the hell out of me. It¡¯s a good thing alpha saliva can seal a iming bite because neither of them has been particrly tender with my new bondmark. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m coherent enough to mind, anyway.

    My spoiled little omega heart is content having both of thempletely focused on me. They¡¯re both very aroused, and their scents sit heavily in the air, causing my head to get foggier with each gasping breath.

    ¡°You, lie down,¡± Hartley says between filthy, open-mouthed kisses. It takes my hazy mind far too long toprehend that he¡¯s speaking to Ridge. ¡°Stay at the end of the bed and let your legs hang off.¡±

    Hell, I barely notice that he¡¯s guiding me toward the edge of the bed until the backs of my thighs bump Ridge¡¯s knees.

    Hartley lifts me without breaking the kiss, and Ridge helps by positioning my feet toward his head.

    I end up hovering over Ridge¡¯s hard cock with my front vertical to the end of the mattress.

    My clit pulses almost painfully as Hartley cups my tit, flicking his fingers over my already hard nipple.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± Ridge growls. ¡°She¡¯s literally dripping on my cock.¡±

    ¡°You might want to do something about that before my patience runs out.¡± Hart smiles dangerously as he pulls back from our kiss.

    My lower lips glide over the bottom of Ridge¡¯s shaft, and I wiggle enough to reposition him at my opening.

    Hartley fists my hair, pulling my head to the side. It bares my throat to him as my hair falls down my back. ¡°All this perfect skin just waiting for me to mark it up with my bite.¡±

    I groan, and my core contracts around nothing. I need them both in a way that¡¯s hard to exin.

    ¡°I¡¯m about to lose my goddamn mind with how bad my dick is aching to be buried inside you.¡± Ridge moves from lying t on the bed to sitting up behind me, and I relish the brush of his strong chest against my back. ¡°Come on, Mama. Sink down on my bare cock.¡±

    ¡°Do it,¡± Hartley growls, raking his teeth down my neck.

    I sob, grabbing Ridge¡¯s length. Once it¡¯s perfectly positioned, I fall on my knees, impaling myself on his extreme girth. ¡°Oh, God.¡±

    ¡°That is never going to get old,¡± Ridge groans, reaching around to tease my clit.

    He sends something through the bond. It¡¯s hard to decipher exactly what that emotion is when my head is hazy, but it almost feels like yearning.

    The bond is instinctual, but it doesn¡¯te with an instruction manual. I focus on sending him my desire for him in return and pray it works.

    ¡°I want you too. Both of you.¡± My hand is wet with slick, and I grab Hartley¡¯s shaft, doing my best to jerk him. His sticky tip bounces around my stomach, and I work on trying to find a rhythm. He¡¯s so hard in my palm, but so is Ridge as he stretches my pussy to what feels like its limit.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got us, beautiful,¡± Hartley murmurs. ¡°Enjoy the moment. No rushing things your body isn¡¯t ready to amodate.¡±

    All of that sounds very rational, but I kinda want to be irrational at the moment.

    I could spin around, and Hartley could totally stand on the mattress behind Ridge. If he were at that height, I bet I could get him into my mouth.

    The thought makes my mouth water, and my body sizzles. Something is very wrong with my system because all it can seem to focus on is how hot it would be if they took turns jerking off on my face and tits.

    ¡°Goddamn,¡± Ridge hisses.

    I¡¯ve been clenching my inner walls at the thought of that naughty little fantasy. I rx and focus on riding him, but my cheeks heat.

    Slick sounds fill the air with every gyration of my hips.

    Their warm skin feels almost cool against mine, and sweat breaks out on my forehead and between my breasts. Hopefully I get my endurance back after I give birth because this is embarrassing.

    I¡¯m doing the best I can, but dammit, my thighs burn.

    Despite my exhaustion, the pleasure building under my skin spurs me on, and I swear Ridge¡¯s crown ends up firmly lodged around my ribs. I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s physically impossible. It happens.

    I¡¯ve never felt as full as I currently do, and that¡¯s the best way I can think to describe it.

    ¡°Such a beautiful, sweaty mess.¡± Hartley licks and sucks away the light sting his teeth leave on my throat, and he moves to teasing my other breast. ¡°All I can smell is your pussy. It¡¯s about to do my fucking head in.¡±

    ¡°Her pussy is about to do me in,¡± Ridge grunts. His desire and need toe fill the bond, proving they aren¡¯t just empty words.

    Feeling his emotions only seems to heighten my own need. The bond is crazy and overwhelming at times, but it¡¯s the most intimate connection I¡¯ve ever experienced.

    My pheromones tinge the air, and both alphas let out wicked growls in response. Having both of them surrounding me helps me feel safe in such a spacious room.

    Could I talk them into spending the next six weeks exclusively in the nest? It would feel safer and smell more strongly of them at all times.

    Ridge continues teasing my clit and leans his mouth close to my ear on the opposite side from Hart. ¡°That¡¯s it. Keep grinding just like that. You¡¯re going to soak up every drop of my cum like the naughty little omega you are.¡± The low timbre of his voice sends a shiver through my system, and he picks that exact moment to pinch my clit. ¡°Scream for us, Mama.¡±

    He¡¯s still injured.

    I know better than to fall against his chest as pleasure rips through my nerve endings, but I¡¯m not even sure this is real life. Embarrassing sounds spill from my lips, and I lock down on his length.

    Ridge¡¯s shaft swells to nearly painful proportions, but it also amps up my bliss. His knot brushes my lower lips with every swivel and grind of my hips.

    My skin is oversensitive by the time Ie back to reality.

    ¡°You good?¡± Hartley asks.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Ridge says, sounding winded.

    I open my eyes, but that doesn¡¯t help much with how hazy everything is. At some point, I dropped Hartley¡¯s cock, and I make a mad grab for it.

    He pulls his hips back and lifts me. ¡°Spin around to face Ridge.¡±

    I hear the words, but my body makes no move toply.

    Hartley has it under control, though.

    Ridge is once again on his back, and Hartley guides me onto all fours over my injured alpha.

    ¡°No weight on the baby,¡± Hartley says, running his hands over my ass and hips.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure.¡± Ridge moves to cradle my cheeks in his huge palms and brushes my sweaty hair back.

    My hands rest against the mattress next to his ribs, and I smile at him.

    ¡°Life is better with teamwork,¡± I hear myself slur.

    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking cute,¡± Ridge says, cracking a smile.

    Hartley grips the top of my ass near my hips and pulls my cheeks even farther apart. His hard tip nudges my opening, and I wiggle my hips.

    ¡°Please,¡± I sob, nodding frantically.

    He either knows what I¡¯m asking for, or he¡¯s just as desperate to get inside me because he ms deep.

    I wail, my face falling forward against Ridge¡¯s chest. He hisses, and I freeze, which causes Hartley to still as well.

    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± Ridge growls. ¡°She needs more.¡±

    ¡°I do. Fuck me deep.¡± My arms tremble, but I keep myself upright and look over my shoulder at Hartley. ¡°More, please.¡± Or that¡¯s what I mean to say. Ites out mostly incoherent to my own ears, but I clench my core and glide on my knees, forcing more of him inside of my aching pussy.

    Hartley¡¯s jaw tightens. His blond waves stick to his forehead with sweat, and I contemte how hard it would be to tackle him. Those ck gauges in his ears and tattoos from his neck, down his chest and arms are such a vibe. He¡¯s stupidly hot, and I want him so badly that I sob.

    ¡°She wants you to bite her,¡± Ridge says, and there¡¯s no hurt or malice in his tone. ¡°That¡¯s what you want, right, sweetheart?¡±

    I whine, and Hartley¡¯s hands tighten on my hips. He finally starts to thrust, and every m of his hips into my ass rocks me to my foundation.

    Ridge continues cradling my face, and my insides light up as he murmurs soft words of encouragement and praise. ¡°Such a good girl. Look at you. Wrecking him like you just did me.¡±

    I moan, wishing I could tease my clit.

    If my stomach wasn¡¯t in the way, I could grind my pussy against Ridge¡¯s cock, but at this point, I¡¯m surprised my knees and arms haven¡¯t given out.

    Hartley works me into a frenzy, his crown brushing my G-spot with every rabid thrust. The next thing I know, he¡¯s leaning over my back, and something sharp strikes my right shoulder.

    Euphoria rips through my system, radiating out through my cells.

    I wail, and the bond snaps into ce.

    ¡°Shh, you¡¯re okay,¡± Ridge coos.

    Apparently, I epted the connection?

    Or possibly my soul did?

    I don¡¯t care.

    I never would have denied a bond with Hartley.

    His shaft jolts deep inside me, and Ridge teases his thumbs over my cheeks.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got you. You¡¯re safe.¡±

    The two of them are the only things grounding me in the moment, but even then, it¡¯s a thin tether.

    I need more.

    We just have to switch positions because I don¡¯t know how much longer I can hold myself up.

    Hartley retracts his teeth and licks over the bite on my shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re all mine, beautiful.¡±

    He¡¯s right, and that thought fills my entire being with joy.

    The only thing that could make this moment better would be to have Trigg here with us, but I¡¯m going to get him to sink his teeth in as soon as he gets home.

 : Chapter 46

    Being willing to kill does not mean someone will be adept at torture. Much like Hartley learned what he was capable of when Quincy was in danger, many humans would be surprised at what they would be willing to do to protect someone they love.

    Some of us have an innate understanding of who we are from a young age, while others hone the skill through military service or just a hard life in general.

    Perhaps when I get home, I¡¯ll have another conversation with Hartley about the difference between cold-blooded murder and self-defense. After all, we¡¯re friends now, and I don¡¯t want him needlessly feeling guilty. Even if he had killed the assant when he threw that brick, it would have qualified as self-defense.

    I can¡¯t imagine anyone losing sleep over protecting themselves or someone they love. The type of agony that I¡¯m currently inflicting is a very different story. Even those who arefortablemitting murder do not necessarily have the constitution required for hours of torture.

    It¡¯s a bloody, smelly, thankless job.

    Although many of us, I would imagine, have done our time in a basement here or there. It was one of the first requirements my mentor imposed, but that goes back to the boss ordering around their minions.

    Why do the dirty work yourself if you can delegate it to your underlings?<hr>

    ¡°You¡¯re going to kill him if you¡¯re not careful,¡± Easton says, sounding especially unbothered by the prospect. He came in an hour ago, but up until this point, he¡¯s stayed silent, simply monitoring my progress.

    I roll my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not an amateur.¡±

    The muffled screaming is beginning to give me a tension headache.

    I¡¯d love to be able to push my sses up, but my hands are bloody, and it would be an ordeal anyway. The safety goggles ensure my sses won¡¯t fall off andnd in a puddle of bodily fluids. They also catch any spray that maynd on my face, but I would have to remove thempletely to adjust my sses.

    Perhaps I should do a little searching for a pair that can amodate those of us without perfect vision.

    If Ridge were here, I would ask him for an assist. That, or allow him to take over while I situated my sses.

    This was supposed to be a bonding opportunity.

    He¡¯s now permanently connected to my soulmate, and I thought it would be an olive branch to invite him to watch while I worked. However, he scoffed at the prospect and chose to nap instead.

    This is why I don¡¯t bother trying to make connections with people. It¡¯s like I¡¯m back in elementary school when no one wanted to let me sit at their lunch table. There¡¯s no point in making friends.

    I¡¯ll simply keep Ridge alive because of his connection to Quincy. He and I can be packmates, but that doesn¡¯t mean we have to be friends.

    My annoyance causes me to push a little too firmly, and the drill goes through David¡¯s forearm.

    ¡°Not an amateur, but entirely too emotionally involved to be here right now.¡± Easton shoves off the wall,ing closer.

    ¡°Take another step closer, and I will bury this drill bit in your eye.¡± I frown.

    That was a bit extreme.

    Perhaps Ridge did hurt my feelings by refusing my offer.

    Refocusing on my prisoner, I reverse the setting to pull the machine from his arm. ¡°Costa isn¡¯t on his way to save you. You¡¯re going to die here either way. Wouldn¡¯t you rather put a quick end to the suffering?¡±

    Rather than nod his agreement, David continues to wail.

    My patience has disintegrated.

    cing the drill down on the table next to the chair David is strapped to, I peruse my options.

    ¡°You¡¯re rushing things because you don¡¯t want to be here in the first ce.¡± Easton moves closer. ¡°Breaking someone¡¯s will to live takes time.¡±

    I do, in fact, know all of that.

    David still has some delusional level of hope that Costa will magically care about his survival ande to his rescue. Or he believes that we¡¯ll fuck up, leaving him the perfect opportunity to escape.

    Killing hope takes longer than it does to destroy a body. Hurrying through the process could put him into shock. He could die prematurely, but I¡¯m not convinced he knows anything all that helpful to begin with.

    Calder has already checked over the electronics that came from the house Easton, Valor, and I hit. If there was nomunication trail indicating where Costa is, I doubt he shared that knowledge with this waste of space in person.

    ¡°Keir and I will handle this.¡± Easton ps me on the shoulder, and the annoying surgical gown crinkles. ¡°You¡¯ve been here for hours. Go home and spend some time with Quincy. Focus on learning how to exist with your new packmates. If we learn anything actionable¡­¡± He chuckles darkly. ¡°I won¡¯t even lie and say I¡¯ll call you because I probably won¡¯t. Believe it or not, I have an entirepany full of capable employees.¡±

    ¡°You called me here for a reason,¡± I growl, shoving his arm away and stepping back.

    ¡°I thought you might like to burn off some of your frustration rted to Quincy and Ridge bonding. However, your job is to keep Ridge alive. Having you here means I have to have another team watching his house,¡± Easton says calmly. ¡°He warned me Costa would be a problem if we didn¡¯t take him out simultaneously with his twin. I was stubborn. This entire situation could have been avoided if I had listened.¡±

    Perhaps I should pull out my phone and record this for Ridge. I¡¯m fairly sure it¡¯s the only way he¡¯ll ever get to hear Easton admit that he was wrong.

    ¡°Take the listing for the higher bounty if you haven¡¯t?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I have,¡± I say, cutting him off. ¡°But there¡¯s been nomunication.¡±

    ¡°Well, all we can do is wait and see when Costa pops his head out next,¡± Easton says, pointing at the door. ¡°Get out. You have mere weeks before Quincy will give birth, and if you¡¯re serious about sticking around?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± I growl, cutting him off again.

    ¡°Then, might I suggest you invest some time building rtionships with the people you intend to spend the rest of your life with.¡±

    My eyes narrow, and I exhale heavily.

    Everyone is pushing the limits of my kindness today.

    Goddammit.

    David is lucky Easton intervened.

    I really need to kill someone.<hr>

    How Easton thought it would be a good idea to offer up Shaw as my driver is a mystery to me. At least the man can follow instructions, even if he¡¯s obnoxiously chatty.

    It¡¯s fully dark when he parks near the back gate. Quincy¡¯s backyard has very little lighting. It¡¯s one of the features that I used to my advantage when sneaking in, but mypanion trips over a rock and barely makes it up the back steps without face-nting.

    We enter Quincy¡¯s house, and luckily Shaw branches off.

    Quincy was rushed due to the circumstances of Ridge being shot, and my goal is to grab additional items to help her feel more at home.

    Costa knows where her house is located, so we stay on alert, but ording to the security feeds, no one has been inside since we werest here.

    The faint scent of pee draws me toward the downstairs bathroom, and I frown. In the heat of the moment, I tossed several towels over the puddle and found Quincy alternate clothing and a washcloth to do the bare minimum for cleaning up. It was the best I could offer in triage mode, but she¡¯ll be embarrassed if shees back to find this mess.

    I sigh, strip off my gloves, shove them into my pocket, and go in search of bleach or some type of tile cleaner. I¡¯m not sure what Shaw does as I clean, but he doesn¡¯t hover, and that¡¯s good enough for me.

    It¡¯s not morous work.

    The bleach, even diluted, burns my overly sensitive nose. I¡¯ve always had an acute sense of smell. Growing up, I seemed to notice scents no one else picked up on.

    Bleach andmercial-grade cleaners are not my favorite smells, but they¡¯re not more offensive than the blood and urine from the prisoner I tortured for close to eight hours.

    ¡°For being an absolute psychopath, you¡¯re not a bad boyfriend,¡± Shaw says, startling me as I rinse the floor with another towel that will also need to be thrown away.

    Am I only her boyfriend? She¡¯s my soulmate. I also intend to ask her to marry me, but I suppose she hasn¡¯t technically said yes yet. She will. Then she¡¯ll be my fianc¨¦e.

    Shoving the towel into the garbage bag, I smile at him over my shoulder. ¡°Thank you. I didn¡¯t want her to be embarrassed the next time we came into the house. It wasn¡¯t her fault. That series of unpleasant events lies on Costa¡¯s shoulders.¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be afraid to show a more caring side of yourself,¡± Shaw says, leaning against the doorframe. ¡°Ridge is solid. He¡¯s a pain in the ass, but he¡¯s the kind of guy you want in your corner. He¡¯ll be a good packmate to you if you put in the effort. I know the two of you have been at each other¡¯s throats¡­¡±

    My eyes widen.

    Is that what it looks like to others?

    We bicker, but I wouldn¡¯t have moved so swiftly to staunch the bleeding if I wanted him dead.

    ¡°I mean, that¡¯s what it seems like looking in, but if you want to be part of a pack, you have to find somemon ground with your packmates. Otherwise, you¡¯ll make Quincy¡¯s life a living hell.¡±

    It would be convenient if all of Ridge¡¯s friends would stop piling on with the pep talks. They could even have a discussion to select which topic they would each like to champion. At least that would offer a bit of variety.

    I¡¯m legitimately incapable of forgetting details, even things I would prefer not to carry around, making these repeated conversations tedious and unnecessary. Unless they feel they have to pound the point through my skull because none of them believe I¡¯m listening in the first ce. However, it would only be more embarrassing to admit that I attempted to find somemon ground with Ridge this afternoon.

    Hence my hurt feelings.

    I suppose I could try more than once before considering it a lost cause.

    Exhaling heavily, I nod. ¡°I understand.¡±<hr>

    By the time I¡¯m done cleaning, I¡¯m ready to exit Quincy¡¯s house. I still force myself to spend close to half an hour going through her clothing and personal care items. Selecting things I think she would like to have with her at Ridge¡¯s isn¡¯t the easiest task, but I do my best.

    Shaw heads out the back door with the intent of pulling his truck around the front. Since he can back the vehicle up close to the door, it will be easier for us to load up the suitcases and bags I packed.

    While he¡¯s handling that, I open the front door and prepare to pile everything outside.

    ¡°Who the fuck are you?¡± a slimy male voice asks.

    My head whips up, and my eyelids flutter as Petees into view.

    Quincy¡¯s cheating ex seems even tackier in person than in the pictures I examined of him.

    ¡°I could ask you the same question,¡± I say, tossing the suitcase and duffel bag onto the concrete just past his feet.

    The idiot jolts, jerking his head to look at the ground. ¡°Seriously, where is Quincy?¡±

    ¡°Not here.¡± I turn back for another bag, fighting the instinct to bury my knife in his throat.

    ¡°I¡¯ve stopped by twice, but she hasn¡¯t answered the door.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not here now either,¡± I say, a smile tipping at my lips.

    ¡°I¡¯m fucking serious,¡± he growls, taking a step forward as I toss the next bag near the others.

    Do not kill Quincy¡¯s ex. There would be blood stains on the concrete. You don¡¯t want to have to exin this to her.

    I could always bring him to a secondary location simr to the one David is being kept in. Then, when someone pisses me off, I could simply pop over to visit Pete. No one needs information from him, so killing him wouldn¡¯t be an issue.

    ¡°I need to speak to her. She¡¯s not answering my calls, and she¡¯s never home,¡± he says, his teeth grinding together.

    ¡°Quincy recently moved.¡± I stand to my full height, swiping my gloved hands off on my pants. ¡°As to why she¡¯s not taking your calls¡­ That seems pretty evident. She wants no part ofmunicating with you. I would take that at face value and see yourself out.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not even living here?¡± he hisses. ¡°Why the fuck won¡¯t she consider my offer then? It was a fair number for this shit hole!¡±

    My eyes narrow.

    If this is how he¡¯s willing to speak to a stranger, I can only imagine how he spoke to and about her. The thought makes my teeth gnash together as Shaw puts the truck in park.

    ¡°Is she trying to start a bidding war? Did someone else put in an offer?¡± Pete asks.

    I ignore him, turning and grabbing the final bag and tossing it next to the others. Perhaps I should have called to check if she needed anything while I was here, but I didn¡¯t like the thought of ruining the surprise. If I missed anything, it¡¯s easy enough toe back for it.

    ¡°Are you going to continue to ignore me?¡± the idiot with a death wish hisses. ¡°You clearly know her. You¡¯re packing her things. Wait, are you dating her too? You know she¡¯s fucking Hartley Adams¡ªthe football star.¡±

    His crass description of Quincy and Hartley¡¯s rtionship makes my stomach tighten, but killing him would dy my ability to get home and climb into bed next to my omega.

    ¡°I am aware.¡± I nod at the bags as Shaw jogs up the two concrete steps. ¡°You can grab those. I¡¯m all set.¡± Turning back to the door, I reach inside to lock it behind me.

    ¡°She can hide all she wants, but I see her for who she really is. If she¡¯s fucking multiple guys while she¡¯s pregnant, I don¡¯t trust that she wasn¡¯t cheating on me while we were together. Let her know I¡¯m serious about that paternity test,¡± Pete says.

    The man does have a death wish.

    Spinning around, I cross the space between us and wrap my hand around his throat before he can blink. I twist, mming his back against one of the brick columns that line the walk up to the front door.

    The sniveling asshole lets out a satisfying oomph.

    ¡°I was about to kick him in the kidney for you,¡± Shaw says. ¡°Say shitty things, and you gotta be prepared when someone sets you straight.¡±

    My fingerless gloves allow me to feel Pete¡¯s pulse thundering under my grip, and my nostrils re, breathing in the scent of his fear. Normally it would give me a nice little buzz of euphoria, but my anger is too high to truly enjoy the moment.

    ¡°The baby Quincy is carrying has nothing to do with you.¡± I keep my tone even and stare into his beady eyes. ¡°She¡¯s already told you as much. I¡¯m telling you for the second and final time. If you could do basic math, this wouldn¡¯t even be a question, but I¡¯ve met men like you before. You¡¯re irrelevant, and you¡¯ll do anything necessary to remain a thorn in her side because you want something. Let me make myself painfully clear. I would burn this house to the ground before I let you buy it from her.¡±

    My fingers tighten, but I don¡¯t allow myself to go deep enough to leave bruises.

    Pete struggles, wing at my wrist and dancing around on his tiptoes.

    ¡°I believe I¡¯ve made my point,¡± I say calmly. ¡°You get exactly one chance to live, Peter August Nn.¡± I quirk an eyebrow. Oh yes, I know every detail of his pathetic existence, which is unfortunate because I also understand he has family and coworkers who would report him missing. ¡°Forget all about Quincy and move on. Your assistant, what¡¯s her name?¡± A vicious grin crosses my face. ¡°That¡¯s right. Leslie. She¡¯s a much safer option for you to focus on.¡±

 : Chapter 47

    My heart thunders as I find Quincy asleep in my bed upon making it back to the house. I¡¯m baffled why she didn¡¯t opt to stay with Hartley and Ridge in the pack bedroom, but it makes every bit of my long day worth it.

    I rush through a quick shower and dry off without bothering to dress myself after.

    She told me I couldn¡¯t touch her sexually while she slept unless we had taken that step while she was awake and consenting, but we have¡­ Meaning, there¡¯s no reason why I shouldn¡¯t lift the nket and snuggle up behind her soft form.

    So I do.

    She¡¯s warm, and her electric scent is everywhere. I mostly kept my distance when I stretched out next to her at her home. asionally, I would get brave and brush my fingers over her cheek or arm, but I have no limitations now.

    stering my nude body to her back, I slide my hand under the T-shirt she¡¯s wearing. It¡¯s long enough to basically fit like a dress, so it must belong to Ridge. My fingers tease over her stomach, and I ster my nose to her hair.

    The gentle change to her scent proves Hartley took my advice. Well, I can¡¯t be angry when I¡¯m the one who suggested he take action, but I don¡¯t intend to allow myself to be left behind.

    Sliding my hand higher, I cup her breast and flick her nipple, which hardens under my touch. I nose her hair out of the way, baring her neck to me. It¡¯s dark, and I don¡¯t have my sses on, but I don¡¯t believe Hartley¡¯s bite will be in my way. All that perfect skin on her throat is mine for the taking.

    I lick and suck my way down her neck and continue teasing her breasts.

    Quincy moans, shoving her ass back against my cock.

    A dangerous smile crosses my face, and I pull my hand from under her shirt, bringing my fingers to my lips. I coat them in my saliva, and this time I move to cup her pussy. I hold my head up with my other hand and take painstaking precautions to keep from waking her. It¡¯s an agonizing minute before I¡¯m able to brush her clit, but with the way she lies on her side, it makes everything moreplicated than it needs to be.

    It¡¯s strange that in a few short months, the baby belly will be gone and in its ce will be a tiny human. I¡¯ve seen pictures of Quincy from before she got pregnant, but that isn¡¯t the same as seeing it in person.

    I believe I¡¯m going to miss the baby bump.

    The little omega whimpers in her sleep, lifting her top leg and moving it back to offer me easier ess to her swollen nub.

    I freeze, verifying she is still asleep, but her eyes never flutter, and her heart rate stays the same. My mind conjures images of the shocked faces she¡¯ll make as she wakes up with my cock already inside her, and my knot swells. It¡¯ll get evenrger when it¡¯s locked in her sweet pussy.

    I find myself grinding against her ass as I tease a finger down to test her opening. I¡¯m able to scent her slickness simply by breathing deeply, but having confirmation isn¡¯t a bad thing.

    The way her walls instantly stretch to amodate my finger nearly makes me groan. I grit my teeth and add another digit, doing my best to work my palm over her clit as I fuck her with my hand.

    What I wouldn¡¯t give to be able to roll her over onto her back. At least then I could jerk off as I got her ready. I¡¯d really love to have herpletely nude, so I could stare at her tits. That would also give me a better view of where my fingers disappear inside her.

    Her core clenches, and she grinds over my hand. I stretch around her top half and check her face, but it¡¯s still cid. My shaft jolts against her backside, and I bite my lower lip to keep from growling.

    She¡¯s so peaceful with her darkshes fanning over her cheeks, and I¡¯m fucked up because every cell in my body aches to ruin that contentment. I don¡¯t want her truly afraid of me, but I crave that look of shock as she awakens with no idea what¡¯s happening.

    It¡¯s once again a painstakingly slow process to pull my hand from her core. I¡¯d love to bring my fingers to my lips to suck off every drop of her slick, but I use it to lube my cock.

    The height difference between us bes apparent. I scoot down to get better positioned and work my hand between her thighs, lifting and pulling her leg forward just a bit. I¡¯m quite proud of the fact I think to ce a pillow under that knee, which should help keep her a bit more open.

    I¡¯m just settling behind her once more when she groans, wiggling in her sleep. It perfectly grinds my shaft through her ass cheeks, but I pop my hips back and tten my cock to be able to ess her pussy.

    Perhaps I should feel guilty over how aroused I am by the thought of fucking her awake.

    No.

    That¡¯s silly.

    I have permission, and I intend to take full advantage of it. The idea that she trusts me to care for her and not overstep any of her boundaries, even when she¡¯s unconscious, is what I find so appealing. It proves she¡¯spletely mine.

    Getting my crown lined up at her opening, I loop my forearm around her hip and stretch my fingers down to find her clit. It¡¯s really not that difficult to locate. I¡¯m not sure why so many men seem to make a big deal of it. Although I fully admit, it¡¯s much harder to remember to tease it when I¡¯m overloaded on bliss.

    I ever so slowly thrust inside her warm, wet pussy.

    She¡¯s so snug.

    I still my hips, but my chest heaves, and my body trembles.

    Quincy¡¯s eyes flutter without opening, and I hold my breath as I wait. My fingers twitch, and I give in to the urge to circle her clit. Her mouth parts slightly, and I take that opportunity to pull out and dip back inside her core.

    My nostrils re at the scent of her perfume bursting in the air, and I bring my face close to her throat.

    Could she ept a bond while asleep?

    No, that¡¯s absurd and not worth the risk.

    My tongue darts out, licking over her skin.

    Christ.

    She¡¯s delectable.

    Her inner walls clench around my throbbing shaft as I rake my teeth down her neck. That produces a muffled moan from her lips, and it spurs me on. It takes every ounce of focus I possess to keep my strokes measured, but even then¡­

    She feels too good.

    I find myself mming into her, no longer caring if I wake her, my focus fully on the way her breasts bounce under Ridge¡¯s shirt as I rut deeper.

    ¡°Trigg.¡± A soft hand flies down to cradle mine, which still works her clit. ¡°You¡¯re home.¡±

    ¡°I am,¡± I agree in a breathless tone, but it¡¯s not the house that feels like home.

    It¡¯s Quincy.

    ¡°God, that feels good,¡± she whispers, grinding her hips back to meet mine. ¡°I missed you.¡±

    I tease my tongue back up her throat, nipping at her ear. ¡°Me too, angel.¡±

    The bossy little thing cups my fingers, showing me exactly how to work her clit before clenching her inner walls. I¡¯m unprepared for how intense my pleasure gets as slick drips from her and down around my knot.

    ¡°I¡¯m so close,¡± she says, moaning. ¡°Bite me. Please?¡±

    That¡¯s truly all I¡¯ve been waiting for.

    A low growl rattles from my chest, and I strike her throat just below her ear.

    So many things happen at once, and it bes impossible to focus on one specific thing.

    Her blood bubbles around my canines, and I lick it up like I¡¯m a vampire.

    Quincy¡¯s pussy begins milking my shaft in rhythmic waves that send me over the edge.

    My spine tingles as my balls get tight, and I m as deep as I can get before emptying inside her.

    All of that is secondary to the way her electric scent fills my entire being. It¡¯s not like breathing her smell in from the air. It¡¯s like her scent is inside my mind. Several seconds pass, and I lose my vision as I¡¯m hit with a violent wave of euphoria that isn¡¯t my own.

    That¡¯s Quincy¡¯s orgasm.

    Holy shit.

    She epted my iming bite.

    We¡¯re bonded.

    Only I forgot to give her one of her courting gifts before marking her.

    Jesus Christ. It¡¯s always something. At least she can¡¯t get away from me now, and with a little luck, I¡¯ll learn to be the perfect husband.

    Okay, maybe I¡¯ll need time and practice, but the bond is on my side. From here on out, I¡¯ll have a deep level of insight from the connection that now links our souls together.<hr>

    Quincy bursts into tears the next morning as I fashion the ne around her lithe neck.

    Pure panic rips through my chest as I nce between my packmates, desperately searching for any clue what I¡¯ve done wrong.

    Hartley chuckles, shaking his head.

    Ridge just smirks with a shitty look on his face.

    They¡¯re no fucking help.

    I would have gotten more insight from asking the mutt for assistance.

    Squatting down next to her chair at the table, I pat her thigh. ¡°It¡¯s okay if you hate it. We can pick out another and have it delivered within a few hours.¡±

    Her hand flies up to feel the heart-shaped lock pendant. It¡¯s not a locket. It¡¯s quite literally a lock, and I have the key. It¡¯s a tiny key, which is more symbolic than functional since the ne is removed with a sp rather than a true cor.

    ¡°I love it,¡± Quincy whispers, grabbing a handful of my button-down shirt. She tugs me closer, shoving her lips to mine. It¡¯s a quick kiss. I¡¯m still trying to understand why she¡¯s weepy if she likes the gift when she pulls back, smiling as she catches her breath. ¡°I love you, Trigg.¡±

    My heart thunders, and I cradle her head in my hand. ¡°Thank you. Now it¡¯s time for breakfast.¡±

 : Chapter 48

    I¡¯m grateful when Saylor and Briar show up immediately following the breakfast from hell. Honestly, I¡¯d rather pee myself again than to ever tell someone I love them and have said person respond with thank you.

    I¡¯m so thrown for a loop that I blurt out the details, shoving myself off the couch to pace. The wrapped presents they brought for the makeshift baby shower have been sitting in the corner since the day Ridge was shot. The whole reason they came over was to watch me open them.

    ¡°Okay, that is pretty bad,¡± Saylor says, dropping the gift she was holding and shoving herself off the end of the sectional. ¡°But guys are weird. Maybe he wanted to say it without an audience?¡±

    ¡°Maybe,¡± I concede.

    King lies across the floor, blocking most of my path, so I do an about-face to march back in the opposite direction.

    ¡°Look, you¡¯re bonded,¡± Briar chimes in from her spot on Ridge¡¯s recliner. ¡°That alone shows that he wants to be with you long term.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± It still doesn¡¯t make me any less embarrassed.

    ¡°Are you just really angry, or are we walking through contractions or something?¡± Saylor asks, looping her arm through mine as I continue to pace.

    Iugh. ¡°No, hopefullybor is still over a month away.¡±

    ¡°Oh, good.¡± Saylor smiles, patting my forearm. ¡°I mean, not good that you¡¯re upset, but it¡¯s a good thing you¡¯re not inbor.¡±

    ¡°Wow, you are on Calder-levels ofmunicating,¡± Briar says to Saylor before meeting my eyes. ¡°Are you more upset that he didn¡¯t say it back, or are you embarrassed because you had an audience?¡±

    Ugh.

    It¡¯s definitely the second.

    It slipped right out.

    Being able to feel his emotions in the bond,bined with the beautiful gift that he had been trying to give me for days but was so patient about¡­ It all just umted. I don¡¯t think I¡¯m full-blown, head over heels in love with him yet. The beginning of experiencing that emotion is there, though.

    ¡°I think I should have told him that I¡¯m falling in love with him, not that I love him,¡± I say, stopping dead in my tracks. ¡°I came on way too strongly.¡±

    Briar rolls her eyes. ¡°He bit you. There really isn¡¯t aing on too strong when you¡¯re bonded for life.¡±

    ¡°It does feel a little like semantics,¡± Saylor says.

    ¡°Look, this is just between us, but when Keir and Calder tell me they love me, I feel that emotion through the bond,¡± Briar says. ¡°When Easton says he loves me, all that I pick out is obsession. Maybe possession? Whatever. It doesn¡¯t matter because that¡¯s the feeling he¡¯s experiencing when he thinks of being in love, so to him, that feeling is love.¡± Her lips blow together. ¡°This is harder to describe than I expected, but I think ites down to psychopaths experiencing love differently than we do. Maybe Trigg doesn¡¯t know how to quantify that emotion, and rather than lying to you, he just stayed quiet. It¡¯s very possible that it runs in the family gics.¡±

    ¡°Oh my god, Easton and Trigg are rted!¡± Saylor gasps. ¡°I knew it. It¡¯s all Shaw has talked about for days. He swore they had to be long-lost brothers or something.¡±

    I smile tightly.

    Easton asked me not to mention that.

    Briar spilled the beans, so I wait for her to speak. ¡°Yeah, so I¡¯m not great at keeping secrets. How about gifts? It¡¯s time to open gifts, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    I blink repeatedly.

    I have been a pretty shitty gift receiver. Trigg sent me into a spiral, and I didn¡¯t even open the presents.

    ¡°That would be amazing. Thank you so much for the goodies. I¡¯m sorry I got distracted.¡± I pat Saylor¡¯s arm and head for the couch, but I¡¯m pretty sure the cat is out of the bag with Trigg and Easton and how they¡¯re rted.

    ¡°I¡¯d have a mild meltdown over that too,¡± Saylor says, following me to the couch. ¡°Please say I¡¯m allowed to tell Shaw that he was right because I¡¯m legitimately incapable of keeping something like this a secret.¡±

    Briar sighs. ¡°East is going to spank me over this. I can feel it.¡±<hr>

    The two women went above and beyond with adorable outfits, baby nkets, and a variety of other small things like pacifiers, a thermometer, and baby socks.

    I¡¯m tired by the time they leave, but I¡¯m unsettled. A vague n starts to form in my head. I should hunt down Trigg to see if things are going to be weird between us. Only forcing myself to stand proves harder than I expected. My legs and feet hurt, and I¡¯m generally just not interested in having to move at the moment.

    ¡°Well, you look exceptionally pouty.¡± Ridge grabs the baby stuff, moves it out of the way, and climbs onto the long end of the sectional next to me. He¡¯s still injured, but he lifts his right arm and nts his hand on my stomach.

    I sigh.

    Now I¡¯m even more ufortable.

    Ridge is the only one of the guys I haven¡¯t said I love you to. It¡¯splicated because I do have feelings for him, but I¡¯ve known Hartley a whole lot longer. Or rather, I¡¯ve spent more one-on-one time with Hart.

    Trigg had beening into the diner for weeks before all of this stuff went down¡­ Maybe I did rush to say it too soon.

    I don¡¯t know.

    It would be impossible to exin to someone who hasn¡¯t experienced a bond, but it links two people on a deep emotional and spiritual level. Being able to feel their emotions toward me only seems to heighten my own feelings in response.

    When Trigg gave me the ne, it felt a lot like love was the emotion he was sending in the bond. It lit up my system, and the next thing I knew, I was blurting out the words.

    ¡°Look, I¡¯m not expecting any derations of love,¡± Ridge says, running his giant palm over my stomach. ¡°I¡¯m content to go at our own pace, but if you want to tell my dick you love him, he is a little insecure¡­¡±

    My face burns even hotter.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t resist.¡± He chuckles. ¡°Tell me what I can do to cheer you up.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m okay,¡± I say, and I really am. This is a small hup, and I know that. I¡¯m so ready to feel like my old self again. Pregnancy isn¡¯t easy, and I still have over a month left. Then I¡¯ll be dealing with all the crazy postpartum hormone fluctuations.

    ¡°Can I just preemptively apologize in case I get crazier the longer this pregnancy goes on?¡± I ask, turning to check out his bright aquamarine eyes. ¡°I almost don¡¯t want to admit it, but I¡¯ve heard the few months after shees might actually be worse.¡±

    ¡°Sweetheart.¡± Heughs and rolls onto his side, bringing our faces close together. His expression quickly morphs into a grimace and back to a smile. Dammit. I hate seeing him hurting. ¡°You could amp up the spiciness by two-hundred percent, and you still wouldn¡¯t need to apologize. Pregnancy is rough, mentally and physically. None of us expect you to keep that in. I¡¯m here for you.¡±

    Little crinkles appear next to his eyes as he studies my face, and it only makes him more handsome.

    ¡°That means the world to me.¡± I pull my hand to his cheek, running my fingers over his beard. ¡°I¡¯m so grateful we found each other.¡±

    His face turns serious. ¡°Me too, Mama. Me fucking too.¡±<hr>

    Ridge is incredible. I¡¯ve never met anyone who can make meugh the way he does. Upon noticing the clothes and other baby gifts that I opened from Saylor and Briar, he suggests we tackle some of the boxes in the garage.

    He didn¡¯t just get baby furniture.

    Ridge bought basically everything we could need to bring our daughter home from the hospital. There are boxes of diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream, onesies, sleepers, outfits in multiple sizes, socks, nkets, washcloths, burp rags, and so many other things that my eyes ache.

    King lies next to my thigh on the floor in the nursery. He¡¯s quite a sweet dog, even if he¡¯s gassy and grunty at the weirdest times.

    Getting down here wasn¡¯t the easiest, but getting up will be a whole different world ofplicated. It¡¯s still worth it, though.

    Ridge was the one who rmended organizing everything by age. We put all the newborn and zero-to-three-month stuff in one pile, that way we could pluck off the tags and wash it together. Then we have another smaller pile of three-to-six-month clothing and so on.

    My newly bonded alpha went way overboard with stuff in the smaller sizes, but I don¡¯t have the heart to tell him that she probably won¡¯t even get to wear it all before she outgrows it.

    He¡¯s done everything he can to make this entire transition as easy as possible. I don¡¯t know many men who wouldn¡¯t at least wait for the results of a paternity test, but not Ridge.

    Things really have moved at lightning speed since we found each other, but a huge part of that is not wanting to risk losing him again. I¡¯m sure some people will judge how fast we moved in bonding. I just don¡¯t care what they think. Those people didn¡¯t spend eight months worrying themselves sick with thoughts of what would happen if I never found him again. Combine that with the stress of the shooting and knowing how dangerous his job is, and I had to take drastic measures to ensure he wouldn¡¯t needlessly put his life at risk.

    Even having him here with me, it still makes my chest tight when I think about those months we lost out on.

    Ridge is maic. The more I¡¯m around him, the harder it is to imagine being without him. I¡¯m drawn to who he is as a human being, and more than that, he¡¯s fucking hot. It blows my mind a little to realize I get to keep him forever.

    ¡°You doing okay over there, Mama?¡± he asks, quirking a bushy eyebrow.

    ¡°Uh¡­yeah.¡± I lick my lips, wondering if I would hurt his shoulder if I tackled him.

    Focus dammit.

    He needs time to heal, and we really need to get this stuff done. That way, we won¡¯t have to stress about washing baby clothes or organizing nkets once she¡¯s here.

    Still, I would totally be down for a quickie in theundry room if he wanted to ster my hands to the dryer and fuck into me from behind.

    Ahh, hell.

    Pregnancy hormones are no joke.

    I¡¯m a disaster.

 : Chapter 49

    Trigg and Quincy spend the next several days avoiding each other, but only during the day. At night, Trigg slinks into the pack bedroom to cuddle up to our omega.

    After that, they both act like nothing happened, so I follow their lead. Hartley does the same, and while we haven¡¯t verbally discussed it, it feels like we have some kind of unspoken agreement about not interfering.

    The two of them have to figure that out.

    Okay, when you¡¯re part of a pack, everything is everyone¡¯s business, but I¡¯m not butting in unless one of them asks for my advice. Putting my nose where it doesn¡¯t belong seems like a great way to get one of them mad at me.<hr>

    Dr. Danees by twice more to check on my shoulder, and he¡¯s happy with the way things are looking. Although, he did warn me not to push it.

    I¡¯m able to do some very light cardio, just to keep myself from turning into a sedentary blob, but I hate jogging on the treadmill. If I have to run, I¡¯d much rather do it on the pavement, out in the elements, with a view. With our current circumstances, that¡¯s just not possible.

    I have a decent amount of exercise equipment taking up one of the bays in the garage, and I finally put the thousands of dors¡¯ worth of equipment to good use. There¡¯s a slight possibility that I only took the plunge because Hartley found the weights and rowing machine and started making me look bad when he headed out there for an hour every morning and evening.

    Whatever.

    As much as I hate traveling, being trapped in the house is a different kind of hell entirely.

    It¡¯s a good thing this ce is spacious; otherwise, we probably would have killed each other by now.

    It¡¯s a real mindfuck knowing Costa is still out there, plotting his revenge. I¡¯d think by now he would have gotten bored and headed back to California or Vegas. Then again, I know how patient I¡¯ve been while waiting for a target, and this vendetta is personal. Under any other circumstances, he would have stayed in his territory and waited for one of the contractors toplete the kill.

    Thinking of myself as the kill sends an involuntary shiver down my spine.

    I¡¯m so over this bullshit.<hr>

    The bond says we¡¯re all relieved when Quincy¡¯s next doctor¡¯s appointment rolls around. It gives us a solid excuse to get out of the house, and I¡¯ve been itching to hear the baby¡¯s heartbeat again.

    Since Quincy¡¯s heat-like symptoms settled down significantly after our bonds were in ce, the doctor told us not to worry abouting in the following week for that emergency appointment. Instead, we¡¯re going in for Quincy¡¯s standard thirty-six-week visit.

    It¡¯s fucking wild how fast time flies. In just four short weeks, her due date will be here. I¡¯ve done a lot of research while puttering around the house, and there¡¯s a real possibility the baby mighte even sooner than that. She could also bete.

    We all sleep as a unit in the pack bedroom, and when we can rotate who needs the shower, we get ready in here too. Since we all have to leave at once, they scatter to their own rooms.

    Our omega was the one who brought up that she thought it would be nice for Hartley to have the room Knox was staying in. It just made sense considering Trigg and I have rooms we can retreat to if we want some alone time or to avoid a pileup in the primary bathroom.

    I stayed with her this time, and I head to check on her progress. We still have forty minutes before we have to leave, but I¡¯m hoping I can get her to eat something before we go.

    My head tilts as Quincyes into view. She¡¯s nude, and her right leg is propped up on the edge of the tub. It blows my fucking mind how the female body can grow and change in such a short period of time.

    Her misery hits me in the bond, and I¡¯m not sure if I was preupied and missed it or if she was blocking her emotions froming through.

    She has a can of shaving cream by her foot, and she stretches down, cupping the water drizzling from the tub faucet before dropping it over her leg. She¡¯s wobbly and unbnced these days.

    I don¡¯t want to startle her and cause a fall, so I cross the room, wrapping my hand around her sternum before announcing myself. ¡°Hey, sweetheart.¡±

    ¡°I appreciate that none of you have mentioned that I look like a woolly mammoth, but I can¡¯t reach my cankles anymore.¡± She sniffles.

    Cankles? Iugh.

    Fuck, I can¡¯t help it. She¡¯s too cute.

    ¡°Laugh it up,¡± she mutters. ¡°You guys are the ones fighting through a jungle of bush to find my vagina.¡±

    I shake my head, booming an even louder bout ofughter. ¡°I love the hell out of you. Listen, I¡¯m kinda digging the seventies-style porn bush, but if it bothers you that much, I¡¯m happy to help you shave.¡±

    ¡°Wait, did you just tell me you love me?¡±

    My head tilts. ¡°Yeah, sweetheart. I think I did.¡±

    Her face softens, and she runs her hand over mine that rests on her stomach. ¡°I love you too. I didn¡¯t want to make the mistake of rushing into saying it, but it¡¯s been on the tip of my tongue for a few days.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± I murmur, leaning down and capturing her lips. I keep the kiss quick and yful because we have an appointment to get to, but when I pull back, I end up smiling like a fiend. ¡°All right, want to tackle the legs for now and save the pussy forter? Or do you want me to do both since the doctor might get a view of your goods?¡±

    Sheughs, and my heart soars.

    Pregnancy has been rough on her, especially thest few weeks. I hate seeing her suffer, but I¡¯ll do anything I can to make the process easier.<hr>

    Dr. Lindsay and Quincy debate whether to check Quincy¡¯s cervix. The doc points out that there¡¯s no direct corrtion to dtion and how soon she might deliver, but Quincy is firm about wanting to know, and the doctor has to do something called a Strep B test, anyway.

    I learn something new every day. Then again, I doubt many guys even know something called reverse dtion exists, which is when first-time moms dte only to have a more closed cervix on the next visit.

    Christ.

    I do not need to know anything about that.

    No, that¡¯s shitty.

    I do need to know this kinda stuff. I¡¯m just not sure what I¡¯m supposed to do with this newfound knowledge. Hell, if anyone ever needs to know, I¡¯ll keep that tidbit in my back pocket.

    The nursees in while Dr. Lindsay does whatever she needs to do under the paper sheet, and the three of us stand around looking at anything but what¡¯s going on over there. Once they¡¯re done, the nurse takes the vials and heads out while the doc helps Quincy sit up.

    ¡°You are correct.¡± Dr. Lindsay pulls off her gloves, tossing them into the trash and moving to the sink to wash her hands. ¡°You¡¯re close to two centimeters dted, and your cervix is softening well.¡±

    ¡°I knew thosete-night contractions were doing something,¡± Quincy says, her brows drawing together.

    ¡°Does that mean the baby wille today?¡± Trigg shoves himself out of his chair and begins to pace. ¡°Isn¡¯t it too early?¡±

    ¡°No. Being dted is normal for this stage of her pregnancy,¡± Dr. Lindsay says, drying her hands off on a paper towel. ¡°First-time moms often have several bouts of practice contractions before realbor ramps up. I¡¯ve had patients walk around at three or four centimeters for weeks. Have you toured the hospital yet?¡±

    ¡°I did my pre-admission paperwork a while ago, but we haven¡¯t had the chance to tourbor and delivery,¡± Quincy says.

    Guilt hits me square in the chest.

    Fuck.

    My head shakes as I stare at my boots.

    I forgot to pay the hospital bill, which I told her I would do weeks ago. More than that, we¡¯ve been trapped at home with no end in sight. Doing normal things¡ªlike being able toe to this appointment or tour the hospital¡ªnow requires a full escort with security teams for backup.

    I hate this shit.<hr>

    We make it home safely, but there is some minormotion. One of the teams following us breaks away to check out a vehicle that tailed us for just a little too long.

    Quincy doesn¡¯t notice, and I¡¯m not going to bring it up.

    Trigg is thankfully on the same page.

    The four of us eat together, and Hartley apanies Quincy upstairs for a nap. She¡¯s struggling to sleep soundly at night, and it¡¯s resulted in her taking a nap pretty much every day for thest week.

    I wait until Hartley and Quincy are fully out of sight before focusing on Trigg. He¡¯s got his phone in his hand as he types away at something.

    ¡°Any update on what went down with the vehicle that was following us?¡± I grab the few bites of my burger I saved for King.

    I¡¯ve heard dogs aren¡¯t supposed to have human food, but I can¡¯t say no to the puppy dog eyes. Plus, he¡¯s a gentleman. He may stare and drool, but he knows better than to jump up and try to steal food or to bark while I¡¯m eating.

    King devours the burger and tries to take my fingers off in the process. I chuckle, wiping my hand off on my jeans.

    ¡°Easton believes it was one of the assassin teams responsible for taking the higher bounty, but they got away. Calder is looking into the license te number.¡± Trigg drops his phone on the table, frowning. ¡°Quincy needs to tour the hospital. The inte says the baby coulde at any time. We could not be dealing with this at a worse time.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know, and it¡¯s fucking killing me.¡± My teeth grind together as I try to plot ways to get Costa to make a move. If we could determine where he¡¯s camped out, we could end this in one day.

    ¡°I believe it¡¯s time I kill you just so we can be done with this.¡± A cutting smile crosses Trigg¡¯s face.

    I lean back in my chair. ¡°I want Costa handled, but I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m ready to die to make that a reality.¡±

    He frowns. ¡°I was only joking, even if you did hurt my feelings by refusing my olive branch.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± I ask as my head tilts. ¡°What olive branch?¡±

    ¡°Torturing David. I thought it would be a good bonding exercise for the two of us.¡±

    My eyes widen. ¡°Shit, man. I didn¡¯t mean to leave you hanging. I was beat after all the bullshit with mywyer.¡±

    But then I went upstairs and had a threesome with Quincy and Hart.

    Fuck.

    That was shitty.

    ¡°I believe we should put in effort to form a friendship of our own.¡± Trigg smiles, lookingpletely ufortable. ¡°For Quincy¡¯s sake, of course.¡±

    ¡°For Quincy¡¯s sake.¡± I snort. ¡°You know, I¡¯ve known your half brother for eight years, and that fucker still refuses to call me a friend.¡± Iugh. ¡°But in all seriousness, I¡¯m sorry I hurt you?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll live,¡± he says, cutting me off.

    ¡°Nah, don¡¯t do that.¡± I shake my head. ¡°If I hurt your feelings, say that. I¡¯ll do better next time, and I agree, I think it¡¯s important the three of us build friendships. We need to be a real family and not just tolerating each other to avoid hurting Quincy.¡±

    He nods.

    ¡°Now, admit you held me up in the ultrasound because we¡¯re friends and not because it would have been traumatic for Quincy if I passed out.¡± I crack a smile.

    ¡°You truly are insufferable.¡± Trigg sighs. ¡°But you¡¯re right, I didn¡¯t want you to injure yourself. Now, I have to go upstairs and make a n of how best to kill you.¡±

    Iugh.

    Man, he really is just like Easton, but strangely, more tolerable.

 : Chapter 50

    No one is particrly happy with me when I take matters into my own hands, but it¡¯s been three days since Quincy¡¯s doctor¡¯s appointment. We haven¡¯t had any other progress on ending Costa, and something had to be done.

    If Ridge¡¯s motto is, ¡°It¡¯s always motherfucking something,¡± mine is, ¡°It¡¯s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to ask for permission.¡±

    Quincy shouldn¡¯t have to worry about being attacked on the way to the hospital or, even worse, once she¡¯s inside recovering.

    While I have a code that ensures I would never stoop low enough to attack a target in a medical facility, I do not have that same level of confidence in the other contract workers who have taken the job to end Ridge¡¯s life.

    Costa must be handled immediately.

    Once he¡¯s dead, there will be no one left to pay out the contract, meaning the other teams will move on to wherever they see dor signs next. They certainly won¡¯t pick up the mantle to kill Ridge out of respect for Costa¡¯s dying wish.

    Easton is whatever one step past furious is when I call to let him know I confirmed Ridge¡¯s kill in the system. It¡¯s almost like I can feel the veins of his forehead poking out from here. Too bad it¡¯s not a video call. That could be humorous to witness.

    I truly can¡¯tprehend why he¡¯s so angry about my decision to burn the King of Hearts persona. I¡¯m the one who spent the better part of ten years curating that 99.1% kill rating.

    If nothing else, it will lull Costa into a false sense of security. He has no idea about my connection to Shadow Security, meaning he¡¯ll believe I¡¯m incentivized toplete the trade without incident.

    Otherwise, I won¡¯t get paid.

    Little does he know, the money won¡¯t save him. His minions took a shot at my very pregnant girlfriend. They¡¯ve tried to kill me and my packmates multiple times.

    Enough is enough.

    I¡¯m not going to apologize for doing what had to be done. We have an appointment to view the hospital on Monday. It¡¯s now Thursday night. That means we have less than three days to eradicate Costa Maloney.

    I want him dead before Quincy steps out of the house again, so Easton, Ridge, and whoever else they¡¯d like to have watching our backs at the swap had better clear their schedules this weekend.

    Of course, I¡¯m not actually nning to kill Ridge to deliver his head as proof of the contract beingpleted, but David has been rotting away in Easton¡¯s torture dungeon for weeks.

    It¡¯s finally time we put him to good use.

    Quincy and I have had many conversations since my ill-timed thank you after her deration of love. It was awkward the first day or two, but she¡¯s warmed back up to me since.

    I¡¯m hoping my news will soften her toward me even morepletely, and I don¡¯t hesitate to invite myself in as she soaks in the tub in the pack bedroom.

    She¡¯s been having bouts of contractions and on-and-off lower back pain. The jets in the tub seem to lessen some of her difort, and her doctor¡¯s office assured us that baths are fine, even while she¡¯s dted.

    That onlysts until her water breaks. Though once that happens, I imagine we¡¯ll be on the way to the hospital.

    The warm water sshes around my back and arms as I settle across from her. I keep my legs on the outside of hers since mine are longer, and it¡¯s the only way that I¡¯ll fit. This would be more enjoyable if I were to settle behind her, but I don¡¯t want to block her ess to the jets if she decides to flip them on again.

    Her head tilts, a slow smile crossing her face. ¡°I always forget how different you look without your sses.¡±

    ¡°Am I more handsome this way?¡± I grin. ¡°I could look into contacts or LASIK.¡±

    Sheughs. ¡°You¡¯re always handsome. You don¡¯t need to change a thing.¡±

    I lick my lips, studying what she¡¯s projecting through our connection. ¡°Can I ask what that emotion is?¡±

    Quincy¡¯s face morphs into confusion. ¡°In the bond?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Happiness?¡± She shrugs. ¡°Love? Somebination of the two. I don¡¯t know. I was thinking how cute you are, and how grateful I am to have you. So yeah, probably happiness and love.¡±

    My mouth goes dry, and I stretch forward, cupping her cheek in my palm. ¡°I care deeply about you, Quincy. It¡¯s hard for me to express my emotions. Often because when I feel something, it doesn¡¯t corrte to how others exin experiencing the same emotion.¡±

    She pulls her hand from the water and cradles mine. ¡°That¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t need to change any part of yourself for me to ept you. I love you just the way you are.¡±

    She¡¯s far too good for me, but she makes me want to be worthy of the love she so freely gives.

    ¡°That¡¯s not to say that I don¡¯t love you, I¡¯ve just never experienced that emotion romantically.¡±

    ¡°When you¡¯re sure, say it then.¡± She smiles, running her fingers over mine. ¡°I don¡¯t have to hear you say it. I can feel your affection in the bond. That¡¯s much more important to me than hearing the words.¡±

    I nod.

    All of that sounds reasonable.

    ¡°I do love you, angel. The baby too,¡± I say, staring into her big blue eyes.

    ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°Oh, good.¡± Then why did she seem angry with me? Perhaps I¡¯ll never know. I am relieved things seem to have returned to normal between us, but dealing with others is always confusing. ¡°Can I ask, do you have any solid feelings about what you¡¯d like to do with your grandmother¡¯s house?¡±

    Quincyughs. ¡°That¡¯s kinda out of left field. Why?¡±

    I sigh, releasing her cheek and settling back against the edge of the tub. ¡°The night I retrieved your extra belongings from your home, I ran into Pete. He was very insistent about his offer, but I was hoping you might sell it to me.¡±

    ¡°Um, you¡¯re not allowed to live separately from the rest of us, so don¡¯t even ask.¡± She jabs a short finger at me.

    ¡°The thought never crossed my mind,¡± I tell her truthfully. ¡°However, I¡¯m going to need a new source of passive ie. I believe it could be turned into a bed-and-breakfast easily enough, or it could be used for short-term rentals.¡±

    ¡°Did you forget how packed it is?¡± She leans back against the other edge of the tub and pushes the button for the jets. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s full of old-people stuff, but all of that would have to be emptied if I sold it to anyone else.¡± She shrugs, wiggling as the water begins to spray against her back. ¡°I hate to take your money, though. If you want to keep it and use it, I¡¯ll just give it to you.¡±

    If she had any idea how much money I have stashed away in multiple different banks in a variety of countries, she wouldn¡¯t make that offer. I suppose it¡¯s irrelevant since we¡¯re bonded. What¡¯s mine is hers.

    I just need to get that ring on her finger and the packmitment paperwork filed.

    ¡°You running a bed-and-breakfast?¡± Quincyughs. ¡°I kind of love the imagery of that.¡±

    If I hire the proper staff, I think I can ensure it¡¯s a low-effort endeavor. I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll lose money at first, but it¡¯s more of a need to show some kind of ie on my future tax returns. And if it ends up being an unwise investment, I can always sell it in a few years.

    ¡°These jets are incredible.¡± She moans, catching my attention. My cock perks up. ¡°But I¡¯m turning wrinkly. Are you ready to get out?¡±

    I nod, but I have one more piece of business to address. ¡°Ridge and I will be away for several hours tonight. Omen and Valor n to bring Saylor over to keep you and Hartleypany.¡±

    Costa took his sweet time¡ªtwenty-six hours to be exact¡ªto reply to my message, but he agreed to my suggested meeting location. He was quite haughty, and he made it clear that he didn¡¯t care if I had other Saturday night ns. He stated he would be at the warehouse at eleven p.m. If I wasn¡¯t avable at his chosen time or if I didn¡¯t show up, he would decline payment via the website.

    That can¡¯t happen because it would once again list Ridge¡¯s contract as active.

    ¡°And after tonight, things will go back to normal?¡± She looks so damn hopeful, and it makes me despise Maloney even more.

    ¡°Yes, love. Costa will no longer be a problem after tonight.¡± I just have to kill off the professional persona that I spent nearly ten years building to make it happen, but that¡¯s a small price to pay to give Quincy the guarantee of safety.<hr>

    ¡°Just, ya know, don¡¯t die,¡± was not afortingst sentence for Ridge to say to me before he split off to stay with Calder in themand van.

    Technically speaking, it was sound advice, but isn¡¯t there a phrase in theater about ¡°breaking a leg?¡± So if he truly wanted to be helpful, he would have said something like, ¡°Get yourself killed.¡±

    Christ.

    I¡¯m overthinking everything since Quincy came into the picture. Either way, I won¡¯t be dying tonight.

    Keir is my partner for this exchange that will end in a bloodbath. He drives the car into the warehouse, and I begin to wonder what the building was used for before it became old and dpidated.

    The bay openings arerge enough for a semi-truck to pull in with a storage container on its tbed, but that¡¯s convenient since it allows us to drive inside.

    Not that the car will give us any additional cover, but hopefully it will allow for a faster exit.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget your mask,¡± I murmur to Keir as he puts the vehicle in park.

    The SUV that must house Costa and his men is a few feet away, but the windows are tinted, making it impossible to tell how many individuals might be inside.

    He demanded Ie alone, but Easton wanted someone else ¡°boots on the ground¡± with me. Even as I appraise the scaffolding, I can¡¯t make out the snipers that are meant to be watching our backs. That¡¯s a good thing, though, as it indicates Costa won¡¯t be able to spot them either.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Keir replies. ¡°I¡¯ll retrieve the head from the trunk.¡±

    Nodding, I unbuckle my seat belt and toss the passenger door open. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯ll be waiting by the hood.¡±

    Although Keir and I had a moment of mutual distaste outside of his office when Quincy and Ridge bonded, I can appreciate him as a partner.

    It¡¯s time Costa Maloney became an issue of the past.<hr>

    The three faces of the men who approach with Costa are familiar. They¡¯re the ones I gged as being in town, which is a solid reminder that I¡¯m good at what I do.

    ¡°I told you toe alone,¡± Costa says as hees to a stop five feet away.

    ¡°I work alone.¡± I shove my sses up, gesturing to Keir as hees around the front of the vehicle. ¡°However, I don¡¯t conduct face-to-face transactions without backup. You felt the need toe four deep to a hand off. I brought one associate.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve got a vehicle approaching,¡± Calder says through my earpiece. ¡°One SUV iing with¡­ One, two, three¡­could be more guys. It¡¯s impossible to tell with how dark the windows are.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll check it out,¡± Ridge says.

    ¡°Fuck no,¡± Easton growls in response. ¡°I¡¯m circling the building to appraise the threat.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s already climbing out of the van,¡± Calder says, and we can hear evidence of that over the feed.

    Jesus Christ.

    Ridge is still healing.

    That pain in the ass.

    Now I need to conduct this business quickly so I can get out there and ensure he doesn¡¯t die when I promised Quincy I would keep him alive.

    ¡°All right, let me see it.¡± Costa rocks on his heels, shoving his hands into his pockets. ¡°The transfer won¡¯t proceed until I give my ountant the go-ahead.¡±

    ¡°The package,¡± I say to Keir, holding out a hand.

    It¡¯s more like a small stic bin with a box and wrapping inside.

    It does contain a head.

    That head just belongs to David.

    It seemed fitting to serve Costa the severed head of one of his minions, but I¡¯m grateful that I wasn¡¯t the one who handled the beheading. It¡¯s messy and gruesome, no matter what steps you take to try to prevent a grisly oue.

    ¡°I swear to fucking Christ, I¡¯m going to shank you myself if you step around that goddamn wall before I¡¯m at your side,¡± Easton hisses through my earpiece. ¡°Leo, if you can provide us with coverage from your position, I wouldn¡¯t turn it down.¡±

    It¡¯s quite difficult to keep my face cid, but Keir steps forward, shoving the container at me.

    ¡°It would require a one-eighty turn, and I¡¯m in Costa¡¯s line of sight, but there is a window. I can make it work if you give me thirty seconds,¡± Leo whispers.

    Well, they clearly need the backup more than we do. Which means I need to have Costa and his associates firmly focused on me so Leo can swap his location without being noticed.

    I stride across the concrete, handing the box off to Costa. His team gets twitchy, but I don¡¯t retreat. ¡°Open it. Verify and approve it. I¡¯ve already been in town for an additional day simply waiting for you. I have other assignments that require my attention.¡±

    More arguinges over thems feed, but I¡¯m hyperfocused on watching Costa as I pop the buttons on my suit coat.

    He tilts his head down, undoes the sp on the bin, and reaches inside.

    ¡°Say hello to David,¡± I murmur, grabbing the knife under my left shoulder. David is the code word for the action to happen. The sound of bullets whizzing through the air is an excellent backdrop as Costa pulls David¡¯s head free of the box. His face betrays his confusion for a half second before I slide the de over his throat and bury it into his heart.

    Pulling my foot up, I connect with his knee and shove him backward. The de falls free, and I pivot to assess the situation, but the three men he brought with him are down.

    Well.

    Now I¡¯m just holding a bloody knife. I bend down and wipe the de off on Costa¡¯s thigh. My glove must have some stter, but the ck material hides it well.

    If this were any normal kill, I would leave a King of Hearts ying card with his body and take a picture as confirmation to supply as proof the job had beenpleted.

    The ying card became my calling card at my mentor¡¯s goading after missing the heart on my first real contract. Even from the grave, he continued to taunt me about my greatest failure. It¡¯s been many years since then. If nothing else, it became a convenient way for others to confirm one of my kills.

    ¡°All five on the exterior are down,¡± Leo says through the earpiece.

    ¡°Costa and his three guests are too,¡± Keir says. I can hear it both in person and as an echo through my earpiece.

    ¡°You guys didn¡¯t even need me,¡± Shaw says, chuckling. ¡°One of my bullets hit, but Keir was on it.¡± Thest few words ring with more of his slight country ent.

    ¡°Is Ridge okay?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Yeah, but East is currently ripping him a new asshole for breaking protocol,¡± Calder says, distractedly. I exhale in pure relief. ¡°All right, everyone rally at the van. The cleanup crew is ten minutes out.¡±

    ¡°Are we bringing the car or leaving it?¡± I ask Keir.

    ¡°I think we¡¯re riding out with the others in the van, but Easton can tell us once he¡¯s no longer verbally eviscerating your packmate,¡± Keir says, ripping off his mask.

    I nod.

    Whatever gets us out of here the fastest is the method I would like to take. I have an omega to snuggle with.<hr>

    Our post-op briefing makes it clear the second vehicle that joined us after my meeting with Costa began was filled with one of the other teams that took the higher bounty. Luckily, they weren¡¯t expecting a sniper, Easton, and Ridge to pick them off while they were still in the process of exiting the vehicle.

    By the time we decontaminate and make it home, Quincy and Hartley are asleep. Ridge and I break off for separate showers, but I help him bandage his shoulder before we fight to see who can make it to the bed the fastest.

    I¡¯m just a second quicker, so I take Quincy¡¯s front.

    Ridge can snuggle with Hartley.

    ¡°You¡¯re home. Thank God.¡± Our little omega¡¯s eyes pop open as soon as I¡¯m situated. ¡°Where¡¯s Ridge? Did you handle the problem?¡±

    ¡°We did,¡± I assure her, brushing her hair back from her face.

    ¡°Right here, Mama.¡± Ridge stretches an arm over Hartley and cradles her stomach. ¡°We¡¯re free. Get some rest.¡±

    ¡°d you¡¯re both alive,¡± Hartley mumbles. ¡°Sleep now. Tell us what happened in the morning.¡±

 : Chapter 51

    The hospital has a certain scent to it that clings to us even after we leave. The tour was uneventful, but I think we all feel better knowing what to expect.

    Quincy swore she didn¡¯t need one of the birthing nests, and Ridge still sprang for the upgrade. If he didn¡¯t, Trigg or I would have pushed for it just in case.

    Our sweet omega is pretty low maintenance, but giving birth is one of those times in life when she should be pampered. If she decides she doesn¡¯t want it when the timees, that¡¯s fine. The main thing is, it¡¯ll be an option if she does want to take advantage of it.<hr>

    It¡¯s strange being able to walk around without fear, but we¡¯re all grateful Costa is no longer a threat, and no one is actively trying to kill us.

    This party was thrown togetherst minute, and Quincy seems exceptionally confused as we guide her into the restaurant. Her face lights up when she spots Sutton talking to Saylor and Briar, and she releases my hand to beeline for the women.

    With how pregnant she is, it¡¯s more of a determined waddle. She¡¯s always cute, though.

    Trigg is probably daydreaming about turkey club sandwiches, but my palms are sweaty for a different reason. Her fingers have been swelling recently, meaning she might not be able to wear our ring, but we all want to get the packmitment paperwork started before the babyes.

    There¡¯s no guarantee our application will be approved before the baby arrives, but if it is, we can all sign the birth certificate. Even if it¡¯s not officially processed, I¡¯ll feel better knowing that if, God forbid, something happened to Quincy and Ridge, Trigg and I would legally have custody of the baby.

    It¡¯s a grim possibility that I would like to never have to think about again, which is why it¡¯s so important we get the paperwork going in the system.

    Harrison and his omega, Sasha, stand near the counter, and my brother waves when he spots us. I wave back and follow Quincy. He¡¯ll greet us soon, but I know my brother well enough to understand that he¡¯ll wait for us to say hello to everyone else first.

    The entire right side of the restaurant is one long corridor of booths and tables that¡¯s set up just for us. The tables in the middle are lined with food tters¡ªburgers, chicken strips, fries, onion rings, and even a mound of Trigg¡¯s favorite, the turkey club.

    ¡°Ready to do this?¡± Ridge asks, tossing his arm around my shoulder.

    I nod.

    ¡°As soon as Quincy can be pried away from Sutton.¡± Trigg tugs at his cor. ¡°That hostess better not rat me out.¡±

    Ridge booms augh while I just blink.

    Seriously, how did I end up in a pack with these two? Oh yeah, I really love the shit out of Quincy, and I have no idea how it happened, but Ridge and Trigg are actually growing on me.<hr>

    ¡°Hey, sweetheart,e talk to us for a minute,¡± Ridge says, wrapping his forearm around Quincy¡¯s lower back and leading her over to where Trigg and I stand.

    Harrison and Sasha have my phone to record the moment, but I also see devices in Knox¡¯s grip as well as Saylor¡¯s. Hopefully that means we¡¯ll get a couple solid views of this monumental event.

    Quincy and Ridgee to a stop, and her eyes dart between me and Trigg. I¡¯m sure she can feel that something is up in the bond.

    ¡°I think we¡¯re waiting on you.¡± Ridge nods at me.

    Right.

    Fucking Trigg wouldn¡¯t let me hold the ring, so I get to do the asking while Ridge holds her up in case she gets wobbly.

    ¡°You know how much we love you. Right, beautiful?¡± I clear my throat and awkwardly rub my hands together. She nods, and I go on. ¡°Good. We were thinking maybe you¡¯d like to get hitched before the babyes?¡±

    ¡°How I ended up in a pack with these two, I¡¯ll never understand.¡± Trigg hits a knee, holding up the obscenelyrge ring.

    If he had asked my opinion, I would have told him it¡¯s way too big for Quincy.

    She¡¯s not about shy things.

    Her shock hits the bond, quickly followed by her excitement.

    Huh.

    Maybe I read that wrong.

    ¡°Congrattions, angel. We¡¯re getting married.¡± Trigg plucks the ring out of the box and unceremoniously shoves it onto her finger.

    ¡°I think we were supposed to wait for her to say yes,¡± I mutter, scratching my cheek.

    Ridge snorts and grabs Quincy¡¯s hand. ¡°She said yes!¡±

    The crowd erupts, and I chuckle, shaking my head. She absolutely did not say yes, but whatever¡­ We weren¡¯t going to let her get away.

 : Epilogue

    The bond is a gift when Quincy doesn¡¯t feel like speaking, and this contraction means business. Dr. Lindsay wasn¡¯t joking when she mentioned Quincy could walk around dted for several weeks. Today marks thirty-eight weeks and five days, and I¡¯d bet my left nut that this is activebor.

    Not that I¡¯m particrly fond of my balls at the moment. First of all, they get shooting pains every single time a contraction ravages the bond. And secondly, they¡¯re at least partially responsible for the pain Quincy is now experiencing every five minutes.

    Her nails dig into my forearm, and she stops dead in her tracks on the way to the bathroom. She groans, swaying from side to side.

    Dammit.

    I¡¯d do just about anything to be able to trade ces with her. ¡°Can I help in any way?¡±

    ¡°By not talking,¡± she grumbles. ¡°Let¡¯s just have quiet time for right now.¡±

    I nod.

    Message received, loud and clear.

    Today has been brutal.

    She¡¯s thrown up twice and dealt with a stomach ache on and off all afternoon, but the mild difort ramped up to significant pain once the sun went down.

    ¡°Car is packed,¡± Hart says, jogging into the room. ¡°Trigg called the office to let them know the contractions areing?¡ª¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re all being quiet while I breathe through the pain,¡± Quincy hisses.

    I nod like a total suck up, and Hart shoots me a what the hell? kinda look. Yeah, I probably should have warned him, but then I would have been the one who got in trouble.

    I¡¯m already at the top of her shit list because I¡¯m the one who impregnated her.

    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go,¡± Quincy says as the contraction starts to ease. ¡°I have to pee so bad, which makes no sense since I peed two contractions ago.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mama. The baby books said this would happen due to all the pressure down there.¡± I help her waddle to the bathroom and say a prayer that she doesn¡¯t hate me after giving birth.<hr>

    Trigg maintains a level of calm that I¡¯m extremely envious of. It feels like the world is on fire, and I really wish Quincy would just say enough is enough and get the fucking epidural.

    I keep my mouth firmly closed about that because it¡¯s her body, but it¡¯s eating away at my soul to watch her suffer.

    Hartley stands behind her as she bounces on the birthing ball, and I pace the floor bare. The nurse has been in and out, but she pops back in, rubbing her hands together with what I assume is hand sanitizer.

    She moves to grab gloves and smiles at Quincy. ¡°How are we doing? Baby¡¯s heart rate looks good on the portable monitors?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to be checked, please,¡± Quincy says, nodding. ¡°I changed my mind. I want an epidural if I can still get it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m happy to check you,¡± the nurse says. ¡°I do want to mention that if you get the epidural, you have to stay in bed. It¡¯s for safety reasons, but it¡¯s hard to be up moving around with a catheter, anyway.¡±

    Why the hell is she trying to talk Quincy out of the epidural? Okay, maybe she¡¯s just giving her the information, but I have to fight the urge to shush her.

    Give my woman the good drugs.

    Trigg strides over and squats down in front of Quincy. ¡°Can I help you up, love?¡±

    ¡°Yep, and let¡¯s move fast,¡± Quincy says. ¡°I really don¡¯t want to miss the window for the epidural.¡±

    Oh, thank God.<hr>

    ¡°Are you doing okay, Dad?¡± the new nurse asks me as Quincy pushes through another contraction.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m solid.¡± I¡¯ve got hold of her left leg while Trigg manages the right. That psychopath has not looked away from the danger zone once, but I¡¯m trying to split my attention between Quincy¡¯s face and what¡¯s going on down there.

    ¡°Okay, take a seat if that changes,¡± the first nurse says. ¡°It¡¯s always the big guys who hit the floor, and we aren¡¯t going to leave Mom to help you.¡±

    Well, that¡¯s a good thing.

    Their focus should be on her.

    ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Quincy,¡± Dr. Lindsay says.

    ¡°You really are,¡± Hart chokes out. He¡¯s up by Quincy¡¯s head, holding her hand. From how white his knuckles are, I¡¯m going to guess she¡¯s squeezing the ever-loving shit out of him.

    The contraction slowly dissipates, and Quincy¡¯s head falls back against the hospital bed. She¡¯s exhausted, but in much better spirits since the epidural. Shebored all night and through the morning. It¡¯s almost four in the afternoon, and none of us has slept.

    I¡¯m running on pure adrenaline, but the bond says Quincy is beat. Every time I think the baby¡¯s head is about to pop out, it scoots back in. I also read first-time moms sometimes push for hours, so I think she¡¯s crushing this whole giving-birth thing.<hr>

    Several more pushes produce limited results, but there is a little more progress, even if it¡¯s a small amount.

    It¡¯s baffling to me how Trigg can watch without ncing away. I peek when the exciting stuff is happening, but it feels rude to stare. Everything is swollen and bloody, and it looks painful as fuck.

    I¡¯d get shot all over again if it meant Quincy didn¡¯t have to go through this. The only thing keeping me going is knowing we¡¯ll meet our daughter soon. Guilt still threatens to eat me alive, though. Not only did she spend eight months doing everything alone, but now every bit of this is on her shoulders as well.

    Another contraction begins, and Quincy¡¯s face turns red as she pushes.

    ¡°That¡¯s it, Quincy. Just like that,¡± Dr. Lindsay says. ¡°You¡¯re doing great.¡±

    My jaw falls as the baby¡¯s head pops out, turning to the side. She has a head full of dark hair, just like me and Quincy. She¡¯s also bloody and gooey, but Dr. Lindsay pats around her head.

    Everything bes background noise, and on the next contraction, the baby¡¯s shoulders pop out.

    My eyes fly from the baby to Quincy, but Hartley cradles her cheeks in his hands as he whispers something. I¡¯m so out of it that I can¡¯t make out whatever he said.

    It feels like I¡¯m in a tunnel.

    ¡°Don¡¯t pass out. I won¡¯t be able to save you,¡± Trigg says, giving me a serious look.

    The doctor ces the baby on Quincy¡¯s chest to clean her off, and I¡¯m so distracted that I ignore the nurse the first time she speaks.

    ¡°I can take over here,¡± she says again. ¡°Go check on your wife and daughter.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± I say as the baby starts to wail.

    My knees shake at the sound. That¡¯s a good sign, right?

    I¡¯m out of it as I stagger the few feet to Quincy¡¯s head.

    ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you,¡± I choke out and promptly burst into tears.

    Hartley holds his phone, taking pictures.

    Trigg appears on her other side, and he doesn¡¯t hesitate to stretch out a hand to pat the baby¡¯s back.

    My system is too overloaded to know what to do or who to focus on, but I¡¯m just thankful I haven¡¯t passed out.

    Leaning over the railing, I run my fingers over Quincy¡¯s cheek. ¡°I love you so fucking much. Can you believe it? We made a whole tiny person.¡±

    Sheughs, even though she looks exhausted. ¡°Love you too, but for the record, she didn¡¯t feel tiny. Do giant heads run in your family?¡±

    I bark augh.

    Yeah, now that I think about it, they probably do.

    I¡¯m really fucking lucky that Trigg is an unrepentant stalker. I never would have recovered from missing this.<hr>

    There are very few times when I wish we had a fourth guy in our pack, but it would make splitting shifts easier.

    Trigg cuts the umbilical cord, and he and Hartley apany the baby to the nursery while I stay with Quincy.

    The way this hospital is set up, if you opt for a birthing nest, you have to swap to a different room after giving birth. Quincy didn¡¯t want to go that route, meaning we get to stay in the same room for the rest of her postpartum stay.

    I wonder if they¡¯ll refund me the difference since we didn¡¯t end up using one of the nests? Damn. Maybe Easton is right. I am cheap.

    Quincy¡¯s first trip to the bathroom is rough, but the massaging of her stomach that the nurse does after might actually be worse. Her pain filters through the bond, and it¡¯s at contraction levels.

    The nurse gives Quincy her pain meds, asks her a bunch of questions, and finally leaves.

    I hover near the edge of the bed, unsure of what to say or what to do.

    Quincy reaches out and grabs my wrist. ¡°Cuddle with me?¡±

    Nodding, I lower the bed rail and climb onto the bed next to her. It¡¯s a slow process because I¡¯m terrified of hurting her, but once I get settled, she scoots over and rests her head on my chest.

    ¡°How are you?¡± I ask, my voiceing out weirdly raspy.

    Sheughs weakly. ¡°I¡¯m hanging in there. What I really need is for Hart and Trigg to bring the baby back. I hate having her out of my line of sight.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I agree. ¡°But at least we know they¡¯ve got her. Have any opinions on names yet?¡±

    ¡°Maybe.¡±

    I tilt my head down, kissing her forehead. ¡°Oh yeah? I¡¯m all ears.¡±

    She shrugs. ¡°I was really stuck on Valley for a while, but Ridge and Valley¡­ I¡¯m not sure that would work, especially if we have more kids. I found Camdyn the other night, and it also means valley without being so tant about it, but I like Meadow too.¡±

    My heart races. ¡°So you don¡¯t hate me and would possibly be open to having more kids one day?¡±

    ¡°Of course I don¡¯t hate you.¡± She ps my chest. ¡°I love you, even when you¡¯re being a pain in the ass. And I don¡¯t know. I mean, give me more than two hours to recover from thest kid, but yeah, I think I¡¯d be open to having more children.¡±

    ¡°I love you, sweetheart.¡± I break out into a wicked grin. ¡°Well, in that case, I¡¯m down with whatever name you like best. Camdyn is adorable. Cam makes for a great nickname. Meadow is sweet. It would be fitting.¡±

    Basically, this goes back to not being able to deny her anything. She just pushed out an eight-pound, twenty-inch baby with my eyes and Quincy¡¯s nose. I¡¯d give her legitimately anything she asked for.

    ¡°Camdyn is perfect,¡± she whispers.

    I¡¯m still not sure what I did in life to deserve her, but I¡¯m really fucking grateful for the universe¡¯s mistake.<hr><h2 id="id__798_117_" ss="heading_s1">Hartley</h2>

    Ididn¡¯t know it was possible to fall in love at first sight.

    Camdyn proved how wrong I was. One look at her tiny, upturned nose, chubby cheeks, and bright blue eyes, and I was done for.

    I¡¯ve taken so many pictures over thest twenty-four hours that I¡¯m going to have to transfer them to a memory card and copy them to the cloud as soon as we get home.

    I drop my phone next to my thigh and pat Camdyn¡¯s back. She just got done with a bottle, meaning it¡¯s time to burp. I just had to grab a few pictures with her little lips pushed together and her eyes looking milk drunk.

    Quincy tried breastfeeding during her golden hour, but she quickly admitted that she didn¡¯t feel like it was for her. One of the nurses tried to prod her into trying again, which I put a quick stop to. The most important thing is that Camdyn is fed, and this actually makes it easier for us to help out with feedings. If she changes her mind that¡¯s one thing, but I don¡¯t want her to feel pressured one way or the other.

    Quincy has been in good spirits, but bathroom trips are still rough, and we can feel every bit of her pain echo in the bond. She waddles out and jabs a finger at Ridge. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, I¡¯d be twenty-five percent better off if you didn¡¯t pass on your ¡®big-headed¡¯ gics.¡±

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t help with that, but I¡¯ve heard kisses help you feel twenty-five percent better.¡± He snorts and saunters over, bending low and kissing her.

    She melts into his chest, all her ire apparently forgotten.

    ¡°I bet you won¡¯t scoff next time when I offer to help with perineal massage,¡± Trigg says, like he has a death wish.

    Quincyughs, pulling back from her kiss with Ridge. She spins around, but rather than sporting a look that should melt the skin from his bones, she smiles. ¡°Never change, Trigg.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so damn lucky that she likes your brand of quirky.¡± I snort.

    He nods. ¡°I know.¡± He reaches over, running his fingers over the back of Camdyn¡¯s head. ¡°What I can¡¯t believe is that we made such a beautiful baby.¡±

    I grin, shaking my head.

    He¡¯s weird as shit, but he grows on you.

    The more time we spend as a family, the more I actually like the guy. Once our bonds were in ce, the rivalry between the three of us fizzled. Being able to experience Quincy¡¯s emotions toward them probably helped, but building genuine friendships with Trigg and Ridge has been one of the more rewarding parts of pack life so far.

    We might bepletely different people, but our love for Quincy brought us together. And now we get to fall in love all over again with Camdyn as we learn to be fathers.<hr>

    ¡°I get it, Nugget,¡± I coo down at Camdyn as we pace around the nursery at three or four a.m. ¡°I¡¯d be angry too. You just have to get it all out before I can change you.¡±

    I chuckle to myself as my head shakes. Ridge is never going to live that nightmare down. He went to change her diaper a little too soon and when he stretched over to grab some wipes¡­ It was brutal. A whole projectile poop that covered his arm and half the wall next to the changing table.

    Over thest six weeks, I¡¯ve been peed on twice and had her spit up in my mouth once. Neither seems as bad as what happened to Ridge.

    Not only was it a nightmare to clean up, but I couldn¡¯t stopughing long enough to take over with the baby.

    Quincy just shook her head and told Ridge to get in the shower. I did help clean up the aftermath, though.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen what you eat, child,¡± I murmur, swaying around as I pat her back. ¡°I¡¯m still confused how you convert that into whates out the other side.¡±

    ¡°Has she been like this all night?¡± Trigg asks, appearing in the doorway.

    ¡°Wide awake?¡± I raise a hand and swivel it side to side. ¡°She¡¯s slept on and off, but hardly any consistent stretches. As long as you¡¯re up and moving, she¡¯s pretty content. Or she was before this diaper.¡±

    His nose wrinkles. ¡°Yes, well, you handle that. I¡¯ll prepare a bottle, and once you¡¯ve addressed that diaper¡ªit technically happened on your shift¡ªI¡¯ll be back to take over.¡±

    I almost snort.

    For being sofortable with blood and gore, he¡¯s a big giant baby when ites to changing shitty diapers.

    ¡°All right, littledy. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re happier with a clean bottom.¡± I stride over, cing her down on the changing table.

    Her little arms il, and I grin, bending over to nuzzle my nose to hers. Being a parent is tough, but it¡¯s the most rewarding experience of my life. I can¡¯t wait to see how much more personality she has as she grows. And if we¡¯re lucky, maybe we can add another kiddo or two to the mix.<hr><h2 id="id__798_118_" ss="heading_s1">Trigg</h2>

    Four Years Later

    The feminine energy in our house is now tied with the masculine. While Quincy and Camdyn were outnumbered for a while, Lindee evened the ying field. Well, I suppose King tips the scale to our side, but that mutt is evenzier in his old age than he was a few years ago.

    We¡¯ve had exactly zero luck with having a boy. We¡¯re three for three on littledies or we will be once the new baby arrives.

    Quincy is currently eight months pregnant with baby number three, which keeps to our standard of having a baby about every two years.

    While Ridge and Hartley had no clear preference on knowing paternity for Lindee, I feltpelled to know.

    We¡¯ve always known Camdyn is biologically Ridge¡¯s.

    Hartley fathered Lindee.

    And that meant I got my try for a boy this time.

    It didn¡¯t work out how I nned. But rather than push for a fourth child, I¡¯ve opted to very quietly start training the girls. Having a boy who could look out for them would be nice, but I have no preference on gender when it trulyes down to it.

    Women can be every bit as deadly as men.

    Camdyn and Lindee are still a bit young for full training.

    I¡¯ll be sure they¡¯re able to take down any boy who gives them trouble before they hit double digits, though.

    Quincy¡¯s head rolls around on the back of the couch, and she pats my hand on her stomach. ¡°What craziness are you plotting now?¡±

    The girls squeal as Ridge chases them around the living room on all fours. Hartleyughs, blocking the door so they can¡¯t escape to run down the hallway.

    ¡°Me?¡± I chuckle. ¡°Just thinking about how much louder life is going to be when we add a third to the mix.¡±

    But truthfully?

    I wouldn¡¯t have it any other way.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 12

    It¡¯s five p.m., and I¡¯m pacing Riverside like a caged animal. Thankfully, this cabin is big, or I might go stir-crazy. I¡¯ve changed my shirt three times, which is ridiculous because we¡¯ll be outdoors at night. But I want this to be perfect, an unforgettable experience.

    My phone buzzes with texts from Patterson that I¡¯ve been ignoring. I can¡¯t deal with hismentary right now, not after the inte decided it was obsessed with my and Julie¡¯s story, which seems to be writing itself. I¡¯m trying to ignore it and not let it get to me, even though it is. I want to protect her from my world, keep her away from the bullshit I have to put up with. Unfortunately, that¡¯s not reality, and it never will be, thanks to who I am.

    A knock at the door interrupts my spiral. When I open it, Zane¡¯s standing in jogging pants and a hoodie, holding two beers while wearing a knowing smirk.

    ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not the way to greet your bestie,¡± Zane says, inviting himself inside. ¡°You look like you¡¯re about to have a panic attack.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine,¡± I tell him.

    ¡°Sure you are.¡± He hands me the beer. ¡°That¡¯s why you¡¯ve been pacing in front of the window for thest ten minutes.¡±

    I roll my eyes. ¡°How would you know?¡±

    He walks to the oversized windows and points at his four-wheeler. ¡°I¡¯ve been sitting there, watching you.¡±

    ¡°Stalker,¡± I say.

    ¡°Just trying to figure out what¡¯s going on with you,¡± he says. ¡°With you and Jules.¡±

    I exhale. ¡°Nothing to discuss.¡±

    ¡°Come on.¡± Zane settles on my couch, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. ¡°I know that look. I wore it when I first got with Autumn. I understand what you¡¯re going through.¡±

    I move into the living room.

    Heughs. ¡°You don¡¯t have to admit anything to me. You¡¯re practically my brother. It¡¯s written on your face.¡±

    I take a drink of the beer, noticing it¡¯s a pumpkin one from the local brewery. ¡°It¡¯s reallyplicated.¡±

    ¡°It always is.¡± He studies me. ¡°But isn¡¯t that the fun part? Figuring it out?¡±

    We exchange smiles.

    ¡°Meeting Autumn changed my life. Coming here was one of the best things I¡¯ve ever done. I learned a lot about what matters and doesn¡¯t. You¡¯ll figure it out. A Banks always gets what he wants.¡±

    This makes me chuckle. ¡°Fuck off.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s true though. It¡¯s something I¡¯ve always admired about you. If you want something, youmit and work until you have it.¡± He drinks. ¡°Even my fianc¨¦e.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re never going to let me live that down, are you?¡± I ask, shaking my head.

    ¡°Not on your fucking life,¡± he says, cocky as hell.

    ¡°You¡¯re a bastard,¡± I say.

    ¡°Yeah, I might be, but at least I didn¡¯t have your sloppy seconds. But,¡± he continues, ¡°thank you. I¡¯m so d you saved me from marrying her. If all that horrible shit hadn¡¯t gone down, I wouldn¡¯t havee here and met Autumn. It was because of you and her that I left. I mourned our friendship more than my rtionship.¡±

    ¡°I did too,¡± I admit.

    ¡°It¡¯s like you took one for the team,¡± he says.

    ¡°I never thought of it like that. I¡¯m not a victim, but she took advantage of me when I was at my weakest,¡± I tell him.

    ¡°I know. And while I give you shit, I¡¯ve forgiven you. You know that, right? I¡¯m not pissed. I like giving you a hard time because it makes you squirm like a little bitch. But I meant what I said earlier; you¡¯re like a brother to me. I¡¯m thrilled that you¡¯re here. I¡¯ve missed you.¡±

    ¡°You have such a great way of showing it,¡± I say.

    ¡°Piss off,¡± he says, chugging the rest of his beer. ¡°What are your ns tonight?¡±

    ¡°I want to do something special for Julie. Stargazing maybe? Any ce with water?¡±

    Zane¡¯s eyes light up. ¡°I have the perfect location. But you¡¯ll need my side-by-side to get there. There¡¯s a trail behind my house that cuts into another trail that has this natural-fedke from a spring. I found it and brought Autumn there once. Other people know about it, apparently, but it¡¯s secluded. You¡¯d hear someoneing.¡±

    He pulls out his phone, showing me a map.

    ¡°Wow. That¡¯s perfect.¡±

    ¡°Park at Hollow Manor, and I¡¯ll lend you my side-by-side. I¡¯ll park it at the trailhead with the keys in it when I get home.¡± He stands, then pauses. ¡°It doesn¡¯t surprise me that you have a thing for her. She¡¯s exactly like my wife. They could be the same person. Actually, Julie is sassier, which is just what you need. But be careful with her, okay? I can¡¯t clean up your mess if you make one.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t n on ruining this.¡±

    ¡°I know, but she¡¯s Autumn¡¯s best friend, and she¡¯s a really good person. Just don¡¯t y the usual games you y. And know that Jules won¡¯t leave Cozy Creek. That coffee shop is her family¡¯s legacy. Make sure you understand what you¡¯re getting yourself into. It¡¯s a bigmitment, and I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ve gotten over that dating for thirty days and drop them t bullshit.¡±

    It makes me chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m working on it. We¡¯ve talked about it. The two of us are on the same page. On October thirty-first, we¡¯ll decide what happens. We¡¯ll end it there or continue seeing one another. Clean break. Clear ending. I¡¯m spending the next few weeks discovering who I am and figuring out if she is the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. I¡¯m tired of games. I want a reason to live my life. I¡¯ve been miserable,¡± I admit.

    ¡°Hey, I get it,¡± he says. ¡°Last year, when I arrived, I sat in silence for two days. I remember staring up at the sky, wondering if that was all there was to life. I felt ¡­ lost. Then Autumn found me. Being here changed me, and it looks like it¡¯s changing you too. Mom always said the mountain air could cure anything.¡±

    ¡°I miss your mom,¡± I say quietly.

    ¡°I do too,¡± he tells me. ¡°You know, I¡¯ve found letters that she wrote for me, hidden all over the house.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± I say. ¡°I wish I had letters from Eden.¡±

    ¡°Your sister would be happy for you,¡± he says. ¡°Eden would love that you¡¯re here, enjoying the pumpkins.¡±

    I feel that burn in my nose, and I clench my jaw. Sometimes, when I think about her, it catches me.

    ¡°Moving away from the city worked for me. I¡¯m happier, closer to the slopes,¡± he admits. ¡°You can make anything work, Nick.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I tell him. ¡°Or maybe I¡¯ll retire early and pick up a painting hobby.¡±

    Zane snickers. ¡°Yeah, because if I recall, we had a pact that we¡¯d be friends forever and that we¡¯d raise our kids together.¡±

    I stare at him. ¡°Are you telling me Autumn is pregnant?¡±

    Laughter roars out of him. ¡°No, not yet. Hopefully soon. She¡¯s sent her book out to publishers, and she¡¯s hoping it gets picked up. Seeing how that goes first.¡±

    ¡°Wait, you¡¯re trying?¡± I whisper. ¡°I¡¯m happy for you.¡±

    ¡°Thanks. I¡¯m not trying to convince you of shit, but I¡¯d love you to be here as long as you¡¯re happy. Snowboarding season is incredible. I hit the slopes every damn day. I¡¯m the happiest I¡¯ve ever been in Cozy Creek. During the winter, it transforms into a little Christmas town.¡±

    I smile, letting out a deep breath. ¡°You¡¯re living your dream.¡±

    ¡°I am.¡± Zane lifts his hand and ces it on my shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t fuck this up. Got it?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s funny that everyone keeps telling me that,¡± I say.

    ¡°Falling in love looks good on you,¡± he singsongs as he sees himself out. ¡°Don¡¯t even knock when you show up at Hollow Manor. A side-by-side will be waiting with the keys, fully gassed and ready to go. I¡¯ll even set up wood in the firepit so it¡¯s ready for you to start when you arrive. Bring more supplies with you. A few nkets, towels, antern, and extra firewood. It has an incredible view of the Milky Way that reflects off the water. It¡¯s special.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m rooting for you.¡±

    ¡°Thanks. Also, can you keep this to yourself? I wasn¡¯t supposed to tell you shit.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, the only thing I remember discussing was a ce to look at the stars. That¡¯s about it.¡± I shrug.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    After he leaves, I spend the next hour nning a date night by ake. After ransacking the cabin, I pack supplies into the back of the Range Rover. nkets, tons of firewood, dinner from the diner, along with a cooler with champagne and strawberries. A few condoms, just in case. I even pack string lights that run on batteries that I found in a drawer. It¡¯s everything I could possibly need. I take the ten-minute drive to Hollow Manor, transfer the supplies into the back of the side-by-side, then patiently wait for her to arrive.

    At seven fifteen on the dot, the car delivers Julie. She steps out, wearing jeans, a slinky blouse, a leather jacket, and boots. Her hair falls in waves around her shoulders. Her eyes are blindfolded.

    I¡¯m starstruck, looking at how damn gorgeous she is with those kissable lips.

    I move toward her and grab her hands.

    ¡°Hi,¡± she says, suddenly shy.

    ¡°Hi.¡± I study her, wondering what she¡¯s thinking right now as the car drives away. ¡°You look beautiful.¡±

    ¡°Thank you. I wish I could see you ¡­¡± She gestures at herself. ¡°I can change if this isn¡¯t appropriate.¡±

    ¡°What you¡¯re wearing is perfect. ssy.¡± I pull her with me, holding her by my side. ¡°Trust me?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she says, and I pull her with me, helping her move forward. ¡°We¡¯re alone, right? Like, I¡¯m not going to be in front of a crowd of people when I take this blindfold off, right?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯repletely alone,¡± I tell her.

    ¡°Great,¡± she whispers. ¡°I hear the wind through the trees. Where are we?¡±

    I chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s a surprise. But you¡¯re going to lift your leg and sit, okay?¡±

    She nods, and I help her onto the side-by-side, then climb in beside her.

    Immediately, her hand reaches for me, and she holds me tight as I reach across her to buckle her in.

    The drive to our special spot will take about ten minutes. The engine is too loud for us to chat, so we just enjoy holding each other. Herughter mixes with shrieks when I hit bumps and her hair flies in the breeze. It¡¯s a dream¡ªall of it. When we finally stop, I can hear the soft whoosh of water against the shore.

    ¡°Stay here,¡± I tell her, quickly lighting the fire Zane set up. I unpack the supplies from the back, then quickly set it up.

    When everything¡¯s ready, I help her out and position her just right.

    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, untying the blindfold. ¡°Open.¡±

    She gasps.

    We¡¯re in a clearing surrounded by tall evergreens. String lights twinkle next to the nket I have for us on the ground. A fire crackles in a makeshift fire ring, and nkets and pillows are arranged beside it. Beyond that, theke reflects the evening sky that¡¯s fading to dark. Eventually, it will be fully dark, and the stars will appear.

    ¡°Nick,¡± she breathes. ¡°This is ¡­¡±

    ¡°Too much?¡±

    ¡°A dream.¡± She turns to me, eyes bright. ¡°How did you find this ce?¡±

    ¡°Zane. It¡¯s his and Autumn¡¯s secret spot.¡±

    ¡°And they know you¡¯re bringing me here?¡±

    I nod. ¡°He read it on my face. Zane knows me better than anyone. He stopped by before I left and suggested this spot. He knows what we have is only temporary.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it always?¡± She tilts her head at me.

    ¡°Usually,¡± I admit.

    She sighs. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hide it from them, but I don¡¯t want the outside pressure, you know? That¡¯s our decision.¡±

    I tuck her hair behind her ear. ¡°I know what you mean. We¡¯re in the same canoe.¡±

    This makes her smile. ¡°Without oars.¡±

    ¡°Nah, we have those. Just dealing with a headwind.¡±

    She licks her lips. ¡°Better analogy.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± I ask, the fire reflecting from her face.

    ¡°Because headwinds aren¡¯t forever. It¡¯s only a temporary obstacle,¡± she exins. ¡°What is the solution to our problem?¡±

    ¡°First, we have to define the problem,¡± I tell her. I remove the food from the pic basket, handing her a stic container. ¡°Imagine this being a five-star gourmet meal. If we were in the city, I¡¯d have brought you to this rooftop restaurant with the best view.¡±

    ¡°This view is better.¡± She meets my eyes, then opens her to-go container. ¡°And beef tips with gravy is gourmet. Very happy about this.¡±

    She pulls a stic fork from the bottom of the bag and hands me one too.

    ¡°But you¡¯re right. What are our obstacles? In our rtionship?¡±

    ¡°I could make you a PowerPoint,¡± I offer.

    Laughter bursts out of her and echoes off the trees. It makes me happy, knowing my one-liners crack her up.

    ¡°I thought we were never to mention the PowerPoint again?¡±

    ¡°True,¡± I say. ¡°One problem is my inability to fullymit and give myself to someone.¡±

    ¡°You sound like a walking red g,¡± she says.

    ¡°You¡¯d better run,¡± I tell her.

    ¡°Actually, red is my favorite color,¡± she tells me.

    I twirl a piece of her hair around my finger. ¡°Mine too.¡±

    ¡°Our locations are a problem. You¡¯d have to be willing to move because it¡¯s a hard no for me,¡± she says. ¡°Oh, and I don¡¯t know if I can actually fall in love again.¡±

    ¡°Are you trying?¡± I ask.

    Her eyes meet my lips. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Will you let me know?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you on Halloween,¡± she says. ¡°Right now, I¡¯m happy and having an incredible time. I¡¯m taking it one day at a time. And eventually, the future version of us will have to decide what happens.¡±

    ¡°Cheers to that.¡± The lingering stress about the future immediately melts away.

    ¡°Let¡¯s make the days count. Be unforgettable,¡± she says with a soft smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re so fucking special,¡± I mutter, wondering how I got so damn lucky.

    Had I not gotten into an argument with Asher about attending my mother¡¯s engagement party, I wouldn¡¯t have been at the bar. I would never have met her. It was abination of events I could¡¯ve never predicted that kept bringing us together. And this is the third time.

    ¡°Third time¡¯s a charm,¡± I say as we finish our food.

    ¡°ire said something to me along those lines. Oh no.¡± Julie gasps. ¡°She did a love spell.¡±

    Now I¡¯mughing until it echoes off the trees. I pour more champagne into both of our sses. There is another bottle in the cooler.

    ¡°And? You think I¡¯m obsessed with you because your friend lit a candle?¡±

    She yfully rolls her eyes. ¡°Yes! What if all this ends at the next full moon?¡±

    I pretend to pull an invisible string, and she crawls over to me.

    ¡°You summoned me. Now what?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Oh, my string was connected to you?¡± I ask. ¡°If I had known that, I would¡¯ve tugged harder.¡±

    She smiles, offering a soft kiss. ¡°You make life fun.¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s you. I like the things you say when you want to fill the silence.¡±

    ¡°I like how you appreciate it. Some don¡¯t.¡±

    I steal a kiss, and then Julie returns to sitting beside me.

    The breeze slows down, and I add more wood to the fire as the sky darkens. Julie points out constetions, making up silly stories for each one.

    ¡°That one,¡± she says, pointing, ¡°is the constetion of the coffee goddess. She was cursed to live a life where no man ever found her bean.¡±

    ¡°A terrible fate,¡± I say, unable to hold back myughter, pulling her closer.

    ¡°The worst.¡± She turns in my arms. ¡°What did you think the first time we met? Like, your first impression?¡±

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s easy. I thought you smelled like flowers. Then, when I turned my head and saw you crying, I thought you were a Das Cowboys fan too.¡±

    She bursts intoughter. ¡°I forgot they lost that night.¡±

    I stare up at the sky, my eyes scanning over the stars. ¡°You were like a goddess, and I couldn¡¯t understand who would make you cry. Broke my heart.¡±

    She turns and looks at me. ¡°You were a godsend. I¡¯ll never forget what you said to me.¡±

    ¡°What did I say?¡± I ask, not remembering anything that came from my mouth.

    ¡°Only piece-of-shit men make pretty women cry. And then you asked me if I had an OnlyFans.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, I remember that now. You were so shocked I¡¯d asked. But I wanted you to smile.¡±

    ¡°It worked.¡±

    It grows quiet for a few seconds, and we listen to each other breathe.

    ¡°That night, I knew there was something between us, something I couldn¡¯t name. I thought about that conversation for weeks. Was pissed that you had given me a fakest name, but now I understand why.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, well, imagine how surprised I was to see you standing in Zane and Autumn¡¯s house. You lied and said you were a tourist.¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± she says. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to see you again.¡±

    ¡°Meanwhile, I was dreaming about your face, but?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t ready,¡± we say at the same time.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I didn¡¯t text you back,¡± I confess. ¡°Because I knew if I did, I¡¯de back for you.¡±

    ¡°And yet here you are,¡± she whispers.

    ¡°We¡¯re unavoidable,¡± I say, tucking hair behind her ear and sliding a kiss across her lips.

    She releases a satisfied sigh. ¡°That¡¯s how it feels.¡±

    I look up, noticing it¡¯s finally dark and more stars are out.

    ¡°Come on,¡± I say, standing. ¡°Ready to do this?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± she asks.

    I peel off my shirt. ¡°Stargazing while skinny-dipping.¡±

    ¡°Right now?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Next thing on that list, babe.¡± I kick off my shoes and unbutton my jeans.

    ¡°It¡¯s September.¡±

    ¡°And? You didn¡¯t specify a season. Plus, the water¡¯s warm from the hot spring. No excuses. We have limited days toplete that list.¡±

    It¡¯s a reminder that the clock is ticking.

    She tosses off her jacket and removes her shirt. Next, she¡¯s unzipping her jeans and shimmying out of her sexy lingerie until she¡¯s naked.

    I watch, mesmerized, as she takes off running toward the water.

    ¡°Youing?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Abso-fucking-lutely,¡± I say, moving our phones and my wallet away from everything, then undressing before following her in.

    The water is perfect, warm, and silky. Julie dives in, thenes up with her hair slicked back. She treads water like a mermaid.

    ¡°Shit, I¡¯m dating Ariel.¡±

    She hums ¡°Part of Your World¡± and floats on her back, body glowing under the starlight.

    ¡°The Milky Way will be rising soon,¡± I say, swimming over to her, pulling her against me. ¡°Another thing marked off your list.¡±

    ¡°Yes, thank you.¡± She wraps her arms around my neck, and suddenly, the teasing stops.

    We¡¯re kissing, hands everywhere, the warm water making everything feel dreamlike. She reaches down and grabs me, and I groan against her neck.

    ¡°Jules, if you keep doing that?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Mmm.¡± She strokes me again. ¡°Does it feel good?¡±

    ¡°Fuck. Yes,¡± I whisper against her mouth.

    I slide one hand between her legs, rubbing against her clit. She moans out, wrapping one arm around me as I hold on to her, treading water like our lives depend on it.

    We¡¯re so lost in each other.

    ¡°There¡¯s that sound I love,¡± I whisper against her skin. ¡°Gonnae for me, pretty girl?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m so close,¡± she says.

    I feel the build, and then I hear voices.

    ¡°Shit!¡± Julie freezes. ¡°Someone¡¯sing!¡±

    ¡°I was hoping it would be youing, but ¡­¡± I say with a smirk.

    With her orgasm disappearing, we¡¯re on full alert.

    Through the trees, I see several shlights bobbing closer. There are deeper voices, but they¡¯re not adults; it¡¯s a group of teenagers.

    ¡°Our clothes,¡± Julie whispers as we keep everything but our heads underwater.

    ¡°Hopefully, they won¡¯t notice,¡± I say. My cock aches for her.

    I speak too soon.

    ¡°Dudes, a fire!¡±

    ¡°Look at this setup. Someone was gettingaaaid!¡± another guy says.

    I chuckle, and Julie res at me.

    ¡°Check out this lingerie! Oh, I wonder if they¡¯re worn.¡± The kid sniffs her panties. He has to be no older than sixteen.

    I try not to chuckle.

    She elbows me in my ribs. ¡°Little perverts.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll leave,¡± I say.

    But they don¡¯t.

    They sit down at our fire, open the other bottle of champagne, andugh at my boxers.

    ¡°Douchebags wear underwear like this.¡±

    ¡°Oh my God, is that a bra? Dibs!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to kick their asses. I swear that one kid looks familiar.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to fight them naked?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Yeah, I will. Tits out and all,¡± she says, growing pissed when they pocket her panties, then throw the rest of our clothes on the fire. ¡°Little bastards! I loved those jeans!¡±

    They suck down the champagne, toss the bottle, throw sand on the fire, then stumble away,ughing.

    Julie frantically swims to shore. ¡°Please tell me they didn¡¯t get our phones.¡±

    I check the rocks where I stashed them. ¡°Still here. Thank God.¡±

    ¡°Small miracles,¡± she mutters, then looks at our situation and startsughing.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°The universe has a twisted sense of humor,¡± she says. ¡°We have to drive back to Zane and Autumn¡¯s, naked.¡±

    Herughter starts light, and then we both crack up until our voices echo through the trees.

    ¡°Hopefully, they¡¯re asleep,¡± I say.

    The breeze blows, and goose bumps spread over me.

    ¡°We should go before some other asshole kids stumble upon us like this,¡± I say, holding my junk as I pick up our mess.

    Once everything is stuffed in the pic basket and cooler, I walk back to the side-by-side, shaking my head.

    Julieughs. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize there was a full moon tonight.¡±

    ¡°Hush,¡± I say, grabbing the extra nket and handing it to her so she can at least cover herself. I crank the engine and sit on the leather seat. ¡°Ready?¡±

    Sheughs, pressing herself against my side. ¡°You make me feel young again.¡±

    ¡°Same, babe.¡± I chuckle, and then we take off.

    She hangs on to me as I weave in and out of the trail and back to Zane¡¯s.

    ¡°What an experience,¡± she screams into the silence, hair blowing in the wind, and all I can do is chuckle. Julie shrieks every time we hit a bump, pressing closer against me.

    When we finally reach the Range Rover, we rush inside, the nket barely covering me.

    ¡°I can¡¯t feel my ass,¡± I mutter.

    Julie copses on the passenger seat,ughing hysterically. ¡°You think Zane and Autumn saw us?¡±

    ¡°I hope not. We might have some exining to do.¡± I run around to the other side of the Rover, then crank the engine.

    ¡°Kinda pissed we got cockblocked by drunk teenagers,¡± I say.

    ¡°And robbed!¡± She¡¯s wiping tears from her eyes. ¡°They took my favorite lingerie! Bastards!¡±

    On the drive back to the cabin, I turn on the heat. She reaches over and grabs my hand. The checkered nket is wrapped around her like a towel, and I capture this memory forever.

    ¡°What?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± I say, grinning. ¡°I want to remember you just like that.¡±

    When we arrive, I punch in the code and rush inside.

    I grab us robes from the bathroom. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding?¡± She moves to the couch, pulling me with her. ¡°Tonight was perfect. I¡¯ll never forget this.¡±

    She yawns.

    ¡°I should probably take you home. You have to be up early.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, I know. Can¡¯t bete again.¡± She¡¯s quiet for a moment. ¡°I really like you, Nick Banks.¡±

    ¡°I really like you too, Julie Lovnd.¡±

    I put on some clothes, and she stays in the robe. Then I drive her home. I think about how this disaster of an evening somehow turned into something even better than what I¡¯d nned.

    As I walk her to her door and kiss her good night, I think that maybe that¡¯s what this is with Julie¡ªperfectly imperfect, but it¡¯s ours. And that¡¯s all that matters right now.

    ¡°Nick?¡± she says as I turn to leave.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°ire will interrogate me in the morning.¡±

    ¡°Tell her what you want.¡±

    Sheughs. ¡°She¡¯s not going to believe me. I take that back. She probably will believe me because the two of us have the oddest luck. The stories I could tell you.¡±

    ¡°I hope to hear them one day.¡± I lean forward, sliding my lips against hers, pressing her against the door. ¡°Good night, girlfriend.¡±

    ¡°You drive me wild,¡± she whispers.

    Iugh against her neck, then pull away. ¡°It¡¯s mutual. Sweet dreams.¡±

    I walk backward toward my car, watching her breasts rise and fall.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to make me work for it, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°You know it,¡± I tell her, smirking. ¡°Are we marking skinny-dipping off your list?¡±

    ¡°Yes, we are,¡± she says.

    As I drive away, I can¡¯t stop thinking about her. And somehow, it was one of the best nights of my life because it was real. Unscripted. Just like us. And maybe that¡¯s exactly what makes being together so damn perfect.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 13

    I¡¯m trying to focus on the morning rush, but my mind keeps drifting tost night. The way Nick¡¯s hands felt on my skin, and how he looked at me like I was something he wanted, continues to unravel me. We almost lost control in the water under the starlight. I sigh.

    If it wasn¡¯t for those meddling kids!

    ¡°Earth to Jules!¡± ire snaps her fingers. ¡°That¡¯s the third time you¡¯ve overfilled a cup.¡±

    ¡°Shit!¡± I grab towels to clean up the mess.

    ¡°So ¡­¡± ire leans against the counter, watching me when there¡¯s a lull in customers. ¡°How was your night?¡±

    I give her one look, and that¡¯s all it takes.

    Her eyes go wide. ¡°Tell me everything!¡±

    I nce around, then whisper, ¡°There¡¯s a trail behind Zane and Autumn¡¯s ce. We took a side-by-side to stargaze.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± she whispers, growing giddy with each passing second.

    I lower my voice, leaning closer to her so no one overhears this conversation.

    ¡°Magical. Until drunk teenagers guzzled our champagne, stole my lingerie, then burned our clothes!¡±

    She gasps. ¡°Bastards! Did you recognize them?¡±

    ¡°No! But I swear, if I ever see them again, I¡¯m telling their mothers! They have my panties and bra! I had to ride to the cabin with nothing more than a nket wrapped around me!¡±

    ire shakes withughter. ¡°Wait. Why were your clothes off?¡±

    I shake my head. ¡°We were skinny-dipping.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Oh. Oh!¡±

    ¡°Before you say anything, we¡¯re just having fun and helping each other with rtionship stuff,¡± I say.

    ire gives me a look. ¡°Jules?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just enjoying my time with him for now without stiptions and expectations. It¡¯s been nice. It is what it is right now, and I¡¯m okay with that,¡± I admit.

    ¡°You are so entirely screwed.¡±

    ¡°Nah. It¡¯s not like that with us. It¡¯s different.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it sounds like it,¡± she says, looking past me. ¡°The real deal.¡±

    The bell chimes, and when I turn to look at the door, I see Nick carrying pink roses and a white box with a ribbon. His hair is messy from being blown in the breeze, and his button-up is rolled to his elbows, showing his delicious forearms. I breathe in, actually happy to see him.

    ¡°It¡¯s like you summoned him,¡± ire says loud enough for everyone to hear, even Nick, who looks pleased.

    The women in the dining room turn their heads toward him as he stalks across the room toward me. It¡¯s like they¡¯ve been waiting for him to arrive too. The air in the room evaporates, and my stomach does that flutter thing when our eyes meet. My entire body heats like he set me on fire.

    ¡°Wow,¡± ire whispers. ¡°I¡¯d die if a man ever looked at me like that.¡±

    ¡°Morning, beautiful,¡± Nick says so naturally, leaning across the counter.

    I think he¡¯s going to kiss my cheek, but instead, our lips touch. I want to melt into him, but let it be quick, considering everyone is watching us.

    ¡°Hi,¡± I say. ¡°I was just thinking about you.¡±

    ¡°What a coincidence. I was thinking about you too,¡± he admits, his voice low and sexy.

    ire scoffs. ¡°He¡¯s not real.¡±

    Nick hands the fancy box across the counter to me. ¡°For you. Open itter. When you¡¯re alone,¡± he says with a wink.

    ire is speechless and shocked. Nick moves to the register and pulls his wallet from his pocket.

    ¡°If you hurt my best friend, I¡¯ll chop off your dick,¡± ire warns under her breath.

    ¡°Good,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯d deserve it.¡±

    He leans in and orders his drink.

    A minuteter, I nce down and smirk when an order for a pumpkin spicette prints.

    He walks past me and waits against the wall. ¡°I was reminded about a surprise party tonight.¡±

    My eyes go wide, and I nce over at ire. ¡°Already? I swear it was?¡ª¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been very upied,¡± she whispers, nodding toward Nick.

    I turn back to him.

    ¡°Would you like to ride with me?¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be out of your way?¡± I ask, lifting a brow.

    He licks his kissable lips. ¡°Never for you.¡±

    ire scoffs, watching us. ¡°Next autumn, if I¡¯m single, I¡¯m quitting Cozy Coffee and joining a convent.¡±

    I finish his coffee, putting a lid on top.

    ¡°One extra-spicy pumpkin spicette,¡± I say, handing it over to him, our fingers brushing. ¡°See you tonight.¡±

    Butterflies take over.

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait. Pick you up at five.¡±

    He leaves the coffee shop, and when my eyes scan across the dining room, every woman is swooning.

    ¡°It¡¯s such a beautiful day,¡± I say out loud, and they go back to their conversations.

    ire immediately corners me. ¡°That¡¯s La Pe in that box.¡±

    ¡°And? What¡¯s that?¡± I ask, confused.

    ¡°Expensive lingerie. Thousand-dor nightgowns.¡± She leads me to the back. ¡°I want to see. Open it.¡±

    ¡°He said alone,¡± I mutter.

    ¡°I don¡¯t count,¡± she says, encouraging me. ¡°I¡¯m a ghost. Ooh-ooo-ooh!¡±

    Carefully, I untie the white ribbon and slide the lid from the top. Inside is a ckce balcte bra with matching panties.

    I open the note and see his handwriting.

    A recement.

    ¡°Damn,¡± she says, and I hand it to her to read. ¡°I¡¯m going home and putting together the same love spell that I did for you and Autumn. First, Autie finds Zane, and now you find Nick. Who will I find?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s someone out there for everyone. And¡±¡ªI lower my voice to a whisper¡ª¡°no one has said anything about love. We¡¯re just friends.¡±

    ¡°Hate to break it to you. This ¡­¡± She returns the note to me. ¡°This isn¡¯t friends-with-benefits behavior, babe. I just saw the face of a man who¡¯s falling. And look at you. Oh, you are not innocent. You¡¯ve been lost in your head, daydreaming. I give it a month until you¡¯re both annoyingly in love.¡±

    ¡°This is just a recement.¡±

    ¡°Right. And I¡¯m the Queen of Ennd.¡± She shakes her head. ¡°Hundred bucks says you¡¯re engaged within a year.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re delulu, ire. Seriously, I think the incense has finally rotted your brain.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m prophetic. Mark my words. That man is your forever.¡±

    I smile, thinking about that. Is it even possible?

    ¡°See, that reaction is proof,¡± she says. ¡°Doomed.¡±

    I ce the sexy lingerie in the office, then return to the front.

    The rest of the shift passes in a blur of customers,bined with ire¡¯s teasing.

    ¡°Stop looking at me like that,¡± I tell her as we stock the fridges for the next shift.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help it. My best friend is getting properly romanced by a billionaire who looks at her like she hung the moon.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not romance. It¡¯s a hookup situation, one that you suggested, if I recall correctly.¡±

    ¡°Keep telling yourself that.¡± She carries several gallons of milk from the back and moves me out of her way. ¡°What are you wearing tonight?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± I admit.

    I feel like Autumn reminded me two weeks ago about that party. It¡¯s like I blinked and now it¡¯s here.

    ¡°I heard Autumn invited fifty people,¡± she tells me. ¡°Mostly Zane¡¯s friends from New York.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not prepared,¡± I admit. ¡°I dunno what to wear.¡±

    She ces her hands on my shoulders. ¡°When we leave here, I¡¯lle over and help you pick something out. Remember, you¡¯re lovable and you just need to be yourself.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t steer you wrong,¡± she says.

    ¡°You never have.¡±

    An hourter, ire is in my bedroom, in my closet. She grabs three different dresses but changes her mind at thest second.

    ¡°This is the one,¡± she says, sliding a maroon velvet-crush dress off the hanger. ¡°ssy but sexy. Also, very easy ess. And it¡¯s vintage Dior.¡±

    ¡°What? I got that from my mom¡¯s closet.¡±

    ¡°Mama has ss. Also, wear your ck boots with the zipper. A man only gives a woman expensive lingerie if he¡¯s nning to take them off. Let him enjoy unwrapping you like a gift.¡±

    ¡°Sold,¡± I say, grabbing it and sliding it over my body with a grin. I move in front of the full-length mirror. ¡°Do you remember when we were twenty-one and you, Autumn and I made that dumb wish list of all the naughty things we wanted to do with our partners?¡±

    ¡°You told him about it?¡±

    ¡°I gave it to him.¡±

    She gasps, and her jaw hits the floor. ¡°And?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s helping me check things off.¡±

    ¡°Eek!¡± ire squeals. ¡°Which ones?¡±

    ¡°All of them.¡±

    She¡¯s shocked. ¡°Does he happen to have a clone?¡±

    ¡°I kinda wish because ¡­¡± I say, and ire shakes her head.

    ¡°You¡¯re naughty as hell. But also, same.¡±

    My phone buzzes, pulling my attention away.

    Nick

    On the way. Also, just got the guest list from Autumn. Tonight will be very interesting.

    Julie

    Um ¡­ in a good way?

    Nick

    My brothers are at Hollow Manor now.

    Julie

    Oh, so it¡¯s like a family reunion?

    Nick

    I told them to behave. See you in a minute!

    ire points to the door. ¡°I¡¯ll see you there, okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes. Thank you for everything!¡±

    ¡°Happy for you. Find out about the clone, okay?¡± She snickers, and a minuteter, I hear the front door click closed.

    I put on some makeup and curl my hair to give it some volume. The lingerie is a secret against my skin, and the burgundy dress, paired with these boots, makes me feel confident. ire was right. She has a sixth sense for picking the right outfits.

    When Nick picks me up, he does a double take. ¡°Wow. Stunning. Fall queen.¡±

    ¡°A nickname I will happily take.¡±

    I lock up, and he interlocks his fingers with mine as we walk to the Range Rover. I shouldn¡¯t like it when he ims me for the world to see, but I do. Then I remember that part is fake. Isn¡¯t it?

    It¡¯s like he senses my mood shift. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Fake?¡± I ask.

    He nces down to our hands and shakes his head. Then he¡¯s pulling me into his arms, walking closer, taking up the entire sidewalk. ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone thinking you¡¯re anyone¡¯s but mine.¡±

    The sidewalks are much busier than they werest week.

    ¡°And the lines keep blurring,¡± I mutter with a smirk.

    ¡°Babe, I never had a line. That¡¯s yours that¡¯s blurring,¡± he says, and my heart does a pitter-patter.

    We navigate through the crowds of festivalgoers to his vehicle that¡¯s parked across the street. Nick steals nces at me as much as he can. Sometimes, I catch him, and other times, I pretend not to notice.

    He opens my door for me, and I climb in. Before he walks away, he leans forward, sliding his lips against mine. I melt into him, running my fingers through his hair at the back of his neck.

    ¡°What are you doing to me?¡± he asks.

    ¡°Teaching you how to live a little,¡± I tell him, and he immediately smiles, brushing his thumb against my cheek.

    ¡°You¡¯re my favorite part of fall,¡± he says, kissing me again.

    Momentster, he¡¯s moving to the driver¡¯s side. He cranks the engine. After he reverses, he takes my hand, and we drive away.

    ¡°Should I be nervous about meeting your brothers?¡± I ask.

    ¡°No, I know they¡¯ll love you. They¡¯re embarrassing as hell and sometimes say the quiet parts out loud.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± I chuckle. ¡°This should be fun then.¡±

    As we pull up to Hollow Manor, it looks empty, until we pull to the side, where Autumn told us to park. The house is lit in the setting sun, and warm light spills from every window. The house looks alive, buzzing with energy I can feel, even from here. My stomach does a nervous flip.

    ¡°That¡¯s a lot of cars,¡± I say.

    Nick squeezes my hand. ¡°We can leave when you want. Just say the word.¡±

    ¡°Pumpkin spice?¡± I tease, but my voice trembles.

    He turns to face me. ¡°Hey. They¡¯re going to love you. And if they don¡¯t, fuck ¡¯em.¡±

    The way he says it is so simple and sure.

    ¡°Ready?¡± he asks.

    I take a breath, looking at this man, who¡¯s turned my life upside down in the best possible way. ¡°Yep. Let¡¯s do this.¡±

    He kisses my knuckles, then rounds the car to open my door. As we move toward the house, I see shadows moving past the windows and hearughter drifting out.

    This is it. I¡¯m about to meet his brothers.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 14

    The house is filled with voices that echo from the open front door. My stomach does somersaults as we climb the steps to the porch of Hollow Manor. This ck mansion with the tall Gothic windows was the center of every spooky story and triple dog dare when I was a teenager.

    Our fingers interlock, and Nick gives me an encouraging grin as we step inside. A group of people turns toward us, and he squeezes my hand.

    ¡°Rx,¡± he whispers.

    It¡¯s like he feels me tensing. I¡¯m sure he does. Unlike him, I¡¯m not used to attention like this. He¡¯s rxed, calm even,pletely unaffected. I somewhat feel like a fish out of water.

    As he leads me through the living room, I search for Autumn and Zane, knowing they¡¯re at the pumpkin patch in town. She did that purposely to give everyone time to arrive, hoping to surprise Zane. I think he knows she¡¯s nning this, and he¡¯s ying along to appease her.

    I scan around the room and don¡¯t see ire either. She¡¯s probably befriending every new person she meets because that¡¯s just how she is.

    ire doesn¡¯t stay a stranger for long with anyone, which has been both a blessing and a curse throughout the life of our friendship.

    As we stroll toward the kitchen, a guy rushes over and pulls me into a tight hug. My feet lift from the ground. He smells like expensive cologne and trouble.

    ¡°Do I know you?¡± I ask, knowing I¡¯ve never seen him in my life. That fact doesn¡¯t seem to matter.

    ¡°Put her down,¡± Nick says sternly. ¡°Right now.¡±

    I¡¯m returned to the ground in seconds.

    ¡°I¡¯m Asher. Nick¡¯s favorite brother,¡± he announces. They have the same color eyes. ¡°And you¡¯re Julie.¡±

    Nick ces his arm around me, and I like the feeling of him close and iming me in front of everyone.

    Asher grins. ¡°Wow. Sparks already. You¡¯re perfect together.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± I offer with a chuckle, trying to match his energy. ¡°But I don¡¯t need your ttery.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯m genuinely happy to meet the woman my brother will marry.¡±

    ¡°Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake,¡± Nick mutters. ¡°Please don¡¯t listen to him. Asher, please don¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Whatever. You¡¯re a changed man. Look at you. Practically glowing.¡±

    I nce at Nick. ¡°Is that true? Have I changed you?¡±

    ¡°Oh, sweetheart, change happened the moment I met you,¡± he says.

    My breath catches, and I almost melt into a puddle on the floor.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Abso-fucking-lutely.¡±

    I remember the night so clearly. Our conversation that night changed me too. It shook me out of the haze that Craig had put me in, made me realize I deserved better. After meeting Nick and learning men like him actually existed, I promised myself I¡¯d not settle again. And when Craig came crawling back, Nick appeared like a cockblocking angel.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s almost been a year,¡± I say, breaking myself from my thoughts.

    Asher¡¯s brows furrow. ¡°A year?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve known each other sincest October,¡± I exin.

    Nick nces at me. ¡°Don¡¯t tell him our secrets.¡±

    I love that cocky smile that ys on his lips.

    Asher looks like he¡¯s trying to piece timelines together. ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Nick mutters.

    His mouth falls open. ¡°The blind items that were posted about you ¡­¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a blind item?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Ahh, Julie, Julie, Julie. You were the whole reason my dear, secretive, loving brother chose to visit Cozy Creek. All this time, I thought it was because he wanted to be close to Zane. This makes sooo much more sense.¡± Asher nces between us. ¡°Sooooo much sense!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re being dramatic,¡± Nick tells him, rolling his eyes.

    ¡°Leave them alone,¡± Billie Calloway says, looping her arm in Asher¡¯s.

    Her dark bob is perfect, as always, and she¡¯s dressed to kill. I met herst year at Zane and Autumn¡¯s wedding. This woman is gorgeously intimidating with piercing blue eyes and a perfect resting bitch face.

    ¡°Nice to see you again, Julie. Beautiful dress. Is that 1994 Dior?¡± she asks.

    ¡°I believe so,¡± I tell her with augh. ¡°It was a random steal from my mom¡¯s closet a few years ago. Honestly, I had no idea it was anything special. I just thought the waistline was cute.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a great find, and it looks incredible on you,¡± she says.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± My confidence instantly rises.

    ¡°Oh, Billie is my fianc¨¦e,¡± Asher announces.

    ¡°Oh! Wow! Congrats! That¡¯s amazing,¡± I tell them both. ¡°You¡¯re a very lucky guy, Asher.¡±

    ¡°The luckiest.¡± He meets her eyes, then steals a quick kiss.

    They do that thing where theymunicate without speaking. I notice the way Asher looks at her, how his whole demeanor changes.

    ¡°So, how long have you known each other?¡±

    ¡°Over a decade,¡± Billie answers, then ces her hand on his cheek. ¡°I hated him for most of it.¡±

    ¡°A total waste of time, if you ask me,¡± Asher says, and they kiss again.

    They¡¯re cute together, totally meant for one another.

    ¡°You know, I was always supposed to get married first,¡± Nick says yfully.

    ¡°You still have time,¡± Asher tells him with a pat on the back. ¡°Considering we set the date for early spring, I think that gives you seven months. Almost enough time to have a baby if you wanted.¡±

    My mouth falls open.

    Billie grins. ¡°That¡¯s very true.¡±

    Just as Nick tries to deliver his rebuttal, a guy with messy blond hair, light-blue eyes, and contagiousughter bear-hugs Nick from behind.

    Nick turns and lights up with excitement when he sees who it is. ¡°Patterson! What the hell are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°Autumn invited me, and I had a few days off. Thought I¡¯d crash with you if that¡¯s cool.¡±

    ¡°Whatever you need,¡± Nick offers. ¡°The house I rented is huge. You¡¯re more than wee to stay, even though I might not be there much.¡±

    Patterson¡¯s light-blue eyes lock in on mine. ¡°Ooh.¡±

    ¡°This is my girlfriend, Julie,¡± Nick says, his arm conveniently sliding around my waist. ¡°This is Patterson. We used to y hockey together on the Angels.¡±

    ¡°If things don¡¯t work out with you two, call me,¡± Patterson says, barely able to get his words out.

    Nick swats him away. ¡°I¡¯ll literally kick your ass.¡±

    The front door opens and pulls our attention away. This time, it¡¯s Harper with a bulky, tattooed guy standing beside her like he¡¯s her bodyguard. I notice the ring on her finger and how they look at one another and know it¡¯s more than that. When Harper spots Billie, they rush toward one another to hug. When they pull away, she sees me and Nick and smiles.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Harper says, ncing between us. Her eyes unfocus. ¡°Whoa.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Nick asks.

    ¡°Forever is right in front of you,¡± she says. ¡°Love doesn¡¯t follow rules. Love doesn¡¯t have expiration dates. The third time isn¡¯t just a charm; it¡¯s destiny correcting itself, righting its wrong. I see two paths, but they both lead to the same ce¡ªhome. You¡¯ve already found what you¡¯re looking for.¡±

    ¡°And what are we looking for?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Endgame.¡±

    ¡°Did you seriously just give me a love prophecy?¡± Nick blurts out.

    ¡°I can¡¯t help it!¡± She grins as she nces between us. ¡°Right now, I feel like I should be saying congrattions.¡±

    Everyone is staring at us, and my cheeks heat.

    The energy builds, and my head spins.

    ire¡¯s whistle pierces through my thoughts. ¡°They¡¯re here! Everyone, hide!¡±

    ¡°There you are!¡± I yell toward her, and she smiles before I lose her in the crowd.

    People scramble in every direction. Some dive behind couches and duck into side rooms. Nick grabs my hand, pulling me into the coat closet and pressing us together in the narrow, dark space.

    ¡°This is cozy,¡± he whispers against my ear, his breath warm on my neck.

    ¡°Shh.¡± I try to sound stern.

    His hands are on my waist, and we¡¯re so close that I swear I can feel his heart beating against my chest.

    Before I can tell him to behave, his mouth finds mine. Suddenly, I forget we¡¯re hiding and the house is full of people. My hands tangle in his hair as he presses me against the wall, kissing me like tomorrow will nevere, like we have all the time in the world.

    ¡°Surprise!¡± The room bursts into muffled cheers, but we¡¯re too lost in one another to break out of it.

    Secondster, the door opens, and I hear Zaneugh. Nick¡¯s lips are on my neck, and my hands are still twisted in his hair.

    ¡°Surprise,¡± Nick says, not even slightly embarrassed. ¡°Happy birthday, buddy.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Zane says.

    Autumn appears behind him,ughing. She hands him their coats, and he hangs them at the opposite end before closing the door.

    I copse against Nick¡¯s chest,ughing.

    ¡°You make my heart race,¡± I whisper.

    ¡°It¡¯s mutual, babe.¡± He steals a few more kisses.

    ¡°Does Harper usually give love prophecies?¡± I ask before he tugs my bottom lip into his mouth and sucks.

    ¡°Yes, and she¡¯s never wrong.¡±

    His words force streams of electricity through me, and there¡¯s a part buried deep inside that wants her to be right. I can¡¯t deny that.

    ¡°We should join everyone,¡± he says.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I tell him, knowing we can¡¯t stay in here all night.

    We lost control, and I don¡¯t know how to feel about that.

    He reaches for the door and opens it, and the two of us step out. I nce at myself in the golden-framed mirror on the wall. My lipstick survived, thanks to the super-stay form, but my lips are swollen, and Nick¡¯s hair is messy from my fingers running through it. Everyone gives us knowing looks, but there¡¯s no judgment, only support.

    Spooky music ys in the background, and the lights are lowered. The ambience is perfect and makes me excited for the huge costume party they¡¯re throwing on Halloween.

    Zane and Autumn offer us drinks, and we take them.

    ¡°Were you at least surprised?¡± I ask Zane.

    ¡°Not even a little. She¡¯s been trying to returnst year¡¯s favor since I threw her the best surprise party of the century,¡± he says, smiling at her.

    It¡¯s so easy to see how in love they are.

    ¡°At least act surprised,¡± Autumn says, feeding him a nacho. ¡°One day, I¡¯m going to get you so hard.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve already got me, Pumpkin.¡±

    More of his friends walk up to chat, and Nick pulls me away. We refill our drinks at a giant cauldron that¡¯s lit up and smoking. The purple punch smells like bad decisions, but right now, I wee it. We both gulp it down, and I take a moment to notice how many fall decorations are in the house. Autumn must¡¯ve spent all morning decorating. There are at least fifty pumpkins in different shapes and sizes.

    ¡°Do you think she did that while he was sleepingst night?¡±

    Nick chuckles. ¡°So, when he woke up, it was like the Autumn Santa visited.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. But he was born on the first day of fall, so that would be fitting.¡±

    Nick nces around, taking it all in. ¡°I think there are at least a hundred pumpkins in here.¡±

    ¡°That many? No way.¡± I begin counting. ¡°Okay, maybe I have pumpkin blindness. I just counted eighteen on the mantel.¡±

    Nick leans in close and points across the room to a serious-looking man by the window. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s my older brother, Dyson.¡±

    Dyson turns just as Nick says his name. His blue eyes nce at me, like he misses nothing.

    ¡°Wow, he¡¯s intimidating.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± Nick mutters.

    Secondster, Dyson¡¯s moving toward us.

    ¡°You must be Julie.¡± His handshake is businesslike, but firm. ¡°Nick said you own a coffee shop.¡±

    ¡°Family business. Three generations.¡±

    ¡°Profitable?¡±

    ¡°Dyson,e on,¡± Nick warns. ¡°Leave your finance bullshit in New York.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I say, grabbing Nick¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s not possible to stay in business for eighty-one years without turning a profit. What do you think?¡±

    Something shifts in Dyson¡¯s expression. Is it respect maybe? I hope.

    He smirks. ¡°You¡¯re better than his usual type.¡±

    ¡°Which is?¡± I can¡¯t help asking. ¡°If you¡¯re going to mention it, I¡¯d like to know what I¡¯m beingpared to.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s never found a woman who was on a level ying field intellectually.¡±

    I¡¯m surprised he answered. ¡°You believe I am?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. At least, I hope you are, or it won¡¯t work out,¡± Dyson says, and I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s supposed to be a warning or not. ¡°Anyway, good chat.¡±

    Dyson walks away, and Nick shakes his head.

    ¡°He can¡¯t help his honesty, even if it¡¯s brutal.¡±

    ¡°Lots of reality checks tonight,¡± I mutter.

    We refill our drinks and escape outside to the firepit. The cool evening breeze feels amazing after being in the crowded house that¡¯s full of conversations that feel too real at times. We both let out a sigh, then chuckle.

    ¡°This is better,¡± I say as he settles on a log bench.

    The fire crackles, casting shadows across Nick¡¯s face. He pulls me onto hisp, and I lean against him.

    ¡°Much better,¡± he says, wrapping his arms around my waist, his chin leaning on my shoulder. ¡°Sorry about my brothers. Neither of them has a filter, but they mean well.¡±

    I reposition myself where I can see his honey-brown eyes. ¡°Was what Dyson said true? About your usual type?¡±

    Nick studies me in the firelight. ¡°Yeah. I think it is true.¡±

    ¡°Is that a warning he gives to everyone?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Not that one,¡± he admits. ¡°That was a new revtion.¡±

    We sit in the silence, watching the mes flicker upward.

    ¡°You live like you¡¯re happy,¡± Nick says. ¡°It inspires me.¡±

    ¡°I am happy,¡± I admit. ¡°Right now is all we have, all we¡¯re guaranteed. Are you happy?¡±

    He leans closer, and I think he¡¯s going to kiss me when an angry voice cuts through the moment.

    ¡°I don¡¯t give a shit about Kendall!¡± Patterson storms past us, phone pressed to his ear, pacing near the tree line. ¡°No, she¡¯s Satan. If she¡¯s there, I won¡¯t be! I don¡¯t care if I have to y. I don¡¯t want her at any of my games. I don¡¯t want to be anywhere near her. Not after what she did to Jameson.¡±

    He sees us, waves apologetically, but keeps pacing.

    ¡°Addison, you just don¡¯t get it¡ª¡± His voice fades as he moves farther away.

    ¡°Who¡¯s Kendall?¡± I ask, noticing Patterson is worked up.

    ¡°She¡¯s his brother¡¯s ex-fianc¨¦e,¡± Nick exins, pulling me back against him. ¡°His sister, Addison, just moved back to the city and has been hanging out with Kendall every weekend. They¡¯re basically inseparable.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like drama.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it is. Patterson and Kendall have this weird hate thing. They can¡¯t be in the same room together. It¡¯s been going on for about five years.¡±

    ¡°So, lots of unresolved sexual tension.¡±

    Nickughs, his chest rumbling against my back. ¡°Don¡¯t let him hear you say that¡ªever. He¡¯ll lose his shit and crash out.¡±

    ¡°You know what they say when a man doth protest too much ¡­¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°He wants insideth her panties.¡±

    Nick¡¯s stillughing when Harper appears.

    ¡°Cake time, soulmates! I¡¯ve been told to grab everyone.¡±

    We ignore the nickname, but we get up.

    Patterson continues to argue in the shadows as we head inside. It makes me wonder what the real story is.

    ¡°Oh, Kendall is also our coach¡¯s daughter and about seven years younger than him,¡± he whispers in my ear.

    ¡°Oh, damn. This is juicy drama.¡±

    ¡°Or is it moist?¡± He chuckles.

    ¡°Ew, don¡¯t ever say that again,¡± I tell him as he opens the door for me.

    Once we¡¯re back inside, we gather around the table as we sing ¡°Happy Birthday.¡± Zane and Autumn are wearing their Pumpkin King and Queen crowns, which I¡¯m sure was one hundred percent her idea. The chocte cakes Harper brought are arranged beautifully on the counter. They¡¯re so pretty that they almost shouldn¡¯t be eaten. Autumn whispers something in Zane¡¯s ear that makes him grin wickedly.

    Nick feeds me a bite of cake, and then he leans forward, kissing icing off my lips. It¡¯s not performative. I hum against him.

    When he pulls away, he stiffens in front of me.

    ¡°Mom?¡± He stands a little straighter. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you wereing.¡±

    ¡°Surprise!¡± she says.

    My stomach drops. His mother. I¡¯m meeting his mother, and her first impression is that my mouth was locked with her son¡¯s. Not to mention, I¡¯m slightly drunk on purple punch.

    ¡°Ambrose wanted to see Zane. A little birdie named Asher told me you were in town, and I wanted to see you. I¡¯ve been worried about you, Nicky, but it seems like you¡¯re doing fine.¡±

    ¡°I am, Mom. I¡¯m doing great. Oh, I want you to meet Julie.¡±

    Her smile is exactly like Nick¡¯s, and I can tell she doesn¡¯t miss details by the way she¡¯s studying me. She¡¯s elegant in a way that makes me very aware of my flushed cheeks and messy hair.

    ¡°She¡¯s my girlfriend,¡± Nick says so casually that I almost believe it myself.

    ¡°We¡¯re just friends,¡± I blurt, the purple punch making me too honest. I don¡¯t want to lie to his mother under these circumstances.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± Nick¡¯s voice carries something I can¡¯t identify.

    The room seems to pause. Asher clears his throat dramatically, like he overheard our entire conversation.

    ¡°Attention, everyone! Quick vote!¡± He¡¯s grinning mischievously. ¡°Who here thinks Julie is Nick¡¯s girlfriend?¡±

    I watch as every single hand goes up. Autumn, ire, Zane, Dyson, Asher, Patterson from across the room, and even people I haven¡¯t officially met cast a vote.

    ¡°Great! Who thinks they¡¯re just friends?¡±

    My hand rises alone in a sea of smiles.

    ¡°Thanks for participating.¡± Asher smirks.

    I open my mouth but can¡¯t find words.

    ¡°Well, whatever you are, congrattions.¡± Nick¡¯s mom smiles, and I immediately rx. ¡°Autumn raves about your chocte croissants. Says they¡¯re the best in Colorado.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s too kind,¡± I manage. My voice is much steadier than I feel. ¡°The secret¡¯s in my great-great-grandma¡¯s dough recipe.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re staying at our cabin through the holidays. You two shoulde to dinner soon.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not going back to New York?¡± Nick sounds shocked.

    ¡°Honey, I like the city as much as you do,¡± she says with the perfect amount of sarcasm.

    Zane¡¯s dad calls her over, and she gives Nick a hug. ¡°Please don¡¯t be a stranger.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± he tells her with a smile. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡±

    After his parents leave, the party continues, but I feel like the ground shifted while I wasn¡¯t paying attention. Everyone sees something that I keep denying. Or maybe they know what I¡¯m too afraid to admit.

    Before I can speak, ire appears, definitely tipsy now. ¡°There you are! Jules, we¡¯re doing shots!¡±

    ¡°I think I¡¯ve had enough purple punch,¡± I tell her with augh, not wanting to take a trip to Wastedville tonight.

    ¡°Lightweight,¡± she teases, then looks between us. ¡°Oh, am I interrupting something?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I say, but Nick¡¯s hand slowly finds mine, and the slightest touch from him causes goose bumps to trail up my arm.

    ¡°Actually,¡± he says, levelheaded, ¡°I think we¡¯re going to head out.¡±

    ¡°Already?¡± Autumn appears, carrying empty cake tes. ¡°We¡¯ve barely seen you.¡±

    ¡°Because you¡¯re popr,¡± Nick points out.

    And I¡¯m happy for the escape, especially with him.

    Nick tells Zane, Patterson, and his brothers goodbye.

    I follow Autumn to the sink, where she sets down the tes.

    She turns to me and gives me a tight hug. ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you.¡±

    ¡°Stop,¡± I whisper, but I can¡¯t stop grinning.

    ¡°This looks good on you.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Love.¡±

    Before I can say anything, Nickes over and slides his hand in mine. ¡°Ready?¡±

    ¡°Yes, so ready,¡± I say, happy he can read me so easily.

    ¡°Have fun, you two!¡± Autumn tells us.

    We move through the house and walk out onto the porch.

    ¡°Better?¡± he asks.

    I nod.

    ¡°Zane and Autumn rented limos to drive everyone back to Cozy Creek or to the resort, where several people are staying,¡± Nick tells me, leading me toward one.

    ¡°What about your Range Rover?¡± I ask.

    ¡°I¡¯lle get it tomorrow.¡±

    We climb into the back of the car, and Nick wraps his arm around me as we drive away.

    ¡°This feels like the twilight zone, doesn¡¯t it?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Kinda, but in a good way.¡± He nces at me, his face illuminated by passing streetlights.

    The truth sits between us as we stare at one another, and then our lips crash together.

    At first, our kisses are soft, lingering, but they quickly turn to desperation.

    We have a little over a month to figure this out, but time is flying by.

    And all I can think right now is how I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to give him up.

    Nick Banks has quickly be my new addiction.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 15

    The limo pulls up to Julie¡¯s condo, and neither of us moves to get out. We¡¯ve been kissing like teenagers for the entire ride, only breaking apart when we needed air. The driver clears his throat for the second time.

    ¡°We should go inside,¡± Julie whispers against my mouth, but her hands are still fisted in my shirt.

    ¡°We should,¡± I agree, kissing her again.

    When we finally stumble out of the limo and into her ce, the fire between us is scorching. After Harper¡¯s prophecy, after everyone voting that we¡¯re together, after my mother meeting Julie, and my brothers giving their approvals¡ªeverything feels different. More real. It¡¯s almost terrifying that I can imagine spending more time with her.

    Julie kicks off her heels and turns to face me. ¡°What are we doing?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I admit, moving closer. ¡°Do you?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she whispers.

    ¡°We can stop. We can walk away.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s not possible.¡± She takes a step toward me. ¡°Letting you run away from me is thest thing I want, unless you¡¯re having doubts.¡±

    ¡°No doubts, sweetheart.¡±

    She searches my face, then decides. ¡°Come upstairs with me.¡±

    Julie takes my hand, leading me to the top of the stairs and into her bedroom.

    She turns to face me, green eyes sparkling. Her fingers y with the zipper of her Dior dress. Slowly, she unzips it, letting the material fall and pool at her feet.

    My breath catches when I see the lingerie set I bought her. It highlights every gorgeous curve.

    ¡°You¡¯re stunning.¡± I breathe out. I run my fingers along thece at her hip. ¡°You know exactly what you¡¯re doing to me.¡±

    ¡°And?¡± She starts unbuttoning my shirt. ¡°You¡¯re just as guilty.¡±

    My phone rings, and we freeze.

    ¡°Please make it stop,¡± she says, capturing my lips.

    I forget what we were even discussing, but my phone keeps vibrating.

    After five missed calls, I pull it out to see Patterson¡¯s name on the screen.

    I answer. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t get into the cabin,¡± he says.

    ¡°Four-seven-eight-two,¡± I say, then end the call, turning my phone off.

    Julie pushes my shirt off my shoulders, and it joins her dress on the floor.

    I back her toward the bed andy her down. That¡¯s when her phone starts ringing.

    ¡°Ignore it,¡± I say, pulling her to the edge, kissing between her thighs.

    But it rings again. And again. And a-fucking-gain.

    Julie groans and sits up.

    She grabs her phone from her dress pocket on the floor. ¡°It¡¯s Autumn.¡±

    She answers and puts it on speaker. ¡°This¡¯d better be life or death.¡±

    ¡°Put Nick on,¡± Zane states.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Patterson¡¯s calling everyone. He¡¯s locked out of your cabin and about to break a window. Deal with it before the cops get called. That¡¯s thest thing any of us needs.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t you?¡ª¡±

    ¡°No. He¡¯s your hockey friend. I¡¯m sending a car to get you since your Range Rover is here. Be ready in five minutes.¡±

    The line goes dead.

    Julie flops back on the bed, still in that lingerie, looking like every fantasy I¡¯ve ever had.

    ¡°You have to go, don¡¯t you?¡± she asks.

    I join her on the bed. ¡°I don¡¯t want to.¡±

    I ce my hand on her hip, watching her breath catch.

    She pulls me down for a kiss that makes me groan.

    ¡°Do you really have to?¡± she asks.

    ¡°I want to tell him to sleep outside,¡± I admit against her lips. ¡°He will break windows though. We don¡¯t need a headline about the billionaire who trashed the rental.¡±

    ¡°Fine,¡± she says, twisting her body to push me down onto my back. A momentter, Julie is crawling onto myp and straddling me. I ce my hands behind her back and watch her, grinding against my rock-hard cock. ¡°I want you so bad.¡±

    ¡°Jules,¡± I say, barely able to speak.

    The only things keeping us apart are my clothes and her extremely thin panties. A grunt releases from me as her breathing increases. We can¡¯t stop kissing, can¡¯t stop touching, and she keeps going. If Julie keeps this up, she might find her end.

    Right before I think she might lose herself, a car honks outside with two quick beeps.

    ¡°No,¡± she whispers, defeated. She¡¯s breathing heavy in my ear, her lips swollen.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I don¡¯t want to leave.¡±

    ¡°You have to.¡± She climbs off of me, and when I stand, it¡¯s like I have a damn circus tent in my pants. ¡°Please go, before I beg you to stay.¡±

    ¡°Look what you do to me.¡± I bend down to kiss her. ¡°Rain check, I promise.¡±

    Twenty minutester, I¡¯m at Riverside, letting a very drunk Patterson inside.

    ¡°You¡¯re a lifesaver,¡± he slurs. ¡°The door hates me. Almost punched my fist through it.¡±

    ¡°The door¡¯s fine. You were putting in the wrong code, which is why it locked you out for twenty minutes.¡±

    ¡°Bullshit! Four-eight-seven-two.¡±

    ¡°No, dumbass, it¡¯s four-seven-eight-two.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± He crashes on the couch, face down. ¡°Whoops.¡±

    I move to the window and see if his rental car is outside, but it looks like he had a limo drop him off.

    ¡°Fuck,¡± I whisper.

    When I turn around, Patterson¡¯s already snoring.

    I go upstairs to the main bedroom and sit on the edge of the mattress.

    Nick

    I had fun today.

    Julie

    I did too.

    Nick

    Patterson¡¯s already passed out. I¡¯m going to bitch him out tomorrow.

    Julie

    He deserves it.

    Nick

    I can¡¯t stop thinking about you in that lingerie.

    Julie

    I¡¯m still wearing it.

    Nick

    Don¡¯t tease me.

    She sends a photo of herself from a side angle. She¡¯s in bed, showing just a hint of ckce against her skin.

    Nick

    You¡¯re ying with fire.

    Julie

    Maybe I want to burn.

    Nick

    Tell me what you¡¯re doing right now.

    Julie

    Lying in bed. Still in the lingerie you bought me. Thinking about your hands on me. Squeezing my thighs together.

    Nick

    I¡¯m so fucking hard, thinking about you.

    Julie

    Show me.

    As I get ready to snap her a picture, my phone rings, and it¡¯s a FaceTime call.

    ¡°Hi,¡± she says when I answer.

    The screen lights up, her face glowing like an angel, but I know better. She¡¯s no saint. Not tonight. Her lips part, and I can already see the flush creeping up her neck. She¡¯s nervous. Good. I like her timid, unsure, but willing. So damn willing.

    She¡¯s propped up against her pillows, the ckce perfect against her skin. Her nipples poke through the fabric, hard and begging for my mouth. Julie moves the camera lower. Her legs are spread just enough to let me catch a glimpse of her through the sheer fabric that she¡¯s soaked.

    I flip the camera around and show her exactly how much she affects me.

    ¡°God, Nick.¡± Her breath catches. ¡°This is torture.¡±

    ¡°Touch yourself,¡± I say. ¡°Let me see.¡±

    ¡°Only if you do too.¡± Her voice is soft. ¡°I¡¯ve never done this before.¡±

    I smirk, leaning back on the mattress. The sight of her has me throbbing. ¡°I know, sweetheart. That¡¯s why I¡¯m gonna make it good for you. You trust me?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± She nods, biting her lower lip.

    ¡°Take your panties off for me,¡± I order, my voice rough, desperate even. ¡°Show me what¡¯s mine.¡±

    She props her phone up on a pillow, then hooks her fingers into the waistband of her panties, pulling them down her legs and tossing them away. Then she repositions the phone, putting me back between her legs. The sight of her bare, almost breaks me.

    ¡°Good girl.¡± I growl. ¡°Now, I want you to do exactly what I say. No rushing. Noing until I tell you. Understand?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± She bites her bottom lip, and I love how eager she is to do this with me.

    Fuck, I can¡¯t wait to ruin her.

    ¡°I¡¯m so turned on,¡± she whispers, and it¡¯s music to my ears.

    ¡°Touch yourself,¡± I say. ¡°Slowly. Just like that.¡±

    She rubs circles on her clit, her hips rocking with her so slowly and sensually.

    ¡°Now slide your fingers over your hole, sweetheart, before returning back to that clit. Damn, you¡¯re so wet. And you look so damn beautiful, teasing your wet little cunt.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she whimpers.

    ¡°One finger, Jules. And curl it.¡±

    She does as told. Her finger traces the outer edge of her slit before she plunges inside.

    ¡°You feel that at the end? That¡¯s your G-spot, sweetheart. Massage it.¡±

    Her breath ising faster now. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt that before.¡±

    ¡°Mmm. Enjoy the sensation. That¡¯s it. Palm your clit and rock up into it,¡± I encourage her. ¡°Tell me how it feels.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ it¡¯s so much,¡± she whispers. ¡°I want you. I want you so bad.¡±

    ¡°I know you do,¡± I mutter. My cock aches with need. ¡°But don¡¯t you daree, Jules.¡±

    Her head falls back as she moans softly, and she takes her time working herself. ¡°Oh God,¡± she whimpers.

    ¡°You want more, don¡¯t you?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she admits.

    ¡°Good. Add another finger for me. Show me how you fuck yourself when you think about me.¡±

    Her free hand grips the edge of the bed as she adds a second finger, her moans growing louder, more desperate.

    ¡°I can¡¯t keep going,¡± she says breathlessly. ¡°I¡¯m already too close.¡±

    ¡°Not yet,¡± I tell her. ¡°But let¡¯s go to the very edge together.¡±

    Her body trembles with need. ¡°Please,¡± she begs, her fingers working her cunt furiously. ¡°Please, let mee.¡±

    ¡°Patience is a virtue,¡± I say.

    ¡°And what if I don¡¯t listen?¡±

    ¡°Then I¡¯ll punish you,¡± I say.

    ¡°Oh my God. Is this domination y at the same time?¡±

    I give her a simple nod.

    She squeals.

    ¡°Try me, Jules. That pussy pulses, and I will refuse to see you for a week.¡±

    Sheughs. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll be a good girl and follow the rules.¡±

    Her motions slow, but I notice how her mouth falls open and her breathing grows more ragged.

    ¡°How does that feel?¡±

    ¡°So damn good, but I wish it were you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful,¡± I say, my cock twitching at the sight. ¡°Now, taste yourself, sweetheart. Describe it to me.¡±

    Her cheeks flush crimson, but she does it, sliding her fingers between her lips. Her eyes lock on mine. I can hear the soft suck of her mouth, the way her tongue swirls around her fingers. Her red lips glisten with saliva.

    ¡°Good girl,¡± I mutter. ¡°Now bring those wet fingers back to your swollen little clit. Say hello.¡±

    ¡°I want you to do this with me,¡± she says between pants.

    My hand slips under the waistband of my boxers to grip my cock. It¡¯s hot and heavy in my palm, pre-cum already beading at the tip.

    I turn the screen around to show her. ¡°Look what you do to me, Julie.¡±

    I rub my thumb across the tip, showing her what she desperately wants to see.

    ¡°Proof that you¡¯re under my skin.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s mutual.¡± She bites her lip, circling her clit with teasing strokes. ¡°After you left, I was thinking about how badly I want your cock inside me. How, tonight, I wanted you to fuck me so hard that I wouldn¡¯t be able to walk at work tomorrow. I fantasize about you.¡±

    I stroke myself, my eyes locked on her. ¡°Tell me what you want me to do.¡±

    ¡°I want you to pin me down on the mattress.¡± She moans, her fingers slipping inside herself, moving in time with my hand, just how I taught her.

    She continues, ¡°I want you to ¡­ spread my legs ¡­ and bury your face in my pussy until ¡­ I¡¯m screaming. Then I want you to flip me over and take me from behind, spanking my ass until it¡¯s red and raw.¡±

    ¡°You think you can handle that?¡± I offer, my hips thrusting into my fist.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    She¡¯s writhing now, her fingers moving faster, her pussy so wet that I can hear the sound. ¡°Shit, I¡¯m so, so close ¡­¡±

    ¡°Pull away,¡± I tell her. ¡°Noing until I say.¡±

    She does slowly, carefully, like she¡¯s afraid I¡¯ll vanish if she doesn¡¯t. ¡°I¡¯m throbbing for you.¡±

    ¡°Show me,¡± I demand, and she does.

    ¡°I need you.¡± Her breasts rise and fall.

    I¡¯m still stroking myself, my balls tightening. ¡°Back to your clit, babe.¡±

    She returns her hand, doing slow circles as desperate pants escape her. I can tell the orgasm is building because her entire body tenses.

    ¡°Are you close?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Are you?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± I admit. ¡°Can youe for me on the count of three?¡±

    She bites her bottom lip.

    ¡°One.¡± I wait at least ten seconds. ¡°Two.¡±

    ¡°Please,¡± she whispers.

    I smirk like the devil. ¡°Waiting for that next number, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    She slows her pace, nearly straining as my orgasm builds like a storm at sea.

    Her back arches off the mattress. When I see she¡¯s stranded on the very edge, I wait five more seconds, then speak.

    ¡°Three,¡± I tell her.

    She groans out, and I can¡¯t hold back my release any longer. The orgasm crashes over me, and I forget that I¡¯m not alone as I moan out. Ropes of thick, hot cum spill all over my stomach. Her body convulses as she cries out. Her fingers stay buried deep inside her pussy. Watching here apart on-screen, hearing her moan my name, knowing she¡¯s watching me do the same¡ªit wrecks me. We¡¯re desperate, needy, as the sexual frustration pours out through our phones.

    ¡°Julie.¡± I groan, my vision blurring as I ride out the wave of pleasure.

    Her breathing is ragged, body still trembling as she looks at me. ¡°That was ¡­¡± A satisfied smile lingers on her face. ¡°Incredible. Thanks for busting my phone-sex cherry. I want to do it again.¡±

    ¡°Right now?¡±

    Sheughs. ¡°Um ¡­ no. But that¡¯s an option?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± I say, chuckling. ¡°I aim to satisfy even the greediest of girls.¡±

    ¡°Oh my. You¡¯d better stop, or I¡¯ming over tonight.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s toote for that. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡±

    She gives me an adorable pouty face. ¡°Do we have ns?¡±

    ¡°No, but I have a fall bucket list item I want to check off, and I thought you¡¯d be a good person to ask to join me.¡±

    ¡°Oh, where?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re so damn pretty,¡± I say, grinning. ¡°The apple orchard.¡±

    ¡°I love Coleman¡¯s. I would love to join you.¡±

    ¡°Do you have to work?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Not tomorrow. It¡¯s my day off.¡±

    ¡°Great. I¡¯ll pick you up around lunch. Let¡¯s go on a pic.¡±

    ¡°Aw, I¡¯m excited,¡± she says, then tries to hold back a yawn. ¡°Sorry.¡±

    ¡°You should go to sleep, sweetheart.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not ready to say goodbye yet.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to,¡± I say, cleaning myself. I walk to the dresser and pull out a pair of joggers. ¡°I¡¯ll be here until you drift off.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she tells me, turning onto her side, propping the phone up on a pillow.

    I climb into bed, imagining lying next to her, holding her, and smelling how pretty she is.

    Julie closes her eyes. ¡°Tell me about your first love.¡±

    ¡°Oh, wow, I haven¡¯t thought about her in a very long time.¡± Iugh. ¡°She was older than me by, like, two years. She was a senior when I was a sophomore. I yed varsity football, and she was in the band. A saxophone yer. She was the first person I ever felt love for, and when she broke up with me to go to college, I was devastated.¡±

    ¡°Did she ever reach out to you again?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Yeah, once I signed my contract with the Angels to y. But I¡¯d already moved on,¡± I say. ¡°Every rtionship I¡¯ve ever been in has taught me something.¡±

    ¡°What do you think this lesson will be?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Not to give up.¡± The truth tumbles out of my mouth.

    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s perfect.¡±

    I continue chatting about my hockey days and training, and she eventually falls asleep.

    I end the call, then lie in the dark, thinking about her, about us, about what we just did.

    We were vulnerable, open, entirely focused on each other.

    I think about Harper¡¯s prediction and know I¡¯m falling in love with Julie Lovnd.

    No, I¡¯ve already fallen. I don¡¯t need forty days to decide if I want more time with her, but she needs it. Being together would be a big step for both of us, but we¡¯d figure it out. Whatever it took ¡­ I¡¯d do it.

    Tomorrow at the apple orchard, we¡¯ll be one day closer to decision time. We have time, even if the universe is cockblocking us.

    It will be just us, the autumn air, and the truth we¡¯ve been dancing around since the moment we met.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 16

    Sunlight streams through my bedroom window as my eyes flutter open. Last night was like a fever dream. Between the party, Harper¡¯s prophecy, meeting his family, the frustration of being interrupted twice, and then the FaceTime call. Oh God.

    I feel my cheeks heat just thinking about it. I don¡¯t know this adventurous woman I am when I¡¯m with him, but that was the point of my list.

    My phone dings on the nightstand, and I see it¡¯s just past ten in the morning. I bolt out of bed, realizing I haven¡¯t slept thiste in years.

    Nick

    Morning, beautiful. Still on for apple picking?

    Julie

    Yes. What time?

    Nick

    When you¡¯re ready. Patterson¡¯s still passed out. Going to leave him here with a note, telling him to fuck off. And the code.

    Iugh, already climbing out of bed.

    Julie

    Poor Patterson.

    Nick

    Poor Patterson, nothing. His timing is absolute shit. Be there in 30?

    Julie

    Make it 45. I need coffee and a shower.

    Nick

    Take your time. See you soon!

    Julie

    Perfect.

    I shower, my mind drifting to his hands, his voice telling me exactly what to dost night. It¡¯s only been six days since we started this fake-dating thing. Six days. That¡¯s nothing. So, why does it feel like so much more?

    It¡¯s because this invisible string has kept us tethered together for a year.

    When Nick arrives, his hair is a mess, like he just ran his fingers through it. My eyes slide down his white button-up and dark cks. Somehow, he¡¯s sophisticatedly casual.

    ¡°Hi,¡± I say, suddenly shy.

    ¡°Hi, yourself.¡± He steps inside and gently pulls me against him. ¡°I need to kiss you.¡±

    ¡°Please,¡± I whisper.

    His mouth captures mine, and I lose track of reality. Our tongues slide together, and I¡¯m tempted to pull him to the couch with me. Before I gain the courage, he pulls away. We¡¯re both breathing too hard, and we¡¯re too heated.

    ¡°Ready?¡± he asks.

    ¡°After that? I don¡¯t ever want to leave.¡±

    ¡°Well, I kinda rented the orchard for us.¡±

    My eyes widen. ¡°The entire thing?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he admits. ¡°I wanted it to be private. I don¡¯t want wandering eyes.¡±

    I can¡¯t help but smile. ¡°I can¡¯t believe this. You just asked them how much they¡¯d take?¡±

    ¡°I asked them how much they made per day, and I told them I¡¯d triple it if they gave us the afternoon.¡±

    I¡¯m shocked.

    He shakes his head. ¡°You¡¯re so damn cute.¡±

    The drive to Coleman¡¯s Orchard is filled withfortable silence, his hand on my thigh the entire time.

    Mrs. Coleman greets us at the entrance with a knowing smile.

    ¡°I was wondering if you were bluffing,¡± she tells Nick. ¡°Nice to see you, Julie.¡±

    ¡°Hi, Mrs. Coleman. This is my boyfriend, Nick,¡± I say, sitting forward to chat with her.

    The entire Coleman family moved to Colorado from Ohoma several decades ago and started this farm. It¡¯s been here my whole life.

    ¡°Nice to meet you,¡± he says, and it amazes me how damn charming he is without even trying.

    She notices me staring at him.

    ¡°Well, you two go ahead and drive through. Going to lock the gate behind you. The Honeycrisp apples are perfect right now. Back section, row fifteen. Very private with lots of shade.¡± She winks.

    I¡¯m mortified, but Nick grins, taking the gathering baskets she offers us.

    After we park, he grabs the pic basket from the back before reaching for my hand.

    We wander deep into the orchard, the mid-morning sun filtering through leaves that are starting to turn gold. When I look over at him, I capture the moment in my memory. I want to remember how he smiles at me and how our fingers brush together as we walk. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever felt this way about a man before. The thought should scare me, but when he looks at me like this, I¡¯m like a moth to a me. At least the end will be beautiful.

    Row fifteen ispletely secluded, surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers.

    Heys out the checkered nket and ces the pic basket on top to keep it from blowing away in the cool breeze.

    We take our time picking apples, filling our wicker baskets while stealing nces and touches. The tension between us builds with every idental brush of fingers, every moment our eyes meet.

    ¡°Have you ever done this before?¡± I ask as he lifts me up to reach one.

    ¡°Nope,¡± he admits. ¡°It¡¯s a first.¡±

    I smile. ¡°I like knowing there are still things reserved for us.¡±

    He chuckles. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve had many firsts with you, sweetheart.¡±

    ¡°Yeah? Like what?¡±

    ¡°Well, for starters, I¡¯ve never ordered or drank a pumpkin spicette until yours.¡±

    I gasp. ¡°No way.¡±

    ¡°Swear,¡± he says. ¡°I don¡¯t particrly care for bougie drinks. But if you make it, I¡¯m drinking it.¡±

    That shouldn¡¯t mean that much to me, but it does.

    ¡°What else?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never done yoga in my life.¡±

    This makes me giggle.

    Once our baskets are full, we make our way back to the nket in the shade between two overhanging trees. Sunlight reflects through the branches.

    We settle beside one another, and Nick unpacks the lunch he brought. He made fancy sandwiches, and he also has several containers of cut strawberries and grapes, several different cheeses, and a bottle of apple cider from the orchard.

    I snag a grape and pop it in my mouth as he hands me a clear stic cup of cider.

    The sweetness dances on my tongue.

    ¡°You thought of everything,¡± I say, watching him arrange the food between us.

    ¡°I wanted today to be perfect.¡± He pours himself some cider. ¡°No interruptions, no onlookers, no cosmic interference. Just us.¡±

    We eat, talking about everything and nothing. He tells me about morning practices on frozen rinks and about the adrenaline of yoff games, and I realize how much he misses ying. I tell him about early mornings at the coffee shop, about thefort of routine, and my fear of being stuck in life.

    ¡°Can I tell you something?¡± he asks.

    ¡°Of course,¡± I say as we pick up the food, putting it away.

    ¡°When I saw you that night at Bookers, something in me recognized you. Like my soul was saying, Oh, there you are. I tried to ignore it, tried to forget when I left. But then January happened, and now ¡­¡± He trails off.

    My heart races.

    ¡°I¡¯m not asking you to say anything back,¡± he says quickly. ¡°We have weeks to figure this out. Our deadline still exists. I just need you to know this isn¡¯t new. It seems like it¡¯s happening fast, but I think it¡¯s been a long timeing.¡±

    I move closer to him. ¡°I get that. I felt it too.¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    Instead of answering, I kiss him. What starts timid turns desperate. His hands tangle in my hair as I shift to straddle hisp.

    ¡°Jules,¡± he breathes against my mouth.

    ¡°I need you,¡± I whisper. ¡°Please. I can¡¯t wait anymore.¡±

    ¡°Here?¡± But his hands are already under my sweater, finding bare skin.

    ¡°Here. Now.¡± I¡¯m practically begging, grinding against him. ¡°No more interruptions. No more waiting.¡±

    He groans, flipping us so I¡¯m on my back on the nket. The sun filters through the apple trees above us as he pulls my sweater off, then his shirt.

    ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful.¡± His mouth finds my neck. ¡°So perfect.¡±

    We¡¯re frantic, desperate. The forey made us animalistic. When he reaches for his pocket, he freezes.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t n for this,¡± he admits.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± I gasp, pulling him back down. ¡°I¡¯m on birth control. I haven¡¯t been with anyone since Craig over a year ago.¡±

    ¡°I haven¡¯t been with anyone since I met you.¡± He searches my face.

    ¡°Really?¡± I ask, almost shocked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± he breathes, capturing my mouth again.

    His hands are everywhere, desperate and as greedy as his mouth. We undress each other with shaking fingers, clothes scattered across the nket. When he sees me fully naked in the sunlight, he pauses.

    ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± he whispers, and his eyes sh with need.

    Heys me down on my back, and the nket underneath me is rough against my bare ass. As he kisses up my neck, the cool autumn air nips at my flushed skin.

    As he pulls away, positioning himself between my thighs, I lift myself upright onto my elbows. His thick cock is hard and leaking pre-cum, glistening in the sunlight. I can smell him, and I want to taste him. It¡¯s a heady mixture of masculine and expensive cologne.

    When he looks at me like I¡¯m everything he¡¯s ever wanted, it makes my cunt pulse with need.

    I reach for him, pulling him down to me.

    He kisses me deeply as he settles at my entrance, still not giving me what I want. There is nothing else in the entire world that matters right now. I breathe out, anticipating him, needing him with my legs spread wide. He grins against my lips.

    ¡°You¡¯re so wet for me.¡± He growls.

    His fingers trail over my slit, teasing me, spreading my folds. I gasp as he circles my clit, sending electric jolts through my body.

    ¡°You want this cock, don¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± I moan, my voice full of need. ¡°Give yourself to me, Nick.¡±

    He slides a finger inside me, curling it just right, hitting that sweet spot that makes me arch off the nket. My cunt clenches around him, greedy for more.

    ¡°Not yet,¡± he whispers, his breath hot against my neck. ¡°I¡¯m gonna make you beg first.¡±

    He adds another finger, thrusting them in and out of me, his pace quickening. I can feel the pressure building, my pussy getting tighter, wetter. His thumb rubs circles on my clit, and I¡¯m panting, my hips bucking against his hand.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna?¡ª¡±

    He slowly pulls his fingers out, leaving me aching.

    He repositions himself between my legs, the head of his cock pressing against my entrance. Nick leans down, his lips brushing against mine.

    ¡°Nics Banks, fuck me,¡± I state, my hands wing at his back.

    He thrusts into me hard, burying himself to the hilt in one smooth stroke. I cry out, the fullness overwhelming. He pauses, letting me adjust, his breath warm against my skin.

    ¡°You¡¯re tight.¡± He groans, his voice strained.

    ¡°You¡¯re too big,¡± I muster. ¡°I feel like you¡¯re breaking me in two.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll go slow. I¡¯ll let you get used to me carving my path. It will never be like this with anyone else,¡± he tells me.

    ¡°I know,¡± I say, my eyes squeezing closed as he moves slowly.

    He pulls almost all the way out before pushing back in. Each thrust hits me deep. I moan, my nails digging into his shoulders, as he picks up the pace.

    ¡°Harder,¡± I beg, my voice shaking. ¡°Please, harder. It feels really good.¡±

    He ms into me, not picking up the pace, just thrusting deeper. He stretches me wide, hitting me just right. The orgasm coils tighter, and my control is ready to snap. His fingers find my clit again, rubbing it as he pounds into me relentlessly.

    ¡°Oh, oh, Nick. Keep doing that,¡± I whimper, the build happening fast.

    The sensation of him inside me with nothing between us is overwhelming. The sun warms our skin, and the apple-scented air surrounds us.

    ¡°You feel ¡­¡± He can¡¯t finish.

    ¡°I know.¡± I gasp, wrapping my legs tighter around him. ¡°I can¡¯t describe it either.¡±

    What we¡¯re doing is something else entirely. Every thrust, every kiss, every whispered word breaks down another wall between us. Everything ceases to exist outside of this.

    ¡°Look at me,¡± he says, and when I do, the expression on his face breaks something open in my chest.

    ¡°Nick,¡± I moan, getting close to seeing actual stars. ¡°I¡¯m so close.¡±

    ¡°Let go for me, sweetheart,¡± he whispers.

    ¡°I want you toe with me,¡± I breathlessly say.

    I can feel the pressure building until it¡¯s unbearable.

    He doesn¡¯t stop, his thrusts bing erratic, his breathing ragged.

    ¡°I will,¡± he promises, mming into me onest time before he stills, his cock pulsing inside me as he fills me full.

    My body tenses, my cunt mping down around him, and then it happens. I scream as my orgasm hits me, waves of pleasure crashing over me as I squirt all over his cock, soaking the nket beneath us. It¡¯s intense, like nothing I¡¯ve ever experienced, and I don¡¯t recognize the sounding out of me.

    We¡¯re a tangled mess of sweat and satisfaction. We stay joined, breathing hard, foreheads pressed together. I can feel him still pulsing inside me, along with the warmth of what we just shared.

    ¡°That was ¡­¡± I can¡¯t find words.

    ¡°Everything,¡± he finishes.

    I can still feel him between my thighs and know where he¡¯s been, will be evidentter. But right now, the world feels different, like that one experience changed it all.

    ¡°We just ¡­¡± I trail off.

    ¡°I know,¡± he whispers.

    His cock slips out of me, and I can feel him dripping down my thighs. He kisses me, his hands roaming over my body before he helps clean me with some paper towels from the pic basket.

    ¡°You¡¯re a dream,¡± he says as we get dressed.

    I grin, my body still tingling with aftershocks of having him exactly how I wanted him. ¡°And you¡¯re a fantasy.¡±

    The clouds cast shadows on the orchard as we gather the pic supplies. We¡¯re both aware that we¡¯ve crossed a line we can¡¯t uncross.

    ¡°Stay with me tonight?¡± I ask.

    ¡°I¡¯d love to,¡± he says. ¡°I want to wake up with you in my arms tomorrow.¡±

    Butterflies flutter inside me. ¡°I want that too.¡±

    As we drive back, I keep ncing at him, at our joined hands, thinking about what just happened.

    It was a im. A promise. A beginning to something that feels bigger than both of us. And we both know it.

    ¡°Something just changed,¡± I whisper. My head is still screaming that six days is too fast; my heart is whispering that maybe time doesn¡¯t matter when you find your person.

    ¡°Everything did,¡± he says. ¡°But we have time. I¡¯m not going anywhere.¡±

    As we drive on the outskirts of Cozy Creek, Nick nces at me. ¡°We should stop at the cabin,¡± he says. ¡°I need to grab some things if I¡¯m staying with you.¡±

    ¡°Sure. You can turn up here on this road. It connects,¡± I tell him.

    Six minutester, we pull up to Riverside, and Patterson¡¯s rental car is there.

    Nick kisses my fingers. ¡°Come in with me?¡±

    I nod.

    Inside, Patterson is sprawled on the couch, ying on his phone.

    ¡°There you are!¡± He sits upright when he sees Nick. ¡°Dude, I¡¯ve been texting you all day.¡±

    ¡°I was busy. Visited the orchard,¡± Nick says, and then I step into view.

    Patterson¡¯s eyesnd on me, taking in my messy hair, swollen lips, and the way Nick¡¯s hand rests possessively on my lower back.

    A knowing grin spreads across his face.

    ¡°Yeah?¡± He waggles his eyebrows. ¡°How ¡¯bout them apples?¡±

    ¡°Patterson,¡± Nick says, rolling his eyes. ¡°Grow up.¡±

    My cheeks burn.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m staying at Julie¡¯s tonight.¡±

    ¡°Great! I¡¯m having a party and inviting all the local singledies,¡± Patterson says with augh.

    ¡°No parties, please. The woman who rented to me lives two houses down, and she¡¯s watching the ce, trust me.¡±

    He stands up, moves to the kitchen, and opens the fridge. ¡°I¡¯ll invite her in to hang out with us.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back,¡± Nick says, disappearing upstairs to pack a bag, leaving me alone with Patterson.

    ¡°You¡¯re good for him,¡± Patterson says, his tone serious. The flirty, suave attitude is gone. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen him like this.¡±

    ¡°Wait, you can just turn it off like that?¡±

    He grins. ¡°Don¡¯t break my friend¡¯s heart, okay? I don¡¯t think he can handle that right now.¡±

    ¡°Him handle it? Are you kidding me? I¡¯m more worried about him breaking mine,¡± I admit.

    Patterson shakes his head. ¡°You don¡¯t see the way he looks at you when you¡¯re not watching. I¡¯ve never seen him like this, and we¡¯ve been friends for fifteen years.¡±

    Before I can respond, Nick returns with a duffel bag.

    ¡°Ready?¡± he asks.

    ¡°Yeah.¡±

    ¡°Bye, Jules. Nice chat.¡±

    I meet his eyes. ¡°Nice chat.¡±

    As we drive to my ce, I think about what Patterson said.

    ¡°You¡¯re quiet,¡± Nick observes.

    ¡°Just thinking.¡±

    ¡°About?¡±

    ¡°About how we¡¯re supposed to be fake dating.¡±

    He pulls onto the street in front of my condo and turns to me. ¡°No decisions. One day at a time.¡±

    ¡°Nick ¡­¡±

    ¡°You already know how this ends.¡±

    ¡°How?¡±

    He shoots me a wink. ¡°You know.¡±

    My heart pounds as we head inside.

    Nick Banks is staying with me, we just made love in an apple orchard, and nothing about this feels temporary anymore.

    As he sets his bag in my bedroom, he pulls me against him.

    ¡°Still no regrets?¡± he asks.

    ¡°None,¡± I whisper. ¡°You?¡±

    ¡°Only that it took us this long.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been six days,¡± I whisper.

    ¡°It¡¯s been eleven months,¡± he says.

    And as he kisses me again, it¡¯s full of promise, and I realize then that we¡¯re not pretending.

    Were we ever?

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 17

    Iwake to the weight of Julie pressed against my side.

    For a moment, I¡¯m disoriented, knowing this isn¡¯t my penthouse. Then I remember I¡¯m in Julie¡¯s bed and what we didst night.

    A smile touches my lips as I realize I¡¯m waking up next to her for the first time. I¡¯ll never get to experience this again.

    She¡¯s still asleep, red hair fanned across the pillow. I can feel her breath against my shoulder. I think about yesterday at the orchard and the sunlight against her skin.

    ¡°I can feel you staring,¡± she mutters without opening her eyes, then smiles.

    ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°Your breathing changed.¡± She stretches like a cat, pressing closer. ¡°What time is it?¡±

    I reach over and check my phone. ¡°Just after seven.¡±

    ¡°Shit.¡± Her eyes fly open. ¡°I have to be at work?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Sierra is covering your morning shift,¡± I remind her. ¡°You texted herst night, remember?¡±

    She rxes back against me. ¡°Right. I¡¯m not used to taking any time off.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you should get used to it. I¡¯ve heard having work-life bnce is important.¡±

    ¡°Yeah? Teach me how.¡±

    I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer against me. ¡°I¡¯m trying.¡±

    She stares at my mouth. ¡°Waking up to you is my new favorite thing.¡±

    ¡°Me too, sweetheart.¡±

    We lie here for a moment, just holding each other. I run my fingers through her hair, and it¡¯s surreal, being with her like this.

    I feel alive, to the point I want to stand on the balcony attached to her bedroom and scream it for the entire town to hear.

    ¡°I should shower,¡± she says, but doesn¡¯t move.

    ¡°We could share,¡± I suggest. ¡°Conserve water.¡±

    Sheughs. ¡°We already marked it off my list.¡±

    ¡°Partially,¡± I tell her. ¡°We didn¡¯t define what sex is.¡±

    She kisses me. ¡°Join me?¡±

    ¡°Lead the way.¡±

    She slips out of bed,pletely naked and gorgeous in the morning light. Julie is a goddess.

    I follow her to the bathroom, already half-hard.

    The shower is small, forcing us to press close under the spray. Julie tips her head back, water streaming over her.

    ¡°You¡¯re staring again,¡± she says.

    ¡°Can¡¯t help it.¡± I reach for her body wash and loofah, wanting to touch her all over. ¡°Sometimes, I find it hard to believe you¡¯re real and that we¡¯re here.¡±

    She ces her hands against the tiles, and I start at her shoulders, massaging as I go. She moans when I work out a knot.

    ¡°That feels amazing.¡±

    My hands slide lower, over her breasts, her stomach. When I reach between her legs, she gasps.

    I kiss her neck, fingers teasing. ¡°Let me take care of you.¡±

    I slide two fingers inside her, and she rocks back against me.

    ¡°See? Getting you all clean.¡±

    ¡°From the inside out.¡±

    I work her until she¡¯s shaking. When I feel her getting close, I turn her around and drop to my knees. I spread her legs wider and taste her. Her hands immediately tangle in my wet hair. A broken moan escapes her as I take my time, learning what makes her gasp, what makes her pull my hair harder.

    Before shees, I stand up and turn her around. ¡°Palms t on the wall.¡±

    She does as I said, and then secondster, I thrust deep inside of her. She screams out with satisfaction as I wrap my arm around her waist, holding her tight.

    I don¡¯t stop, holding her steady as she arches her ass for me, creating more friction. Her cries echo off the bathroom walls as shees. I chase my release, following behind her.

    ¡°Wow,¡± she pants out as I lean forward, kissing her neck and ear. ¡°Is this real?¡±

    ¡°Hell yes, it is.¡±

    She turns around, her back against the wall. She looks up into my eyes and smiles. Julie opens her mouth to say something, and before she can get it out, I hear pounding on her door.

    ¡°Are you expecting someone?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Julie groans.

    The knockes again¡ªharder.

    ¡°Maybe they¡¯ll go away,¡± I suggest.

    ¡°Julie Marie! I know you¡¯re home!¡± A woman¡¯s voice carries through the house.

    Julie¡¯s eyes widen. ¡°Oh no, that¡¯s my mother.¡±

    ¡°Your¡ª¡±

    ¡°Where are you at, sweetie?¡±

    The front door opens and closes.

    ¡°Shit, shit, shit.¡± Julie scrambles out of the shower, grabbing a towel. ¡°She¡¯s inside. My mom has a key.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Get dressed. Now.¡±

    ¡°Your dad and I are here,¡± she announces.

    As she rushes to dry off, I hear the creak of the stairs being taken to the second floor, where Julie¡¯s room is.

    Her eyes go wide. She throws me a towel. ¡°Let me get rid of them.¡±

    I smirk. ¡°Breathe. You¡¯re a thirty-five-year-old woman.¡±

    ¡°True. But I¡¯ll always be their innocent little girl.¡±

    ¡°Innocent? Give me a damn break.¡± I steal a kiss.

    Her eyes scan down my body.

    ¡°I want more of thatter.¡±

    ¡°My point,¡± I tell her. ¡°You¡¯re no angel.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ming up!¡± her mom says. ¡°Hope you¡¯re decent.¡±

    ¡°Go,¡± I say, but not before I pull her against me, kissing her.

    Footsteps traveling down the short hallway have us scrambling. They¡¯re heading straight toward us.

    When we break apart, I rush to pull on my clothes.

    ¡°Julie?¡± Her mom¡¯s voice is closer now. ¡°I brought breakfast from the shop and¡ªoh!¡±

    Julie steps out of the bathroom, shutting the door behind her.

    ¡°Mom. Dad,¡± Julie says suspiciously. ¡°Can we go downstairs?¡±

    ¡°Are you alone?¡± her mom asks.

    ¡°Uh, I ¡­¡±

    I take this as my cue and open the door.

    A woman who looks like an older version of Julie¡ªsame red hair, same green eyes¡ªstands at the doorway. Behind her is a tall man with graying hair and suspicious eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m Nick.¡± I step forward, offering my hand. ¡°Nick Banks. Nice to meet you both.¡±

    Julie might explode from embarrassment, and I find it adorable.

    Her mom¡¯s eyes light up. ¡°Oh! You must be the boyfriend everyone has told us about!¡±

    ¡°Everyone?¡± Julie and I say in unison.

    ¡°The whole town¡¯s talking,¡± she insists. ¡°I thought it was a rumor, to be honest.¡±

    ¡°Okay, okay, can we please take this conversation downstairs?¡± Julie asks, pushing them forward.

    We all head downstairs, and I can feel Julie¡¯s tension radiating off her like summer heat. Her mother immediately makes herself at home in the kitchen, pulling goodies from the bags she brought. There are caramel apples, maple scones, and miniature pecan pies.

    ¡°Let me make you both breakfast,¡± I offer, moving toward the stove.

    ¡°Oh, no, dear. We already ate,¡± her mother says, but she¡¯s studying me with interest. ¡°We stopped by the diner. Marge finally rolled out her pumpkin pancakes for the season.¡±

    ¡°First day of pumpkin pancakes is basically a town holiday,¡± her dad adds, extending his hand for a proper shake now. His grip is firm, testing. ¡°I¡¯m Richard. And pardon my daughter for being so rude, but this is Sharon, my wife.¡±

    ¡°So very nice to meet you,¡± I say genuinely.

    ¡°I used to watch you y, Banks. You were a monster on the ice.¡±

    I chuckle, but I¡¯m ttered. ¡°Yeah? I only act that way when I have skates on.¡±

    Her dadughs. ¡°You¡¯re a legend.¡±

    ¡°Nah,¡± I say.

    ¡°You¡¯re just being humble, which is fine. It¡¯s a good quality to have. You know you were the best.¡±

    I shrug.

    ¡°I saw you donated to the library,¡± Sharon says. ¡°That was so generous.¡±

    ¡°Okay, please don¡¯t bombard him,¡± Julie tells them, turning on her espresso machine. ¡°Please.¡±

    ¡°The donation was made in my sister¡¯s memory.¡±

    Something shifts in her dad¡¯s expression. ¡°Sorry for your loss. That¡¯s respectable, honoring her that way.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    Sharon is practically beaming as she watches us.

    ¡°Oh, Julie, honey, look at you!¡± She sps her hands together. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen this look on you since Buddy Madison.¡±

    ¡°Mom!¡± Julie¡¯s face turns bright red. ¡°Why would you bring him up?¡±

    ¡°Who¡¯s Buddy Madison?¡± I ask, intrigued.

    ¡°Her first love,¡± Sharon says. ¡°They were inseparable.¡±

    ¡°Until he cheated on me with Bethany Collins,¡± Julie mutters.

    Sharon reaches over and touches Julie¡¯s hand. ¡°But look at you now. That same sparkle in your eyes, except ¡­¡± She looks between us. ¡°This is different. Bigger.¡±

    ¡°Mom, please.¡±

    ¡°What? I¡¯m just saying what I see.¡± She turns to me. ¡°Yesterday, Mrs. Henderson cornered me at the grocery store, said you two were glowing at the festival.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. Henderson needs a hobby,¡± Julie mutters.

    Her dadughs. ¡°She has one. It¡¯s called being in everyone¡¯s business.¡±

    ¡°Pot, meet kettle,¡± Julie says, gesturing at her parents. ¡°You literally broke into my house.¡±

    ¡°We have a key. That¡¯s not breaking in. Besides, we wanted to meet Nick properly.¡± She turns to me. ¡°So, you¡¯re from New York City?¡±

    ¡°I live there now, but I grew up in a small town a few hours outside of the city. The poption is about the same as Cozy Creek.¡±

    Richard nods approvingly. ¡°Good. City boys don¡¯t usually understand ces like this.¡±

    ¡°Dad¡¯s not a fan of tourists,¡± Julie exins.

    ¡°Pumpkin peepers,¡± Richard says with disdain. ¡°They clog up the streets, can¡¯t drive worth a damn, and act like we¡¯re here for their entertainment.¡±

    ¡°Richard,¡± Sharon warns, but she¡¯s smiling.

    ¡°He¡¯s not wrong,¡± I say. ¡°That¡¯s why I rented out Coleman¡¯s Orchard yesterday. I want and need privacy.¡±

    Julie¡¯s parents exchange surprised looks.

    ¡°You rented the entire orchard?¡± Richard asks.

    ¡°For the afternoon, yes.¡±

    Sharon¡¯s eyes shine. ¡°Oh, that¡¯s so romantic! Richard, remember when you?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Sharon,¡± Richard warns, but his mouth twitches with a suppressed smile. ¡°I didn¡¯t have hockey money.¡±

    He looks at me with something that resembles an approval, and I take it.

    ¡°You¡¯re here through October?¡± she asks me.

    ¡°Yep,¡± I say. ¡°I have to be back in the city on November first.¡±

    Julie¡¯s hand finds mine, squeezing gently.

    ¡°Well,¡± Sharon says, brightening, ¡°I hope not forever.¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t be,¡± I say, meaning it. ¡°My mom and stepfather are staying in Cozy Creek through the holidays. I always spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my mom, no matter where she is in the world.¡±

    Julie¡¯s mouth falls open, and then she quickly closes it. I lift a brow at her.

    ¡°Oh, wonderful! We should have a family dinner sometime,¡± Sharon says.

    ¡°Mom, slow down,¡± Julie pleads. ¡°You¡¯re already nning holiday dinners, and you just met him.¡±

    ¡°When you know, you know,¡± Sharon says, looking at her husband. ¡°I knew your father was it for me after our second date.¡±

    ¡°First date,¡± Richard corrects. ¡°You just didn¡¯t admit it until the second.¡±

    They share a look that speaks of decades of love, and it makes me grin.

    Richard pulls Sharon with him. ¡°We should let you two get on with your day. Sorry for barging in.¡±

    ¡°Though not really sorry,¡± Sharon adds with a wink. ¡°I had to meet the man who has my daughter glowing like this.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d you did,¡± I say.

    After they leave, Julie drops her head on the counter. ¡°I can¡¯t believe she brought up Buddy Madison.¡±

    ¡°Your first love?¡± I pull her in front of me.

    ¡°High school boyfriend. Ancient history.¡± She looks up at me. ¡°And they definitely knew we were having shower sex.¡±

    ¡°Your parents are great, Jules.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. They love you. They want you to be happy.¡± I brush hair from her face. ¡°Your mom¡¯s right though.¡±

    ¡°About what?¡±

    ¡°You are sparkling.¡±

    She hides her face in my chest. ¡°Stop.¡±

    ¡°Never.¡±

    My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out.

    Patterson

    Coffee shop is AMAZING. Your girl¡¯s friend with the crystals is hot. Also, I may have told everyone we¡¯re brothers. Roll with it.

    I show Julie the text. Sheughs.

    ¡°ire will destroy him.¡±

    ¡°Probably. But I have a feeling Patterson isn¡¯t quite her type,¡± I say, studying her.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. ire goes for the artsy, intelligent, nerdy boys. Patterson¡¯s about as subtle as a freight train. Should we go rescue her?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Let him figure it out. Besides, it¡¯s your day off. When¡¯s thest time you took one?¡±

    She thinks about it. ¡°Yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Exactly. Before that, you have no idea.¡± I pull her closer. ¡°Spend the day with me.¡±

    ¡°You say it like I need convincing.¡±

    ¡°Do you?¡±

    She shakes her head, then pushes up on her toes, kissing me. ¡°You¡¯re sweeter than you let people see.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell anyone. I have a reputation.¡±

    ¡°Your secret¡¯s safe with me.¡±

    ¡°What do people do here when they¡¯re not working?¡± I ask.

    Her eyes light up. ¡°The farmers market is today. It¡¯s thest big one before October.¡±

    ¡°Perfect. Let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Lead the way. I want to go everywhere with you.¡±

    She blushes, and I love that I can make that happen.

    ¡°Let me grab my bags,¡± she says, sliding a few recycled totes over her arm, then we leave.

    We walk hand in hand through town toward the square where white tents are set up in rows. The morning air is cool, and I can smell fresh bread, apples, and a hint of cinnamon.

    ¡°This is one of my favorite things about fall,¡± Julie says, swinging our joined hands. ¡°Local vendors, fresh produce, Mnie¡¯s apple cider doughnuts ¡­¡±

    ¡°Apple cider doughnuts?¡±

    ¡°Life-changing.¡± She pulls me toward a tent where an older woman is frying doughnuts. They smell incredible.

    ¡°Julie! And the famous Nick Banks!¡± Mnie beams at us. ¡°I heard all about you.¡±

    ¡°Of course you did.¡± Julieughs. ¡°A dozen, please.¡±

    ¡°A dozen?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Trust me. We¡¯ll want themter,¡± she whispers and tries to pay, but I insist.

    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± I tell her, handing my card to Mnie before tipping her big.

    ¡°Uh,¡± she says, looking down at it, ¡°I think you added too many zeros.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Let me see.¡± I look at the slip and see a thousand-dor tip. ¡°Nope, that¡¯s right.¡±

    As Mnie bags our doughnuts, she winks at me, adding extra ones. ¡°Thank you so much. Now, you¡¯d better take care of her. She¡¯s special.¡±

    ¡°I know,¡± I say, squeezing Julie¡¯s hand.

    We wander through the market, Julie introducing me to vendors she¡¯s known her whole life. She buys honey from the beekeepers, Granny Smith apples from Coleman¡¯s stand, and fresh herbs from themunity garden. I carry her bags, watching her light up as she chats with everyone.

    ¡°Nick Banks?¡± A man with a thick Southern drawl approaches. ¡°Holy shit, it really is you.¡±

    ¡°Hi,¡± I say, taking his hand.

    ¡°Huge fan,¡± he says, shaking.

    Julie watches the interaction.

    ¡°Mind if I get a picture? No one will believe that I ran into you.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± I tell him.

    Julie takes the phone, snapping a few shots.

    After we¡¯re alone, she looks at me thoughtfully. ¡°Wow, you must really be a big deal.¡±

    ¡°Shh,¡± I say. ¡°I¡¯m not, trust me.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re just being humble. I mean, I knew you yed hockey, but these people are fangirling over you. Even my dad did.¡±

    Laughter releases from me. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize who your boyfriend was?¡±

    I wrap my arm around her, and she holds me tight.

    ¡°I guess not.¡±

    We move between a vegetable stand and the craft booth to check out another section.

    ¡°Nics?¡± Another voice interrupts. ¡°Nick Banks?¡±

    We turn to find a woman with a professional camera around her neck. Not a local. Her clothes are too polished, her smile too calcted.

    ¡°I¡¯m Amy from Sports Daily. What brings you to Cozy Creek?¡±

    My body tenses. Julie must feel it because she steps closer.

    ¡°I¡¯m not here for interviews,¡± I say.

    Amy¡¯s eyes slide to Julie, taking in our joined hands, the market bags, the domestic scene. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve met.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think we need to,¡± Julie says, but doesn¡¯t offer more.

    ¡°We¡¯re actually in a hurry,¡± I say, steering Julie away. ¡°Have a good day.¡±

    ¡°Just one picture?¡± Amy calls after us.

    I don¡¯t respond, guiding Julie through the crowd toward the edge of the market.

    ¡°Who was that?¡± Julie asks once we¡¯re clear.

    ¡°Trouble.¡± I scan the area, looking for other photographers. When there is one, there are usually others. ¡°She¡¯s a sports journalist, but she focuses more on gossip than games.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Julie¡¯s quiet for a moment. ¡°Is she going to write about us?¡±

    ¡°Probably.¡±

    ¡°About our fake rtionship?¡± she asks, but there¡¯s something in her voice.

    Julie spots another photographer near the honey stand.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± I say, realizing we¡¯re surrounded. ¡°Come on. We need to get out of here.¡±

    She grabs my hand, squeezing my fingers. ¡°Want to go home and eat apple cider doughnuts in bed, naked?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the best suggestion you¡¯ve had all day,¡± I say with augh, loving how she so casually pulls me away from my mini spiral.

    ¡°Better than shower sex?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Different category, but equally appealing.¡±

    I was afraid of the outside world bursting our perfect bubble. I just wanted more time with her before reality came crashing in.

    As we walk back to her ce, I keep watch for photographers, knowing I need to text Asher as soon as we¡¯re out of the public eye.

    Julie hums beside me, swinging her market bags, asionally feeding me bites of a warm doughnut. She acts as if she doesn¡¯t care, but I know better.

    Regardless, I soak in the morning sun, enjoy the peacefulness of the town, and try to forget people from my world are here, watching us.

    ¡°Nick?¡± Julie says as we reach her door.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Whatever happens with the media stuff ¡­ I¡¯m d it¡¯s me.¡±

    ¡°Me too.¡±

    She fumbles with her keys, and that¡¯s when I realize she¡¯s nervous.

    ¡°Let me help,¡± I say, taking them, unlocking the door while shielding her.

    Once inside, Julie sets down the market bags on the counter and turns to me.

    ¡°What parts are real, and what parts are fake?¡±

    ¡°When we¡¯re alone. All real.¡± I move closer to her. ¡°The way I look at you. Real. How I feel when I wake up next to you. Real. The panic I experienced when I saw those photographers getting near you. So damn real.¡± I take her hands.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re just really bad at fake dating?¡±

    ¡°The worst,¡± I agree, pulling her closer. ¡°But it will work out.¡±

    ¡°Even with photographers following us?¡±

    ¡°Especially then.¡± I kiss her forehead.

    My phone vibrates, and I pull it from my pocket.

    Patterson

    ire just read my palm and told me I¡¯m going to see my soulmate in November. Then she kicked me out of the shop. I¡¯m so confused.

    I show Julie the text. Sheughs, and some of the tension releases from her shoulders.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t surprise me,¡± she admits.

    I tuck loose strands of hair behind her ears. ¡°Now, about those doughnuts in bed ¡­¡±

    She smiles, the tension immediately disappearing. ¡°Race you upstairs.¡±

    ¡°What do I get if I win?¡±

    ¡°Me,¡± she says, snatching the bag of goodies and taking off running.

    I catch her halfway up, spinning her around, kissing her against the wall. The market bags drop, and an apple rolls down the stairs, but neither of us cares.

    ¡°I already won,¡± I tell her.

    ¡°We both have,¡± she whispers.

    And for now, we have apple cider doughnuts and each other.

    It¡¯s more than enough.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 18

    Iwake up to find Nick already awake, propped against my headboard, scrolling through his phone in the early morning light.

    ¡°Morning,¡± I mumble into his chest.

    ¡°Morning, beautiful.¡± He sets his phone down, running his fingers through my hair. ¡°Happy October.¡±

    ¡°Mmm.¡± I stretch against him, then freeze. ¡°Wait. Do you hear that?¡±

    There¡¯s noise outside, like a small crowd has gathered.

    I get up and move to the window, pulling back the curtain. My stomach drops. There are at least thirty photographers on the sidewalk. Some are sitting inwn chairs with coffee from Cozy, like they¡¯re camping out for the day.

    ¡°Oh my gosh.¡± A few of them snap pictures of me, and I step back and let the curtain fall. ¡°Nick.¡±

    He joins me at the window, wrapping his arms around me. ¡°Shit. There¡¯s more than yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Yesterday, there were five. This is ¡­¡± I turn in his arms. ¡°This is psycho level.¡±

    For the past week, we¡¯ve been followed anywhere we go. At first, it was almost amusing how far they¡¯d go. Several tried to catch us doing something scandalous, only to get pictures of us grocery shopping, holding hands, or trolling them. But each day, more arrived. I¡¯ve been followed to work so much that Nick started walking with me. They¡¯ve waited outside the coffee shop, taken pictures of me while I work, and even tried to interview my customers. Yesterday, one followed my mom to her book club meeting.

    As soon as the thought leaves my mind, my phone buzzes.

    Mom

    DO NOT go to the shop today. I¡¯ve taken you off the schedule for the rest of the month. This is too much, honey.

    Julie

    Mom, I can¡¯t just NOT work. It¡¯s October!

    Mom

    I¡¯m not asking you. I¡¯m telling you. Lie low until this dies down.

    Julie

    This is ridiculous. It¡¯s the busiest time of year!

    Mom

    Which is why I don¡¯t need photographers blocking the entrance for our customers. Take a vacation, sweetie. You haven¡¯t had one in years. Enjoy the season for once.

    Julie

    Mom ¡­ please.

    Mom

    I¡¯ve spoken. Stay with Nick. Be happy. The shop will survive.

    I show Nick the texts. ¡°She¡¯s banning me.¡±

    ¡°Your mom¡¯s smart,¡± he says, kissing my temple. ¡°She¡¯s protecting you.¡±

    ¡°But October is busy. The pumpkin drinks, the tourist rush?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Which your mom has been handling for decades.¡± He turns to face me.

    My phone vibrates again, and I expect to see another text from my mom, but it¡¯s Craig.

    Craig

    Saw the circus outside your ce. I love you, Julie. I will always love you. I would¡¯ve never put you in this position. If you need an escape from him, I¡¯m here.

    Nick reads it over my shoulder. ¡°Fucking vulture.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s trying to use this against you,¡± I say.

    Nick pulls me closer. ¡°What do you want to do? We can¡¯t stay here.¡±

    ¡°We could go to Riverside,¡± I offer.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s private. They can¡¯t follow us there.¡± I nce back at the people down below. ¡°Truthfully, I need a break from this. And if I can¡¯t work ¡­¡±

    ¡°We could enjoy October. Like normal people.¡± He grins. ¡°Well, as normal as we can be with all of this.¡±

    ¡°How long does it take for them to leave us alone?¡± I ask.

    ¡°It¡¯s impossible to predict, but we can y it by ear.¡±

    I sigh. ¡°A week at Riverside doesn¡¯t sound so bad.¡±

    ¡°No, we have the hot tub under the stars with actual privacy. I¡¯ll cook for you every night. Plus, the view.¡±

    His eyes slide up and down me, and I fall into his arms.

    ¡°Will this be what destroys us?¡± he asks, and I can hear the pain in his voice.

    I pull away, meeting his honey-brown eyes. ¡°It will take more than this.¡±

    ¡°I hope so.¡± He¡¯s already reaching for his phone on the bedside table. ¡°I need to call Asher and tell him what¡¯s going on.¡±

    While he talks, I start packing, trying not to feel guilty about abandoning the shop during peak season. But Mom¡¯s right¡ªthe photographers are affecting business.

    ¡°Zane¡¯s on his way,¡± Nick says, hanging up. ¡°He¡¯s going to create a distraction so we can slip out the back, where Autumn will be waiting for us.¡±

    ¡°This is unbelievable,¡± I tell him.

    ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry they¡¯re making our lives difficult.¡±

    ¡°Not your fault.¡±

    ¡°Kind of is.¡±

    ¡°Nick¡±¡ªI cup his face¡ª¡°stop ming yourself for things that are out of your control. If you could snap and make them disappear, I know you would. We¡¯re handling it. Together.¡±

    ¡°Together,¡± he agrees. ¡°Are you sure your parents don¡¯t hate me for this?¡±

    ¡°Are you kidding? She¡¯s probably thrilled I¡¯m finally taking a vacation and dating someone. She¡¯s been trying to get me to take time off and hook me up, but I¡¯ve refused.¡±

    I finish packing two weeks of clothes in an oversized duffel. Nick gets dressed and continues to stand by the window, watching everyone outside.

    Ten minutes pass, and he gets a text. ¡°Zane is here.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± I tell him as he takes my bag and swings it over his shoulder.

    Secondster, there¡¯s a knock at the door.

    ¡°Should I answer it?¡± I ask.

    ¡°No, let him pull attention,¡± he says as we move to the back door.

    I take onest look at my invaded sanctuary.

    ¡°Hey.¡± He stops me before we walk outside. ¡°This week, no photographers, no drama, just us and October. Got it?¡±

    ¡°Sounds perfect.¡±

    ¡°Good. Because we still have a list we need toplete.¡±

    Despite everything, Iugh. ¡°Priorities.¡±

    ¡°Always.¡± He grins. ¡°Now let¡¯s go enjoy your favorite season.¡±

    As we sneak out the back, hearing Zane arguing with photographers about ¡°private propertyws,¡± I realize my life has be surreal.

    We creep through my small backyard toward the fence, and Nick suddenly stops. ¡°Jules, where¡¯s the gate?¡±

    ¡°There isn¡¯t one.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean, there isn¡¯t one?¡±

    ¡°We have to jump the fence.¡±

    He stares at the six-foot wooden fence, then at me, then at the duffel bag. ¡°You¡¯re joking.¡±

    ¡°Nope. Come on. I used to do this all the time as a teenager.¡±

    ¡°In those boots?¡±

    ¡°Just help me up,¡± I tell him.

    Nick drops the bag over first, then makes a step with his hands. ¡°This is insane.¡±

    ¡°This is an adventure,¡± I correct, cing my foot in his hands.

    He boosts me up, and I swing my leg over, dropping down on the other side with a thud.

    ¡°You okay?¡± he calls over.

    ¡°Perfect! Your turn, city boy.¡±

    I hear him muttering something about ¡°ridiculous¡± before he pulls himself up and over with surprising grace.

    ¡°Not bad for a hockey yer,¡± I tease.

    ¡°Piss off,¡± he says, but he¡¯s grinning.

    ¡°Hey! You two!¡± A photographer has spotted us from the side of the house. ¡°Nick! Julie!¡±

    ¡°Shit, run!¡± he says.

    We grab the bag and sprint toward Autumn¡¯s idling car. She already has the back door open, and we dive in like we¡¯re in an action movie.

    ¡°Drive!¡± Nick shouts.

    Autumn peels away from the curb as photographers start running toward us, cameras shing.

    ¡°Thanks for being our getaway driver,¡± I pant, trying to catch my breath.

    ¡°What are best friends for?¡± Autumn grins at us in the rearview mirror. ¡°Besides, this is the most excitement I¡¯ve had in weeks. Very Bonnie and Clyde.¡±

    ¡°Less murder, more paparazzi,¡± Nick says, pulling me against him.

    ¡°Same level of drama though.¡± Autumnughs. ¡°Riverside?¡±

    ¡°Please,¡± we both say in unison.

    ¡°How bad is it?¡± Autumn asks, ncing at us in the mirror.

    ¡°Bad enough that my mom took me off the schedule,¡± I exin.

    Autumn gasps. ¡°In October?¡±

    ¡°And Craig¡¯s trying to start shit,¡± Nick adds.

    Autumn¡¯s hands tighten on the wheel. ¡°That asshole had better stay away.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s irrelevant.¡± I squeeze Nick¡¯s hand.

    ¡°We just need some time to breathe. Oh, did we forget Zane?¡± I ask as we travel through town.

    ¡°He drove himself,¡± Autumn exins. ¡°It¡¯s easier to separate in situations like this.¡±

    Nick whispers in my ear, ¡°I¡¯m sorry about all this.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± I whisper back. ¡°I¡¯d jump a hundred fences with you.¡±

    As Cozy Creek disappears behind us and we head toward the cabin, I realize that despite the chaos, I¡¯m exactly where I want to be.

    I¡¯m next to Nick, heading toward a week of privacy, with my best friend making jokes about our ridiculous escape.

    And in a weird way, I¡¯m grateful for it all.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 19

    Iwake up before Julie, which has be my new normal. The morning light filters through the massive windows of the Riverside cabin, and I can hear birds instead of photographers. The silence is perfect.

    Julie¡¯s sprawled across me like a starfish, red hair everywhere, one leg thrown over mine. The tension from leaving town has almost melted away.

    I think about jumping fences, diving into Autumn¡¯s car like criminals, Julieughing despite the chaos. She didn¡¯t break. We didn¡¯t break. The photographers tried, but we¡¯re still here.

    Patterson left a few days ago, iming the ¡°small-town witches¡± were trying to marry him off. He had to get back to New York¡ªhockey season starts soon, and he¡¯s the team captain. But not before ire read his palm onest time and told him about his love line. He¡¯s been texting me about this nearly every day.

    My phone buzzes on the nightstand.

    Asher

    Media¡¯s calming down. Give it another couple of days. But it could be a false rm.

    Nick

    Thanks for handling it.

    Asher

    That¡¯s what I¡¯m here for. How¡¯s Julie?

    Nick

    Perfect.

    Asher

    You¡¯re so doomed. Congrats!

    He¡¯s not wrong. Every morning, I wake up more fucked than the day before. More attached, more certain this isn¡¯t just temporary, more terrified of the November 1 deadline.

    We¡¯ve been at Riverside for a week now, and I don¡¯t ever want to leave. The past few days have been just us, this ridiculous cabin, and October. We¡¯ve cooked together, used the hot tub every night, taken walks around the property without anyone watching, and made love under the moonlight. We¡¯ve both needed this.

    My phone shows 5:47 a.m. Too early to be awake, but I can¡¯t stop staring at her. The way the predawn light catches her skin, how peaceful she looks.

    Then I remember her list. Wake up to oral.

    She¡¯s asleep this time, not pretending. This is my chance to check this one off properly.

    I carefully shift down the bed, moving slowly so I don¡¯t wake her yet. She mumbles something in her sleep but doesn¡¯t stir. I gently ease her legs apart, settling between them.

    She¡¯s just wearing one of my T-shirts, nothing underneath. It¡¯s something she¡¯s gottenfortable with.

    I start with soft, barely there kisses on her inner thighs. She shifts slightly but doesn¡¯t wake. I work my way between her legs, and that¡¯s when she gasps awake.

    ¡°Nick?¡± Her voice is thick with sleep and confusion. ¡°Oh my God.¡±

    Her hands immediately tangle in my hair as I continue, not stopping now. She¡¯s already wet, her body responding even before her mind catches up.

    ¡°Best rm clock ever,¡± she moans, hips rocking against my mouth.

    I work her clit with my tongue, wanting to taste every inch of her, making sure she¡¯s fully awake and aware of every sensation.

    When shees, it¡¯s with a cry that echoes through the cabin.

    I move back up to kiss her deeply, both of us breathless and connected in this perfect morning moment.

    ¡°Good morning to you, sweetheart,¡± I say.

    ¡°That was ¡­¡± She¡¯s still panting. ¡°So good. Bucket list item achieved.¡±

    ¡°The list is sacred. What will we do when weplete them all?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Add more.¡± She pulls me down for another kiss, tasting herself on my lips.

    My cock waits at her entrance. She¡¯s so wet and warm.

    My phone buzzes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare answer that,¡± Julie says.

    ¡°Could be important,¡± I mutter against her mouth.

    She backs away, meeting my eyes. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s more important than this moment with me?¡±

    ¡°Hell no.¡± I let it go to voicemail.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we¡¯ve been here a week already,¡± she says as I slowly slide into her. She gasps. ¡°Part of me doesn¡¯t want to leave.¡±

    ¡°Then we don¡¯t.¡± I trace patterns on her skin. ¡°We could stay here a few more days.¡±

    ¡°Tempting,¡± she says, leaning up and then somehow moving me to my back before straddling me.

    I groan as she takes me in.

    Julie leans down and kisses me, and I¡¯m lost in her as she rides me. Her breathing increases, along with her pace. I thrust upward, adding more friction, going as deep as possible. Our skin ps together, and we lose ourselves.

    ¡°You were made for me,¡± I grunt, mming up into her.

    ¡°I was,¡± she confesses, her mouth falling open.

    Julie¡¯s head rolls on her neck as her titties bounce. I push up on my elbows, and she meets my mouth.

    ¡°Damn, I love kissing you.¡±

    ¡°It feels so good,¡± she moans. ¡°So close.¡±

    I roll her over onto her back, and her thighs spread wide as I pump into her.

    ¡°Yes, yes, yes.¡±

    Each muscle tenses, and when she groans out her release, I m harder, filling her full.

    I tuck her hair behind her ears as I kiss her. We don¡¯t say anything, just settle in the moment,municating without whispering a word.

    My phone rings again, ripping us from our reality.

    ¡°Oh, for fuck¡¯s sake.¡± I bury my face in her neck, inhaling her hair.

    ¡°You should answer it,¡± she says.

    I grab it, seeing my brother¡¯s name across the screen.

    We break apart, slide out of bed, and move to the shower.

    ¡°What, Asher?¡±

    ¡°Good morning to you too. How¡¯s the love nest?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not a?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Whatever. Listen, the TMZ story about your fence-jumping escape is working to your advantage. But I do have something to tell you.¡±

    I sit up, not knowing what¡¯s being said. I promised myself I wouldn¡¯t check and would just wait until Asher told me pertinent information. Ignoring the media is easy; it¡¯s something I¡¯ve been doing since I stopped ying hockey and began working at the firm.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Hockey¡¯s Bad Boy and Barista¡¯s Great Escape. Very romantic. Comments are supportive. But there is a blind item that was posted.¡±

    ¡°Asher¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just saying, the narrative has shifted. You¡¯re not the yboy ex-hockey star who will stick his dick in anyone anymore. You¡¯re the protective billionaire, trying to live a private life, who¡¯s protecting his small-town girlfriend from media harassment. The blind item says the barista is the woman you¡¯ve had a crush on for the past year.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± I ask.

    The phone stays silent for seconds.

    ¡°Who did you tell about Juliest year?¡±

    I stare out the window, noticing the leaves changing on the mountain. ¡°No one.¡±

    ¡°Think about it, Nick. You had to have told someone that you¡¯d met her when you visited Cozy Creek. I need to figure out who¡¯s posting these blind items.¡±

    ¡°Zane and Autumn knew,¡± I say, then hesitate. ¡°And Dyson.¡±

    The silence draws on.

    ¡°If it¡¯s our older brother who¡¯s feeding this beast, I¡¯ll never forgive him.¡±

    ¡°Asher,¡± I whisper, ¡°don¡¯t do this. Let it be.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m going to find out who the fuck it is,¡± he says between gritted teeth.

    ¡°What will it solve?¡± I ask.

    ¡°I¡¯ll know who continues to sell us out. Think about everything that¡¯s been posted about Easton, Weston, me, Brody, and you. It¡¯s not a coincidence. It¡¯s someone in our inner circle.¡±

    ¡°Who cares what¡¯s posted? Maybe they¡¯re helping? Every single person you mentioned has found their person, Ash. It¡¯s nothing but harmless matchmaking.¡±

    ¡°Harmless?¡± I can tell he¡¯s upset. ¡°Love has blinded you. I¡¯ll solve this mystery if it¡¯s thest thing I do. With or without your help.¡±

    ¡°Asher.¡±

    He groans, and I can imagine him sitting at his desk in New York, staring out his office window toward Billie¡¯s office since their buildings face each other. I smile, thinking about them.

    ¡°Oh, and LadyLux wants an exclusive.¡±

    ¡°Not happening,¡± I mutter.

    LadyLux is an anonymous pop culture blogger who posts about many people in my circle. She writes for LuxLeaks and is always fair and bnced.

    ¡°She¡¯s a good resource, and she¡¯ll tell the truth. Think about it.¡±

    I shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t want a bigger spotlight.¡±

    ¡°It will stop many of the rumors that aren¡¯t being addressed. Take care of them before the snowball bes an avnche,¡± he tells me.

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°You know exactly what you¡¯re doing, so handle it however you see fit. Don¡¯t mess this up.¡±

    ¡°What part exactly?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Julie. She¡¯s the best thing that¡¯s happened to you, and I know your thirty-day deadline is soon.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s different,¡± I exin.

    ¡°Yeah, but are you?¡± He hangs up before I can respond.

    I move to the bathroom and step into the shower with Jules.

    ¡°Well?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Everything is great. Asher¡¯s in a mood.¡±

    ¡°Oh. Sorry to hear that.¡± She smiles. ¡°Can we really stay a little longer? I like our bubble here.¡±

    ¡°A few more days in the grand scheme of things won¡¯t matter,¡± I say as she takes her time washing me.

    Her touchforts and calms me as we stand under the warm water.

    The stream cascades over us. She starts at my chest, then moves up to my shoulders. She touches me like she¡¯s memorizing every inch of me.

    ¡°Turn around,¡± she says softly.

    I do, bracing my hands against the tiles as she washes my back. Her fingers work out knots I didn¡¯t know I had, and I groan.

    ¡°You¡¯re so tense,¡± she whispers. ¡°Everything is going to work out how it should.¡±

    ¡°I know it will.¡± I nce at her over my shoulder, and our eyes meet. ¡°It¡¯s us against the world right now.¡±

    ¡°A battle I will happily fight next to you.¡±

    She moves lower, taking her time, and it¡¯s not sexual. It¡¯s intimate. When she¡¯s done, I turn to face her.

    I wash her hair first, massaging her scalp until she¡¯s practically purring. The suds slide down her body, and I follow them with my hands. She watches me with those green eyes, and something unspoken streams between us.

    ¡°Nick,¡± she whispers.

    ¡°I know.¡±

    And I do. I feel it too. I feel this thing we¡¯re both too scared to name.

    The steam surrounds us, the water still perfectly hot. It¡¯s like the cabin knew we needed this.

    I pull her against me, and we just stand there, holding each other. Her arms wrap around my waist, her cheek pressed to my chest. I rest my chin on top of her head, breathing in the scent of the shampoo, mixed with steam.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want this to end,¡± she says so quietly that I almost miss it.

    ¡°Which part?¡±

    ¡°Any of it. All of it.¡±

    I tighten my hold on her, and we stay like that for who knows how long. The luxury of endless hot water lets us exist in this moment.

    When we finally step out, it¡¯s not because we have to, but because we choose to face the day together.

    We dry each other off infortable silence, stealing nces and soft touches. Julie wraps herself in one of the plush robes while I pull on sweatpants.

    ¡°Breakfast?¡± I ask.

    ¡°I¡¯ll never say no.¡±

    In the kitchen, I pull ingredients from the fridge¡ªeggs, bacon, and fresh fruit we picked up from the farmers market earlier this week. Julie perches on the counter and doesn¡¯t take her eyes from me.

    ¡°I love watching you cook,¡± she says. ¡°You get this concentrated look. It¡¯s cute.¡±

    ¡°Cute? Pfft. I¡¯m going for sexy chef.¡±

    ¡°That too.¡± She steals a strawberry from the bowl. ¡°What¡¯s on our agenda today?¡±

    ¡°Whatever we want. That¡¯s the beauty of hiding from the world.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t hide forever?¡± She yfully pouts.

    ¡°No,¡± I tell her, cracking eggs into a bowl. ¡°But we can today.¡±

    My phone buzzes on the counter. Julie nces at it.

    ¡°What¡¯s it say?¡± I ask her.

    ¡°You trust me with your phone?¡±

    I chuckle. ¡°I have nothing to hide from you. Go through it if you want.¡±

    ¡°No way. I trust you too.¡±

    ¡°Read it to me then,¡± I say as the bacon sizzles.

    ¡°Patterson said ire texted him about his ¡®romantic future,¡¯ and he doesn¡¯t know if she¡¯s flirting or threatening him.¡±

    Iugh. ¡°Hrious.¡±

    ¡°Getting under people¡¯s skin is her superpower.¡± Julie gets quiet. ¡°I miss her. And the shop. And my normal life.¡±

    ¡°We can go back?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Not yet.¡± She meets my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not ready to share you with the world again.¡±

    ¡°Julie¡ª¡±

    ¡°I know we only have three weeks left. I know this has a potential expiration date, and no decisions are to be made until then. But right now, it¡¯s just us. Can we just ¡­ pretend for a few more days?¡±

    I abandon the eggs, moving to stand between her legs. ¡°We don¡¯t have to pretend anything.¡±

    ¡°You know what I mean. I want to pretend there isn¡¯t a shitstorm outside, waiting for us.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I do.¡± I cup her face.

    She kisses me, then pulls back. ¡°I think the eggs are burning.¡±

    ¡°Shit!¡± I rush to save breakfast while sheughs.

    I te everything and even make a few slices of buttered toast. We eat on the deck overlooking the mountains, wrapped in nkets to help with the October chill. Thendscape is painted in red, orange, and gold. It feels magical.

    ¡°We should use the hot tub tonight,¡± Julie says. ¡°Under the stars.¡±

    ¡°Clothing optional?¡±

    ¡°Clothing is highly discouraged,¡± she says.

    We look at the mountains, and I think about how different being here has been from my everyday life. No meetings, no pressure, no performance. Just Julie and me and this ridiculous cabin that¡¯s be our perfect bubble.

    ¡°Damn, I love spending October with you,¡± I say out loud, and she grins.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 21

    Autumn stands, breaking the awkwardness. ¡°Right now, we need to figure out the next step. What do you want to do, Jules?¡±

    ¡°Truthfully? I want to go home. I want to sleep in my own bed. I want to wear my cute sweaters that are in my closet and enjoy October. This is my favorite time of year,¡± I exin. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be forced to hide.¡±

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll make sure you get home,¡± Autumn says. ¡°Don¡¯t let this ruin your favorite time of year. And if things get too bad,e back here. We have plenty of room and food. We¡¯ll have a slumber party.¡±

    ¡°Yes, absolutely,¡± Zane says. ¡°Are you ready to go home now?¡±

    I look at Nick, then at Zane. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll drive the two of you,¡± Zane offers. ¡°My truck is less recognizable.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll follow separately in the car,¡± Autumn adds. ¡°Create confusion, but also, I need to pick up some more ingredients from the store. Everyone is getting pumpkin bread soon. I¡¯ve just been in the mood.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whisper, hugging Autumn.

    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s going to be okay,¡± she tells me, squeezing me tight.

    ¡°It will. It¡¯s just a lot right now,¡± I whisper.

    She pulls away and moves my hair over my shoulders. ¡°A year from now, no one will care about any of this. I promise.¡±

    ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s get going,¡± Zane says. ¡°We¡¯re taking the truck.¡±

    Nick wraps his arm around me, and we move to the oversized garage in the back. Zane clicks a button, and the door lifts.

    I gasp. ¡°I didn¡¯t realize you had all of this.¡±

    Zane chuckles. Inside is a jacked-up truck, a couple of motorcycles, a ssic Mustang convertible, and a Lamborghini.

    ¡°All of this is really subtle,¡± Nick says.

    Zane chuckles. ¡°I hardly drive any of it. And if anyone gets in my way, it will be a monster-truck experience.¡±

    Nickughs, and it rxes me. ¡°Shit, let me grab our bags.¡±

    A minuteter, he¡¯s running to his Range Rover, unpacking our things, then rushing back.

    We climb into the back seat, and the windows are tinted so dark that no one is taking any photos of us.

    ¡°Just like old times,¡± Zane says, adjusting the mirror. ¡°Remember when we used to sneak out in your mom¡¯s Suburban?¡±

    ¡°You forced me,¡± Nick corrects.

    ¡°Oh, whatever.¡± Zane starts the engine, and it rumbles like thunder. ¡°It was your idea half the time.¡±

    ¡°Revisionist history.¡±

    ¡°Remember the Denver concert incident?¡± Zane grins, pulling out of the garage.

    Autumn is waiting in her Lexus.

    ¡°We agreed never to speak of that again,¡± Nick says.

    ¡°Now I need to know,¡± I say.

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t,¡± Nick insists, but he¡¯s fighting a smile.

    ¡°Nick tried to crowd surf and?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Zane, I swear to God?¡ª¡±

    ¡°And security thought he was rushing the stage. Spent three hours in concert jail.¡±

    ¡°Concert jail?¡± Iugh.

    ¡°It was a misunderstanding,¡± Nick mutters.

    Zane navigates down the mountain, and the reality of what we¡¯re heading back to settles over us. Our fingers interlock as I stare out the tinted windows.

    Zane takes a turn fast enough that we slide across the seat.

    ¡°Sorry. Thought I saw someone following.¡±

    My stomach drops. ¡°Following?¡±

    Nick turns to look. ¡°Silver Honda?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the one.¡±

    ¡°Take the next left,¡± Nick says. ¡°Then double back through the gas station.¡±

    Zane follows his instructions, and the Honda continues straight.

    ¡°You two have me paranoid.¡± Zane¡¯s fingers grip the wheel tight.

    ¡°How often does this happen to you?¡± I ask Nick.

    ¡°More than I¡¯d like,¡± he admits. ¡°Since I retired, it¡¯s not been like this.¡±

    The rest of the drive is tense. Zane takes back roads like he¡¯s a local, doubling back twice more just to be safe. Finally, he¡¯s parking on the street in front of my condo.

    ¡°The coast looks clear,¡± Zane says, but then I see the crowd of photographers waiting.

    ¡°Shit,¡± Nick mutters. ¡°This is more than before.¡±

    ¡°You sure you want to do this?¡± Zane asks. ¡°You could grab more clothes ande back to our ce.¡±

    I shake my head. ¡°I¡¯m not letting them chase me from my own home.¡±

    Zane turns and looks at us. ¡°If you need anything, call us.¡±

    Nick ces his hand on Zane¡¯s shoulder and squeezes. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°When I said best friends forever, I meant it,¡± Zane says.

    They meet each other¡¯s eyes for a long moment before Nick turns to me. ¡°Ready?¡±

    ¡°No. But let¡¯s do it anyway.¡±

    ¡°I think that¡¯s our official motto,¡± he says with a smile.

    ¡°It¡¯s a good one.¡±

    This time, we¡¯re more prepared for the crowd that surrounds my condo. Or at least, that¡¯s what I tell myself over and over.

    The moment we exit Zane¡¯s truck, I get lost in the shing lights, bodies that press in from all sides, and the shouting. It¡¯s overwhelming.

    The questions fly from every direction.

    ¡°Julie! Are you pregnant?¡±

    ¡°Nick! How much did you pay her?¡±

    ¡°Is this real or a publicity stunt to fix your reputation?¡±

    ¡°Julie, what will you do when he leaves you?¡±

    ¡°Did you cheat on Craig?¡±

    ¡°Nick! How many women have you destroyed?¡±

    Nick¡¯s armes around me, his body bing a shield. I can feel the tension radiating off him. This is his enforcer energy¡ªthe same thing that made him legendary on the ice.

    ¡°Stay close,¡± he mutters in my ear. ¡°Don¡¯t let go of me.¡±

    We push forward. A photographer shoves a camera in my face¡ªso close that I can smell his coffee breath. Nick¡¯s free handes up, not touching but creating space.

    ¡°Back. The. Fuck. Up.¡± His voice is deadly.

    The guy stumbles backward.

    Someone grabs my arm from behind, trying to stop me, to separate us.

    That¡¯s when instinct kicks in.

    I spin, using the momentum to break his grip, and in one fluid motion, I palm-strike him in the chest. He flies backward, his assnding on the pavement.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch me without permission,¡± I warn.

    The crowd of photographers goes silent for a second.

    Nick stares at me, mouth open. ¡°Are you the Karate Kid?¡±

    ¡°I need my keys,¡± I say, but my hands are shaking now, adrenaline making them tremble. ¡°I need?¡ª¡±

    They slip from my fingers.

    ¡°I got it,¡± Nick says, scooping them up, still looking at me with something like awe. He uses his body to create a barrier.

    Finally, we¡¯re inside, and we both lean against the door, breathing hard.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Nick immediately starts checking me over. ¡°Your hand?¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I say, though my whole body is shaking now.

    ¡°You just ¡­ youid that big dude out t.¡±

    The adrenaline is fading, leaving me shaky. ¡°Yeah, and I¡¯ll do it again.¡±

    ¡°He was two hundred fifty pounds minimum. Nearly three times bigger than you. Where the hell did thate from?¡±

    Despite everything, Iugh. ¡°I¡¯m a ck belt in karate. Have been since I was sixteen.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re what?¡± He¡¯s confused. It¡¯s cute.

    ¡°I was a very paranoid kid. Ask Autumn and ire. I¡¯m usually very hyperaware of my surroundings, and I was afraid of being kidnapped because I was a cute kid. So, I begged my mom to put me in karate so I could learn self-defense. Also, I yed roller derby for about a decade.¡± I flex my arm. ¡°These guns aren¡¯t just for show.¡±

    Nick stares at me like he¡¯s seeing me for the first time. ¡°Roller derby?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah. They called me Red Menace.¡±

    ¡°Of course they did.¡± He startsughing¡ªa real bellyugh. ¡°My girlfriend just knocked a photographer on his ass.¡±

    ¡°He grabbed me. Anyone touches me without consent, they get dropped.¡±

    ¡°That was¡±¡ªhe pulls me against him¡ª¡°the hottest thing I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°You went full-on ninja. That palm-strike was perfect.¡±

    ¡°My sensei would be proud.¡± I¡¯m still worked up. ¡°God, I haven¡¯t had to do that in years.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you could fight?¡±

    ¡°It never came up. Hi, I¡¯m Julie. I make coffee and can break your arm in three ces.¡±

    He¡¯s grinning wider now. ¡°What else don¡¯t I know? Secret spy? Assassin?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m also really good at pool.¡±

    ¡°Of course you are.¡±

    ¡°And I can juggle.¡±

    ¡°Now you¡¯re just showing off.¡±

    ¡°Oh, and I won a hot-dog-eating contest once.¡±

    ¡°Stop.¡±

    ¡°Sixty-seven hot dogs in ten minutes.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s physically impossible.¡±

    ¡°Okay, that one¡¯s a lie. It was only seven, and I almost threw up afterward.¡± I grin at him. ¡°But I did win. The trophy is at my parents¡¯.¡±

    ¡°What else? Please tell me you weren¡¯t in a biker gang.¡±

    ¡°Just derby. We did have rivals though. The Silver Sky yers. Bitches.¡±

    We¡¯re bothughing now, and the tension breaks. It feels good after everything we¡¯ve been through today.

    ¡°I¡¯m dating Red Menace,¡± he repeats, shaking his head as I lead him into the kitchen.

    ¡°Retired Red Menace. I haven¡¯t skated in four years.¡±

    ¡°We should go sometime.¡±

    ¡°You want to go to the rink?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah. Rollerding is something I did a lot as a kid to practice in the offseason.¡±

    I pat his cheek. ¡°I¡¯d love to see it.¡±

    ¡°You tell me when, and it¡¯s a date,¡± he says, his face softening. ¡°Have you ever ice-skated?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, a few times at the resort. It was fun. Though busting your ass on ice is just as bad as a rink.¡±

    He smiles, tucking hair behind my ear. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry about all of this.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. I won¡¯t let you take the me for their actions,¡± I say.

    He pulls me closer to him. ¡°Jules, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going to?¡ª¡±

    Before he can finish, a knock taps on the door, causing us to both freeze.

    Nick moves to the peephole and looks out. Secondster, he opens the door, and ire rushes inside.

    ¡°Oh my goodness!¡± She drops everything to hug me. ¡°Are you okay? I heard you dropped a photographer!¡±

    ¡°How did you?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Someone got a video, and it¡¯s trending. I think the caption said something like Barista Goes Ninja on Handsy Photographer.¡± She shows me her phone. ¡°Thements are wild. Even the other photographers backed off after that. Don¡¯t mess with Red Menace is trending locally.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± I say.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s good! People are on your side. Even Craig¡¯s supporters are saying the photographer deserved it.¡±

    My brows furrow. ¡°Craig has supporters?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s been ying victim all week. But this?¡± She gestures at her phone. ¡°This shows you¡¯re not some damsel he needs to save.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never been a damsel.¡±

    ¡°I know that. Now everyone else does too. Red Menace strikes again.¡± ire grins.

    Nick looks between us. ¡°Did you do derby too?¡±

    ¡°Only for a year, and then I quit. I learned that I¡¯m too fragile. Look at me,¡± ire says.

    ¡°What was your derby name?¡±

    Sheughs. ¡°I was The ir Witch Project.¡±

    ¡°Of course you were,¡± Nick mutters, but he¡¯s smiling. ¡°You know, I have a friend I should hook you up with.¡±

    ire immediately shakes her head, her cat earrings jingling. ¡°I don¡¯t do setups. I want the universe to put the right man in my path. Oh, before I forget ¡­ I brought supplies.¡± She gestures at the bags. ¡°Wine, tequ, chocte, whipped cream.¡± She waggles her brows, then moves to the next bag. ¡°Sage to cleanse the negative energy and Chinese food because I know you both probably haven¡¯t eaten since breakfast.¡±

    ¡°Thank you so much,¡± I tell her. ¡°You¡¯re the best. Do you want to stay and hang out?¡±

    She shakes her head. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m going to go home and pet my cat, then rot in my bed.¡±

    Nick gives her a look. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°Exactly what I said. Take it how you want.¡± ire bursts intoughter. ¡°If you need anything, please let me know. Happy to deliver it to you.¡±

    After a deep breath, ire opens the door and steps out. She uses the sidewalk like a runway and then disappears through the crowd.

    ¡°Now what?¡± I ask.

    Nick lifts the bottle of tequ. ¡°We continue the party.¡±

    We do shots, then copse on the couch with the Chinese food. While we eat, my phone continues to buzz with notifications and texts. When I¡¯ve had enough, I finally check it.

    Mom

    Are you okay? Dad saw the video of you defending yourself. He¡¯s so proud.

    Julie

    Fine. I¡¯m home. Safe. Nick is with me. We¡¯re eating Chinese food.

    I open the next text.

    Craig

    I saw what you did to that photographer. That¡¯s not the gentle Julie I know. Nick¡¯s changing you for the worse.

    I show it to Nick. ¡°He¡¯s still watching everything.¡±

    ¡°Block him.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t. We need evidence for the restraining order.¡±

    An hourter, after we¡¯ve finished eating, we lounge on the couch and watch TV.

    ¡°It¡¯s quiet,¡± Nick says with me wrapped in his arms, a tequ buzz swarming me.

    He¡¯s right; there¡¯s no more shouting or camera shes.

    Nick creeps to the window, staying to the side so he can¡¯t be seen. ¡°The street is empty.¡±

    ¡°Completely?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s one car ¡­¡± He leans closer. ¡°ck sedan on the corner.¡±

    My blood goes cold. ¡°Craig?¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t tell. Windows are tinted.¡±

    I get up and join him, and we stare at it for a moment.

    ¡°Should we call the police?¡± I ask.

    ¡°And say what? There¡¯s a car parked legally on a public street?¡±

    The car¡¯s headlights suddenly turn on, illuminating my building for just a second before it drives away.

    ¡°That¡¯s not creepy at all,¡± I mutter.

    Nick pulls the curtains closed. ¡°Tomorrow, we will file that restraining order.¡±

    ¡°Tomorrow,¡± I agree. ¡°But honestly, where did all those photographers go?¡±

    Nick¡¯s already checking his phone. ¡°Something bigger must have happened.¡±

    ¡°Is this the calm before the storm?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Potentially.¡±

    I sink deep into his arms, and he kisses my forehead.

    ¡°Whatever¡¯sing, we¡¯ll face it together,¡± I say.

    ¡°Together,¡± he agrees.

    We stay holding each other in the quiet, knowing this peace won¡¯tst. But right now, in my little condo with empty Chinese food containers scattered on the coffee table and tequ warming our blood, we¡¯re safe.

    For tonight, we¡¯re just Nick and Julie, not the hockey star and the barista or any of the other headlines. We¡¯re just us.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 22

    Istand outside on the balcony with the doors open while Julie gets ready for our double date. The cream curtains p in the breeze as I people-watch. The closer we get to Halloween, the more bloated the town bes with tourists. Downtown has been gridlocked for days, and the sidewalks are packed with festivalgoers dressed in costumes and cozy sweaters. We¡¯re in the center of it all, the ma of Cozy Creek.

    Julie¡¯s balcony gives a front-row seat to the festivities. Honestly, I could stand here for hours. The weather is brisk, and I can feel the excitement floating through the air.

    Most of the paparazzi who were following us left three days ago, but I know it¡¯s short-lived. Asher exined they¡¯re chasing a scandal involving a senator¡¯s son in Denver. He¡¯d fabricated a story for them to salivate over, and they took the bait. I appreciate the reprieve more than he¡¯ll ever know. This is why my brother is the best in this industry. He can bury anything, and I believe my sister knew Asher was a powerhouse, an asset. At first, I didn¡¯t understand why Eden had chosen him to be CEO when I had worked beside her for years. Now, I get it.

    A chill rushes over me.

    Asher lives for strategy in intense situations and is obsessed with causing or putting out fires. Nothing intimidates him, and he genuinely loves New York. She knew Asher would be a lifer at Banks Advertising and Marketing. I think she knew I wouldn¡¯t.

    Eden. My dear, sweet sister. She¡¯d have loved Cozy Creek.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Julie asks from her closet door. She¡¯s leaning against it, dressed in her bra and panties, watching me. Red hair is twisted up on her head in small pinwheels.

    I nce at her, unable to deny how damn pretty she is.

    A smile touches my lips. ¡°Of course. Why?¡±

    ¡°You looked sad,¡± she says.

    I suck in a deep breath, confirming she can see straight through me. It¡¯s a gift she¡¯s had since we met.

    ¡°Oh, babe. I¡¯m very happy, I promise,¡± I say. It¡¯s the truth.

    ¡°Just making sure. Want to talk about it?¡± she asks, returning to her closet.

    Hangers slide against metal as I go back to my thoughts.

    ¡°I was just thinking about my sister and how much I miss her.¡± I smile and turn back to the balcony. My mind drifts back to Eden.

    A month ago, I could hear her voice scolding me in a way that was perfectly, uniquely her. But since I¡¯ve been here, my sister¡¯s disappointment no longer haunts me. I think my happiness has settled her soul, or maybe it¡¯s settled mine. Regardless, I¡¯m not the same person I was a month ago. My outlook on life has changed, and a part of me has too. Even I can recognize that.

    Julie hasn¡¯t returned to the coffee shop yet, but she¡¯s supposed to soon. Her parents have stated several times that they don¡¯t want her returning until November, but my girl is very stubborn. She decided yesterday that she would continue to do inventory throughout the month. Her dad caved.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready!¡± Julie announces.

    I turn and see she¡¯s wearing a ck dress with a white cor, and it¡¯s giving off a Wednesday Addams vibe. My eyes scan down her spiderweb fiss to her clunky Doc Martens boots that make her look like a vampire hunter. I believe she could kick ass in them after watching her knock the piss out of that photographer. It¡¯s an energy I can match.

    ¡°Are you sure about going out tonight?¡± I ask, moving into her room.

    ¡°Yeah.¡± She grabs her pumpkin head from the edge of her bed and puts it on. Her voice is muffled inside the pumpkin. ¡°No one will know it¡¯s us. We¡¯ll have anonymity. Your turn.¡±

    Julie hands me my ridiculous pumpkin head.

    ¡°You¡¯d better be d I like you,¡± I tell her.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so damn d,¡± she admits. I can imagine her wearing a cute little smirk.

    I stand beside her, looking at us in the mirror. ¡°You¡¯re sure we¡¯ll fit right in?¡±

    ¡°Do you trust me?¡± she asks, moving closer, causing our pumpkin heads to bump together.

    ¡°Absolutely.¡±

    ¡°Good. Ready?¡± She grabs my hand. ¡°Come on. Autumn and Zane are meeting us there.¡±

    ¡°Are they wearing pumpkin heads too?¡±

    ¡°Nope. But Autumn said she was trying to convince Zane to wear a matching cozy sweater.¡±

    I crack up. ¡°Hmm. He¡¯s never been the type.¡±

    She grins. ¡°Yeah, well, he¡¯s a changed man.¡±

    ¡°For the better,¡± I admit. ¡°I¡¯m happy they found one another.¡±

    ¡°Me too,¡± she says. ¡°Ready?¡±

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    We make our way downstairs.

    ¡°Want to pregame?¡± she asks, moving toward the kitchen.

    ¡°Pregame?¡± I lift my brows.

    ¡°Oh, are you too old to do that?¡± She ces her hands on her hips.

    ¡°You¡¯re joking. I¡¯m only a few years older than you.¡±

    ¡°Still older.¡± She shrugs, antagonizing me.

    I slide the pumpkin from my head, and she does the same. Julie opens the cab and pulls out a bottle of Fireball.

    ¡°Shots for courage,¡± she says, pouring two generous ones.

    ¡°Courage is drinking that.¡± I nod toward it.

    ¡°We¡¯ll need it for what we n to do in that corn maze.¡± She winks.

    ¡°You¡¯re trouble, Little Red.¡±

    ¡°Not the first time I¡¯ve heard that.¡±

    We clink sses and down the cinnamon whiskey.

    ¡°Ew.¡±

    She snickers. ¡°One more for luck?¡±

    Before I can answer, she¡¯s pouring the shot sses full.

    ¡°For luck,¡± I say before we down them. ¡°That tastes like shit.¡±

    ¡°You get used to it.¡± She looks up at the clock on the wall. ¡°We should get going.¡±

    Julie grabs my hand and drags me outside. The walk to the carnival grounds is hrious. Julie keeps trying to take selfies of us, causing us to m into tourists who have zero self-awareness.

    ¡°These pics are terrible.¡± Sheughs, showing me a blurry photo where we look like demented vegetables. There¡¯s another one where our heads aren¡¯t even in the frame.

    ¡°We¡¯re pumpkin perfection.¡± I wrap my arm around her as weugh down the sidewalk together.

    We cross the street and enter the festival grounds. String lights are everywhere, and torches light the paths. Over half the people here are in costume. I¡¯ve counted countless zombies, witches, vampires, and even pumpkin heads.

    ¡°We fit right in,¡± I say.

    ¡°See? Told you!¡± Julie¡¯s voice echoes.

    ¡°Nick? Jules?¡±

    I hear Autumn¡¯s voice behind us. The two of us turn as she and Zane approach, both in regr clothes but wearing matching sweaters.

    ¡°How did you know it was us?¡± Julie asks.

    ¡°For one, Nick¡¯s wearing a hundred-thousand-dor watch,¡± she says.

    ¡°Shit,¡± I mutter, removing it from my wrist and cing it in my pocket.

    ¡°And I¡¯d recognize your ass from a mile away,¡± she says, pping Julie on her butt.

    Zane pulls his phone from his pocket. ¡°Get together. I need to memorialize Nick being a little bitch.¡±

    Laughter falls out of my mouth.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to run your mouth, Mr. Matching Sweater?¡± Julie res at him.

    ¡°Oh, sorry. Don¡¯t want to set off Red Menace.¡± He chuckles. ¡°Come on. Be good little pumpkins.¡±

    We pose for him, and then the four of us take a photo together.

    ¡°Apple cider time!¡± Autumn announces, pulling Zane with her.

    We wait in a line that¡¯s twenty people deep. Our conversation floats from topic to topic. It¡¯s easygoing.

    ¡°Are you still leaving in November?¡± Zane asks.

    ¡°Yes,¡± I admit. ¡°I have a meeting on the second that I can¡¯t miss.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Autumn nces between us. ¡°But you¡¯reing back afterward?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± I say. ¡°Ask me at midnight on November first.¡±

    ¡°Is that when you turn into a pumpkin?¡± Autumn asks.

    ¡°Possibly.¡±

    We each orderrge apple ciders that are steaming with cinnamon sticks slid inside.

    ¡°How do we drink this?¡± I ask, removing my pumpkin head.

    ¡°Cheater,¡± she uses.

    ¡°It¡¯s called being adaptable, babe,¡± I say.

    She removes hers as well. As we drink our ciders, we stroll through the patch with Autumn and Zane. Many of the pumpkins are carved into extravagant designs and are lit, glowing in the night.

    ¡°Look at this one!¡± Julie points to a pumpkin in the shape of a haunted house,plete with tiny windows. It¡¯s Hollow Manor.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that incredible? You both have to see this one,¡± Zane says, leading us to a massive pumpkin carved into a dragon, scales and all.

    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine how much work this took,¡± Julie says, smiling as she takes photos of it.

    Autumn clears her throat. ¡°I think this is the perfect time to announce the news.¡±

    She¡¯s giddy.

    I nce between Zane and Autumn, wondering what it could be.

    Julie grows impatient. ¡°Hurry and tell us!¡±

    ¡°My book is going to auction! The one I wrotest year.¡± She¡¯s ecstatic.

    ¡°Autie!¡± Julie squeals, hugging Autumn as tightly as she can. They¡¯re both giggling andughing. ¡°All I Want will be published?¡±

    ¡°Yes! Can you believe this?¡± Autumnughs. ¡°I got a call from my agent today. Publishers are fighting for it!¡±

    ¡°Oh my goodness! My bestie is going to be a big deal. Finally, the world is going to meet Mr. Dreamy.¡± She waggles her brows.

    Zane chuckles. ¡°It will be a hit. I mean, considering who the hero is based on, of course it will be.¡±

    Iugh. ¡°Who¡¯s Mr. Dreamy?¡±

    ¡°A fictional character,¡± Autumn hurries and says.

    ¡°The man Autumn dreamed about for thirteen years, who happened to weirdly be Zane,¡± Julie exins.

    My brows lift. ¡°Wait, is that true?¡±

    Autumn nods. ¡°It¡¯s true. I still remember the first time we met.¡±

    ¡°Me too,¡± Julie says, reminiscing. ¡°It kinda feels like yesterday.¡±

    Autumn¡¯s expression softens. ¡°Zane ordered an asshole Ristretto.¡±

    ¡°Not a Ristretto,¡± I mutter. ¡°Seriously, all the finance assholes in New York drink that. It¡¯s a red g.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Autumn agrees. ¡°Anyway, he told me my coffee tasted like shit and stormed out when it was perfect. Pissed me off.¡±

    Julie snickers. ¡°She was convinced he had a shitty pte.¡±

    ¡°My pte is refined,¡± Zane offers.

    I nce between them. ¡°So, that¡¯s how you met? At Cozy Coffee?¡±

    ¡°Yep,¡± Zane says. ¡°The moment our eyes locked, I knew she was the one. I wasn¡¯t ready. I hade here to escape, to heal. Falling in love wasn¡¯t on my agenda.¡±

    Autumn smiles wide. ¡°I¡¯ve wanted this since I was a little girl. And now magic is happening.¡±

    Zane¡¯s arm wraps around her, and he kisses her hair. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of you.¡±

    It¡¯s obvious how much he loves her.

    Autumn turns to him, standing on her tiptoes to kiss him. ¡°You inspired me.¡±

    ¡°You changed my life,¡± he tells her.

    It warms my heart that my best friend has what he always wanted¡ªsomeone to love and see him for who he is.

    ¡°I¡¯m happy both of your dreams havee true.¡± I reach for Julie¡¯s fingers and take her hand as we wander through the disys.

    It feels good, being with her without photographers or drama. We¡¯re hanging out with our best friends, enjoying October. It doesn¡¯t feel real.

    She puts on her pumpkin head and turns to me. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Nothing,¡± I whisper, realizing we¡¯re doing everyday couple things. It¡¯s something I¡¯ve wished for, but I never thought I¡¯d get this.

    ¡°Remember when we tried to carve pumpkinsst year?¡± Zane asks Autumn.

    ¡°You mean when we attempted?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± He chuckles, and Autumn chews on her bottom lip.

    We finish strolling the winding path. Music drifts through the speakers, and I can¡¯t remember thest time I enjoyed myself so much.

    Once we leave the patch, we stop and eat caramel apples, then continue forward.

    Zane tries to win Autumn a spooky stuffed ghost at the ring toss and talks smack the entire time.

    When I turn my head, I see Craig by the kettle corn stand with a blonde woman.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look,¡± I tell Julie, but in the pumpkin head, she can barely see anyway.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°Craig.¡±

    Her body tenses. ¡°Has he seen us?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think so.¡±

    I move toward Zane and lift my pumpkin head. ¡°We need to split up, okay?¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Zane tells me. That¡¯s when he spots Craig¡ªI can see it in my best friend¡¯s expression. ¡°Be safe. If you need anything, text me.¡±

    ¡°I will.¡±

    I slide my fingers through Julie¡¯s and lead her away from Zane and Autumn. With them, we¡¯re too obvious; away from them, we blend in.

    I try to steer Julie away, but the blonde woman who was with Craig approaches us.

    ¡°Excuse me,¡± she says, her voice shaky but clear. ¡°Julie?¡±

    ¡°Who?¡± Julie asks, attempting to disguise her voice.

    ¡°I saw you with that dark-haired woman earlier. Autumn, right? The way you two hugged, I knew it was you.¡± The woman wraps her arms around herself. ¡°I need to talk to you.¡±

    Julie¡¯s body goes rigid, and I can feel the tension radiating off her. This is the woman Craig proposed to after dumping Julie.

    ¡°We should go,¡± I mutter, sensing Julie¡¯s difort, but she surprises me.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay.¡± Her voice is steady despite everything. ¡°I¡¯m listening, Sarah.¡±

    She looks surprised that Julie knows her name. ¡°You remember me?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll never forget you. Craig brought you to my parents¡¯ anniversary party three months after we broke up.¡± Julie¡¯s voice is neutral. ¡°You wore the ne I¡¯d given him.¡±

    Sarah touches her neck, though she¡¯s not wearing it now. ¡°He told me his mother gave it to him.¡±

    I ce my hand on Julie¡¯s back, feeling her trembling, but she continues to stand her ground.

    ¡°Is that all?¡± Julie asks.

    ¡°No.¡± Sarah looks around, making sure Craig isn¡¯t close. ¡°He¡¯s not over you. He talks about you nonstop. Julie this, Julie that. He even ¡­¡± She pauses, tears welling in her eyes. ¡°He calls me by your name sometimes.¡±

    Julie is silent for a moment. ¡°Why are you telling me this?¡±

    ¡°We broke off our engagement a month ago, but we¡¯ve been trying to work things out. Or at least, I thought we were.¡± Sarah wipes at her eyes. ¡°But all he cares about is you.¡±

    ¡°Sarah¡ª¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m pregnant,¡± she whispers.

    We both freeze.

    ¡°What?¡± Julie¡¯s voice is barely audible inside the pumpkin.

    ¡°Ten weeks. He doesn¡¯t know yet. I came here to tell him, to try to make things work, but he keeps photos of you on his phone. He drives by your ce at night. I followed him once.¡± She looks desperate. ¡°I need to know if you n on getting back with him.¡±

    ¡°Never,¡± Julie says. ¡°It¡¯s over. I¡¯ve moved on.¡±

    ¡°But he¡¯s sure you¡¯ll get back with him.¡±

    ¡°Not this time. Not ever again.¡± Julie pauses. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t want to get in your business, but you deserve to be more than someone¡¯s second choice. You deserve someone who doesn¡¯t call you by another woman¡¯s name.¡±

    Sarah¡¯s face crumples. ¡°I know, but with the baby ¡­¡±

    ¡°A baby will never fix a broken rtionship,¡± Julie says.

    ¡°Sarah!¡± Craig¡¯s voice cuts through our conversation. ¡°Who are you talking to?¡±

    ¡°I was just¡ªthese people were asking about directions for the corn maze.¡±

    Craig approaches, not ncing at us.

    ¡°The entrance is over there,¡± he says, pointing behind him.

    He grips Sarah¡¯s wrist and pulls her with him. ¡°Come on. You said you wanted kettle corn.¡±

    ¡°Craig,¡± Sarah says, ¡°you¡¯re hurting me.¡±

    ¡°Not now.¡± He¡¯s impatient, still not looking at us. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    ¡°Be careful with me. I¡¯m pregnant,¡± Sarah blurts out.

    Craig freezes, and his head snaps toward her. ¡°Who have you been seeing?¡±

    ¡°You,¡± she cries. ¡°Just you. I¡¯m ten weeks,¡± she whispers.

    I grab Julie¡¯s hand, moving us away from the conversation. ¡°We need to get out of here,¡± I say.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she whispers.

    Their conversation can still be overheard.

    ¡°This is ¡­¡± He runs his hand through his hair.

    I see it the moment recognition dawns.

    ¡°Jules?¡± His voice is angry now. ¡°I¡¯d recognize those boots anywhere.¡±

    Julie doesn¡¯t bother ignoring him and turns around with her arms crossed over her chest. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°You ¡­¡± He looks between Sarah and Julie, his face reddening. ¡°You were talking to her? Sarah, what the hell? What did you say?¡±

    ¡°She deserved to know the truth,¡± Sarah says, finding her courage. ¡°You calling me by her name, driving by her house every night, keeping her photos?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Shut up,¡± Craig snaps.

    ¡°I¡¯m concerned about you, Jules. There¡¯s a difference,¡± he says. ¡°Sarah is jealous. She always has been.¡±

    ¡°Concerned people don¡¯t drive by someone¡¯s house every night,¡± Sarah interjects.

    Craig¡¯s attention shifts back to her, his jaw clenching. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯ve done.¡±

    ¡°Please,¡± she says, reaching for him, but he ignores her, moving toward us.

    ¡°Take those ridiculous things off. If we¡¯re having this conversation, at least have the courage to show your faces.¡±

    Julie pulls off her pumpkin head, hair static wild, chin raised with defiance. I do the same, moving closer to her. She¡¯s pissed¡ªI can tell.

    Craig res at me. ¡°How long until you get bored, Banks? How long until you move on to the next small-town girl looking for excitement? Everyone knows about your reputation.¡±

    ¡°Finished?¡± I ask, not affected by him.

    I deal with assholes who make him look like child¡¯s y. Asher is one of them.

    ¡°You¡¯re making a huge mistake with him,¡± Craig warns Julie. ¡°This is a game he ys with women. You¡¯re just entertainment. His personal whore.¡±

    ¡°Shut your mouth,¡± Julie says, ring at him. She¡¯s livid, and I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ve seen her quite this mad. ¡°I will never give you a chance again. Ever. I¡¯d rather be alone.¡±

    Craig¡¯s mask slips, and I see pure rage underneath. ¡°When he leaves, remember that you chose humiliation.¡±

    There is venom in his tone, but all I can do isugh because he¡¯s trying too hard.

    ¡°The only one who will be humiliated is you,¡± I tell him. ¡°Look at you. You¡¯re pathetic.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but I¡¯m not fucking your sloppy seconds, am I?¡± Craig takes a step toward me, fists clenched, and I¡¯m ready toy him out t.

    I look down into his eyes, with nostrils red. ¡°I¡¯ll destroy you. Throw the first punch. I dare you.¡±

    ¡°Craig, stop!¡± Sarah grabs his arm. ¡°Please. You¡¯ll go to jail.¡±

    He shakes her off, but the mention of being arrested seems to snap him back to reality.

    He nces at Sarah, then at Julie, then back at Sarah.

    ¡°We¡¯re leaving,¡± he says. ¡°Now.¡±

    He grabs her arm and pulls her away, but not before throwing onest look at Julie. ¡°This isn¡¯t over.¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is,¡± Julie says. ¡°I¡¯m filing a restraining order. And this time, I have witnesses.¡±

    Craig¡¯s jaw clenches, but he doesn¡¯t respond. He drags Sarah away, and we watch them disappear into the crowd.

    Julie¡¯s shaking, and I pull her against me.

    ¡°You okay?¡±

    She takes a deep breath. ¡°At one point in my life, I envied her. Now I feel sorry for her.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s because you¡¯re over it,¡± I say. ¡°Congrats. That¡¯s huge.¡±

    Julie looks up at me. ¡°Thank you for having my back.¡±

    ¡°Always.¡±

    Autumn and Zane find us a few minutester.

    ¡°We saw Craig storm off,¡± Autumn says. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°His ex is pregnant,¡± Julie says.

    ¡°What?!¡± Autumn¡¯s eyes go wide. ¡°Are you serious?¡±

    ¡°Ten weeks. It¡¯s his.¡±

    ¡°That bastard,¡± Zane mutters. ¡°He was trying to get back with you while?¡ª¡±

    ¡°While he was still seeing her on the side. ssic Craig. He did the same thing to me.¡± Julie gasps.

    ¡°You okay?¡± Autumn asks, studying Julie¡¯s face.

    ¡°That could¡¯ve been me,¡± she whispers, inhaling with her eyes closed. ¡°That could¡¯ve been me.¡±

    I move closer to her. ¡°I¡¯m d it wasn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°He traps women,¡± she says. ¡°Last year, he wanted me to get off my birth control, making me believe we were getting back together.¡±

    ¡°You escaped him. I¡¯m so damn proud of you, Little Red,¡± I say.

    Julie grins. ¡°It¡¯s because I met you. That night¡±¡ªher voice lowers to a near whisper¡ª¡°my life changed.¡±

    The words hit me square in the chest because mine did too.

    ¡°I¡¯m finally seeing things clearly,¡± she says.

    ¡°I think we¡¯re witnessing something we shouldn¡¯t,¡± Zane says to Autumn, but his voice is warm, understanding. He wraps his arm around his wife, then spins her around to face the opposite direction. ¡°We¡¯re going to look at more pumpkins. Over there. Far away from you.¡±

    ¡°Subtle,¡± I call after them.

    ¡°We¡¯re giving you privacy,¡± Autumn calls back.

    ¡°I married Captain Obvious!¡± Zane adds, and Autumn smacks his arm.

    As theirughter drifts away, mixing with the sounds of the festival, I lean forward. Julie¡¯s still glowing with this newfound freedom, her cheeks flushed, eyes bright. I close my eyes and slide my lips across hers. She tastes sweet, like apple cider. Our tongues twist together, and I swear the entire world stops spinning on its axis.

    When we break apart, we¡¯re breathing hard.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispers against my mouth, eyes still closed.

    ¡°For?¡±

    ¡°For being here. For having my back. For helping me be brave.¡±

    ¡°You did that yourself.¡±

    ¡°Maybe.¡± She kisses me again, quick and sweet. ¡°But you showed me what I should be looking for. What I deserve.¡±

    ¡°Jules¡ª¡±

    ¡°Twenty-two days,¡± she says.

    I know she¡¯s thinking the same thing I am. We have twenty-two days to figure out if this is real or just another beautiful disaster waiting to happen.

    ¡°I think we¡¯re on the same page,¡± I say, studying her.

    ¡°I hope we are,¡± she tells me.

    ¡°Now, I think we have a corn maze to discover.¡±

    A wicked smile crosses her face. ¡°I already love where this is heading.¡±

    ¡°Shall we?¡± I reach for her hand.

    She takes mine. ¡°Yes, we fucking shall.¡±

    We return the pumpkins to our heads and move toward the corn maze, excited to knock another thing off our list. Because, yes, I¡¯ve adopted it too.

    She grabs my hand, and this time, goose bumps trail over my arms and through my body, causing a whirlwind of emotions to flood through me.

    I don¡¯t want to let Julie go in twenty-two days. I think I want forever.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 23

    The corn maze entrance looms before us, lit by dim orange string lights that make the stalks glow gold. I¡¯m high on the thought of fulfilling this fantasy. The cool October air carries the scent of kettle corn and distant bonfire smoke.

    ¡°Ready for an adventure?¡± I ask, my voice muffled.

    ¡°With you? Always.¡±

    We enter the maze, and the sounds of the festival fade. It¡¯s just us, the rustling corn, and the asional distantughter from other lost souls. The paths are barely lit, creating more shadows than light.

    ¡°Left or right?¡± Nick asks, hooking his pinkie with mine.

    ¡°Always left at first. That¡¯s the secret.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a secret?¡±

    ¡°Oh, there are lots of secrets in Cozy Creek.¡±

    I pull him with me, and then we immediately turn right. I get us lost within minutes, but we keep walking forward.

    When we¡¯re at the edge of the maze, I pull him a little farther, then remove my pumpkin head. He removes his too. The string lights don¡¯t reach us.

    ¡°You know what I realized tonight?¡± I ask, moving closer to him.

    ¡°What¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°For the past few years, I¡¯ve been going through the motions of living.¡±

    I wrap my arms around his neck, and he slides his around my waist.

    ¡°And now?¡±

    ¡°Now I feel alive. You make me believe I can have the things I want.¡±

    ¡°What are the things you want?¡±

    ¡°Lazy Sunday mornings in bed. Inside jokes. Someone who looks at me the way you¡¯re looking at me right now.¡±

    He cups my face in his hands. ¡°Tell me how I¡¯m looking at you.¡±

    ¡°Like I¡¯m lightning in a bottle.¡±

    ¡°You are,¡± he confesses, leaning forward, fingertips brushing against my cheeks.

    His lips meet mine with a tenderness that makes my knees weak. It¡¯s not the desperate, heated kisses we¡¯ve shared before. This is something else. His mouth moves against mine like he¡¯s memorizing the shape of my lips. I can¡¯t help but sigh when he tilts his head just right, allowing his tongue to swipe against mine.

    I melt into him, my fingers tangling in his hair, and I need more of him, like I can¡¯t get enough. It¡¯s almost as if my life depends on it.

    Nick tastes sweet from the cider, and he¡¯s being so damn gentle as his thumbs stroke against my cheek. We kiss like we have unlimited time, like we¡¯re not in a corn maze, where someone could stumble upon us.

    One hand slides into my hair, pins falling out and scattering on the ground, causing red waves to tumble down my back.

    ¡°Jules,¡± he breathes against my lips, not pulling away, just needing to say my name.

    ¡°I know,¡± I whisper.

    I feel the magic between us. This shift. This change. This wonderful, terrifying thing that¡¯s been percting between us over the past year.

    He kisses me again, backing me up until I¡¯m pressed against the corn stalks. They rustle around us, creating a curtain of sound that makes this feel even more private, more ours. His body cages me in, but I don¡¯t feel trapped. I feel protected. Cherished. Wanted.

    When we break apart, we¡¯re breathless. My lips are swollen, tingling, and I feel dizzy, drunk on him. His forehead rests against mine, and we hold each other for a moment.

    ¡°That was ¡­¡± I don¡¯t know how to describe it.

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he agrees, knowing what I mean.

    ¡°I want ¡­¡± I pull him down so I can whisper in his ear. ¡°I want you to make me forget my name. I want you to make mee so hard that I see pumpkins in the stars.¡±

    He groans. ¡°Damn, girl. Never heard the word used during forey.¡±

    I snicker. ¡°First time for everything.¡±

    His hand slides under my dress, to the edge of my slit, and I gasp. ¡°Bad fucking girl.¡±

    I gasp. ¡°I¡¯m prepared.¡±

    ¡°And so wet and ready.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a turn-on,¡± I breathe out.

    ¡°Tell me something,¡± he says.

    His fingers tease me, but don¡¯t quite touch where I need and want them.

    ¡°When twenty-something-year-old you put this on your list, did you think you¡¯d ever do it?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± I admit, inhaling as his fingers make contact between my slick folds before he slides one digit inside. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d find someone who could satisfy me.¡±

    ¡°And I do?¡±

    He steadies me as he continues to torturously move in and out of me. When his thumb rubs against my clit, my eyes roll in the back of my head.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    I feel his body heat as he leans in, the warmth of his breath causing a delightful tickle on my neck and sending thrilling shivers down my spine. His scent, pine needles and leather, wraps around me. It¡¯s then that I realize how much I want him, how much I¡¯ve always wanted him.

    He continues to tease my clit with his thumb and adds another finger. Two digits deep. I wrap my arms around him, hanging on to him as I take the ride of a lifetime on his hand.

    A gasp escapes me at the intense pleasure that sweeps through me. Anticipation dances in my trembling legs as I rock against his hand. I hear voices surrounding us, and the thought of getting caught makes my pussy clench around his fingers. I¡¯ve never done something so risqu¨¦ or taken control like this, but I¡¯m so turned on that I can¡¯t help it.

    Nick continues to finger-fuck me and leans forward, kissing me. His mouth slides to my ear and down my neck. ¡°Your skin tastes so good.¡±

    Everywhere his lips touch, sparks ignite. His teeth graze my skin, and he plunges deeper into me.

    My breath catches in anticipation as I approach the precipice at a sprint. My heavy breaths mingle with the gentle rustling of corn stalks swaying in the breeze. I can barely handle how good his hands on me feels. A moan releases from me, and Nickughs against my neck.

    ¡°Shh, Little Red. Don¡¯t want anyone to overhear.¡±

    He continues to touch me, and I feel safe, even as we¡¯re doing something so risky.

    The intensity builds, and I hold on to him, fingers digging into his shoulders as waves of sensation wash over me.

    Voices float through the maze, and my heart races. The thrill of this is almost too much. I squeeze my eyes tight.

    ¡°You¡¯re close,¡± Nick whispers against my ear. ¡°You¡¯re so beautiful.¡±

    His words affect me as much as his touch. This isn¡¯t just physical. Right now, it¡¯s emotional, and I¡¯m finally iming what I want.

    The rustling corn creates a symphony around us as I get lost in the moment, in him. My breathing increases.

    I bite my lip, trying to stay quiet as everything intensifies.

    I ce my hand over my mouth, stopping myself from screaming when the orgasm pulls me under. It¡¯s euphoric, and I have an out-of-body experience. He holds me upright so I don¡¯t copse.

    ¡°Nick,¡± I breathe against his chest, still trembling.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± he murmurs, holding me close. His heart is racing as fast as mine.

    ¡°This feels different,¡± I whisper.

    ¡°How?¡±

    ¡°Like we¡¯re not pretending anymore.¡±

    His arms tighten around me. ¡°We haven¡¯t been pretending for a while now.¡±

    ¡°Tonight, seeing Sarah ¡­¡± I take a shaky breath. ¡°That could have been me. Trapped, pregnant, as he screwed around.¡±

    ¡°But it¡¯s not you.¡±

    ¡°No. And I¡¯m grateful. You showed me what I deserve.¡±

    The voices are closer now.

    ¡°Quick!¡± I grab our pumpkin heads, squeezing my legs together.

    We barely get them on before a group of teenage boys rounds the corner.

    ¡°Dead end,¡± one says.

    ¡°Nice pumpkins, weirdos.¡± Anotherughs as he passes us.

    ¡°Wonder what they were doing back here,¡± the taller one says.

    ¡°Hey, you little bastard,¡± I yell. ¡°You stole my panties.¡±

    ¡°Oh, shit!¡± the teenager screams.

    He and his friends sprint away from us,ughing hysterically.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to find out who your mom is and tell on you!¡± I scream.

    When they¡¯re out of sight, Nick turns to me, wearing a smirk. ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯re scared.¡±

    I chuckle. ¡°I hope they are.¡±

    Nick reaches over, pulling a piece of corn silk from my hair. ¡°You¡¯re a beautiful mess. Was it worth it?¡± he asks.

    ¡°Hell yes. Happy I had that on my list,¡± I say, grinning.

    ¡°Did you see pumpkins when you came?¡± he whispers.

    I nod. ¡°I think I saw the spice too.¡±

    He grabs my hand and chuckles. ¡°Corny.¡±

    I turn to him. ¡°Am I the type of woman men want? Do you think I¡¯m too much?¡±

    ¡°Not for me. I can never get enough,¡± he confesses. ¡°And, yeah, I think you are the type of woman men want.¡±

    ¡°Why am I single?¡± I ask.

    He turns to me. ¡°Because you¡¯re not a fucktoy, Jules. You¡¯re the type of woman men want forever with.¡±

    My heart skips a beat.

    We finish wandering through the maze, stopping to kiss one another when we can. I hear music,ughter, and the asional scream from the haunted house.

    ¡°Did you know we¡¯re almost at our thirty-day mark?¡± Nick asks as we take another wrong turn.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m aware. One week. I¡¯ve got your expiration date programmed into my phone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not running, Jules.¡± He ces his hands on my shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t want to, and that¡¯s never happened before.¡±

    ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    ¡°What we have is different.¡±

    ¡°Does that scare you?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Not this time,¡± he tells me, kissing me.

    I grab his shirt, pulling him to me. ¡°Love to hear it.¡±

    After we break away, he grabs my hand and leads us toward the exit of the maze.

    ¡°Thank you for making my silly list seem important,¡± I say.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s silly.¡± He kisses my forehead. ¡°I know we¡¯re not supposed to talk about this yet, but I¡¯m?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t jinx it.¡± I press my finger to his lips. ¡°Tell me on Halloween. We agreed.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± he says. ¡°I got lost in the moment.¡±

    After forty-five minutes of purposely being lost, we find our way out.

    ¡°There you are!¡± Autumn calls out. She takes one look at us and smirks. ¡°Have fun getting ¡®lost¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Too much fun,¡± I say, but we¡¯re not fooling anyone.

    My lips are still swollen, my hair is a mess despite attempts to fix it, and we both have that telltale glow.

    As we walk back through the festival, Nick¡¯s thumb brushes over mine. It¡¯s such a simple gesture, but it makes my heart race. Something has shifted. This isn¡¯t just about checking things off a list anymore. This isn¡¯t just a hookup situation. This is something more. Something that scares and excites me at the same time. Something that might be worth risking everything for.

    We¡¯re in the middle of where we were and where we¡¯re going. It¡¯s almost purgatory because I have my answer, but I¡¯m giving it space to breathe, to make sure Nics Banks is who I want.

    I¡¯m just worried something will change between now and then, and our answers won¡¯t match.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 24

    I wake up to the smell of bacon and coffee, and for a moment, I think I¡¯m dreaming. Then I see Julie standing in the bedroom doorway, holding a tray and wearing nothing but a T-shirt and panties.

    ¡°Happy thirty-one days,¡± she says with a sweet smile. ¡°Ready to disappear and pretend I don¡¯t exist?¡±

    ¡°As if that¡¯s possible. I tried thatst year, but it didn¡¯t work out for me,¡± I tell her, sitting upright to lean against her headboard.

    She sets the tray on the nightstand and climbs onto the bed, straddling myp. Julie leans forward and kisses me, tasting like coffee and promise.

    ¡°How does it feel to make it past your infamous thirty-day mark?¡± she asks against my mouth, then pulls away. ¡°Wait, does this even count? I mean, technically ¡­¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah, it does.¡± I wrap my arms around her, leaning in to kiss her again. ¡°The countdown began the moment I kissed you in the coffee shop.¡±

    ¡°So, you¡¯re finally admitting that you kissed me?¡± Sheughs, running her fingers through my messy hair.

    ¡°I wanted to.¡±

    I love the way she looks at me. It makes me believe I¡¯m something special, something worth her time.

    ¡°Good, because I woke up early and made breakfast to celebrate this record-breaking asion.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    The words I need you and want you forever sit heavy on my tongue, begging to be said, but I¡¯m keeping emotions to myself. We agreed to wait, and it¡¯s still two and a half weeks away. It¡¯s hard.

    ¡°Thank you for not sliding out of bedst night and disappearing.¡± She grins. ¡°Or suddenly deciding you need to find yourself in Tibet.¡±

    ¡°The only thing I need is more of you,¡± I admit freely.

    ¡°You have me.¡±

    ¡°Forever?¡± I tease as she crawls off of me.

    I sit up straighter, and she sets the tray on myp. There are two tes, one for each of us, and two cups of steaming coffee. She prepared crispy bacon, scrambled eggs with cheese, and hash browns.

    ¡°Wow,¡± I say. ¡°This is the first time a woman has ever made me breakfast in bed.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± She looks proud of herself. ¡°I feel special to have one of your firsts.¡±

    ¡°You are special,¡± I admit. ¡°No one ever cared enough.¡±

    Her smile fades. ¡°That makes me sad.¡±

    ¡°Aw, don¡¯t be.¡± I chuckle. ¡°I wasn¡¯t the best partner. Being with you has made me realize I was an entitled asshole for no reason, who had zero respect for myself or anyone else. Thank you for that.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee.¡± She sips her coffee, eyeing me. ¡°So, I kept my end of our fake-dating bargain?¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah, you did,¡± I say. ¡°I¡¯m not the same person I was when I arrived. Truthfully, I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll transition back to my life.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll figure it out,¡± she says. ¡°You know why?¡±

    I shake my head.

    ¡°Because what¡¯s meant to be always has a way of working itself out.¡±

    ¡°You believe that?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Yep,¡± she says. ¡°Think about the things in your life that have worked out. For me, I didn¡¯t have to force anything because it fell into ce. That¡¯s how rtionships should be too. Try because you want to and because you care, not because you have to. Pour your energy into what matters. It¡¯s impossible to force a square peg into a round hole.¡±

    I smile. ¡°I¡¯m so damn lucky to have met you.¡±

    ¡°I feel the same,¡± she confesses. ¡°You know, the Nics Banks they talk about on the inte and the one eating breakfast in my bed aren¡¯t the same.¡±

    This makes meugh. ¡°I¡¯m aware.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m d,¡± she says. ¡°Not sure I¡¯d like that asshole very much.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m still that asshole, but you make me soft.¡±

    ¡°Aw,¡± she says. ¡°That¡¯s kind of adorable though.¡±

    We finish eating and talk about anything and everything. It feels nice to be with her. I imagine this is what she meant when she said she wantedzy days with someone.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget, tonight I have to do inventory at the coffee shop,¡± she says, stacking the tes on the tray, then moving it to the bedside table.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to,¡± I tell her.

    She grins. ¡°I want to. I miss being at work. Not being able to help makes me feel guilty because it¡¯s the busiest time of the year. It¡¯s simr to being one of Santa¡¯s elves and not working during December.¡±

    I turn to her. ¡°I understand, but your safety is more important. Speaking of, today I¡¯d like it if you filed a temporary restraining order on Craig,¡± I say, catching her hand and kissing her palm.

    ¡°Okay,¡± she tells me. I can hear the disappointment in her voice. ¡°I was hoping he would calm down.¡±

    ¡°But he hasn¡¯t, and after speaking with Sarah, I don¡¯t think he will. Once Craig¡¯s served papers, he will know to leave you alone. No more games, Julie. I worry about you, and I can¡¯t follow you around everywhere.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you can¡¯t? I enjoy having you around all the time.¡± She yfully bumps my shoulder.

    I take a sip of coffee. ¡°I love it and wish I could, but I also want you to be protected. If something happened to you ¡­¡±

    She grabs my hand and squeezes it. ¡°Nothing will happen, Nick. We¡¯ll go today, even if it¡¯s just for peace of mind.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I whisper as she leans over and kisses me.

    I meet her eyes, knowing I¡¯ve never made it past thirty days with anyone. And maybe it¡¯s because with Julie, it¡¯s different. It¡¯sfortable without the normal pressures. I¡¯m not counting down the seconds, waiting for when it¡¯s over. I watch the clock because I never want it to end.

    With anyone else, I¡¯d be halfway to Europe, giving excuses about needing space or time to figure things out. Instead, I¡¯m pulling her down for a kiss, wondering how I ever lived without her.

    ¡°Are you ready for the real celebration?¡± she asks against my lips.

    ¡°Breakfast wasn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Oh, no.¡± Her eyes sparkle with mischief. ¡°This was just the appetizer.¡±

    Before I can move, she¡¯s straddling me again, pulling her T-shirt over her head.

    ¡°Thirty-one days deserves a proper celebration, don¡¯t you think?¡± she whispers.

    ¡°Hell yes.¡±<hr>

    The courthouse smells like old paper and disappointment.

    ¡°Reason for requesting order?¡± she reads aloud, then pauses, pen hovering over the small box. She takes a deep breath and begins writing.

    Julie fills out form after form, and I watch her hand cramp as she writes, detailing every incident¡ªfrom the constant texts to the festival confrontation to Sarah admitting he drove by her condo at night.

    I can see some of the words from where I sit. Harassment, unwanted contact, and stalking her are just a few things she¡¯s scribbled down. Her handwriting gets shakier with each sentence.

    Once she¡¯s signed her name at the bottom, she returns to the clerk with her head held high. The woman¡ªprobably in herte fifties and with kind eyes behind thick sses¡ªreviews everything.

    ¡°What are the odds of this going through?¡± Julie asks, fingers tapping on the counter.

    The clerk looks up at her. ¡°Honey, with what you¡¯ve documented here, it¡¯s enough for a temporary order. He¡¯ll be served within forty-eight hours. After that, if he does this again, it¡¯s considered a vition.¡±

    ¡°And then what happens?¡± Julie¡¯s voice is just above a whisper.

    ¡°Then he can be arrested.¡±

    Julie nods, swallowing hard. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re doing the right thing,¡± the clerk adds. ¡°I know this is ufortable, but too many women wait until it¡¯s toote, and something terrible happens to them. You have to protect yourself where you can.¡±

    Julie flinches, and I step forward, cing my hand on her waist, needing to be close to her.

    As we walk out, I wrap my arm around her, feeling her lean into me. The October sun is bright, and it makes her squint.

    ¡°You okay?¡± I ask.

    ¡°I hate that it came to this,¡± she mutters. ¡°I just wanted Craig to move on. To be happy with Sarah, have his baby, live his life. He moved away, and I thought he would be gone forever. None of this should¡¯ve happened.¡±

    ¡°I do understand him not wanting to let you go,¡± I tell her, tilting her chin up to meet my eyes. ¡°But he has to. It¡¯s be an obsession, Jules. Driving by your house, keeping your photos, calling Sarah by your name ¡­ that is not normal behavior.¡±

    ¡°And what happens if he doesn¡¯t respect this?¡± She waves the copy of the order. ¡°Will they actually do something?¡±

    I don¡¯t answer because I don¡¯t know. Restraining orders work if the person respects them. And Craig has already shown he doesn¡¯t care about boundaries.

    ¡°Come on,¡± I say, leading her to the Range Rover, needing to change the subject. ¡°Want to get lunch?¡±

    ¡°Hmm ¡­¡± She looks up at me with those green eyes, still ssy with unshed tears. ¡°Can we just go home?¡±

    The word home does something to me.

    She continues, ¡°I want to spend the rest of my free time with you today. Just us. No wandering eyes or whispers.¡±

    ¡°Whatever you want, Little Red.¡±

    When we return to her condo, Julie kicks off her shoes and copses on the couch. ¡°Want to be a potato with me?¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah,¡± I say, joining her.

    I position myself behind her body, holding her as she flicks on the TV. Her phone buzzes, and she pulls it from her pocket.

    Autumn

    Just checking in. How are things?

    ire

    Yeah, let us know!

    She texts the group chat, named the Sanderson Sisters, which includes the three of them.

    Julie

    I¡¯m surviving!

    She records a voice memo to catch them up. Their responsese fast, and it¡¯s all supportive messages. Autumn even threatens to deal with Craig herself if he vites the order.

    Then she texts her mom and updates her too.

    Mom

    Oh, sweetheart. Good for you.

    Julie

    You¡¯re not upset?

    Mom

    Upset? I¡¯m relieved! Your father and I have been worried sick about his behavior. It¡¯s uneptable. I¡¯m proud of you for standing up for yourself. How are you and Nick?

    She turns her head toward me, smiling. ¡°My parents adore you.¡±

    I snuggle into her neck, kissing the softness of her skin. ¡°I adore them.¡±

    Julie

    We¡¯re great!

    Mom

    I like him. Seems as if you two really hit it off.

    Julie

    Thanks, Mom!

    Mom

    I¡¯m serious. I¡¯ve never seen you so happy. Hope you¡¯re having the best time.

    Julie

    I am. It¡¯s been incredible.

    Julie tilts her head and looks at me, aware that I can read everything. ¡°Guess they don¡¯t need any convincing.¡±

    ¡°Do you?¡± I ask.

    ¡°No,¡± she says, setting her phone down, thenpletely turning toward me until we¡¯re face-to-face. ¡°Whatever happens on Halloween, know that I will always cherish this time with you.¡±

    ¡°I will too. It¡¯s been the best autumn of my life.¡± I kiss her, wanting her to know.

    She smiles against my lips. ¡°Want to watch Dumb and Dumber? I could use some ridiculousness.¡±

    ¡°If you asked me to watch grass grow with you, I would.¡±

    She twists around, pressing her ass against my cock. Our bodies mold together as she reaches for the remote, then clicks on the movie. I wrap my arm around her, holding her, smelling her, appreciating how she fits in my arms, wanting this moment tost a lifetime.<hr>

    The coffee shop glows in the darkness. It¡¯s the only business still lit on the block as tourists roam the streets in Halloween costumes. Not being dressed up makes me an outlier. Music andughter drift from the festival, which is packed for a Wednesday night. There is no parking as far as the eye can see.

    Through therge walls of windows of Cozy Coffee, I see ire and Tracy behind the counter, finishing their closing duties.

    I push through the front door, and the bell chimes, announcing my arrival.

    Three hours ago, I walked Julie to Cozy Coffee so she could start counting her inventory. She told me she¡¯d be finished around closing time. While she was doing that, I had a very long discussion with Asher. It was productive.

    ¡°Sorry, we¡¯re closed,¡± Tracy says, and then she realizes it¡¯s me. ¡°Hey, Nick! Julie¡¯s in the office. You can go back there, but can you lock the door for me first?¡±

    ¡°Hi. Sure,¡± I say, doing what she asked.

    ire wipes down the espresso machine and lifts her brow at me. ¡°Hey, stranger.¡±

    ¡°Stranger?¡± I say with augh. ¡°Sorry I haven¡¯t been around much. I¡¯ve been busy.¡±

    ¡°¡®Busy.¡¯¡± She uses air quotes.

    Sierraughs as her head pops up from the pastry case she¡¯s cleaning. Tracy finishes counting the register and slides the drawer out.

    ¡°We¡¯re heading out in ten,¡± ire says with a knowing smirk. ¡°Then the shop will be all yours.¡±

    ¡°Great,¡± I tell her. ¡°How have things been?¡±

    ¡°Quiet,¡± ire admits. ¡°No signs of the ex, which is either a blessing or a curse. I haven¡¯t decided yet.¡±

    ¡°Total blessing,¡± Sierra says. ¡°He¡¯s weird AF.¡±

    ¡°He wasn¡¯t always like that,¡± Tracy exins. ¡°I think he started losing it after he realized Julie had moved on.¡±

    ¡°What did he expect? For Julie to sit around and wait for him?¡± ire scoffs. ¡°They¡¯ve been over. He can kick rocks. If he doesn¡¯t watch out, I¡¯m going to put a hex on him.¡±

    A part of me feels guilty, and I wonder if I instigated something.

    I make my way to the back office, finding Julie bent over the desk, calctor in hand, surrounded by clipboards. Her hair is piled on top of her head, held up with a pencil. I watch her for a few seconds, loving how pretty she looks when she concentrates.

    ¡°How¡¯s it going?¡± I ask from the doorway.

    She looks over at me and grins. ¡°Oh, hi! I was just thinking about you.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± I ask. ¡°I was thinking about you too. Almost finished?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve counted all the cups, lids, syrups, and, well, everything. Now I¡¯m trying to reconcile it withst month¡¯s numbers and calcte what we need to order.¡±

    ¡°Want help?¡±

    ¡°You know how to do inventory?¡±

    ¡°I help run a multibillion-dorpany, remember?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± She scoots over, making room for me at the desk. Our thighs press together as she slides the keyboard toward me. ¡°These numbers go in this column.¡±

    ¡°Bye, Jules!¡± ire calls out. ¡°We¡¯re leaving! I miss you!¡±

    ¡°I miss you! Thanks for everything!¡± Julie calls back.

    The front door chimes, and then there¡¯s silence.

    We¡¯re alone.

    I work through inputting the numbers into theputer system as she logs things in a book. Every few minutes, she shifts, her leg brushing against mine. The office feels smaller, more intimate.

    ¡°You¡¯re good at this,¡± she says, watching me work.

    ¡°You sound surprised.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not. Maybe having you here will be my new tradition.¡±

    Iugh. ¡°Maybe so.¡±

    She smirks and stands, moving between me and the desk. ¡°We¡¯re alone.¡±

    ¡°What about finishing the inventory?¡±

    ¡°The numbers can wait. I can¡¯t,¡± she says.

    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡± I ask, ncing at all the family photos on the wall.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she says. ¡°Make my fantasye true.¡±

    The air shifts between us, and it¡¯s full of anticipation. I pull her onto myp, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against mine as she straddles me.

    Her hands fly to my belt, and it¡¯s desperate, but I catch her wrists before she gets it undone.

    ¡°Not yet,¡± I murmur, rougher than I intended.

    Her eyes sh up to mine, all fire and need, and, God, it nearly kills me to deny her, but I want her strung tight. I want her begging for me. I want to watch her lose control piece by piece because she needs this.

    I slide my palms up her thighs, dragging out the touch, savoring the way her skin burns under my hands. I grip her ass, pulling her hard against me so she feels the thick length of my cock pressing into her. She rocks against me and releases a gasp. Pride overtakes me, knowing that I can affect her this way, that she trusts me to give her what she wants.

    Her mouth crashes into mine, lips feverish, tongue greedy, and I taste her, never able to get enough. My fist tangles in her long hair, tilting her head just enough to steal more of her moans. I push her back against the desk, papers sliding to the floor, but I don¡¯t care. The only thing in this room that matters is her.

    I unbutton her blouse one slow pop at a time, holding her gaze, as if to remind her that she belongs to me. Like she could forget. When her bra falls away and her breasts spill free, I cup them, tweak her nipples until they¡¯re tight peaks against my palms. Her head tips back, and she whispers my name like it¡¯s a prayer.

    I could worship her for eternity.

    I drop to my knees, shove her skirt up, and press my mouth against the dampce of her panties. The taste of her teases me, even through the fabric, and my cock jerks painfully against my zipper. I slide thece aside and lick her. I take my time savoring the sweetness, how she shudders when I brush against her clit. The desperate cries she can¡¯t hold back have my cock throbbing in anticipation.

    When she starts to shake, I pull away, grinning.

    ¡°Mmm. Patience, Little Red,¡± I whisper, standing again, my lips slick with her arousal.

    Her eyes ze with frustration. ¡°You¡¯re torturing me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s worth the wait,¡± I mutter, spinning her around and bending her over the desk. ¡°Arch that perfect pussy for me.¡±

    She braces herself, palms t on the wood, ass high. I thrust my hand through her hair and grab a fist of it, tugging her head back, needing to hear her.

    ¡°Do you know who you belong to?¡±

    ¡°You,¡± she gasps, voice breaking. ¡°I¡¯m yours, Nick.¡±

    Her confession burns through me.

    ¡°Now tell me what you want.¡±

    ¡°Fuck me,¡± she says, her voice almost strangled.

    I free myself and drag the head of my cock along her slick folds, coating myself in her wetness, teasing until she¡¯s whimpering.

    ¡°Please,¡± she begs.

    That¡¯s all I need.

    I m into her in one hard thrust, burying myself to the hilt. She screams my name, her body clenching tight around me, and the sensation nearly undoes me.

    ¡°Yes, sweetheart.¡± I groan, gripping her hips and driving into her again¡ªharder.

    The desk shakes beneath us, her moans filling the room, and I know this isn¡¯t just sex. It¡¯s something deeper.

    I thrust into her over and over, my hand still tangled in her hair, pulling her back against me. I want her to remember this, to feel me everywhere tomorrow. Her cries are desperate, broken, her body rocking with every m of my hips. I reach around, grabbing her breast.

    ¡°You were made for me,¡± I pant, leaning over her back, pressing my mouth to her ear. ¡°Every inch of you.¡±

    Her response is a sobbed moan, her body tightening, fluttering around me. And then she shatters, screaming my name,ing so hard that her legs quake. The sound, the feel of her pulsing around me, wrecks me.

    I pound into her a few more times before I lose it, spilling deep inside her with a guttural groan. My vision blurs, my body convulses, and all I can do is hold her hair, her hips, like she¡¯s the only thing keeping me tied to this reality.

    When it¡¯s over, we copse forward. My chest to her back, sweat dripping down my temples. I press a kiss to her shoulder, still buried inside her, unwilling to break away.

    ¡°That was amazing,¡± she whispers, still unable to catch her breath. ¡°Exactly what I needed.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing,¡± I say, kissing her neck.

    I realize that I have everything I¡¯ve ever needed with her. I want more of this. I want herugh, her fire, the way she challenges me. I want every piece of her. We break apart, and she turns around, sliding her skirt over her body. We¡¯re still breathing hard, trying to straighten our clothes and the paperwork that¡¯s scattered everywhere.

    ¡°We just ¡­¡± Julie starts, thenughs.

    ¡°Made some memories in this office?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it.¡±

    ¡°You started it,¡± I tell her, tucking her hair behind her ears, then kissing her.

    ¡°And you finished it.¡± She grins, looking up at me. ¡°I¡¯m so lucky.¡±

    ¡°No, babe, I am.¡±

    After our heart rates settle, we sit back at the desk and finish doing inventory. Every few minutes, we catch each other¡¯s eye and smile like teenagers with a secret.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she says.

    ¡°For?¡±

    ¡°For today. For all of it.¡±

    ¡°You never have to thank me for being there for you.¡±

    She reaches over, taking my hand. ¡°I know things are going to getplicated when Craig is served. But having you here with me ¡­ I feel safe.¡±

    ¡°You are safe. I won¡¯t let anything happen to you,¡± I promise.

    An hourter, Julie submits the reports and ces the order for next week¡¯s shipment. We walk out into the cool October night, holding hands. Not because anyone is watching, but because it feels right.

    ¡°Did you think it could be like this?¡± she asks.

    ¡°Only in my dreams,¡± I say.

    As we stroll to her condo, I can¡¯t shake the feeling that this peace we have won¡¯tst and that something¡¯sing. But for tonight, we¡¯re together, and that has to be enough.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 25

    With Nick¡¯s hand in mine and the October wind whipping my hair around, the three-block walk from Cozy Coffee to my condo feels shorter. We¡¯re both giddy from what happened in the office, and we steal nces at each other.

    My parents would be pissed if they knew, but that¡¯s the allure of it.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe we just did that,¡± I say, squeezing his hand.

    ¡°Inventory or?¡ª¡±

    ¡°You know which part.¡± I bump his shoulder. ¡°My grandmother is probably rolling in her grave.¡±

    ¡°Or giving you a high five from heaven.¡±

    ¡°Nick!¡±

    ¡°What? I¡¯m sure she¡¯d want you to be happy, even if that meant getting dicked down in her sacred office.¡±

    I feel my cheeks heat.

    We pass the closed boutiques, their windows decorated with scarecrows and autumn leaves. The streets are still packed with festivalgoers in costumes, along with drunk tourists stumbling home from Bookers. My body still tingles from his touch, and I¡¯m already thinking about what we¡¯ll do when we get home. I could go for round two.

    We turn down the sidewalk toward my condo, and I¡¯m mid-sentence about wanting kettle corn when something makes me stop.

    The porch light is off, and I know when Nick walked me to the coffee shop, we left it on. I always do. It¡¯s been a habit since I moved in six years ago.

    ¡°Nick, did you turn off the porch light?¡± I ask.

    ¡°No,¡± he says, and then he sees it too.

    My front door isn¡¯tpletely closed. It¡¯s been broken off the hinges and is cracked open. Darkness from inside bleeds onto the porch like spilled ink.

    ¡°Stay here.¡± His entire demeanor changes.

    The yful, rxed man from seconds ago is gone, reced by someone ready forbat. His shoulders square and jaw clenched tight, Nick positions himself between me and my condo.

    ¡°But what if?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Please, stay here.¡± His voice ismanding in a way I¡¯ve never heard before. He pulls out his phone. ¡°I¡¯m calling the police.¡±

    But I can¡¯t just stand scared on the sidewalk.

    This is my home. My safe space.

    I follow him up the sidewalk, my heart pounding so hard that I can feel it in my throat.

    Nick pushes the door open wider with his foot, not touching the handle. Smart. Fingerprints. He reaches inside to flip the light switch, his body still blocking mine.

    The living room illuminates, and my stomach drops like I¡¯m on a roller coaster going down.

    Everything is wrong.

    The couch cushions are at odd angles, with indents in each one. I can imagine him sitting on each of them. Picture frames on my bookshelf have been moved¡ªthe one of me and my parents is face down; the one of me, Autumn, and ire is turned backward. My grandmother¡¯s quilt, which is always draped over the back of my couch, lies crumpled on the floor. Craig knows how much that means to me and he tossed it aside like trash.

    ¡°Don¡¯t go in,¡± Nick says, already on the phone with 911, but I¡¯m pushing past him.

    ¡°My things?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch anything.¡± He grabs my arm, gently pulling me back to him. ¡°This is a crime scene, Jules. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s still here or not.¡±

    The words hit me like ice water. Crime scene.

    I¡¯m shaking as we move through the apartment, careful not to disturb anything. In the kitchen, every cab door hangs open. My spice rack has been reorganized, thebels all facing different directions. The junk drawer is pulled out, contents rifled through, but nothing obviously missing.

    ¡°Why would someone¡ª¡± I start, then stop because I know why.

    This isn¡¯t about theft; it¡¯s Craig showing me that he¡¯s touched everything of mine.

    The bathroom is worse. My medicine cab is open; bottles of ibuprofen and vitamins are in the sink. The shower curtain is pulled back. Even my makeup bag has been unzipped, lipsticks and mascara scattered on the counter, but it¡¯s my bedroom that makes bile rise in my throat.

    My underwear drawer isn¡¯t just open; it¡¯s been picked through. I know because I organize by color, and now it¡¯s chaos. ck mixed with nude,ce mixed with cotton. He¡¯s touched every piece.

    The photos of Nick and me from the festival that Autumn took were on my dresser. They¡¯re all ripped in half. And there, in the center of my bed, where I can¡¯t miss it, is a note written in his familiar handwriting.

    He¡¯ll leave you, like they all do. You alwayse back to me. You always will. No one will ever love you, Julie. Only me.

    ¡°Fuck you, Craig,¡± I whisper, my voice breaking on his name.

    Nick is still on the phone with dispatch, but I see his free hand clench into a fist so tight that his knuckles go white. The muscle in his jaw tics. I¡¯ve never seen him this angry¡ªnot even when Craig confronted us at the festival.

    ¡°Someone broke into my girlfriend¡¯s apartment,¡± he says, voice controlled but full of fury. ¡°Yes, we¡¯re safe. No, we haven¡¯t touched anything. We need officers here now.¡± He gives my address, then adds, ¡°The intruder left a threatening note. We know who did this.¡±

    I sink onto my ottoman chair¡ªthe one my grandmother gave me when I was a little girl¡ªunable to stop shaking. Craig was in my bedroom. He touched my panties, my photos, and my bed. The vition of it makes my skin crawl, and I want to shower for hours. I want to burn everything he might have touched.

    ¡°Hey.¡± Nick crouches in front of me after ending the call, taking my face in his hands. His touch is gentle. ¡°Look at me. You¡¯re safe. You¡¯re okay.¡±

    ¡°He was in here. He touched¡ª¡± My voice cracks.

    ¡°I know. I know, sweetheart. But you¡¯re safe. He¡¯s gone.¡±

    ¡°The restraining order. Do you think he was served and this set him off?¡±

    ¡°Possibly,¡± Nick says. ¡°I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s thinking.¡±

    The police arrive ten minutester, though it seems like hours have passed.

    There are two officers¡ªGrady, who¡¯s older with tired eyes, and a younger one who looks fresh out of the academy that I¡¯ve never met before. His name badge says Officer Sanders. They take photos of everything, dust the doorknob and light switches for prints, and bag the note as evidence with gloved hands. They¡¯re professional, but their questions make me think I¡¯ve done something wrong.

    ¡°Any security cameras?¡± Officer Grady asks.

    ¡°No,¡± I say.

    ¡°rm system?¡±

    I shake my head.

    ¡°Witnesses? Neighbors who might have seen something?¡± he continues.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. Maybe. You can ask them.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± he says, but his tone suggests they won¡¯t find anything useful. ¡°Any idea who might have done this?¡±

    ¡°Craig Downing,¡± I say. ¡°I literally filed a restraining order against him today. He¡¯s my obsessive ex who¡¯s been stalking me.¡±

    The officers exchange nces that make my stomach sink.

    ¡°Without proof he was here¡ª¡± Officer Sanders starts.

    ¡°Who else would leave that note?¡± Nick¡¯s voice is dangerous. ¡°Who else has been stalking her? Showing up at her work? Driving by here at night?¡±

    Grady starts. ¡°We understand your frustration?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Do you?¡± Nick steps forward. ¡°Because from where I¡¯m standing, you¡¯re more interested in making excuses than catching the person who did this.¡±

    Officer Sanders clears his throat. ¡°With all due respect, sir, without evidence cing Mr. Downing here?¡ª¡±

    ¡°The note is evidence. The pattern of behavior is evidence,¡± Nick says.

    ¡°We¡¯ll look into it,¡± Officer Grady says in that cating tone that tells me nothing will happen. ¡°We¡¯ll talk to him, see where he was tonight.¡±

    ¡°And he¡¯ll lie,¡± I say. ¡°He¡¯ll have an alibi. His mother will lie for him. She always does.¡±

    The younger officer looks sympathetic but useless. ¡°We¡¯ll add this to your restraining order file. It will help establish a pattern if anything else happens.¡±

    ¡°If anything else happens?¡± Iugh, but it¡¯s hollow. ¡°He broke into my home. What else does he need to do? Hurt me?¡±

    They don¡¯t answer because we all know the truth. Until he gets physical, until there¡¯s proof, until something worse happens, they can¡¯t do much.

    It takes them two hours to finish taking pictures, taking my statement, and finalizing everything. It¡¯s two hours of standing in my vited space, trying not to touch anything that he might have touched, trying not to think about Craig¡¯s hands sifting through my belongings. Every surface feels contaminated. Every object out of ce feels wrong.

    ¡°We can¡¯t stay here,¡± Nick says once the police leave, their cards left behind with case numbers.

    ¡°I can¡¯t let him run me out of my own home?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Jules, sweetheart.¡± He ces his hands on my shoulders. ¡°Please. Just for tonight. I¡¯ll have a security system installed for you,plete with cameras, new locks, and anything else you need. But tonight, we can¡¯t stay here. He could be lingering.¡±

    I look around my sanctuary, my safe space, and see it through a different lens. Craig has poisoned it.

    ¡°I hate him,¡± I sob, the tearsing violently.

    Nick pulls me into his chest, and I break.

    ¡°I hate that he can do this. That he thinks he owns me. That he won¡¯t just leave me alone.¡±

    ¡°He doesn¡¯t own you. He never did.¡± Nick holds me tight, one hand in my hair, the other rubbing my back. ¡°Pack a bag. We¡¯re leaving.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go to Riverside.¡±

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll stay at Hollow Manor. With Zane and Autumn. Just ¡­ not here. Not tonight.¡±

    I nod against his chest, wiping my tears on his shirt. He doesn¡¯t seem to mind.

    While I pack, trying not to think about Craig¡¯s hands sliding through my dresser drawers hours ago, Nick makes calls. First to Zane, speaking urgently, then to someone else. I only catch bits and pieces of his conversation.

    ¡°Yeah, I know it¡¯ste in New York. Someone broke into Julie¡¯s apartment and ¡­ we think it was her ex. Can you? Yeah, that would be perfect. Tomorrow? Even better. Thanks, man.¡±

    ¡°What was that about?¡± I ask, zipping my overnight bag. I¡¯ve packed enough for several days, not wanting toe back here anytime soon.

    ¡°Asher. He fixes things. I just want him to be aware, just in case this explodes into something else.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I feel?¡ª¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault.¡± His voice is fierce. ¡°You didn¡¯t ask for any of this. I¡¯m here with you, Jules. We¡¯ll figure this out together.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I whisper. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°No need to thank me.¡±

    We drive to Hollow Manor in silence. One of Nick¡¯s hands holds mine, and it¡¯s purefort. His other hand grips the steering wheel with white knuckles.

    ¡°I want to find him and fuck him up,¡± he says as we wind up the mountain road.

    ¡°Nick¡ª¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t. But I want to.¡± He nces at me, and in the dashboard light, his eyes are dark with rage. ¡°No one should ever make you feel unsafe in your own home. No one should be able to vite your space like that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m okay.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not.¡± He pulls into Hollow Manor¡¯s driveway and turns to me. He reaches toward my face, and his thumb brushes my cheek. ¡°And that¡¯s allowed. You don¡¯t have to be strong all the time, Jules. You don¡¯t have to minimize this.¡±

    The words break something in me, and I cry again, ugly sobs that I¡¯ve been holding back since we found the door open. Nick wraps his arms around me, letting me fall apart in his Range Rover.

    By the time we reach the front door, I¡¯m cried out. Autumn takes one look at us and goes into best-friend mode.

    ¡°The guest room is ready,¡± she says, not asking questions. ¡°There¡¯s wine if you need it. Or something stronger.¡±

    ¡°Thanks,¡± Nick says while I copse on their couch, feeling boneless and exhausted.

    ¡°That bastard,¡± Zane says, his jaw clenching.

    ¡°My thoughts,¡± Nick mutters.

    ¡°What did the police say?¡± Autumn asks.

    ¡°Nothing useful,¡± I manage. ¡°Without proof it was him ¡­¡±

    ¡°Bullshit,¡± Autumn spits. ¡°Who else would it be?¡±

    Zane makes me chamomile with honey. Autumn sits with me, not talking, just being there, her hand holding mine. It¡¯s what I need.

    ¡°He took some of my panties,¡± I tell her while the men talk logistics.

    ¡°We¡¯ll go shopping tomorrow. All new everything. He doesn¡¯t get to make you feel this way.¡±

    Later, in the guest room with its soft blue walls and white curtains, Nick holds me in the dark. The bed isfortable but unfamiliar. Everything smells likevender instead of my usual vani.

    ¡°I should have been there, waiting for him,¡± he says.

    ¡°You were with me. I had fun with you tonight.¡±

    ¡°I did too, sweetheart. But I should¡¯ve insisted on the security system sooner. Should¡¯ve been more prepared for this. Should have?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Please stop.¡± I turn to face him, barely able to make out his features in the moonlight. ¡°This isn¡¯t your fault. It¡¯s Craig¡¯s. Only Craig¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°I just ¡­ I can¡¯t lose you.¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t.¡±

    We both know that October 31 ising, whether we¡¯re ready or not. And now, I¡¯m terrified of what might happen before we get there. What if Nick decides this is too much or I¡¯m too much?

    ¡°Does this make you want to run away from me?¡± I ask in the smallest voice.

    Nick¡¯s lips press against my forehead. ¡°It makes me want to hold you closer.¡±

    The certainty in his voice makes me feel safe, and for the first time since we saw my condo door busted open, I rx.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s get some sleep. You¡¯re safe,¡± he says against my skin, holding me. ¡°I¡¯m with you.¡±

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 26

    It¡¯s been three days since the break-in. Three days of Julie startling at every creak in Hollow Manor, of checking and rechecking locks, of barely sleeping, even with me holding her. This morning, she insisted on returning to her condo. The securitypany is installing everything today. I special-ordered state-of-the-art equipment.

    ¡°I¡¯m letting him win,¡± she says as we pull up to her building.

    ¡°You¡¯re not. And it¡¯s not about winning or losing. This is about protecting you. Not just from Craig, but from anyone else who tries to snoop.¡± I squeeze her hand. ¡°Thispany is the best. They¡¯vepleted several celebrity homes across the US.¡±

    ¡°Of course they have.¡± But she¡¯s smiling.

    The instation team is already at work. Cameras are at every angle, motion sensors, and smart locks that¡¯ll alert her phone if anyone even approaches the door. The lead installer¡ªa former military guy named Jeffrey¡ªwalks us through everything with professional efficiency.

    ¡°No one¡¯s getting in here without you knowing,¡± he assures Julie. ¡°This system is?¡ª¡±

    Julie¡¯s phone rings, cutting him off, and she silences it. ¡°Sorry, please continue.¡±

    She shows me the screen, and I see Autumn¡¯s name. She calls three more times as the guy continues walking Julie through how to use everything. He finishes his exnation, and her phone rings again.

    ¡°Answer it,¡± I whisper to her.

    ¡°Okay,¡± she says, putting it on speaker while she watches them install a camera. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Jules, don¡¯t freak out.¡± Autumn¡¯s voice is serious in a way I¡¯ve never heard before.

    Julie goes still. ¡°What happened?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how to tell you this.¡± Autumn doesn¡¯t speak for a very long time, and my heart begins to race. ¡°There are photos of you posted online.¡±

    ¡°What kind of photos?¡± I ask.

    Autumn sighs. ¡°Intimate ones. They¡¯re ¡­ they¡¯re everywhere.¡±

    The blood drains from Julie¡¯s face. She drops her phone, and it crashes to the ground. She hurries and picks it up. ¡°Please exin.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Craig. He posted things he had no business posting. Said you were a whore who deserved to be exposed.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Julie¡¯s hands start shaking. ¡°No, no, no.¡±

    I¡¯m already calling Asher as Julie breaks down while she talks to Autumn. My anger builds with every cracked word that releases from her mouth.

    ¡°We have a situation,¡± I tell my brother when he answers.

    ¡°What kind of situation?¡±

    ¡°Revenge porn. Julie¡¯s ex posted intimate photos of her online.¡±

    ¡°Have you seen them?¡± he asks.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°I will be in Cozy Creek as soon as I can,¡± Asher tells me. ¡°Tell her not to look at anything online. It¡¯s counterproductive. I¡¯ll start making calls. We¡¯re in crisis mode.¡±

    Asher ends the call, and Julie rushes over to me with devastation in her eyes. She¡¯s got the pictures pulled up on her phone, and she¡¯s sobbing.

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s seeing this, Nick. My parents, my coworkers, everyone in town.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll fix it,¡± I say, grabbing her hand.

    ¡°You can¡¯t!¡± She¡¯s growing hysterical. ¡°I¡¯m so exposed. Those photos are out there forever. People have already screenshotted them. I¡¯m probably on porn sites already.¡±

    ¡°Sweetheart, I don¡¯t think you understand how powerful mypany is. I will fix this.¡± I study her. ¡°Is there anything else I need to be aware of? Are there videos? More pictures?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± she whispers. ¡°No, he posted everything he has.¡±

    The security team leaves, and within fifteen minutes, the doorbell rings.

    We freeze until she checks the live video feed on her phone. I lean over her shoulder and see it¡¯s Mrs. Patrick, with several more of the Fairy Godmothers, all carrying casserole dishes and flowers.

    ¡°It¡¯s Mrs. Patrick, Mrs. Mooney, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Caldwell, and Mrs. Lutcher.¡± She points to all of them, then sighs. ¡°They won¡¯t let me ignore them.¡±

    I squeeze her shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ll answer it.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± she says.

    I open the door, and Mrs. Patrick speaks.

    ¡°We¡¯re here for Julie! That bastard Craig needs to burn in hell for what he¡¯s done!¡±

    They sweep in like an avenging army of grandmas, surrounding Julie with a fierce, protective energy. I try to stay professional while these women plot Craig¡¯s demise.

    ¡°The whole town¡¯s talking about it,¡± Mrs. Caldwell says. ¡°But not how Craig wanted. This is criminal.¡±

    ¡°Sarah¡¯s at the police station right now,¡± Mrs. Patrick tells us. ¡°Apparently, he did the same thing to her. Posted her photos on some disgusting website months ago.¡±

    ¡°Sarah?¡± Julie looks up. ¡°Craig¡¯s pregnant ex-girlfriend, Sarah?¡±

    Mrs. Patrick nods. ¡°She¡¯s been too ashamed to report it until now. But seeing what he did to you gave her courage.¡±

    Julie looks stunned, her face pale as she processes what Mrs. Patrick just said. ¡°He did this to Sarah?¡±

    The Fairy Godmothers nod, sharing their outrage; their voices surround us.

    ¡°You did nothing wrong, Julie,¡± Mrs. Mooney insists, patting her shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s shameful he went this low.¡±

    Mrs. Henderson adds, ¡°The whole town knows it. We¡¯re furious for you. And we¡¯re not going to let this go. I¡¯ve already had choice words with his mother.¡±

    Julie leads them into the kitchen, where they set their casserole dishes on the counter. ¡°I thought ¡­ I thought this would ruin me.¡±

    I slide my arm around her. ¡°You are not ruined. You¡¯re the strongest woman I¡¯ve ever met. I¡¯ll burn the world down before I let anyone make you feel like less.¡±

    Her eyes glisten, but I see something spark behind the tears. It¡¯s pure anger.

    Mrs. Patrick crosses her arms. ¡°Sarah¡¯s already pressing charges. We¡¯ll all testify if needed¡ªbecause many of us were in the coffee shop the day you told him to leave. Men like Craig don¡¯t get to keep destroying lives in this town.¡±

    The other women agree. Their voices are a chorus of determination.

    Julie looks around at them, at me, then takes a shaky breath. ¡°Then I¡¯ll press charges too. He doesn¡¯t get to take any more from me. Not my privacy, not my peace, not my future.¡±

    I¡¯m filled with pride and fury as I kiss the top of her head. ¡°Asher¡¯s already mobilizing PR and legal. Craig has no idea what kind of war he just started.¡±

    The Fairy Godmothers p like it¡¯s settled.

    ¡°We¡¯ll handle the gossip,¡± Mrs. Patrick says. ¡°You handle thewyers.¡±

    Mrs. Mooney smiles. ¡°I know this is hard to handle right now, but, honey, when you¡¯re my age, you¡¯ll be proud of a body like that. If I could go back in time, I¡¯d personally walk around naked everywhere I went. I didn¡¯t realize what I had in my youth.¡±

    Julie bursts intoughter. ¡°Thank you. I guess that¡¯s a silver lining.¡±

    And as the women around us talk strategy and vengeance, I know one thing for sure: Craig Downing picked the wrong woman to cross. He hasn¡¯t gone after just Julie, but after every single one of us. He won¡¯t win.

    Once everyone has left and we¡¯re alone, Julie leans into me. ¡°We¡¯re in this together, right?¡±

    ¡°Always,¡± I promise.

    She seems to rx.

    Four hourster, Asher arrives and doesn¡¯t bother with pleasantries. Behind him are two people I don¡¯t know.

    ¡°Status?¡± he barks at one of them as soon as he enters Julie¡¯s condo.

    ¡°Photos went up at eight a.m. across all major tforms,¡± the woman reports. ¡°We¡¯ve got them down from Instagram and Facebook. Twitter¡¯s being slower. Working on DMCA takedowns for the rest.¡±

    ¡°Criminal charges?¡± Asher asks.

    ¡°Colorado has revenge pornws. ss 1 misdemeanor, but with the restraining order vition and pattern of behavior with multiple victims, the DA might bump it to a felony,¡± the guy with him says.

    ¡°Sorry, who the fuck are you two?¡± I ask, ncing between them.

    ¡°Oh, this is Laurel and Patrick. The new interns I hired two weeks ago, who are learning how to handle crisis management,¡± Asher exins, then turns back to them. ¡°Make sure it¡¯s a felony. I want him buried. No one messes with my brother¡¯s girlfriend.¡±

    Hearing Asher be so protective makes me smile.

    ¡°Do you know where Craig is now?¡± I ask.

    ¡°No,¡± Patrick says. ¡°After posting the photos, it seems as if he¡¯s disappeared. We have a private investigator trying to track him. His apartment is empty.¡±

    Julie goes even paler. ¡°He¡¯s hiding?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s screwed, and he knows it,¡± Asher says. ¡°This is a crime with more than enough evidence to convict. Because you filed that temporary restraining order, this will not be taken lightly. This is retaliation.¡±

    Julie turns her phone back on against my advice, and the notifications are overwhelming. I read over her shoulder¡ªsome messages are supportive, but others are disgusting. Strange men exining what they¡¯d do to her. Some are even calling her horrible names.

    ¡°Sweetheart, turn it off,¡± I whisper. ¡°Seeing it won¡¯t help.¡±

    Her phone rings before she can speak, and it¡¯s her mom.

    ¡°Mom,¡± Julie says, voice breaking.

    ¡°Oh, honey.¡± Her mother sounds upset. ¡°Your dad and I saw ¡­ we¡¯re sick for you. Craig is a monster.¡±

    ¡°Mom, I¡¯m so sorry?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare apologize. He betrayed you.¡±

    Her father¡¯s voicees through. ¡°I¡¯m going to find him and make him pay for this.¡±

    Julie excuses herself and goes upstairs so she can chat in private while more people arrive to support her. Autumn and Zane enter, and ire follows behind them with crystals and sage. Coffee shop employees stop by with messages of support.

    ¡°Julie is trending,¡± Laurel says, shaking her head. ¡°The story¡¯s going viral.¡±

    ¡°Shit.¡± I run my fingers through my hair. I can¡¯t help but notice the spotlight is burning brighter because of me. Had Julie been dating anyone else, this might have been swept under the rug sooner, but because I¡¯m attached to her, it¡¯s getting unneeded visibility.

    My phone rings from an unknown number.

    ¡°Don¡¯t answer¡ª¡± Asher starts, but I don¡¯t listen.

    ¡°Is this Nics Banks?¡±

    ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°This is TMZ. Would you like toment on your girlfriend¡¯s revenge-porn situation? We?¡ª¡±

    I hang up, my jaw clenched.

    Juliees downstairs and hugs Autumn and ire, and they stay huddled together for minutes.

    ¡°LadyLux has emailed you,¡± Asher says to me. ¡°Do the interview tonight.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± Julie says, turning toward me.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± I ask, holding her cheeks in my hands, looking into her shining green eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m worried this will ruin what we have. I could hurt your reputation, and?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me,¡± I say, taking her hands. ¡°I¡¯m used to this. You matter more.¡±

    She searches my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m a liability. Your girlfriend¡¯s nudes are trending.¡±

    ¡°My girlfriend is trending because she was brave enough to stand up to an abuser.¡±

    A momentter, Autumn moves over to us with her phone open. It¡¯s a video of Craig at the brewery, fighting.

    ¡°Is this live?¡± Asher asks.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Autumn tells him.

    ¡°We need to call the authorities,¡± Zane says, unlocking his phone, but I¡¯m already on it.

    Craig¡¯s behavior is out of control.

    ¡°He¡¯s escting this,¡± Asher tells us. ¡°A security system, even though it¡¯s as locked down as Fort Knox in here, isn¡¯t enough. You need personal protection.¡±

    Julie¡¯s mouth falls open. ¡°I can¡¯t have a bodyguard. That?¡ª¡±

    ¡°You go nowhere alone,¡± Asher exins. ¡°Not until he¡¯s caught.¡±

    As I report themotion going on at the brewery, Julie breaks down.

    ¡°I feel so vited. First my home, now my body¡ªmy privacy. He¡¯s taken everything.¡±

    ire holds Julie tight as she cries, and I hate this. It¡¯s breaking my heart.

    ¡°No,¡± Autumn says. ¡°He¡¯s tried to take everything. But you¡¯re still here. Still fighting. Still with Nick. You¡¯re strong.¡±

    Zane and Asher stare at me.

    ¡°Okay, sir, we already have a squad car heading out there now,¡± the dispatcher tells me.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say and end the call.

    I move to Julie, and the girls step away as I wrap her in my arms. I kiss her hair, tell her how pretty she is and how we¡¯re going to work through this.

    Asher clears his throat, moving close to us. ¡°The LadyLux interview will be published tomorrow if you can return her email tonight. I know this sucks, but trust me when I say, I¡¯ve cleaned up bigger messes than this. I am in no way minimizing what happened. It¡¯s utter bullshit, and if I could chop off that guy¡¯s dick and shove it down his throat, I absolutely would. However, it could be a lot worse. We will remove all instances of it that are posted. Eventually, a new scandal will happen, and everyone will move on to that. It¡¯s the nature of this.¡±

    Julie nods, finding that fighting spirit. ¡°Do you promise?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Asher confirms, then nces at me. ¡°I¡¯ll do whatever I can to fix this. Not to brag, but I¡¯m the absolute best in the business.¡±

    ¡°I know that,¡± I say, grinning.

    ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m ¡­ I¡¯m so lucky to have all of you. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without you.¡±

    Autumn and Zane head out, promising to keep an eye on the town chatter. ire leaves crystals on every windowsill, kisses Julie¡¯s cheek, and threatens to hex Craig into oblivion before slipping out the door.

    Asher lingers the longest, running through a list of follow-ups with his interns until I all but shove him out the door.

    ¡°We¡¯ve got it from here,¡± I tell him.

    ¡°You¡¯d better,¡± he warns, pointing at me like he¡¯s the older brother. Then his expression softens when he looks at Julie. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got you. I¡¯ll check in first thing tomorrow.¡±

    When the door shuts behind them, the silence feels heavy and wee at the same time. Julie exhales, slumping against the counter like she¡¯s been holding her body upright with willpower.

    ¡°Alone atst,¡± I mutter, crossing the room to pull her into my arms.

    She lets herself melt into me for a long while before pulling back to meet my eyes.

    ¡°Alone except for the countless casseroles, flowers, and half a dozen military-grade security cameras.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it romantic?¡± I ask, kissing her forehead with a smile.

    She snorts. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s get this interview over with before I lose my veryst nerve.¡±

    I grab myptop and lead her to the couch. She curls into me, her legs tucked under her. Julie¡¯s chin rests on my shoulder as I open the email from LadyLux. A neat list of questions waits in my inbox, half thoughtful, half nosy in that ssic LadyLux way.

    Julie groans when she sees the first one. ¡°Who is this person?¡±

    I grin. ¡°Well, that¡¯s the thing. No one knows because she¡¯s anonymous. The rumor is that she¡¯s a widowed socialite who¡¯s part of all the elite circles. She writes the truth though, and she¡¯s fair, even when many I run with don¡¯t deserve it.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Julie asks.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve tried to figure out who it is, and I think I almost have it pinpointed, but I¡¯ll never tell her secret.¡±

    ¡°Who do you think it is?¡± Julie looks up at me.

    ¡°One of my friend¡¯s wives.¡±

    She bursts intoughter. ¡°Scandalous.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s something about the way she watches that makes me believe it¡¯s her. However, her husband is an asshole, and I don¡¯t want to stir the pot,¡± I say.

    ¡°Wow.¡± She inhales. ¡°Is this how your life is?¡±

    ¡°Sometimes,¡± I admit. ¡°Other times, it¡¯s quiet. But enough about that. We should probably get started.¡±

    I read the first question out loud. ¡°How are you coping with such a personal vition bing public?¡±

    Julie rolls her eyes. ¡°How does she think I¡¯m coping?¡±

    ¡°Some of this will be shit, but she has a way with words, I promise. Just speak your truth,¡± I say, fingers hovering over the keys, ready to type whatever she says.

    ¡°All I can do is survive. Having intimate and private photographs of me disyed in such a crude manner has been tough. There was a time when I thought I¡¯d marry that man, and every day, I¡¯m thankful I didn¡¯t. I refuse to let his jealousy try to ruin and sabotage me. I have a strong support system¡ªmy friends, family, and the entire town of Cozy Creek¡ªand I¡¯m focusing on that instead of what Craig did to me.¡± She tilts her head. ¡°How¡¯s that?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯m adding on the end ¡­ casserole. Lots and lots of casserole.¡± Iugh.

    ¡°I¡¯m excited about eating it,¡± she admits.

    ¡°Me too,¡± I tell her. ¡°After we do this, we¡¯re digging in.¡±

    ¡°Deal!¡± She bumps her shoulder into me.

    I read the next one. ¡°How has this impacted your rtionship with Nics Banks?¡±

    Julie¡¯s cheeks flush. ¡°Oh no. Here we go.¡±

    I smirk. ¡°Should I send her our sex tape?¡±

    She swats my chest. ¡°Nick! It is seriously too soon to even joke about that.¡±

    ¡°Sorry. I¡¯m not sharing it with anyone other than you. I give you my word.¡±

    She looks at me. ¡°Can we watch it together?¡±

    ¡°After we finish these questions.¡± I study her face, knowing she needs this.

    I swear I see fire in her eyes.

    ¡°Okay. Give me theptop.¡±

    ¡°Sure, have at it,¡± I tell her as she ces her hands on the keys.

    Julie reads the questions and types away, her fingers flying over the keyboard. I watch her, but I allow her to give her words, until she gets to the end.

    ¡°These questions are for you specifically,¡± she tells me, passing theptop back to me.

    I ce it on my upper thighs and read it.

    How does this make you feel, knowing that this scumbag of a man did this to your girlfriend?

    I¡¯m upset for her. I¡¯m upset that so many people are invading her privacy and supporting this cruel behavior. It makes me sick to my stomach, and I wouldn¡¯t wish this on my worst enemy. However, I will be there for her through this.

    I move to the next question.

    Are any of the rumors true? Is this a fake rtionship to repair your reputation? You have to admit that all of this seems to have worked in your favor, and considering you are a Banks brother, it¡¯s not below you to fabricate something like this. Thoughts?

    Julie doesn¡¯t react. ¡°What does that mean?¡±

    I nce at her. ¡°Some people believe I¡¯m here to repair my bad reputation and show the public I canmit so that the man-whore rumors will end.¡±

    ¡°Did youe here for that?¡± she questions, tilting her head.

    ¡°No. I don¡¯t give a fuck about my reputation, babe. If I did, I wouldn¡¯t have done half the shit in my past so publicly. Also, I¡¯d never use you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Nick. I¡¯m so sorry. I never thought you¡¯d use me. My head wasn¡¯t thinking that way.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. I just want you to know that I¡¯d never do anything to hurt you. After what happened with Craig, you need to hear that. I promise you that on my sister¡¯s grave,¡± I tell her. ¡°And I¡¯d never lie to my sister.¡±

    She tears up and wraps her arms around me. ¡°Thank you. I¡¯m so scared this is going to push you away.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not going anywhere. I¡¯m right here.¡±

    I type the answer to thest question and set theptop on the coffee table.

    ¡°LadyLux has her email. Can we eat casserole now?¡±

    I grin. ¡°Later. First, victory kiss.¡±

    She arches a brow. ¡°Victory kiss?¡±

    I tug her into myp, kissing her until she¡¯sughing against my mouth. Her hands fist my shirt, pulling me closer, and suddenly, the room feels smaller, charged in that way it always does when I¡¯m with her.

    When she pulls back, she whispers, ¡°Can we watch it together?¡±

    I search her face. ¡°You were serious?¡±

    She nods, green eyes fierce despite the nerves in them. ¡°I want to see it. To see us.¡±

    I pull my phone from my pocket, unlock the private folder Asher built for me, and press y. The Riverside bedroom fills the screen. I see her blindfolded with wrists tied to the bed, both of us raw, reckless, alive.

    Julie¡¯s breath hitches. ¡°God, you look at me like?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Tell me,¡± I mutter into her ear.

    ¡°Like I¡¯m everything.¡±

    ¡°Because you are.¡±

    As she continues to watch, her skin floods with goose bumps, nipples tighten beneath her shirt, and her thighs press together. I see it, feel it.

    ¡°Show me what you need.¡±

    She swallows hard, then slides her hand under her joggers. My chest aches as I watch her. Every soft gasp, every tremble of her body wrecks me.

    ¡°You¡¯re sexy,¡± I whisper, forcing myself not to touch her. ¡°You undo me, Jules.¡±

    Her eyes stay locked on the screen as her hand moves, her breath stuttering, the sound of it breaking me open.

    ¡°Come for me, sweetheart,¡± Imand, knowing she¡¯s close.

    She gasps my name and lets go, body convulsing with satisfaction. Julie on-screen is shattering at the exact moment as the one beside me. This is vulnerable, and so damn beautiful.

    ¡°Nick, that was so good, but I need you,¡± she whispers, still shaking.

    I drag her into my arms, kiss her until she¡¯s breathless, then lower her back onto the couch cushions. When I finally slide into her, it isn¡¯t desperate. It¡¯s slow, deep, and all-consuming. Every kiss, every brush of her hands is a promise. She clings to me, nails scratching down my back. Her hot mouth presses against my jaw, my throat, my lips.

    ¡°You¡¯re mine,¡± I whisper against her mouth.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been yours since the beginning,¡± she breathes back.

    From then on, every thrust, every kiss, every breath is mine. She wraps her legs around me, begging for me to spill inside her.

    When she whispers, ¡°Please,¡± I give her everything ande undone with her.

    My kisses are filled with so much emotion that it makes her whimper.

    Later, when we copse together, she buries her face in my chest.

    ¡°I don¡¯t ever want this to end,¡± she confesses in my ear.

    I hold her tighter, kiss her hair. ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to.¡±

    Craig can try to take her home, her privacy, and her past, but he¡¯ll never take this.

    This is ours. And I want forever.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 27

    It¡¯s been four days since my intimate photos were leaked to the world, and I¡¯m trying very hard to pretend everything is normal. The LadyLux article that was published yesterday helped tremendously, but it doesn¡¯t erase what happened.

    The Halloween costume shop on Main Street is supposed to be my escape from reality today, but I don¡¯t feelfortable in public yet. Random nces feel personal, like people are imagining my naked body from the photos. Craig put our private moments on disy for everyone to see. What he¡¯s done is unforgiveable.

    ¡°Someone said I was trying to be the next Kim K and this scandal was to help meunch an OnlyFans career,¡± I say, reading thements on the bottom of the post as we walk the few blocks to our destination. Myughes out bitter. ¡°Wait, why did you ask me if I had an OF when we met?¡±

    ¡°Because you¡¯re gorgeous,¡± he says.

    I tilt my head at him. ¡°Would you have followed me?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t have an ount, but I¡¯d have made one.¡± Nick squeezes my hand as we walk through the door. ¡°Let¡¯s have fun.¡±

    The bell chimes overhead, and Patty, the woman who¡¯s run this costume shop for thirty years, looks up from the register. I used to buy all of mine from her when I was a kid. As soon as she sees me, her face softens into a smile.

    ¡°Julie, baby. Come here.¡± She rounds the counter and pulls me into a tight hug. ¡°That bastard should rot in hell for what he did to you.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Patty.¡± I sink into her hug for a moment. ¡°Congrats on winning the autumn arrangement contest again.¡±

    ¡°Aw, appreciate that considering some people in town are jealous.¡± She smells like cinnamon and mothballs, and the familiarity isforting.

    ¡°It¡¯s very much deserved,¡± I tell her.

    The shop is busier than usual with Halloween approaching. The aisles are cramped with costume racks, and I have to squeeze past a family debating between zombie and vampire themes. Some customers nce at me with sympathy. It¡¯s mostly locals who know me or my parents. Others stare with a different kind of recognition that makes my skin crawl. They saw me naked.

    One man near the superhero section does a double take, his eyes lighting up. He elbows his friend and whispers something before they pull out their phones.

    ¡°Eyes forward, asshole,¡± Nick barks out, his voice loud in the quietness.

    The guys scurry toward the exit, but not before one turns to me. ¡°Nice to know the curtains match the drapes.¡±

    Nick walks over to me, his brows furrowed.

    ¡°You can¡¯t threaten everyone who looks at me,¡± I whisper, though part of me secretly loves that he tries. While I hate needing protection, I also love how safe it makes me feel.

    ¡°Watch me.¡±

    Patty appears beside us again. ¡°Anyone else gives you any more trouble, you tell me. I¡¯ve got a baseball bat behind the counter, and I¡¯m not afraid to use it.¡±

    ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary,¡± I say. She reminds me of my grandma. ¡°Seriously. They¡¯re dumb teenagers who follow pop culture news. They don¡¯t understand.¡±

    She walks away, and Nickes closer.

    ¡°We can leave.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± I tell him.

    We split up to keep our costumes a surprise from one another. It¡¯s something we decided before we got here. We¡¯ll reveal them to one another on Halloween night.

    Nick heads toward the men¡¯s section while I wander through the women¡¯s racks. I already know what I want based on something he said to me a few weeks ago.

    I find the perfect costume tucked between a witch outfit and a pper dress. The teal-blue fabric is soft with gold trim that catches the light. It¡¯s sexy but not too revealing. Important now that everyone knows what¡¯s underneath.

    ¡°Princess Jasmine is a perfect fit for you. I even have the wig and crown,¡± Patty says, materializing beside me like she has a sixth sense for customers who need encouragement.

    ¡°You don¡¯t think it¡¯s too revealing, do you?¡± I meet her eyes.

    ¡°Too what? Honey, you wear whatever makes you feel good. You¡¯re gorgeous. Don¡¯t let that piece-of-shit ex of yours make you believe you need to hide anything. But let me ask you this: would you have worn it before this happened?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± I tell her.

    ¡°That¡¯s your answer then.¡± She shifts me toward the dressing room, and I make my way down the aisle. ¡°You¡¯d better try it on because you know I won¡¯t do a return.¡±

    ¡°Right. All sales final.¡±

    As I¡¯m heading to the dressing room in the back, I hear raised voices in the front.

    ¡°You need to leave. Now.¡± Patty¡¯s friendly voice has turned to steel.

    ¡°It¡¯s a free country. I can shop where I want,¡± a guy says, slurring.

    Day drinking on a Tuesday is so ssy. But then recognition washes over me, and my blood freezes in my veins. For a second, I think it¡¯s Craig, but when I peek around the corner, it¡¯s not.

    ¡°Get out before I call the police,¡± Patty says.

    ¡°It was posted that she was here! I wanna see if she¡¯s as hot in real life,¡± he says to his friend, loud enough for the store to hear. ¡°You know, the coffee chick with the great tits.¡±

    Rage and embarrassment flood through me. Before Nick can react, before I can think better of it, I¡¯m cing the costume on the hook behind the door, and then I march toward them.

    ¡°Leave¡ªright now,¡± I say. My voice doesn¡¯t even shake. The steadiness surprises me almost as much as it surprises them. For a second, I¡¯m braver than I feel.

    When he recognizes me, the man¡¯s eyes light up with excitement.

    ¡°Holy shit, you really are here! Can I get a selfie? My friends won¡¯t believe I met you,¡± he says, like he¡¯s a fan.

    ¡°Are you serious right now?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Come on. You¡¯re hot! Especially for a ginger!¡± He smirks, his eyes doing a slow scan of my body.

    Nick moves so fast past me that I almost don¡¯t see him. He grabs the younger guys by their shirts and carries them outside.

    ¡°Hey! You can¡¯t do?¡ª¡±

    One of them drops his phone, and Nick kicks it across the floor.

    ¡°Leave.¡± His voice is calm, but it¡¯s absolutely terrifying. ¡°Before you regret it.¡±

    Patty has already taken out her phone and is speaking to dispatch. ¡°Yes, we have two men harassing a customer at The Costume Shop. They were refusing to leave and are standing outside. I want them charged with trespassing.¡±

    The one who took pictures of me looks at his shattered phone screen, and he¡¯s whining aboutwsuits and assault charges.

    ¡°Sue me,¡± Nick calls after them. ¡°Please. I¡¯d love to tell a judge what happened, and I¡¯m sure the owner would too.¡±

    Patty nods with her hands on her hips.

    After they leave, the store feels too quiet. Some customers are pretending not to care, while others¡¯ stares cause pinpricks on my skin. I feel out of ce.

    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, honey,¡± Patty says, touching my arm. ¡°If anyone else bothers you, they¡¯re banned for life. I¡¯m not kidding.¡±

    ¡°Oh, please don¡¯t apologize,¡± I say, but I¡¯m shaking. My fight-or-flight is kicking in.

    Nick wraps his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my head. ¡°We can leave if you want.¡±

    ¡°No.¡± I straighten my spine, channeling every ounce of stubbornness I have left. ¡°I¡¯m not letting creeps chase me out of here. I¡¯m buying a costume, and we¡¯re going to the Halloween party, and I¡¯m going to have fun for the rest of the month, even if it kills me.¡±

    He grins at me, tucking loose strands behind my ear. ¡°Love it when you¡¯re fierce.¡±

    We continue shopping, but I¡¯m now hyperaware of everyone. A mom with two kids gives me a sympathetic smile. Every nce feels loaded with something more, either judgment or pity. I hate this.

    I nce down at my phone, realizing those little bastards posted the picture of me somehow. Thements under it are disgusting.

    ¡°Stop reading them,¡± Nick singsongs as he hides his costume behind his back so I can¡¯t see it. ¡°Now, go give her your costume and let her bag it up, and then I¡¯lle pay.¡±

    Iugh, enjoying how seriously he¡¯s taking keeping it secret.

    We make our purchases, and Patty refuses to let Nick pay full price. Then she leads us through the back entrance to avoid the lurkers who have gathered out front. A teenage girl watches us with wide eyes, and a fewdies from the book club give us nods of approval.

    ¡°Youe back anytime,¡± she says as we stroll hand in hand down the alleyway. ¡°This is your town, not theirs.¡±

    I look over at Nick. ¡°Then why am I the one in a back alley?¡±

    Nick wraps his arm around me. ¡°I can¡¯t help but think this is somehow my fault.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not,¡± I exin. ¡°Craig would¡¯ve done this to me, no matter who I¡¯d moved on with. He was waiting to pounce, to use his final fuck you and humiliate me. He¡¯s the type of man who doesn¡¯t take no for an answer. I think you¡¯re his karma though.¡±

    ¡°The thought of that makes me smile,¡± he says.

    When we¡¯re back at my condo, my phone rings, and it¡¯s ire. The picture for her contact is a selfie of us fromst fall. We wereughing at something, but I can¡¯t remember what.

    ¡°Hey, Jules. Just wanted to check in. How¡¯s costume shopping?¡±

    ¡°We survived. Nick lifted two dudes by their shirts and threw them outside.¡±

    ¡°Good! I¡¯m sure they deserved it. Listen, I did aplete protection ritual at your ce earlier. Sage, crystals, and even buried some ck tourmaline by your door. You got the full witchy works.¡±

    Despite everything, I smile. ¡°Thanks, ire.¡±

    ¡°Also¡ªand don¡¯t freak out¡ªthere¡¯s something you should know.¡±

    My stomach drops to my feet. ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°Craig¡¯s mom called the coffee shop, looking for you. She says she hasn¡¯t heard from him in three days. She sounded worried.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s concerning.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. She said it¡¯s notmon for him to do this. Even when he¡¯s being a shit, he checks in with her. Just stay alert, okay? The cards this morning were weird. The Tower kepting up.¡±

    I clear my throat. ¡°I don¡¯t have the energy for tarot foreshadowing right now, ire. Call me when The Lovers arrives.¡±

    The Tower. It means destruction, upheaval, chaos.

    Iugh it off, but unease sits in my stomach like a ten-pound weight. What if the thing falling apart is me?

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she says. ¡°Just use your karate moves if you need to, okay, Red Menace?¡±

    ¡°You know I will.¡±

    After I hang up, I plop down on the couch.

    Nick joins me. ¡°We need to talk about something.¡±

    ¡°If this is more bad news?¡ª¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not. You now have a bodyguard.¡±

    I stare at him. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry; he¡¯s subtle, but he¡¯s watching when I can¡¯t. Professional guy, former military, and only temporary until November first.¡±

    ¡°Nick, that¡¯s?¡ª¡±

    ¡°Necessary. His name is Brody. He¡¯s a dick, doesn¡¯t say much, but he¡¯s also marrying Zane¡¯s little sister and volunteered. He¡¯s the best in the business, and you don¡¯t tell him no. I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t hire him. He¡¯s going to do it whether I want him to or not.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, and he sits down next to me.

    Nick leans forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. ¡°Brody¡¯s already watching the perimeter. You probably won¡¯t see him, but he¡¯ll see you. That¡¯s how he works.¡±

    I blink. ¡°Wait, he¡¯s here? Like ¡­ right now?¡±

    Nick¡¯s mouth tips into a half-grin. ¡°I bet he¡¯s parked down the street in some unmarked truck, eating jerky and scaring kids in costumes.¡±

    Despite myself, Iugh. ¡°That¡¯s supposed to make me feel better?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± he says. Then his expression softens. ¡°Look, I know it¡¯s invasive, but Brody cares about protecting your life. He said that he owed it to my sister to make sure we were okay. I can¡¯t refuse that.¡±

    I tuck my legs under me on the couch, hugging a pillow. ¡°I¡¯m just not used to this. I¡¯ve lived in this town my whole life, and suddenly, I need a bodyguard to watch me.¡±

    Nick slides closer, prying the pillow from my arms and recing it with his chest. ¡°Just for a little while longer, I promise.¡±

    For the first time all day, I somewhat rx. I want to argue, to roll my eyes, but a part of me exhales at the thought of someone else watching the shadows when I can¡¯t. With Nick¡¯s arms around me and Brody keeping watch, the panic moves to a simmer instead of a rolling boil.

    ¡°Everything will be okay,¡± I say, closing my eyes, wanting to believe it.

    Nick doesn¡¯t move right away. His chin rests on the top of my head, his hand tracing idle circles down my arm like he¡¯s trying to draw calm into me. For a while, I let myself just sit there, eyes closed, pretending the world outside this couch doesn¡¯t exist.

    It hardly works.

    I can still feel the stares in the costume shop and how those men looked at me like I was public property. My body shivers before I can stop it.

    Nick notices. ¡°Cold?¡±

    ¡°Haunted,¡± I admit, pulling back enough to look at him. ¡°Faces andments are burned into my mind. I can¡¯t quite shake it.¡±

    His jaw tightens. ¡°Then we burn new ones in there. Better ones.¡±

    I raise an eyebrow. ¡°Examples?¡±

    ¡°The Fairy Godmothers caring enough to bring you casseroles galore. Or how ire adores you so much she¡¯s hexing Craig at this very moment. Or maybe you should think about how my face lights up every time you walk into a room.¡±

    ¡°Thest one¡¯s the best.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± he says, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°It¡¯s just for you.¡±

    The tension in my chest eases a little more. He doesn¡¯t minimize how I feel, but he doesn¡¯t let me drown in it either.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know how you do that,¡± I whisper.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Make me feel like I¡¯m not an embarrassment.¡±

    He cups my cheek, thumb brushing along my skin. His gaze is unwavering and fierce. ¡°You¡¯re not. You¡¯re just a little bruised, pissed, and exhausted. And that¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay to be all of those things.¡±

    ¡°I am. I¡¯m being sexualized. I hate it.¡± Something inside me cracks, and I tuck myself into him, pressing my face against his chest.

    ¡°I hate it too.¡± His voice drops to a low roughness. It vibrates against my skin. His eyes sweep down my body, sharp and unyielding. ¡°I don¡¯t want anyone looking at you, sweetheart. Not like that. Not ever.¡± His jaw tightens.

    With a certainty that makes my pulse skip, he adds, ¡°You¡¯re mine.¡±

    The words should scare me, but they don¡¯t. They ground me. They burn away the shame and rece it with something hotter. Because when Nick says I¡¯m his, it¡¯s not possession; it¡¯s protection.

    My breath catches. My body melts into him.

    ¡°Say it again,¡± I whisper.

    His mouth hovers by my ear, his hand gripping my hip like he¡¯s already branded me. ¡°Mine.¡±

    Heat pools low in my stomach. I move closer, my thighs brushing his, my body alive with want.

    ¡°Does that please you?¡± he asks.

    ¡°Yes, very much,¡± I admit. The confession releases before I can stop it.

    His growl rumbles through me, his fingers tightening until I¡¯m pinned to him. ¡°Good. Because it¡¯s the truth, Little Red. You. Are. Mine.¡± Each word is punctuated with his hips grinding forward, the hard ridge of him pressing against me.

    I gasp, clutching his shirt, my body sparking everywhere we connect. My thighs part instinctively, and he takes advantage, shifting me against him until I¡¯m straddling his thigh. The friction of his thick cock is right where I need it most.

    ¡°Nick,¡± I breathe, my voice breaking as he rocks me harder against him. My panties are already damp, sliding against denim, and every move makes me ache more.

    He grabs my ass, dragging me over him like he can¡¯t stand the thought of space between us. ¡°Feel that, sweetheart? That pussy¡¯s mine too. So is every sound you make. Every gasp. Every fucking shiver. All mine.¡±

    I moan into his mouth when he kisses me, my hips grinding helplessly against him. The friction is brutal, delicious, and the orgasm builds fast. My body tenses, clinging to him as if he¡¯s the only thing holding me together.

    His teeth graze my lip. His breath is hot against me. ¡°Come for me. Right here. Ruin those panties for me.¡±

    Themand tears through me, my body obeying before my brain catches up. I break apart against him, muffling my cry in his shoulder as heat floods me, soaking through the thin fabric. He holds me tight, grinding me through the final pulses, rocking me until Ie down from my high.

    I copse against his chest, my breath ragged. His fingersb through my hair as his lips brush my temple, so soft that it undoes me all over again.

    ¡°That¡¯s how I want you to forget him, Jules,¡± he mutters, voice hoarse. ¡°Not by erasing what he did. By making new memories. This¡±¡ªhis hand squeezes my hip possessively¡ª¡°will be one of my favorites.¡±

    A shakyugh slips out of me, half breathless, half disbelieving, while I try to recover from the aftershocks of that mind-blowing orgasm. ¡°I don¡¯t deserve you.¡±

    His smile curves against my skin before he kisses me. ¡°I think that¡¯s my line.¡±

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 28

    The knock at the doores just after breakfast. Julie freezes mid-sip of her coffee, and I see the sh of panic in her eyes before she masks it. I¡¯m so sad that she¡¯s still jumpy, but I understand how much of a paranoid kid she was. Craig just ys into her worst fear of the unknown.

    ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± I say, already moving toward the door.

    I open it and am confused when I see a in cardboard box sitting on the porch with no returnbel. Julie¡¯s name is scribbled in Sharpie across the top. As soon as I see it, every muscle in my body tenses. Julie steps closer, squeezing in beside me so she can look.

    ¡°Don¡¯t touch it,¡± I warn.

    ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know yet,¡± I say, crouching to tear the tape and peel the ps back.

    The disgusting smell hits me first.

    Inside is a bouquet of wilted, ckened roses, stems slimy with decay. Tucked between them is a card, smeared with something like dirt.

    ¡°What th¡ª¡± Julie mps a hand over her mouth.

    I slide the card out with two fingers, and there are just three words written in sloppy handwriting.

    I¡¯m always watching.

    The meaning is clear.

    My vision goes red. ¡°Motherfucker.¡±

    I pull my phone from my pocket and take a picture of it, then text it to Brody.

    Nick

    Did you see anything?

    Brody

    No. No cars stopped by. Just a bunch of kids in costumes, going door-to-door.

    Nick

    How¡¯s that possible?

    Brody

    Not sure. Contact the securitypany to review the footage from sunrise to the present.

    Julie sinks into the couch as I close the door, leaving the flowers where they are. Her knuckles are white around her coffee mug. ¡°He knows I¡¯m home.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m calling the police,¡± I tell her.

    She shakes her head. ¡°What if this never ends? What if Craig stays lurking in the shadows?¡±

    I drop to my knees in front of her and take her face in my hands so she has no choice but to look at me. ¡°This will notst forever. I promise. Craig¡¯s showing signs of desperation, and desperation means he¡¯ll make mistakes. It¡¯s a cycle, and we¡¯re nearing its end. I¡¯ve seen this too much over the years with our clients.¡±

    Her eyes glisten, but she shudders. ¡°His note sounds like a threat.¡±

    ¡°Then let me promise you something,¡± I say. I keep my voice steady even though my blood is boiling. ¡°He¡¯ll never touch you again. Not while I¡¯m breathing.¡±

    An hourter, the box of dead roses is gone, sealed in an evidence bag. Another statement is written, everything is photographed, and more time is wasted. Festivalgoers stare at the house as the cops stand out in front. Julie pretends to be fine, but I¡¯ve watched her eyes unfocus on the same unread page of the Cozy News for thest twenty minutes.

    When her phone rings again, she flinches hard enough that she almost spills her fresh cup of coffee. Julie turns her phone around to show me it¡¯s a blocked number.

    She answers and mutes the call. I hear someone breathing.

    Julie¡¯s face goes pale, but she clenches her jaw, not hanging up until they do.

    Not a word is said. Creep.

    After a few minutes, she ends the call, but it rings again. This time, I answer.

    ¡°Hey, Craig,¡± I say in a low tone. ¡°I bet it pisses you off that I answered instead of Jules. But see, now you get to hear me talk about how you fucked up by letting her go. Honestly, I should thank you, buddy. Thank you for being aplete and utter dumbass and not realizing what you had. Because now she¡¯s mine and?¡ª¡±

    The call ends.

    Julie chuckles¡ªa sound I love to hear.

    ¡°Guess I figured out what triggers him. It happens again, hand me the phone,¡± I say.

    She smiles. ¡°You¡¯ll just irritate him.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the point. Maybe he¡¯ll stop calling when he has to listen to me brag about us every damn time.¡±

    For a second, the silence in the condo is a victory. Then my phone rings.

    It¡¯s the securitypany.

    ¡°We¡¯ve downloaded and forwarded the video to the police department and to you. It appears that a man asked a child to carry the box and knock on the door. We can¡¯t see anything other than a blur of a body.¡±

    ¡°That sucks,¡± I breathe out. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I couldn¡¯t have been more helpful,¡± he says, and the call ends.

    I open my email and forward it to Brody.

    Julie¡¯s phone vibrates again, and another knock on the door follows it.

    ¡°Damn,¡± I whisper.

    Julie checks the app and moves through the living room.

    ¡°It¡¯s Mrs. Mooney and several other people,¡± she whispers, smoothing her hair down before opening the door.

    ¡°Jules! We came to hang out with you today,¡± Mrs. Mooney announces. She¡¯s the secretary of the book club. ¡°We just got news that bastard¡¯s been spotted in Silver Sky. Martha¡¯s cousin saw him at a gas station, looking like hell.¡±

    Silver Sky is thirty minutes away.

    ¡°When?¡± I demand.

    ¡°Early this morning. The police went, but he was already gone.¡±

    The five women set up camp in Julie¡¯s living room in a protective circle that¡¯s full of maternal energy. They¡¯ve brought doughnuts and gossip and glittery cans of pepper spray, just in case.

    ¡°Now,¡± Mrs. Patrick says, settling on the couch like a general preparing for battle, ¡°we¡¯re here to take your mind off that piece of trash. I brought my favorite card game to help pass the time.¡±

    ¡°Which is?¡± Julie asks, her brow lifted.

    ¡°Cards Against Humanity.¡± Mrs. Patrick pulls the extra-long ck box from inside her oversized purse with a wicked grin. ¡°The Nasty bundle.¡±

    ¡°Mrs. P!¡± Julie gasps. ¡°The sun is still up!¡±

    ¡°So? We¡¯re not prudes. Honey, I¡¯ve been married for forty years. I know things that would make him blush.¡± She points to me.

    For the next two hours, we y the most inappropriate card game I¡¯ve ever witnessed with a group of women over sixty. Julieughs so hard that she¡¯s crying. It¡¯s the good kind of tears too. Mrs. Henderson ys abination so dirty that even I blush.

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you!¡± Julie wheezes.

    ¡°Believe it, honey. How do you think Inded my third husband?¡± Mrs. Mooney smirks.

    ¡°Third?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Oh, yeah, the first two just couldn¡¯t keep up with this,¡± she admits.

    This sends Julie into another fit of giggles. And for a moment, it¡¯s like the weight of the morning lifts off her. She¡¯s not looking over her shoulder, not checking her phone, not thinking about Craig. She¡¯s just alive and living her best life with a group of women who¡¯ve collectively be a grandma army for her.

    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Julie says, wiping her eyes. ¡°I need to excuse myself, or I¡¯m going to pee my pants.¡±

    ¡°TMI, dear,¡± Mrs. Patrick says, then ys another horrifyingly inappropriate card that makes everyone scream withughter.

    My phone buzzes. I don¡¯t know the number, but I answer it because it might be important.

    ¡°Nick Banks?¡± a woman¡¯s voice says, sounding professional.

    ¡°Yes?¡±

    ¡°This is Ba Burndy from the New York Times. We¡¯re doing a piece on revenge porn and famous victims. Your girlfriend¡¯s case?¡ª¡±

    I hang up.

    ¡°Who was that?¡± Julie asks, returning with bottles of water for everyone.

    ¡°Reporter with the New York Times.¡±

    The mood shifts, but Mrs. Henderson takes control of the situation.

    ¡°The New York Times can kiss my saggy ass,¡± she states. ¡°Now, whose turn is it?¡±

    Julieughs again, but it¡¯s not as easy as it was before. ¡°Yours, I think.¡±

    We y for another hour. The women share scandalous stories about their youth, each trying to top the other. Julie holds her stomach fromughing when Mrs. Hendersonunches into a story about skinny-dipping with her boyfriend in 1962.

    ¡°The sheriff caught us, and there I was, naked as a jaybird, trying to exin that we were just cooling off.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Julie asks.

    ¡°Oh, yeah. I told him Bobby Henderson had the finest ass in three counties and I was doing my patriotic duty by appreciating it,¡± she says and gives a salute.

    ¡°You did not!¡± Julie gasps.

    ¡°I did! The sheriffughed so hard that he let us go with a warning, but somehow, the entire town knew before we got back into city limits.¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± Julie says. ¡°Bobby Henderson? As in Mr. Henderson? As in your third husband?¡±

    ¡°He was my first love. As they say, the third time¡¯s a charm.¡± Mrs. Henderson winks. ¡°Some asses are worth keeping forever, dear.¡±

    Julie tips sideways against me, giggling so hard that she can¡¯t breathe. I memorize the sound¡ªtheugh I¡¯d burn down the world to protect.

    The afternoon passes with moments of genuine joy, punctuated by reminders of why they¡¯re here in the first ce.

    When someone knocks on the door, everyone tenses until we confirm it¡¯s another false pizza delivery, which has been happening for the past hour. But then Mrs. Mooney starts a story about the time she identally ordered thirty pizzas instead of three, and the tension in the room eases again.

    That evening, after the women leave with promises to check in the next day, Julie and I have an early dinner, then move to the balcony. She¡¯s still smiling from the day¡¯s unexpected turn.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know the Fairy Godmothers had it in them,¡± she says.

    ¡°I might be a little traumatized,¡± I tell her yfully.

    ¡°Oh, you loved it.¡± She pokes my ribs. ¡°I saw you trying not tough at Mrs. Patrick¡¯s story about the church bell incident.¡±

    ¡°True. They¡¯re hrious, and they have a good sense of humor.¡±

    She leans against me. ¡°I think they enjoyed hanging out with us. I appreciate that they care.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re loved, sweetheart,¡± I say. ¡°Everyone wants the very best for you.¡±

    ¡°You know, sometimes, I forget that no matter what¡¯s going wrong in life, it¡¯s still possible to have fun.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re damn right about that.¡±

    The sunset paints the mountains orange and gold as the carnival rides light up and glow. In the distance, I can see Hollow Manor tucked up on the hill overlooking Cozy Creek. Even though a lot in my life is unsettled and it¡¯s not perfect, that doesn¡¯t take away from how peaceful it is with Julie by my side.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, Autumn is going to force us to carve a billion pumpkins the day before Halloween,¡± she says. ¡°I¡¯m going to out-carve you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, really?¡±

    ¡°Really. I¡¯ve been watching YouTube videos for the past ten years. I¡¯m basically a professional now.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll have you know that I was pumpkin carving champion three years running in my hometown,¡± I exin.

    Her mouth falls open, and she turns her body toward me. I notice how her face glows at golden hour.

    ¡°You¡¯re kidding.¡±

    ¡°Nope. And it was extremelypetitive because there was a lot of money involved.¡±

    Sheughs¡ªa realugh. ¡°You¡¯re making it up.¡±

    ¡°Scout¡¯s honor. I have a trophy somewhere.¡± I pull out my phone, scrolling through old photos until I find the one I¡¯m looking for. ¡°Boom. Carving champion. Need me to zoom in so you can see it?¡±

    ¡°Pfft.¡± She nces at the photo of teenage me holding a genuinely impressive pumpkin carving trophy. ¡°Oh my goodness, you weren¡¯t kidding.¡±

    ¡°I wasn¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°Aw, look at that baby face. You were so adorable. I¡¯d have had a crush on you as a kid.¡±

    ¡°I was fifteen and very serious about my pumpkin art. So, I¡¯m going to kick your ass at carving pumpkins.¡±

    She¡¯sughing again, and I save this moment in my memory. ¡°I forgot you werepetitive.¡±

    ¡°Babe, you have no idea. Not to mention, I always win, and I always get what I want.¡±

    ¡°Noted.¡±

    Julie¡¯s wearing one of my hoodies; her hair is messy from the wind, and she¡¯s giggling about pumpkins while the world tries to break her.

    ¡°You¡¯re so pretty,¡± I whisper.

    She grins, and her phone buzzes with a security alert. We check it together, and it¡¯s the back-door sensor. There¡¯s nothing on the camera. I lean over the railing to nce at the back door.

    ¡°Nothing there,¡± I tell her.

    ¡°Must¡¯ve been the wind,¡± she agrees.

    ¡°Or a ghost,¡± I say.

    ¡°I can handle a ghost all day, every day,¡± she tells me with a snicker. ¡°I¡¯d prefer it over Craig.¡±

    Once the sun sets, we return inside and shut the balcony doors.

    As we¡¯re getting ready for bed, Julie puts on some ¡¯90s pop and starts dancing around her bedroom.

    ¡°Dance with me,¡± she says.

    ¡°To the Backstreet Boys?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I want it this way.¡±

    So, I give her what she wants.

    She spins under my arm, and I dip her dramatically. We¡¯re ridiculous, and it¡¯s perfect.

    After several songs, we copse onto the bed, both smiling.

    ¡°I needed that,¡± she whispers, kissing me.

    ¡°I know you did,¡± I tell her.

    Craig can send dead flowers. He can lurk in the shadows. He can even try to break her. But he¡¯s already failed because Julie Lovnd doesn¡¯t break.

    She keeps living.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 29

    ¡°<span>We can go back,¡± Nick says for the third time as we walk toward Cozy Coffee.

    He senses my unease, but I continue to push forward. Being in public right now is my version of exposure therapy. I want to desensitize myself to the stares, and I¡¯m done hiding.

    While it¡¯s only ten in the morning, Main Street is bustling with Sunday funday energy. It¡¯s thest weekend before Halloween, and spooky excitement floats through the air.

    Families head to the diner on the corner, and the line is wrapped around the block. Many tourists window-shop. Locals gather their groceries for the week because starting tomorrow, the sidewalks will be nearly impassable with people. Trust me, I once learned the hard way. So far, everything looks normal for this time of year.

    Behind me, Brody is watching, wearing a go to hell look that makes Nick¡¯s seem soft.

    I keep my eyes forward, ignoring those who nce in my direction.

    ¡°It¡¯s not toote to turn around,¡± he offers in my ear with his arm wrapped around me.

    ¡°I want avendertte,¡± I exin. ¡°Time to rip off the bandage.¡±

    ¡°Stubborn girl,¡± he says with a chuckle. ¡°But I¡¯m proud of you. The quicker you stop giving a fuck what other people think about you and us, the better. They¡¯re going to talk anyway.¡±

    Brody chuckles behind us, and Nick mean-mugs him over his shoulder.

    ¡°Shut the hell up.¡±

    ¡°Asher was right. You¡¯re whipped.¡±

    Nick¡¯s re could cut ss, but I bite back a smile. If this is whipped, maybe I like him this way.

    ¡°Just like you are with Harper,¡± Nick tells him.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m not denying that at all. I worship the ground Harp stands on,¡± Brody tells him as Nick opens the door for me.

    The bell rings, and as soon as I enter, everyone says, ¡°Jules.¡±

    I feel special, like Norm on Cheers. Instead of beer, I¡¯m here forvenderttes and to show the town I¡¯m not backing down or hiding. I immediately grin.

    As we move toward the register, Nick¡¯s grip is tighter than usual. I can feel the tension radiating from him. He¡¯s been on edge since we left the condo, and he eyes every person we pass like he¡¯s ready to kick their ass.

    ¡°Breathe,¡± I whisper. ¡°We¡¯re just getting coffee.¡±

    The two of us find our way to the back of the line, and Brody stands behind us. I nce around, noticing how the decorations have doubled sincest week. I automatically know it¡¯s ire¡¯s doing. No way she¡¯d let the fall decor sit in boxes through the season.

    We step up to the register, and ire nces between us, grinning. ¡°Wow, you two. My Goddess. You¡¯re in love, love.¡±

    I chuckle nervously. ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°The look on your faces. I haven¡¯t seen you in days, and it¡¯s just ¡­ lightning in a bottle.¡±

    Nick smirks. ¡°Mmm. I think I¡¯d like a pumpkin spicette.¡±

    I chuckle and chew on the corner of my lip. ¡°And I¡¯d like avendertte, extra sweet.¡±

    He nces at me while pulling his wallet out. I lift my brows and grin. Love talk made him ufortable.

    ¡°Oh, and I¡¯d like arge ck coffee and a chocte croissant,¡± Brody says behind us. ¡°He¡¯s paying for it.¡±

    ire tilts her body so she can look past me. ¡°Oh, hey, Brody. I didn¡¯t realize you were here. Is Harper with you?¡±

    ¡°You two know each other?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Yeah, we met at Autumn¡¯s wedding. Oh, and then I chatted with him and Harper at Zane¡¯s partyst month. Did you know he¡¯s engaged to Harper? Zane¡¯s little sister.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± I tell her.

    Brody chuckles. ¡°I¡¯m great. Thanks. Have you been well?¡±

    ¡°Fantastic! Still single. Living my best life.¡± ire leans forward, ncing between me and Nick. ¡°Is everything okay? He¡¯s a literal killer.¡±

    Nick chuckles. ¡°He¡¯s also very stubborn, and he does whatever he wants. I didn¡¯t request his services.¡±

    ¡°You know, I can hear you,¡± Brody says.

    ire clicks a few buttons, and when Nick tries to pay, she shakes her head. ¡°You¡¯reped.¡±

    ¡°Oh,e on,¡± Nick says. ¡°Please let me pay.¡±

    ¡°No,¡± ire says.

    ¡°Okay then. I¡¯d like to pay for every single person in here to treat themselves,¡± Nick says, raising his voice.

    Thirty people p, and many line up behind us.

    ¡°Give them whatever they want,¡± Nick tells her, handing over a thousand dors. ¡°Keep the change.¡±

    She scoffs. ¡°You¡¯re not serious.¡±

    ¡°I wanted to support my woman¡¯s business,¡± he says with a wink. ¡°This is even better.¡±

    When our drinks are finished being made, Sierra hands them over to us. ¡°I¡¯ve missed you so much. You¡¯re the best schedule maker in the world. Just know that I will neverin again once youe back.¡±

    Iugh, because of course that¡¯s what I¡¯m known for¡ªnot the scandal, not the photos, but the girl who makes sure nobody misses their life events. The reminder that my old life still exists is somewhat of a relief. I can¡¯t let what Craig did define me.

    I give her a smile. ¡°Just d you¡¯re not going to take me for granted when I return.¡±

    She¡¯s one of our youngest employees, and I try to give her every request she makes because I know what it was like to work away my youth. Shit, I¡¯m still doing it.

    ¡°I definitely won¡¯t,¡± she says as the printer goes off with orders. Marianna, another one of our employees, works the other machine. ¡°Anyway, I gotta get to it. Pleasee back soon. Tracy is a hard-ass!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk about your aunt that way,¡± I tell her. ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon.¡±

    Mrs. Patrick waves from her corner table, where she¡¯s chatting with a few book club members. Tom Valley is in his usual chair, mustache waxed to perfection. Everything seems normal¡ªmaybe too normal.

    Once Brody grabs his coffee and croissant, I get ready to lead the way across the room toward an open table by the window. But as I open my mouth to chat with Nick, the door chimes.

    Craig.

    My mouth falls open.

    He¡¯s unshaven and wearing wrinkled clothes. He¡¯s lost weight since Ist saw him, and there¡¯s something uneasy in his expression that makes my blood run as cold as the river in the winter. His eyes are bloodshot. When they lock on mine, it¡¯s dangerous, like a rattler uncoiling.

    The hum of the espresso machines, chatter, and clinking cups all die at once. The silence is louder than the noise ever was.

    Before I say a word, Craig has spotted us. His face transforms with anger when he sees Nick turn and nce at him.

    ¡°Julie.¡± He says my name like it¡¯s a prayer and a curse.

    ¡°You need to leave,¡± ire says from behind the counter. ¡°Now.¡±

    ¡°I just want to talk to her.¡± Craig takes a step toward us. ¡°Five minutes. That¡¯s all.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re viting a restraining order,¡± Nick says, his phone already dialing the police station.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care!¡± Craig¡¯s voice cracks. ¡°I¡¯ve lost everything because of her. My job, my home, my reputation.¡±

    The room tilts. Somehow, in his mind, I¡¯m both the viin and the only thing that can save him.

    Anger overrides my fear. This is enough. ¡°You¡¯ve been stalking me since you got back in town. You broke into my house, stole my panties, and destroyed my pictures! Then you posted our private moments on the inte. What you¡¯ve done is unforgivable.¡±

    ¡°Because I love you!¡± He¡¯s screaming. ¡°Don¡¯t you get it? We¡¯re meant to be together. I wanted to marry you, have kids, and build a life?¡ª¡±

    ¡°You broke up with me! You left me! You aren¡¯t going to twist this. I would¡¯ve married you, Craig. You ruined it.¡± I¡¯m surprised at how steady my voice is. ¡°You led me on a year ago. I was your pathetic side piece, Craig. That¡¯s who I used to be. But not anymore.¡±

    People gasp.

    ¡°Then you proposed to someone else while you were still sleeping with me! Now I have self-respect, and you don¡¯t know what to do about that. Your ego can¡¯t handle it. It¡¯s over. O-V-E-R! You have Sarah. She¡¯s carrying your baby.¡±

    ¡°No, she¡¯s not! This is utter bullshit,¡± he shouts. I hear a coffee mug drop and shatter on the floor. ¡°I never wanted her forever. She was just a distraction.¡±

    Gasps ripple through the shop. Sarah isn¡¯t even here, and somehow, he¡¯s humiliating her too.

    ¡°For fuck¡¯s sake,¡± Brody says from behind me.

    Craig¡¯s eyes snap back to me. ¡°You¡¯re leaving with me. Right now.¡±

    His words make my stomach turn. My pulse spikes so hard that I feel it in my throat.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not.¡±

    He lunges toward me, and everything happens too fast.

    The scrape of his shoes on the hardwood.

    The twisted snarl of his face.

    His hand stretched for me.

    Before I can move away, Nick is there. His arm ms into Craig¡¯s chest, shoving him so hard that he stumbles back into a table. Craig topples to the ground with it, and I can tell he¡¯s scared shitless.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare touch her.¡± Nick¡¯s voice is both dangerous and calm, in a way that shakes my bones.

    Craig hops to his feet, and Brody moves beside Nick. The two of them are a wall of muscle, stopping any path Craig has to me.

    ire watches in horror as I back toward the coffee bar. If I need to, I will run to the emergency exit at the back and not stop until I reach the police station. The look in Craig¡¯s eyes is what nightmares are made of.

    But before I have to do that, customers rise to their feet. Tom Valley, who usually polishes his mustache and keeps to himself, stands from his chair, with his fists balled like he¡¯s ready to fight. Mrs. Patrick nts herself beside him, wearing a re sharper than any knife. Behind her are the other Fairy Godmothers, each with their pepper spray activated. One by one, customers fill the space, acting as human shields.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take you away from here, Julie! You¡¯ll never see any of them again!¡± Craig threatens, jerking free.

    He¡¯s determined to get to me, but before he can, Brody grabs him by the cor. In one terrifyingly easy motion, he lifts Craig clean off his feet and hurls him across the room. Gasps ripple through the shop as Craig crashes into a chair, scrambling on the floor like a cornered rat. For the first time, I see fear in his eyes.

    After a few seconds, he gets up and tries lunging toward me again, but some customers catch him by the arms and wrestle him to the ground. The sound is chaos, and sirens follow it. They wail down Main Street and grow closer until it¡¯s ring.

    The bell above the door ngs as two uniformed officers rush in. Relief floods me so fast that my knees nearly buckle. They detain Craig, my customers practically handing him over. He starts to fight, but they have him cuffed too quickly.

    ¡°You¡¯ll never be enough, Julie! He¡¯ll never love you!¡± he screams as they pull him through the shop. ¡°Never!¡±

    His words fall t. For once, I¡¯m not the one breaking. He is.

    The officers drag him through the shop, past ire¡¯s narrowed eyes, past the book club women, who talk shit under their breath like they¡¯re casting spells. Every eye in the shop is on Craig, and not one of them is sympathetic.

    The door ms shut behind them. Craig resists as they drag him across the parking lot.

    For a heartbeat, everything is silent except the hiss of the espresso machine and the pounding of my pulse in my ears.

    Nick turns to me, his hands cupping my face. His eyes search mine like he¡¯s cataloging every inch of me. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    I let out a shaky breath. I can¡¯t believe Craig tried to pull that in my family¡¯s business. ¡°I am now.¡±

    Apuse starts from the back, hesitant at first, then louder. ire bangs a spoon against a mug like a victory bell. Someone cheers, and another person whistles. The sound crashes over me, drowning out Craig¡¯s threats in my head. They¡¯re celebrating.

    Nick pulls me into his chest. ¡°It¡¯s over,¡± he says.

    ¡°Thank you. Thank you all so much,¡± I say to the room of customers staring at me.

    ¡°We should get out of here,¡± Brody tells Nick.

    ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± Nick mutters, escorting me through the room, leading me outside.

    The cool October breeze and sunshine feel nice on my cheeks. Police cars are parked in the middle of Main Street, causing a traffic jam, and the sidewalks are full of people watching what¡¯s going on. I¡¯m utterly embarrassed as Craig screams from inside the car.

    I see shes of cameras and notice cell phones are being held up, but I ignore them. We rush down the sidewalk and disappear into the sea of tourists. The cheers still echo in my ears as we walk toward my condo. My legs wobble, and Nick immediately steadies me.

    ¡°You okay?¡± he asks quietly in my ear.

    I nod, dazed. ¡°I will be.¡±

    ¡°You stood up to him,¡± Nick says.

    ¡°I thought I¡¯d feel relief,¡± I whisper. ¡°But I feel hollow. Like I¡¯ve been holding my breath for months, and my lungs still don¡¯t know how to let go.¡±

    Nick threads his fingers through mine. ¡°That¡¯s normal. It¡¯s a trauma response after being vited. Know your feelings are valid, even if you don¡¯t feel anything right now.¡± He lifts my hand, brushing his lips over my knuckles. ¡°But it¡¯s over, Jules. I¡¯m hiring the best attorney in the country for you. He can¡¯t and won¡¯t hurt you anymore. I¡¯ll make sure of it.¡±

    I let his words sink in as he watches me. When I meet his eyes, his expression is raw, like he¡¯s holding me together with his gaze alone.

    ¡°Let¡¯s take this conversation inside,¡± I say, unlocking the door.

    I nce behind us and notice Brody is nowhere around. He¡¯s like a ghost.

    Nick grins. ¡°Shall we celebrate?¡±

    ¡°What do you have in mind?¡± I ask, twisting the doorknob.

    Nick grins, eyes swirling with something that makes my stomach flip. ¡°You¡¯ll see.¡±

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 30

    Four days. That¡¯s how long it¡¯s been since Julie stood up to Craig and the cops dragged him out of Cozy Coffee in handcuffs. It¡¯s been ny-six hours since the town apuded her like she¡¯d in a dragon. In a way, she did.

    Since Craig was arrested, she¡¯s actually slept and rxed. It¡¯s a relief.

    This morning, I wake up and can¡¯t remember thest time I felt this. There¡¯s no adrenaline in my veins. No stress of waiting for the next shoe to drop. It¡¯s just peace.

    Julie stirs when I press my lips to her forehead.

    ¡°Morning,¡± she says, her voice rough with sleep.

    ¡°Morning, beautiful,¡± I whisper back, not wanting to break the early morning spell.

    Her hand slides across my stomach. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, we¡¯re carving a lot of pumpkins at Hollow Manorter for the party tomorrow.¡±

    She sounds excited.

    I chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s what you wake up thinking about?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± she says, propping herself up on an elbow, like there¡¯s no other answer. ¡°It¡¯s my favorite time of year.¡±

    I pull her down for a kiss. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re ready for me to out-carve you?¡±

    She kisses my shoulder. ¡°Oh, you can try.¡±

    I kiss her, slowly. She smiles against my mouth. We don¡¯t rush the moment; that¡¯s the luxury of having peace.

    An hourter, we¡¯re at Hollow Manor, moving toward the back porch of the gothic mansion. Autumn has turned Hollow Manor¡¯s backyard into a pumpkin battleground. Fifty pumpkins¡ªno exaggeration¡ªsit in rows like an orange army, surrounded by bins of tools and bowls for seeds. Battery-operated candles wait in boxes.

    Autumn adjusts her high ponytail on her head, and then she smooths down her ck-cat-print apron like a seasonal general.

    ¡°We¡¯re carving all of these?¡± Julie asks.

    It seems like a lot.

    ¡°Oh, yeah,¡± Autumn says. ¡°I want the sidewalk to glow and greet every guest. Oh, please keep the seeds. I want to roast them before the party.¡±

    Julie drags her palm over a lineup of gourds like she¡¯s choosing a racehorse. ¡°This one¡¯s mine.¡± Then she beelines for a deeply unfortunate, wart-covered pumpkin. ¡°And I want that one too.¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not,¡± I say. ¡°I get the troll pumpkin.¡±

    ¡°Possession is nine-tenths of thew,¡± she says, already hauling it to her side of the pic table.

    Zane appears, carrying a tray that has apple cider, cinnamon doughnuts, and a bowl of candy corn, which he pretends he¡¯s not eating by the fistful.

    ¡°Saw ire this morning. She said Mercury is no longer in retrograde,¡± he announces.

    Julie snorts. ¡°Very good to know. Perfect timing actually. Is sheing?¡±

    ¡°She said she was going antiquing with her mom.¡±

    ¡°Oh, good!¡± Julie says.

    I lift a carving knife like a saber. ¡°Ready?¡±

    Julie grabs one as well. ¡°Oh, yes. Prepare to be humbled.¡±

    We work across from one another. The first slice of the lid releases that sweet, earthy smell of pumpkin. Julie lets out a contented sigh that I file under top ten sounds I¡¯d like to hear for the rest of my life. She draws her design with a marker and chews on the inside of her cheek with concentration.

    I steal nces more than I carve.

    ¡°Eyes on your own gourd, Banks,¡± she says without looking up.

    ¡°Oh my gourd. I can¡¯t help it. You¡¯re gorgeous.¡±

    She slings a handful of pumpkin guts at me.

    I throw some back with augh.

    She gasps like I¡¯ve vited the Geneva Conventions and retaliates with a scoop thatnds across my sweatshirt. I move to her side of the table, closing the distance.

    ¡°Dirty y,¡± I say.

    ¡°Fair y,¡± she counters. ¡°You started it.¡±

    I pull her closer until the scoop drops to the table and her palms slide to my shoulders. The kiss starts yful and goes somewhere else. Her fingers curl in my shirt, and the world shrinks to nothing. I taste the cider on her mouth and hear the sound of her soft, happy sigh.

    Someone coughs.

    Zane.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let Autumn see you getting distracted,¡± he says. ¡°Especially not mid-triangle-eye.¡±

    Julie buries her face in my chest,ughing.

    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± I tell her, tucking hair behind her ear. ¡°Autumn, apparently, takes this very seriously.¡±

    ¡°I heard that!¡± Autumn says, carrying ghost decorations to hang in the trees. In the corner of therge, manicured field next to the house, a stage is being constructed, along with a haunted house.

    ¡°How many people are attending this party?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Two hundred, but not everyone RSVP¡¯d.¡±

    ¡°Wow,¡± I whisper. ¡°So, you¡¯re all obsessed?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± the three of them say.

    I settle back in across from Julie, who¡¯s been carving something creative.

    ¡°What are you making over there?¡± I ask.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see soon enough,¡± she tells me.

    Julie¡¯s focused on her pumpkin when I hear tires roll over the pavement. It¡¯s a Jaguar.

    I nce up and groan. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡±

    Zane doesn¡¯t even look away from his knife. ¡°Patterson.¡±

    ¡°Patterson? Why?¡± I ask, just as he steps out of a sleek ck sedan like he¡¯s about to negotiate a billion-dor hockey contract instead of walking across a patio full of pumpkin guts.

    ¡°I invited him to the party tomorrow,¡± Autumn says.

    Patterson surveys the porch and the pumpkins, then looks at Julie.

    ¡°Oh, shit, you two are carving pumpkins. You know he¡¯s the champ, right?¡±

    Julie looks up at him, grinning. ¡°I¡¯m aware. I¡¯m going to kick his ass. Anyway, it¡¯s good to see you again. How¡¯s the season going so far?¡±

    ¡°Everything is good. Leaving the morning after Halloween, so won¡¯t be here very long.¡±

    ¡°Coincidence,¡± Julie tells him. ¡°So is Nick.¡±

    Patterson slides his sunsses on top of his head. ¡°Wow. It¡¯s worse than I thought.¡± He tips his head at me.

    ¡°What is?¡± Julie takes a break from her carving.

    Patterson barks out augh, then turns to Nick. ¡°When do you n to stop ying games and admit you¡¯re never going back to the city?¡±

    Julie nces at me, but I don¡¯t take my eyes off Patterson.

    ¡°I¡¯m returning on November first,¡± I confirm. ¡°I have a quarterly investors¡¯ ball on the second that I can¡¯t miss.¡±

    Patterson smirks. ¡°And how long will you stay in the city?¡±

    Julie arches a brow, and I wish I could read her mind.

    ¡°Damn. How many questions do you n on asking me?¡± I snap out.

    Autumn waltzes by us. ¡°Patterson, you¡¯re here. Perfect timing! I need your height. Don¡¯t interrupt their carving. They have fifty pumpkins to finish, and I need help hanging string lights in the gazebo, please.¡±

    He gives her a look. ¡°I¡¯m not getting on adder. Last thing I need to do is get injured.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a step stool. Quit being a baby,¡± she says, shoving the stool into his hands. ¡°You¡¯re helping. Come on.¡±

    Julie presses her lips together to keep fromughing.

    ¡°You¡¯re so bossy,¡± Patterson tells her, but he¡¯s following Autumn.

    ¡°You have no idea,¡± Zane says with augh.

    We carve until the table is a battlefield of lids and pulp.

    Zane gathers up the seeds while Autumn puts on a ylist of 2000s throwbacks that makes Julie shimmy her shoulders while she carves. I pretend she doesn¡¯t undo me but fail. By the time the sun starts to slide behind the mountain, we finish thest of our pumpkins.

    ¡°Okay, well, I carved faces,¡± Zane says, ncing between our pumpkins. ¡°You two assholes decided to be artists.¡±

    ¡°Ready for the reveal?¡± I ask Julie.

    ¡°Yes. We should line them up on each side.¡±

    Autumnes to us. ¡°I¡¯ll turn the fake candles on, and then I¡¯ll give you a thumbs-up when they¡¯re all lit, got it?¡±

    We nod, standing at the end of the sidewalk as she does what she said. Zane and Patterson light the ones on the porch.

    ¡°You¡¯re good to go,¡± Autumn yells as she, Zane, and Patterson move inside, leaving me and Julie to ourselves.

    ¡°This is the reveal I¡¯ve been waiting for,¡± I admit.

    I take her hand, and the two of us stroll down the sidewalk.

    The soft glow throws light across us, and for a second, I forget we¡¯re here for the pumpkins.

    We start at the end, and I realize she¡¯s carved a sea of stars across all twenty pumpkins. There are hundreds of stars, cut delicately, like a constetion map. At the very end, she¡¯s carved a couple kissing in a window.

    ¡°Holy shit,¡± I mutter. ¡°Is that us?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she admits.

    ¡°This is incredible, Jules.¡± I ce my hand on my heart. ¡°I¡¯ve been humbled. I¡¯m not worthy.¡±

    Julie nudges me with her shoulder, her eyes still glittering like the constetions in the pumpkins. ¡°All right, champ. Let¡¯s see if the legend lives up to the hype. Show me yours.¡±

    The first few pumpkins are apple trees. Their branches carved so thin that theyce together like veins of light, tiny apples dangling likenterns. Julie¡¯s lips part, and she leans closer.

    ¡°The orchard,¡± she mutters, seeing a couple lying on a nket.

    ¡°It was so damn special, being there with you,¡± I say.

    I move us along, and the light from the next set spills across her face. It¡¯s the building of Cozy Coffee, downtown, followed by a coffee bar. I nearly lost my mind, getting it right. The final one is a steaming coffee cup. The steam patterns are so delicate that they almost look likece.

    Herugh breaks the silence. ¡°Wow.¡±

    ¡°Did I win?¡± I tease, though my throat feels tight.

    Julie¡¯s face softens. ¡°Nick ¡­ these are ¡­¡±

    She doesn¡¯t finish, but I see it in her eyes.

    The next ones are how I view us. Two hands threaded together, every line deliberate so the shadows make them look alive. A couple silhouetted beneath a shower of falling leaves, the shapes of their bodies leaning close.

    Her breath catches as she stares at thest few.

    The first is a zing sun, every ray carved with razor precision. Next to it, a starry night sky with bold shapes and imperfect stars. They shine like they¡¯re burning straight out of the pumpkin.

    Then the final is a couple in a heart silhouette, kissing. The one that almost undid me to carve because it felt like I was putting my heart on disy. It¡¯s us.

    Julie takes in the pumpkins.

    She lifts her hand to her mouth. Her voice is a whisper, but it knocks the air from me anyway. ¡°You carved our love story.¡±

    I rub the back of my neck. ¡°I wanted you to see what I see when I look at you.¡±

    Her hand falls, and before I can take another breath, she¡¯s on me¡ªfingers twisting into my shirt, tugging me down. Her lips meet mine with a force that¡¯s soft but also desperate.

    It¡¯s a kiss that two people exchange when words aren¡¯t enough. It¡¯s as if I¡¯m her air, and she¡¯s been waiting for this moment just as long.

    I slide my hands to her waist, pulling her closer until the glow of the pumpkins washes over us. Her mouth parts against mine, and I taste cider and sweetness and Julie. Her hair brushes against my cheek, and she exhales into me. It¡¯s a sound I carved into those pumpkins without even realizing it.

    For a moment, there¡¯s no chill in the mountain air, and nothing else exists. It¡¯s just her, us, and the way she kisses me, like every wall we¡¯ve held up has crumbled.

    When we break apart, her forehead rests against mine, and her breath is uneven. In the glow of flickering pumpkins, I know I¡¯d carve a thousand more if it meant keeping this look on her face.<hr>

    After we¡¯ve helped Autumnplete every item on her checklist, we return to the condo. Julie showers and pulls on an oversized sweater while I make tea. We move around each otherfortably.

    ¡°I thought we would write our letters tonight,¡± she says, setting down a stack of paper and a handful of gel pens that look like they belong in a middle-school pencil pouch.

    I sit across from her at the kitchen table. ¡°Great idea.¡±

    She chooses a glittery orange pen, turning it between her fingers. I pick up a in ck one. It feels right. She¡¯s color and stardust and constetions. I¡¯m solid lines. This is why she makes me a better man.

    The page in front of me sits nk. For someone who¡¯s spent his whole life knowing exactly what to say in press conferences, contracts, negotiations, this is the first time my hand doesn¡¯t quickly move.

    I want to write I love you. Three simple but obvious words. It¡¯s too much and not enough, so I start smaller. I write about herugh and how she looks in the morning light. Write about how I appreciate her fearlessness, even if her voice shakes.

    I nce up. Julie¡¯s hunched over her page, hair falling around her face, pen hovering, but not moving. She chews the inside of her cheek¡ªthe same way she does when she¡¯s lost in thought.

    ¡°Stuck?¡± I ask.

    Her eyes flick to mine, then back to the page. ¡°No. Just trying to find the right words for everything I need to say.¡±

    ¡°Same,¡± I admit.

    I want to tell her everything. How the moment she walked into my life again, the noise in my head quieted. How I thought I was too far gone to deserve this and she proved me wrong without even trying. How she makes me want things I¡¯ve spent years convincing myself I couldn¡¯t have. But every thought feels too heavy.

    Fuck it, I think.

    I let the pen move and don¡¯t stop until the page feels full, and then I turn it over. My chest feels lighter and heavier when I spill my heart. Once I¡¯ve reread it three times, I fold it.

    Julie slides an orange envelope across the table to me, and I stuff my letter inside, then write her name on it. She does the same.

    We stare at the two festive envelopes, which seem almost innocent. They might as well be sticks of dynamite, waiting for a spark.

    I don¡¯t know her answer, but in my heart, I believe there¡¯s a future for us.

    There is a chance that, after everything that¡¯s happened with Craig, she might decide that we¡¯re better off as friends. I have not counted that possibility out.

    If that happens, at least she¡¯ll know my truth because I put my heart on the line.

    She exhales. ¡°No matter what, I¡¯ve loved every moment with you. You know that, right?¡±

    Her words should reassure me, but the way she said ¡°no matter what¡± hooks something in my chest. I hate how it sounds like an ending.

    ¡°Yes, sweetheart. Friends, no matter what.¡± I remind her of our original rules.

    The silence that follows hums with anticipation.

    I think about reaching for her envelope, tearing it open, not waiting another second. But I don¡¯t. I will be impatiently patient.

    Julie moves to the seat next to me and wraps her arms around me.

    She tips her head back. ¡°You okay?¡±

    I kiss her hair, breathing her in. ¡°Yeah. Just thinking about tomorrow.¡±

    My fantasy future with a redhead in a sweater already feels like home. Being with her is a thought I could get lost in.

    ¡°You know, I couldn¡¯t imagine spending my autumn with anyone else,¡± I confess.

    She kisses my jaw. ¡°Don¡¯t get sappy.¡±

    ¡°Oh, just you wait.¡±

    After another few minutes, we get up and make our way to her bedroom. We climb into bed, and the two of us stare at the ceiling, holding one another.

    We finally drift off around two a.m., wrapped together like we¡¯re afraid to let each other go.

    Tomorrow, we¡¯ll open the envelopes that contain our confessions.

    Tomorrow, no matter what, everything will change.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 31

    The first thing I notice when I wake is the empty space beside me. I rub my hand across the mattress and feel cold sheets.

    Nick is gone.

    My heart lurches forward, and panic ws up my throat.

    Today is our deadline.

    Halloween.

    The deadline to our fake-dating and hookup situation.

    I hope this isn¡¯t the end.

    I sit up too fast, scanning the room, like maybe he¡¯s just in the bathroom, but his shoes and his jacket are gone; even his cologne that always lingers in the air is faint.

    It¡¯s easy for me to convince myself I¡¯ve been ghosted, like how Asher warned over a month ago. He said Nick would be gone without warning.

    Just as I¡¯m getting ready to spiral, I see a folded note propped against the bedsidemp with my name written across it in his elegant handwriting.

    I unfold it with anxious fingers.

    Julie,

    I had to take care of some business things today. I¡¯ll see you tonight at the party. In the meantime, Cozy Spa in town is expecting you. Massage, facial, the works. My treat. Don¡¯t argue.

    Enjoy your day, sweetheart.

    Nick

    Relief crashes over me so hard that my eyes sting.

    He didn¡¯t leave for good. But still, the ache of him doing that doesn¡¯t disappear. This deadline has made me anxious and paranoid. And I¡¯m aware that when we open those envelopes, everything will change between us for better or worse. We will leap together, or we¡¯ll walk away. It¡¯s that simple.

    I¡¯ll respect his decision, but I¡¯ve been trying to prepare myself for all options.

    The thought of us going our separate ways after we¡¯ve shared so much has me reeling. Crossing this line with him was a risk, but it was one that I was willing to take. I just hope this doesn¡¯t hurt me.

    If it does, I¡¯m swearing off men for an eternity.

    After I take a shower and eat a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I grab my keys and head to the spa. Inside smells likevender and eucalyptus. The soft music and trickling water feature in the corner are calming. As soon as I arrive, I¡¯m escorted into a room where I lie face down on the table. A warm nket is draped across my lower back, and I try to remember thest time I felt this rxed.

    Nick did this because he knew I was tense and needed it.

    The masseuse presses her palms along my shoulders, working out knots I¡¯ve carried since Craig returned. I close my eyes, and instead of the calm ocean sounds, I imagine Nick¡¯sugh, his real one. I think about how he walked into Cozy Coffee the first day he was here and confidently invited me to dinner. It¡¯s impossible for me to forget the cute grin he gave me when he pretended to be my boyfriend.

    The firm pressure moves down my arms. My mind drifts to the nights we spent together at Hollow Manor. How he kissed me on the nket in the apple orchard as the sunlight flickered through the tree branches. Him holding me close after the break-in, jaw set like he¡¯d burn the whole world before letting anyone touch me.

    The masseuse circles her thumbs along my lower back, and my body sinks deeper into the table. I think about Nick¡¯s hands on me. The way he held me in the Range Rover when I straddled him, teasing him in the beginning. Or how he pulled me against him after the Fairy Godmothers left my condo and whispered sweet words to me.

    A lump rises in my throat. I can¡¯t imagine being with anyone else. Nick has been my everything, even among the chaos, and I¡¯m not ready for it to end yet. Our time together overshadows the drama with Craig, the naked picture scandal, or any of the town gossip. I think about the sexy moans he releases right before hees. And how he calls me sweetheart, like the word was invented for me.

    The massage shifts to my legs, kneading out the tension, and I let myself rey the moment we kissedst night after we revealed our carved pumpkins. Candlelit gourds that he¡¯d carved our love story into surrounded us, as if they were proof that what we shared wasn¡¯t fake.

    Fake. That¡¯s what this was supposed to be.

    My eyes sting, and I bite the inside of my lip. Tonight, what we¡¯ve written and tucked inside those envelopes will decide our future. This will either be a beautiful, fleeting October or the opportunity to keep him long after the leaves have fallen.

    The masseuse presses gently into my temples, and I force myself to breathe. I need to rx and let go, but my heart keeps lurching toward thoughts of him. I¡¯m ¡­ in love with him. The realization unravels me. And if he doesn¡¯t feel the same, I¡¯ll be ruined.

    By the time the massage ends, I feel wrung out, like every knot in my body has melted away.

    After my facial, I¡¯m given aftercare instructions. My body is spaghetti as I enjoy the crisp October air. All I can think about is Nick. His hands on me and his voice.

    By the time I get home, the need for him is too much.

    I peel off my clothes and step into the shower. The hot water cascades down my back, steam rising, but it isn¡¯t enough. My skin feels too tight, my body restless with all the things I can¡¯t say yet. I close my eyes and see him¡ªthe upward lift of his mouth when he calls me stubborn, along with the heat in his gaze when I push back.

    My hand trails lower, my breath catching as my fingers brush over my clit. I let myself imagine it¡¯s him instead. His hands. His mouth. The way he takes his time until I¡¯m trembling, screaming his name.

    I brace a palm against the slick tiles as the tension builds, my thoughts nothing but Nick.

    Him holding me. Him buried inside me. Him whispering, promising me that he¡¯s not going anywhere.

    My body breaks apart, a rush of heat and release that leaves me gasping his name into the steam. I lean against the wall, breathless, my knees nearly giving out as the orgasm takes over. The water washes everything away except the truth that terrifies me.

    I don¡¯t just want him. I need him.

    When I finally step out, I wrap myself in a towel and catch my reflection in the mirror. My cheeks are flushed, and my eyes are bright. I look alive, in love, and ready to conquer the night. I tell myself that no matter what happens at midnight, I will survive.

    I dry off and slip into the costume. My hand slides across the teal fabric with gold trim, making me feel bolder than I am. I chose Jasmine because Nick has shown me a whole new world. There was no other choice.

    By the time I finish adjusting the dark wig with a crown, ire¡¯s horn honks outside. She neveres to the door. Just three quick honks, one after another, like always.

    My jeweled sandals click against the porch steps. As I slide into her passenger seat, I¡¯m hit with the smell of sage and cinnamon and her ever-present incense.

    ¡°Have you been casting spells?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Maybe,¡± she admits, backing out of the driveway as I buckle. ¡°Tell me why you¡¯re wearing a mischievous look on your face.¡±

    ¡°No reason,¡± I reply, though my stomach twists.

    As we drive, the town shes by in orange lights and hay bales, kids in costumes darting across the open fields. ire drums her fingers against the steering wheel, her rings nking as her spooky ylist streams on her radio. She¡¯s side-eyeing me.

    ¡°So,¡± she says casually, ¡°I pulled your daily card before you got into the Jeep.¡±

    I nce over at her. ¡°You did? And?¡±

    She smirks. ¡°Want to know what it was?¡±

    ¡°Actually, yes.¡± My voicees out shakier than I want.

    Her grin widens. ¡°The Lovers.¡±

    My pulse races as the words echo in my head.

    The Lovers. Finally.

    ire turns down Skyline Drive toward Hollow Manor, humming along to the radio.

    ¡°All right, spill it. What¡¯s going on in that head of yours? Because you look like you¡¯re about to be sick.¡±

    I let out augh. ¡°Tonight is the night.¡±

    She arches a brow. ¡°For?¡±

    I exhale. ¡°To decide if Nick and I will end tonight or if we¡¯ll keep going as a couple. No more games. It was the deadline we gave our hookup situation.¡±

    ¡°Oh. I see.¡±

    I nod. ¡°At midnight, everything changes.¡±

    ire whistles low. ¡°That¡¯s spicy. Very poetic.¡±

    ¡°Why?¡± I look at her, realizing she¡¯s a fortune teller costume.

    ¡°There¡¯s an old wives¡¯ tale about lovers¡¯ confessions on the first midnight after Halloween, when the veil between worlds is thin. Any couple brave enough to speak their true feelings under the moonlight will be bound together. Forever. Comparable to a fate sealed in candle wax.¡±

    I roll my eyes. ¡°Bound together? Sounds made it up.¡±

    ire grins like the devil. ¡°Maybe. But I guess we¡¯ll see.¡±

    She has me giggling. It¡¯s something she¡¯s always been able to do.

    ¡°You have nothing to worry about, Jules,¡± she says more gently. ¡°That man is gone for you. Everyone sees it. He looks at you like you¡¯re his past, present, and future.¡±

    ¡°Then why do I still think he might leave?¡± My throat tightens, and I nce out the window at the blur of porches decked out with hay bales and fake cobwebs.

    ¡°Because you¡¯re in love.¡± She states. ¡°When falling in love is intense, moving to the next step in the rtionship is like jumping without a. I don¡¯t think you realize Nick¡¯s already at the bottom with arms open, waiting to catch you.¡±

    I turn to her. ¡°You believe that?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± ire smirks. ¡°When it¡¯s right, it¡¯s easy. And if, by some chance, he screws this up, we¡¯ll sh his tires before we leave. I¡¯ll even ask Autumn to help me make some glitter glue.¡±

    A startledugh bursts out of me. ¡°Glitter glue?¡±

    ¡°Yep. Nothing ruins a man¡¯s ego more than driving around with a glittery YOU SUCK written across his hood. When it¡¯s washed off, it just so happens to peel paint.¡±

    ¡°Damn,¡± I mutter. ¡°But thanks for having my back.¡±

    She grins. ¡°Honestly, he¡¯s yours, Jules. I have zero doubt about that, especially after talking to his brother.¡±

    ¡°You talked to Asher?¡± I ask.

    ¡°Yeah, at Zane¡¯s birthday party, I did recon. I asked a lot of questions about Nick and learned a ton.¡±

    My eyes widen. ¡°Really?¡±

    ¡°Yep. No way I was going to approve of this rtionship without learning as much as I could. Basically, he¡¯s a green g who has it bad for you,¡± she confirms.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, taking her words to heart.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be nervous. If it¡¯s meant to be, it will be.¡±

    When we arrive at Hollow Manor, there are handfuls of cars parked on the manicuredwn.

    As soon as I see Nick¡¯s Range Rover, my heart races. He¡¯s been on my mind since this morning. It¡¯s the first time I haven¡¯t woken up next to him since he started staying with me. We haven¡¯t even texted one another today. It¡¯s been radio silence.

    ¡°Calm down,¡± ire mutters.

    ¡°I¡¯m trying,¡± I admit.

    ¡°Your leg is shaking,¡± she tells me as she unbuckles. ¡°You have nothing to worry about. Now, let¡¯s go find your man.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± I say, trying to stop this spiral.

    We get out of the Jeep, and ire grabs my hand, leading me up the sidewalk that¡¯s full of our pumpkins. Groups of people are huddled outside on the grass where the haunted houses are fully constructed. There¡¯s also an outdoor bar and a DJ. Later, a band will take the stage. The house is pumped full of low-lying fog and glowing lights.

    ¡°Do you see him?¡± I ask ire over the music.

    ¡°Not yet,¡± she says, weaving around people.

    My heart races as I wonder where he is.

    As I scan the crowd, my heart hammers in my chest. Costumes blur together¡ªpirates, witches, a giant intable dinosaur.

    When I slide into the downstairs library, I search for him.

    In the corner, standing near the bar, is Nick.

    My breath catches when I see him.

    For a moment, I stare at how gorgeous he is in a deep purple vest that¡¯s open. His ab muscles are on full disy, and the light-brown pants sit low on his hips. A gold sash is wrapped around his waist, catching the light every time he moves.

    ddin. My ddin.

    Every bit of doubt I carried here, every nightmare about him walking away, burns to ash the second I see him smirking at me.

    When his eyes find mine, the entire party falls away. His mouth curves into that cocky, slow smile that always undoes me, and the unease in my chest disappears. He didn¡¯t leave Cozy Creek. He¡¯s here. He¡¯s mine. And he¡¯s looking at me like I¡¯m the only person in this haunted mansion.

    The only thing that breaks our connection is ire nudging me. ¡°See? Whole new world.¡±

    I can¡¯t stop the joy that bursts out of me. ¡°We didn¡¯t tell each other what our costumes were.¡±

    ¡°Totally meant to be,¡± she says.

    Nick casually strolls toward me. When he reaches me, he bows, extending his hand. ¡°Princess Jasmine,¡± he says loud enough for a few people by the firece to grin.

    I roll my eyes, but my hand finds his anyway. ¡°ddin? Really?¡±

    ¡°Coincidence,¡± he says, kissing the back of my hand. ¡°Or fate. You pick.¡±

    My cheeks burn, but I smile so hard that it hurts. ¡°You look handsome.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a dream,¡± he says without missing a beat. His eyes sweep over me slowly, deliberately, and the heat in his gaze makes my knees weak.

    ire coughs dramatically beside us. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll leave you two before I get cavities. Don¡¯t do anything I wouldn¡¯t do.¡±

    ¡°Uh, you have no boundaries,¡± I say.

    ¡°Exactly.¡± She chuckles, disappearing into the crowd.

    I lean in closer as the bass of the music shakes the floor. Ghost lights are strung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the entire space. Even so, Nick is the brightest light in the room.

    ¡°Damn, I¡¯ve missed you.¡± His mouth brushes mine.

    The kiss is full of certainty.

    ¡°I missed you too.¡±

    The fear of losing him immediately vanishes. As our tongues slide together, I know tonight isn¡¯t about endings. It¡¯s about new beginnings.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 32

    Julie tastes like sugar. When I finally pull away from kissing her, she¡¯s breathless. Her cheeks are flushed, and her green eyes sparkle beneath the jeweled crown. I¡¯m ruined. Absolutely fucking ruined.

    The bass shakes the floors of Hollow Manor, but she pulls me toward the dance floor anyway. Her hand is in mine, and herughter spills out of her. We dance through two songs, then three. She teases me for not knowing the words, and I tease her for knowing them. The crowd fades away until it¡¯s just us.

    We eventually trade the dance floor for the outdoor bar, weaving through the crowd of costumes until I lead her toward a tall table near the edge of the terrace. A skull candle glows in the middle, casting light on our faces. Julie leans into me without thinking, like her body already knows where it belongs.

    I grab us two of the signature drinks, Love Potions. When we¡¯re alone, we finally breathe. She smells like vani, and it¡¯s mixing with the spice of cinnamon from the drinks we¡¯re sipping. Her wig is slightly crooked from dancing. She¡¯s beautiful, her teal costume shimmering under the strings of lights overhead.

    I slide an arm around her waist. ¡°Did you have a good day?¡±

    ¡°It was incredible. Thank you,¡± she says. ¡°But it still felt too long without you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re wee. I couldn¡¯t get you off my mind.¡±

    ¡°Same,¡± she confesses, and it makes my heart flutter.

    The music thumps in the distance, andughter drifts across thewn. Her warmth seeps through the silk costume. Every time my thumb slides over her hip, she exhales like she can¡¯t help herself.

    She¡¯s the calm in my fucking sails.

    We finish our drinks and grab new ones, and then she leads me toward the firepit. The mes lick upward, sparks flying into the night sky. A few people nce our way, smiles tugging at their mouths like they¡¯re in on the secret, but I don¡¯t care who sees us together.

    I sink into one of the Adirondack chairs and open my arms. Julie takes myp like she belongs there. My arm wraps around her waist, and her smile catches in the firelight.

    When I kiss her, it¡¯s less about want and more about need. It leaves me wrecked, wanting more of her.

    The fire pops and crackles, sparks shooting up into the October night. I could sit here until midnight, letting the townsfolk swirl around us, pretending the world outside of us doesn¡¯t exist.

    ¡°All right, lovebirds!¡± Zane shouts, cutting through the spell as we stare at the mes.

    Julie startles, blinking at me as a veryrge crowd gathers near the stage. Autumn grins and enjoys every second.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Julie whispers.

    ¡°Costume contest,¡± I say, already groaning at Zane, who¡¯s tugging me up by the arm.

    ¡°On stage. Both of you.¡± He doesn¡¯t give us a choice.

    Julie¡¯sugh bubbles against my chest as she takes my hand. ¡°Come on, ddin. Let¡¯s dazzle the crowd.¡±

    We¡¯re moved onto the small stage, and the Fairy Godmothers sit in the front row, fanning themselves dramatically. I¡¯m convinced they fell straight out of a Bridgerton episode with those petticoats and wigs.

    ¡°And for our final entry of the night!¡±

    Julie¡¯s cheeks turn pink, but she ys along, lifting the hem of her costume to curtsy while I bow.

    The crowd cheers with approval.

    ¡°Vote time! This is based on loudness, so scream for who you want to win!¡± Autumn calls into the microphone. ¡°For the pirates! The skeletons! The vampires and ¡­¡± She gestures to us. ¡°Princess Jasmine and ddin!¡±

    The cheer is deafening. People chant our names, the Fairy Godmothers leading with, ¡°Jules and Nick! Jules and Nick!¡± until I chuckle.

    Julie turns to me and grins. I never want to forget this look on her face.

    ¡°Unanimous,¡± Autumn deres. ¡°The winners are Nick and Jules!¡±

    Zane steps forward, holding up an envelope like it¡¯s a goddamn Oscar.

    ¡°Grand prize,¡± he says, milking it for all it¡¯s worth. ¡°Weekend trip to Napa Valley during Valentine¡¯s Day. Compliments of Autumn and me.¡±

    Julie gasps. ¡°Are you serious?¡±

    ¡°Dead serious,¡± Zane says. ¡°Flights, hotel, vineyard tours. The works. You¡¯re wee.¡±

    She hugs him so hard that he actually stumbles. ¡°Thank you.¡±

    I cross my arms. ¡°You couldn¡¯t have just given away a bottle of wine?¡±

    Zane smirks and leans in. ¡°That¡¯s too easy.¡±

    Julie beams at me, her green eyes shining like she¡¯s already picturing the trip. I can¡¯t wait to get away with her.

    When we finally take the steps off the stage, her grin is so bright that it could light the entire town.

    ¡°We¡¯re going. No matter what our decision is tonight,¡± she insists.

    ¡°I¡¯ll agree to that,¡± I say, knowing that if she doesn¡¯t choose me tonight, I¡¯m still promised onest week with her. It¡¯s a selfish agreement.

    As the band returns to the stage, I steer her toward the haunted house at the edge of thewn. ¡°We have onest scare.¡±

    The structure looms at the front of Hollow Manor, with fog spilling down the steps and strobe lights shing in the windows. Screams echo from inside, followed byughter. Julie squeezes my hand tighter, her jeweled bracelets glinting in the moonlight.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think I want to get jump scared,¡± she mutters.

    ¡°I¡¯ll protect you,¡± I tease, tugging her closer.

    She shoots me a look. ¡°I don¡¯t need protection.¡±

    ¡°Tell that to your death grip on my hand.¡±

    Her cheeks flush, but she doesn¡¯t let go. If anything, she clings tighter.

    Inside, the air smells like smoke and dry ice. ck curtains brush our faces as we make our way through the narrow hallway. A zombie lunges from the shadows, groaning loud enough to make Julie shriek. She immediately buries her head in my chest.

    Iugh, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. ¡°Definitely don¡¯t need protection.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m actually a wussy,¡± she says, her voice muffled against me.

    We move deeper, weaving through rooms full of skeletons and clowns. Every time something jumps out, Julie startles, thenughs. She¡¯s glowing in the shing lights, her cheeks pink, her eyes bright, and I can¡¯t stop watching her.

    By the time we reach the final stretch, the fog is thicker. A figure in a mask ms a fake chain saw against the wall, sparks flying. Julie yelps and practically climbs into my arms.

    ¡°Okay, okay,¡± I whisper, holding her tight.

    The chain-saw guy moves on to his next victims, but Julie doesn¡¯t let go. She¡¯s breathless.

    Before we exit, she grabs my hand and yanks me through a half-open ck curtain, into a side room that¡¯s pitch-ck, except for a single flickeringntern in the corner. Ites on and off randomly to make it scarier.

    ¡°Jules¡ª¡±

    Her mouth is on mine before I can finish. I¡¯m hard and desperate for her. I press her back against the wall as she pulls me down to her, fisting the front of my vest like she¡¯s starving for me. I groan against her lips, bracing my hand above her head. The other one grips her hip, and I pull her flush against me.

    ¡°Fuck, you¡¯re so hard,¡± she whispers, kissing me.

    Her body presses into me and I want her closer. The need to have her is overwhelming, and we¡¯re nearly insatiable.

    Julie breaks away just long enough to whisper, ¡°I need you, Nick.¡±

    She drags my mouth back down to her hungry lips.

    ¡°Careful,¡± I rasp, my forehead pressed to hers. ¡°I might not let you leave this room.¡±

    Her nails scrape lightly against the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. ¡°Maybe I don¡¯t want to,¡± she confesses.

    Her words undo me.

    I kiss her harder, deeper, until we¡¯re both gasping. Her crown tters to the floor, along with her wig. My hand slides beneath the edge of her top, feeling the heat of her skin and the arch of her back as she melts into me.

    Somewhere outside, another scream echoes, but here in the dark, it¡¯s just us. Just the sound of our breathing and the taste of her mouth.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to either, but ¡­¡± My lips trail along her jaw, and I press my mouth to her ear. ¡°I need you to meet me at the gazebo in five minutes.¡±

    Her breath catches. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because,¡± I mutter, kissing her softly, ¡°it¡¯s time to exchange our letters.¡±

    Her eyes search mine, still dazed, still burning, but she nods.

    I leave her with onest kiss, then force myself to walk out before I change my mind and devour her right there in the dark. My chest is heaving, my lips swollen, my body aching for her, but this moment deserves more than shadows and fake cobwebs.

    I step outside alone, and the night air hits me. My heart pounds harder than it ever did on the ice. I walk across thewn, past the chatter and Halloween music, until I reach the gazebo at the edge of the property.

    Autumn and Patterson hung the lights in it yesterday, and it glows like something out of a dream. Strings of fairy lights twist around the white beams, casting everything in soft gold. Pumpkins line the steps, and their happily carved faces flicker, guiding me inside.

    I take my ce on the bench and pull the orange envelope from my pocket. Her name is written across it in my handwriting. It holds my truths and how I feel about her. It¡¯s lightpared to the weight of what it means.

    For once in my life, I¡¯m not nervous about a crowd or an opponent or the press. I¡¯m nervous about one woman, the only woman who matters. The one I¡¯ve fallen head over heels in love with without even trying.

    The sound of soft footsteps pulls my attention away.

    Julie.

    She¡¯s still in her Jasmine costume, though the wig and crown dangle from her hand, like she gave up pretending a few haunted rooms ago. Her real red hair tumbles around her shoulders, wild and perfect. She¡¯s clutching her envelope in her other hand like it¡¯s both armor and a confession.

    When she steps into the glow of the lights, my lungs seize.

    She¡¯s everything.

    I stand, meeting her halfway. For a moment, we just stare at each other. The party is a distant hum behind us; the night holding its breath.

    ¡°This is it,¡± I whisper.

    ¡°It is.¡±

    I nce down at my phone and watch the time click to midnight. We exchange envelopes, then sink onto the bench beside one another. Our knees brush, and the fairy lights above us twinkle like stars.

    ¡°No matter what, still friends,¡± I say.

    ¡°No matter what, we still have time at Napa Valley,¡± she reminds me. ¡°Where we¡¯ll have tons of sex?¡±

    ¡°Absolutely,¡± I promise. ¡°Ready?¡±

    Julie nods, biting her lip. ¡°More than ever.¡±

    My fingers tremble as I unfold hers, the orange paper catching the lights. Her handwriting curves across the page, and every word already threatens to undo me.

    That¡¯s how I feel before I start reading.

    Nick,

    The night we met at Booker¡¯s, I didn¡¯t want to admit what I felt. I told myself that meeting you was bad timing. But then you smiled at me. That ridiculous, cocky smile, and I knew right then that I wasn¡¯t fooling myself. I wasn¡¯t annoyed with you. I was terrified the moment our eyes locked. In that short amount of time that we spent together, I knew you were the man who could break down every wall I¡¯d built.

    I¡¯ve thought about that night so many times. The way you leaned across the bar to chat with me and how you teased me felt right. Then you looked at me like you could see our future, and that took my breath away. Even now, it¡¯s almost hard for me to admit. But that night, after meeting you, something permanently shifted inside me.

    This was supposed to be fake, but it was impossible to pretend. I can¡¯t stop thinking about the coffee shop kisses that left my head spinning; or the orchard, where I let myself believe in something good again; or the night you stood in my condo and told me you weren¡¯t going anywhere. I hope you meant that.

    I¡¯ve tried to brace myself for the possibility that, tonight, you¡¯ll decide that we were temporary and that we¡¯re meant to be friends only. I don¡¯t want that, but I will respect your decision, even if I disagree. If the time I had with you is all I¡¯ll ever have, then know that I¡¯ll cherish it for the rest of my life. I will always keep your secrets and hold the memories we shared close to my heart.

    But the truth is, I don¡¯t want to lose you. I don¡¯t want to go back to being just friends. I don¡¯t want to let go of the only person who has ever made me feel this seen, this safe, this wanted.

    So, here it is, Nick. The truth I can¡¯t hold back anymore ¡­ I¡¯m in love with you, and I hope you feel the same.

    You¡¯re not just my October, Nick. I want a chance at forever. You¡¯re the calm in my chaos, the warmth in my winters, the reason spring feels possible, and the fire I¡¯ll never stop chasing in the summer. You¡¯re it. You¡¯re everything I¡¯ve ever wanted in a partner.

    I don¡¯t want it to end in November; I want it to be the start of our beginning.

    You¡¯ll always have a piece of my heart.

    Julie

    My chest aches as I finish thest line. You¡¯ll always have a piece of my heart.

    I can¡¯t breathe or think. Every word on this page is everything I¡¯ve wanted to hear but never believed I¡¯d deserve. Booker¡¯s. The orchard. Her condo. The pumpkins. Forever. She¡¯s fallen in love with me.

    I nce up, and she¡¯s staring at me with those wide eyes.

    ¡°How did we write the same thing?¡± she asks.

    I shake my head. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±

    ¡°How is this possible?¡± we ask simultaneously.

    Herugh breaks on a sob. Sheunches herself into my arms, straddling myp on the bench like she can¡¯t get close enough. I crush her against me, kissing her like I¡¯ve been starving for this moment my whole life.

    This kiss is everything. Every confession. Every broken wall. Every fear turned into certainty. She tastes like salt and sweetness and Julie, and I know in my bones that I don¡¯t ever want to stop kissing her.

    When we finally break apart, foreheads pressed together, both of us breathing hard, I whisper, ¡°I love you, Jules.¡±

    I frame her face in my hands, forcing her to see me, every raw piece of me.

    ¡°I love you too. In every way.¡± She smiles through her tears, a sound between augh and a sob spilling out of her. ¡°Please say it again.¡±

    ¡°I love you.¡± I kiss her mouth. ¡°I love you.¡± I kiss her cheek. ¡°I love you.¡± I kiss the corners of her eyes, her nose, her chin. ¡°Every season. Every day. Every second.¡±

    Her hands fist in my vest, kissing me softer as the lights hum above us and the carved pumpkins flicker at our feet.

    And I know with absolute certainty that this is the beginning of everything.

    ¡°Will you fly with me to New York today?¡± I ask, ready to beg.

    Her eyes search mine, and she whispers the only answer I need. ¡°Yes. I will.¡±

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 33

    The jet is more like a floating penthouse than a ne. Plush cream seats, a polished wood bar, and even a small bedroom is tucked in the back. I sink into buttery leather, buckling my belt as we taxi down the runway. I meet Nick¡¯s eyes as he sits directly across from me.

    He¡¯s lounging like he owns the sky, one arm drapedzily over the armrest.

    ¡°What?¡± I narrow my eyes.

    He leans forward, keeping his voice low. ¡°I was just thinking about the things that are still unchecked on your list.¡±

    My pulse skips. ¡°Yeah?¡±

    He licks his lips, gaze burning into mine as the ne lifts. ¡°Are you in?¡±

    ¡°You know I am.¡± Heat creeps up my neck.

    Nick smirks, knowing he¡¯s pure trouble.

    The second the seat belt light clicks off, he¡¯s already out of his chair, kneeling in front of me. My breath catches as his hands slide up my thighs.

    ¡°You¡¯re so damn pretty.¡±

    Iugh, enjoying his hands on me. ¡°Nick, what if the attendant?¡ª¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s been warned to give us privacy once we¡¯re at cruising altitude. Private jet perks. Come with me.¡±

    He stands and pulls me up with him. Nick¡¯s mouth brushes mine, and it¡¯s soft at first, and then he teases me. After a few seconds, the kiss deepens, his tongue sliding against mine. His hands grip my hips, guiding me against his hardness in his cks. The low groan he lets out vibrates straight into me.

    Eventually, the hum of the engines fades, and the mountains disappear beneath us. The whole world narrows to this moment.

    He lifts me, strong arms sliding under my thighs, carrying me down the narrow aisle. My fingers fist his shirt, my lips clinging to his as he opens the bedroom door. I gasp as heys me out across silk sheets, my back arching, my body already desperate.

    ¡°Nick,¡± I whisper.

    He braces over me, eyes dark with hunger, but there¡¯s something softer there too. Something that makes my throat ache. ¡°This isn¡¯t just about the list, Jules. It¡¯s about celebrating you and making memories. You¡¯re mine, sweetheart. Thank you for choosing me.¡±

    The words leave me breathless.

    ¡°You chose me,¡± I say.

    None of this feels real.

    His mouth crashes down on mine, and it¡¯s full of possession and devotion. Heat pulses through me as his hands roam, pulling at my clothes until my dress is gone. His mouth trails down my throat, biting, sucking, kissing, until I¡¯m writhing beneath him. When he peels my panties down my thighs, they¡¯re soaked. He pauses, looking at me like he¡¯s starving.

    ¡°Mine.¡± He growls, and it¡¯s feral.

    Nick strips out of his suit pants and boxers, and the sight of him makes me whimper. He¡¯s thick, heavy, and ready, and my entire body clenches with anticipation. He drags himself through my slick folds, teasing me, circling my clit, dipping inside me just enough to make me cry out.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tease me,¡± I beg, nails digging into his shoulders. ¡°I need you.¡±

    He thrusts his fist into my hair. Nick¡¯s jaw is locked tight, and the pupils of his golden-brown eyes are blown.

    ¡°You¡¯ll always get what you need from me,¡± he promises, mming into me in one deep, iming thrust.

    I scream, my body arching, clutching him as he fills me to the hilt. For a moment, it¡¯s too much. Too good. My body grips him like every part of me was made for him.

    ¡°I love you,¡± he whispers.

    My eyes sting, but my voice doesn¡¯t shake. ¡°I love you.¡±

    That¡¯s all it takes.

    He pulls back and drives into me again¡ªharder. The sound that leaves me is pure surrender.

    His mouth closes over my nipple, teeth tugging until I gasp. He soothes it with his tongue while his fingers pinch the other peak. Pleasure spreads through me.

    ¡°More,¡± I say, clinging to him.

    He hooks my ankles over his shoulder and thrusts deeper, grinding against the spot inside me that makes me see actual stars. My fingers fist the sheets so hard that I think they¡¯ll tear.

    ¡°You were made for me.¡± He groans in my ear.

    My body clenches, spasming around him, and my climax tears through me. It¡¯s violent and consuming as I scream his name, soaking him.

    The sight of me unraveling destroys him. His thrusts turn frantic, and with a guttural groan, he empties into me. Nick almost copses, but he holds himself upright.

    I cling to him, kissing his jaw, his lips, his shoulder.

    ¡°Jules,¡± he whispers against my lips, ¡°I don¡¯t deserve you.¡±

    I cup his face, stroking his cheek. ¡°But you¡¯ve got me.¡±

    We stay tangled together, my legs around him, his breath ragged in my ear. And for the first time in my life, I understand what it¡¯s like to love and be loved.

    Finally, he pulls the nket over us, his arm banding around me, his lips brushing my hair.

    ¡°So, how does it feel to be an official member of the Mile-High Club?¡± he whispers.

    ¡°Great. Do I get a member¡¯s jacket?¡± I smile, exhausted and glowing.

    He chuckles, kissing my mouth again. ¡°I might be able to arrange that. Just hope the next time you fly, you think about this. About us.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s something I¡¯ll never forget,¡± I admit.

    We don¡¯t untangle for a long time. I stay curled against Nick, the nket wrapped around us, his heart steady under my ear while the engines hum beneath us. At some point, I drift off, only to wake to his fingers stroking my hair.

    The pilot¡¯s voice filters through the inte. ¡°Mr. Banks, Ms. Lovnd, we¡¯ll bending in twenty minutes.¡±

    I¡¯m sore, blissfully wrecked, and maybe the happiest I¡¯ve ever been in my adult life.

    Nick helps me sit up, tucking my hair behind my ear. His grin is adorable, but there¡¯s happiness in his eyes too. ¡°Seems like we only have a few more things on the list.¡±

    ¡°Just the elevator and balcony during a parade.¡± My cheeks heat as I think about every experience I¡¯ve shared with him. ¡°But I wouldn¡¯t mind doing this again sometime.¡±

    ¡°Just say when.¡± He kisses me once more before I slide my dress over my head.

    Butterflies flutter.

    The jet descends, New Yorking into view beneath us, the buildings glittering at night. It looks like a thousand constetions flipped upside down.

    This is the first glimpse I¡¯ve had into his world.

    The ne taxis to the private hangar. Nick takes my hand, steadying me as I step out into the crisp night air. His driver waits beside a sleek ck car. We climb inside.

    ¡°I should warn you,¡± he says, fingers interlocking with mine as we head toward the city. ¡°There will be paps at my penthouse.¡±

    ¡°I figured as much,¡± I admit. I¡¯ve been preparing myself for this moment.

    Eventually, the car slows to a stop, and the driver opens the doors for us.

    Just as he promised, the night explodes with camera shes. Voices collide with questions, most of them personal and about our rtionship.

    ¡°Nick, is she the one?¡±

    ¡°Julie, how does it feel to be the newest Banks girlfriend?¡±

    ¡°Engaged already? Is it true?¡±

    ¡°Are you pregnant?¡±

    Pictures happen so fast that the shes blind me. I don¡¯t shrink or try to hide. It¡¯s something I won¡¯t do anymore. For anyone.

    He holds my hand tighter as we step onto the sidewalk and guides me forward. My heart races¡ªnot from fear, but from certainty. They can take their pictures and write their headlines. It will never define our rtionship. Only we can do that.

    When a photographer gets too close, Nick ces his hand on my lower back. Questions continue to be shouted at us, and he protectively shields my body with his.

    ¡°Can¡¯t have you jacking up photographers in the city,¡± he mutters in my ear.

    Laughter escapes me.

    Security waves us into the building, and the sudden quiet after the nonstop yelling is almost dizzying.

    Nick nces down at me as we stride across the marble lobby.

    ¡°Good job keeping it together, Red Menace,¡± he says, brushing his thumb across my cheek.

    I grin. ¡°I left my karate moves back in Cozy Creek.¡±

    He studies me for a long beat, and the look in his eyes makes me fall all over again.

    ¡°d you remembered who the hell you are,¡± he says.

    I lean into him as we step into the private elevator, resting my head against his shoulder. Right now, I¡¯m not just visiting Nick¡¯s world. I¡¯m proving to everyone that I belong in it.

    When we enter the penthouse, my jaw practically hits the polished marble floor.

    Floor-to-ceiling ss stretches across the entire far wall. Central Park is spread out below like a dark velvet nket framed in the city¡¯s lights. Skyscrapers blink in every direction, neon and ss colliding in a skyline I¡¯ve only ever seen in movies.

    Nick¡¯s hand is warm at the small of my back.

    ¡°Wee to Park Towers,¡± he says casually, like he didn¡¯t just bring me into a space most people would sell their souls to have.

    I drift closer to the windows, nearly stunned. ¡°This is ¡­¡±

    He gives one of his trademark shrugs, downying it. ¡°It¡¯s not bad.¡±

    I whip around. ¡°Not bad? It¡¯s like you have the entire worldid out at your feet.¡±

    I try to drink in his space. Minimalist furniture is arranged in perfect symmetry. I can¡¯t imagine how expensive the art is hanging on the wall. This ce is beautiful, but it¡¯s more like a museum than a home¡ªuntouched and curated.

    Then my eyes scan the kitchen, and I squeal when I see the stainless steel espresso machine on the counter.

    ¡°Oh my God.¡± I rush across the sleek floor and stop dead in front of a gleaming machine that resembles a NASA control panel than a household appliance. ¡°Holy shit.¡±

    Nick follows me and leans against the counter, arms folded. ¡°I wondered if you¡¯d notice.¡±

    ¡°This is a La Marzo with custom mod panels and a straight-in portafilter. You can literally lock in a shot with one hand, not to mention the steam flush. And you have an automatic drip prediction feature!¡±

    Nick¡¯s brows lift. ¡°Really? That¡¯s a thing?¡±

    I¡¯m half offended, half giddy. ¡°It¡¯s the thing. This is basically the Ferrari of espresso machines. The absolute best of the best.¡±

    He watches me like I made his night. ¡°Want me to prepare something for you?¡±

    I arch a brow. ¡°You? Pulling a shot on this machine?¡±

    ¡°When you buy one of these, they train you on how to use it,¡± he exins. ¡°I¡¯m a professional at this point.¡±

    I bite back a grin. ¡°Oh, please show me.¡±

    He clicks it on, and after a few minutes, he hands me a tiny porcin cup. The crema is golden and perfect. I take a sip, close my eyes, and moan out loud.

    His sharp intake of breath has me focusing on him.

    ¡°Jeez, Jules,¡± he mutters. ¡°You can¡¯t make sounds like that in my kitchen.¡±

    I grin. ¡°This is great. Too bad you already have a job. I¡¯d hire you at the shop.¡±

    He takes a sip from my cup, his eyes never leaving mine, like it¡¯s not just coffee we¡¯re sharing, but a secret vow. ¡°It¡¯s perfect. Like you.¡±

    Later, I curl up, barefoot, in the wide window nook and stare down at Central Park at night below me. The city feels alive, pulsing, but somehow quiet from up here. Experiencing New York like this makes it less intimidating.

    Nick leans against the frame, watching me instead of the skyline. His expression is unreadable, but soft around the edges in a way I don¡¯t see often.

    ¡°What?¡± I ask, reaching for him.

    That rare smile tugs at his lips. ¡°This is the first time this ce has ever felt like home.¡±

    I blink up at him. ¡°Right now? Like in this very moment?¡±

    He nods, eyes steady on me. ¡°It¡¯s you, Jules. You make every space I¡¯m in feel like sunshine.¡±

    His words crash into me. This man could live anywhere, own anything, and be with anyone. He¡¯s been chased and adored and torn apart by the media, and right now, he¡¯s looking at me like I¡¯m the only thing he¡¯s ever needed.

    Me.

    Not the skyline.

    Not the penthouse.

    Me.

    I swallow hard, not believing this is my life.

    For so long, I wondered if I¡¯d ever be enough for someone. Now he¡¯s telling me I¡¯m more than enough. I¡¯m home.

    He sits next to me in the window seat, pulling me into his arms. I lean against his chest as he brushes his lips over my hair.

    ¡°Do you think this feeling will ever fade?¡± I ask.

    ¡°I¡¯d bet itsts a lifetime,¡± he whispers, his arms tightening around me.

    The words squeeze around my heart.

    For so long, I thought love meantpromise, sacrifice, and losing pieces of myself to make someone else happy. But with Nick, it doesn¡¯t feel like losing anything, but finding everything.

    I tip my chin, brushing my lips across his jaw. ¡°Let¡¯s not waste it. Not a single second.¡±

    His chest rumbles against me with quietughter, but when he kisses my hair, it¡¯s more of a vow. ¡°Sweetheart, I don¡¯t n to.¡±

    The city glimmers beyond the ss, but it¡¯s nothingpared to the unshakable truth humming in my chest.

    I stop wondering if forever is a possibility with us.

    I already know it¡¯s ours.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 34

    The elevator ride down from the VIP lounge is supposed to be forty seconds. We make it two before Julie is pressed against the mirrored wall, my mouth on hers, her hands fisting my tie. I stop the elevator from moving and capture her mouth. Her dress is silk, and herugh is muffled against my lips when I drag her leg around my hip, grinding into her.

    We don¡¯t go all the way, not with a ballroom full of investors waiting, but I give her what she needs. When she¡¯s breathless and satisfied, I press the button to restart the elevator. While she smooths her gown into ce, I adjust my suit. Her cheeks are flushed, her red lips kiss-swollen.

    The elevator slides open, and I¡¯m utterly wrecked. We continue our way to the skywalk that connects to the convention center. Those pretty green eyes dare me to finish what I started, and I can¡¯t wait until we¡¯re alone again.

    Thankfully, the walk to the ballroom is fast.

    The expansive room is lit like the inside of a diamond. Crystal chandeliers glitter above hundreds of investors, partners, and executives in tuxedos and gowns. Voices hum, deals are whispered, and champagne sses clink.

    It¡¯s the kind of room I¡¯ve walked into a thousand times, but tonight, it feels different. I¡¯m not just here as Nick Banks, the man who built this empire from the ground up with his sister. Tonight, I¡¯m here with Julie. It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve brought a woman with me to a business event.

    Julie walks beside me, her hand threaded through mine, her red hair shining under the chandeliers. Diamonds hang around her throat. The navy silk gown fits her like a second skin. When the crowd parts to stare, she doesn¡¯t even flinch. Her head turns toward me, and she grins.

    ¡°I could go for a pumpkin spicette,¡± she says, brow lifting.

    I squeeze her hand, giving her as much courage as I can.

    But Julie is confident, glowing, and mine. I¡¯ve never been prouder to have her by my side.

    I lean down, whispering in her ear, ¡°You¡¯re beautiful. You might have half of New York¡¯s elite trying to steal you from me.¡±

    Her lips curve, teasing. ¡°Rich assholes usually aren¡¯t my thing. You¡¯re an exception.¡±

    ¡°Thanks.¡±

    God, I love her.

    She¡¯s not impressed or intimidated by the glitz, the money, the politics. I¡¯ve never been more certain that she¡¯s the one for me.

    Julie¡¯s eyes flick down over me before she leans close enough for only me to hear. ¡°By the way ¡­ I really love this suit on you. Especially the orange tie.¡±

    I nce down at the burnt color against ck and white. ¡°Want to know a secret?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± she says.

    ¡°I picked it for you.¡±

    Her grin is kind. ¡°It reminds me of us.¡±

    And just like that, the whole ballroom fades away.

    I mutter into her ear, ¡°I can¡¯t wait to get out of here.¡±

    ¡°Same,¡± she tells me.

    The orchestra crescendos, and silence falls across the crowd. Asher signals me from across the room, and I know it¡¯s almost time for the quarterly wrap-up. I¡¯ve led this presentation a dozen times before, and it focuses on numbers, projections, and the kind of hollow wins that keep shareholders happy.

    I press a kiss to Julie¡¯s temple, lingering there for a second, and then straighten my shoulders. ¡°Wish me luck.¡±

    Her hand squeezes mine. ¡°You won¡¯t need it.¡±

    With her sexy gaze burning through me, I stride toward the front of the room.

    I step up onto the stage, the polished wood gleaming under the lights, the microphone waiting. Tonight, my chest pounds with anticipation.

    Faces turn toward me. Many familiar, some powerful enough to shift entire industries with a single phone call. Usually, I¡¯d care about that, but right now, I don¡¯t.

    ¡°Good evening,¡± I begin, my voice carrying across the space. There are at least a thousand people in attendance, and the event is also being streamed online. ¡°Every quarter, I stand here and walk you through the numbers. Our growth, our projections, our new contracts. And tonight, I will do the same. Rest assured, the numbers are fantastic. Banks¡¯s Advertising and Marketing Firm continues to thrive because of this team and because of the trust you¡¯ve ced in us.¡±

    A polite ripple of apuse sweeps over the room, and I pause, allowing it to fade.

    ¡°But tonight,¡± I continue, ¡°I want to talk about something else first.¡±

    All eyes are locked on me.

    ¡°For years, I thought sess looked like this.¡± I sweep a hand toward the glittering chandeliers, the polished ss, the endless skyline behind me. ¡°Money. Power. Headlines. But somewhere along the way, I lost track of who I was. Of what home meant. And what was actually important.¡±

    My gaze finds Julie¡¯s. Her lips part, her chest rising.

    ¡°I¡¯ve recently learned that sess isn¡¯t always about where you stand, but who stands beside you.¡±

    Whispers spread through the ballroom. Investors lean forward, and some people look confused.

    ¡°That¡¯s why, tonight, I¡¯m proud to announce the firm is expanding with a new satellite office.¡± I pause, letting the words sink in. ¡°In Cozy Creek, Colorado. The new office will be fully operational by the beginning of the first quarter next year. I¡¯ll personally be based there, working remotely with the corporate team, alongside my department. This also means that we¡¯ll be able to expand our clientele, which is always a win.¡±

    The room erupts in apuse. Some people are surprised. I find Asher, and he¡¯s grinning. We discussed this a few weeks ago, and he gave me the final proposal.

    I let the pping subside before I finish. My voice is steady, my decision absolute. ¡°The firm will continue to grow exponentially, and this is just one of the ways we¡¯ll make it happen. Now, since that announcement is out of the way, let¡¯s continue with what you¡¯re here for¡ªnumbers.¡±

    After I¡¯ve run through the quarterly report and future predictions, I open the floor to questions. Several hands shoot up into the air.

    I nod toward a man in the second row, and he¡¯s handed a microphone.

    Before he speaks, he clears his throat. ¡°Mr. Banks, when exactly do you n to make this move?¡±

    I don¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Tomorrow.¡±

    Shock and surprise wash over people¡¯s faces. When I nce back at Julie, she¡¯s staring at me like I just set the entire ballroom on fire.

    A woman with diamond bangles lifts her hand. ¡°Nick, how will this affect your, uh ¡­ public persona? People see you as New York¡¯s most eligible bachelor. Is that changing?¡±

    I lean into the mic. ¡°I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯ve been on the intetely, but that¡¯s already changed.¡±

    More whispers happen. A dozen more hands lift; their questions are variations of the ones already asked. I field them as best as I can.

    ¡°Will this decision impact your investors¡¯ confidence?¡± another man asks.

    ¡°Absolutely not.¡±

    And then the question I was waiting fores.

    ¡°Do you n on getting married soon?¡±

    It hangs in the air. Some lean forward, waiting for me to spin or dodge it.

    Before I can answer, Asher strides forward, his voice firm. ¡°Let¡¯s keep the focus on business and not my brother¡¯s private rtionship. Banks Advertising and Marketing Firm is stronger than ever, and tonight¡¯s announcement makes that clear. Questions about Mr. Banks¡¯s personal life are irrelevant here. Now, anything else?¡±

    Asher meets my eye, his expression proud. His jaw flexes, his throat works, and for once, the man who never lets emotion show looks happy for me in the best possible way. He gives me a slow nod, then moves away from the microphone. He ps a heavy hand on my shoulder, squeezing hard, his eyes locking with mine. A silent you did it. A silent I¡¯m proud of you.

    It¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve seen him look at me like I¡¯m not just his broken big brother. Right now, he¡¯s looking at me like I finally got it right.

    Even though Asher shifted the conversation, I don¡¯t let the question fade away. My silence stretches until the room hushes again, every eye on me. Then, I answer anyway.

    ¡°Marrying Julie is absolutely happening,¡± I say.

    The ballroom explodes with whispers, gasps, and lifted phones. But I don¡¯t care. I step down from the stage, walking past the tables, through the chatter and the stares, straight toward Julie.

    Before I reach her, she¡¯s on her feet with tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.

    I stop in front of her, cupping her face in both hands, and kiss her sweetly.

    ¡°Do you mean that?¡± she whispers.

    ¡°Of course I do.¡±

    When we kiss, it¡¯s without hesitation. Her hands clutch my suit jacket, her body molding against mine, and for a moment, the ballroom ceases to exist. Her eyes are shining.

    I lean my forehead against hers, my voice a near whisper. ¡°You¡¯re my endgame, Jules.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re mine.¡±

    We leave before the ballroom swallows us whole. Security ushers us through a side exit, cameras still shing, voices chasing us into the night. A limo door opens, and we slide inside, letting the chaos fade into muffled silence behind us.

    Julie exhales, leaning into me, her hand still gripping mypel, like she¡¯s afraid to let go. ¡°You just set a bomb off in the ballroom.¡±

    I grin, pulling her into myp, kissing her until she gasps. ¡°I¡¯d do it again. A thousand times.¡±

    Herugh is soft but real.

    Her fingers trace my tie. ¡°Where are you going to stay? In Cozy Creek, I mean. With me?¡±

    I rest my forehead against hers. ¡°Yes. But not permanently.¡±

    Her brows lift. ¡°Exin.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s build our dream home. Zane¡¯s giving us a piece ofnd near Hollow Manor. I want it to be ours. Big enough for us to carve one hundred pumpkins and have space for as many kids as we want. A ce that we can grow old in,¡± I confess.

    ¡°Yes.¡± She¡¯s kissing me again, tears wetting my cheek. ¡°I¡¯d love that.¡±

    I cup her jaw, tilting her face so she sees every raw piece of me. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡±

    The city streaks past in shes of light, but I don¡¯t care about any of it. Her mouth is hot under mine, hungry now, her body twisting until she¡¯s straddling me in the back seat. Her gown hikes up around her thighs, silk pooling, and the sight makes me groan.

    ¡°Jules,¡± I rasp, gripping her hips as she presses down on me. The feel of her heat, even through the barrier of my pants, makes my head spin.

    Her fingers tug at my tie, loosening it, dragging me closer. She has me cursing under my breath.

    ¡°I need you,¡± she whispers against my corbone.

    Our mouths crash together as her hips rock against me in a rhythm that¡¯s pure torture.

    It takes every ounce of restraint not to push her beneath me and bury myself inside her right here.

    ¡°You¡¯re killing me.¡± I groan into her mouth.

    Her smirk is wicked as she licks my bottom lip. ¡°Good.¡±

    Her red hair tumbles forward, brushing my cheek, and she pulls back just enough to look me in the eye. Her voice is a whisper. ¡°Being with you feels right.¡±

    ¡°Because it is,¡± I say.

    Her lips curve into a slow smile before she presses her mouth back to mine. The driver turns another corner. Her warmth, herugh against my lips, and the taste of certainty consume me.

    The city blurs outside the tinted ss. She tugs at my tie until it¡¯s loose, her teeth scraping my throat as sheughs against my skin. ¡°I love watching you lose control.¡±

    I grab her ass, grinding up into her so hard that she gasps. ¡°You think this is me losing control? Sweetheart, I¡¯m holding back.¡±

    My body begs to finish what she started, but I don¡¯t.

    I don¡¯t want to rush; I want to remember her.

    Her forehead rests against mine, her lips hovering a whisper away. ¡°I can¡¯t get enough of you.¡±

    ¡°You never will,¡± I promise, brushing her mouth with mine as the limo slows to a stop in front of Park Towers.

    She groans, climbing off of me. ¡°Why did he drive so fast?¡±

    ¡°He didn¡¯t,¡± I say, helping her smooth her gown into ce.

    My cock aches, but I rein it in.

    The door opens, and the cool November air cuts the heat. Cameras sh as Julie slips her hand into mine. She¡¯s glowing as she nces over at me, and I shoot her a wink.

    When we finally step into my penthouse, my mouth is on hers.

    Now, I¡¯ll finish what she started.

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 35

    Nick¡¯s mouth is immediately on mine.

    The penthouse is quiet; the faint hum of the city almost a hundred stories below barely seeps through. All I hear is his breath, my heartbeat, and the sound of my body sliding against the silk sheets that are cool against my hot skin.

    He kisses me like he always has, like we have forever. Maybe because he knew we would.

    Nothing about it is frantic or rushed. It¡¯s just hungry and consuming, as if he wants to carve himself into my heart. My body trembles with anticipation before he¡¯s even touched me.

    When his weight presses me into the mattress, I greedily arch into him. My fingers tear at his clothes until they¡¯re gone. My nails graze down his chest, over hard muscles. The shiver that runs through him is confirmation that he enjoys his time with me.

    ¡°You undo me,¡± he confesses against my skin as his mouth trails lower. He bites, sucks, kisses everywhere, leaving heat in his wake.

    I gasp when his hand slides beneath my dress, fingertips teasing higher.

    My panties cling to me, and when he presses the heel of his palm against me, the moan that tears out of me echoes against the high ceiling.

    ¡°Always so wet for me.¡± He groans, kissing me harder as his fingers stroke over the dampce. He peels them down my thighs, slow, and savors the view, like undressing me is part of his pleasure.

    Nick ces hot kisses up the inside of my thighs until I¡¯m shaking. And when his tongue slides through me, I cry out, clutching the sheets. He devours me like a starved man. My thighs shake around his head as he flicks my clit with his tongue, sucking hard. His low growl vibrates against me until I¡¯m falling apart, nearly sobbing his name.

    By the time he pulls back, my body is sweaty, my chest heaving. When he leans over me again, I feel his heavy cock brushing against my stomach.

    He drags himself through my folds, circles my clit, then ms inside me until I scream with satisfaction.

    He fists a hand in my hair, tugging gently until I¡¯m staring straight into his golden-brown eyes. His jaw is tight, his chest rising and falling, like he¡¯s barely holding back. He pulls out and then takes me in one deep, iming thrust.

    My back arches off the bed, every nerve ending sparking as he fills me. He stays buried to the hilt, his forehead pressed to mine, our breaths ragged and uneven.

    ¡°You feel like home,¡± he whispers.

    ¡°You do too.¡±

    Each thrust is slow, and he continues until I¡¯m gasping, clutching at him. Pleasure floods through me.

    ¡°Don¡¯t stop,¡± I beg, my voice raw.

    His growl rumbles through me as he flips me onto all fours. He drives deeper, pounding against that spot inside me that makes my vision explode. The stretch is perfect, the angle brutal, and I sob his name, clinging to the sheets like I¡¯ll fly apart without him.

    ¡°You feel so good.¡± He groans, fingers digging into my hips.

    I break apart, my body spasming around him as my orgasm violently consumes me. He curses, thrusting harder. His groans turn frantic as he buries himself deep one final time and releases inside me.

    We copse, his arms locked around me like he¡¯ll never let me go. My chest heaves, but I don¡¯t want to move. Not yet. Maybe never.

    He strokes my ass, kisses the curve of my back.

    ¡°I¡¯m so d you¡¯re mine,¡± I whisper, smiling against the sheets.

    ¡°Me too,¡± he says, kissing my shoulder. ¡°Me fucking too.¡±

    He eases out of me and pulls me into his chest, rolling us onto our sides. His hand trails down my spine like he¡¯s memorizing every inch of me. The silence stretches on, and it¡¯sfortable.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me that you were staying in Cozy Creek?¡± I ask, my fingers tracing the hard line of his chiseled jaw.

    He exhales, his thumb brushing my hip. ¡°I wanted it to be a surprise. And Asher got approval from the board moments before I went onstage.¡±

    My throat tightens with relief. ¡°I¡¯m so happy.¡±

    He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°Me too, sweetheart.¡±

    Butterflies swarm me as his mouth presses against my hair.

    I close my eyes, listening to his steady heartbeat.

    When he looks at me like this, I don¡¯t wonder if our love willst.

    I know it will.<hr>

    After a whirlwind three days in New York¡ªjets, paparazzi, crystal ballrooms¡ªI¡¯m back where it all started.

    The bell above Cozy Coffee jingles as I step inside. The scent of cinnamon and espresso floats through the air. Behind the counter, Sierra fumbles with the milk steamer while Tracy shoos her aside like she¡¯s been waiting for this learning moment.

    ¡°Julie!¡± ire gasps, throwing her arms wide like she hasn¡¯t seen me in a decade instead of a long weekend. ¡°Our small-town queen returns from conquering the big city. Did you bring me anything? Chanel? Prada? A hot investor who¡¯s emotionally intelligent?¡±

    Iugh. ¡°Sorry. I brought you me. Nick ising. He¡¯s outside, talking with Zane on the phone.¡±

    ire smirks. ¡°You won the lottery with him.¡±

    ¡°I did,¡± I admit.

    I nce toward the window, where Nick leans against his Range Rover. Even in jeans and a jacket, he looks like hemands the room¡ªor in this case, the whole town.

    As he chats, his eyes keep sliding back to me through the ss, like he¡¯d rather be in here than anywhere else. The bell jingles again, and Nick finally steps inside, shaking the chill from his messy hair. The temperatures have dropped, and we¡¯re expected to get our first snowfall this weekend.

    Every customer in the shop seems to freeze, but then they go about their business. I think word has spread around town that Nick isn¡¯t just visiting anymore; he¡¯s staying. Just like Zane did.

    ¡°Hey, sweetheart,¡± he says, pressing a kiss to my temple. ¡°Did you order?¡±

    ¡°Nope. I¡¯m not sure what I¡¯m in the mood for.¡±

    ire looks between us, unimpressed. ¡°Sorry to ruin your day, but we¡¯re out of pumpkin spicettes.¡±

    Nick nces at me and winks. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever mention wanting one again.¡±

    Our safe word makes me grin, and I realize I finally have what I always wanted¡ªinside jokes with someone who¡¯s both a lover and a best friend.

    I nce around the room, knowing this ce has always been my second home. But now, with Nick here, it feels like the beginning of something evesting.

    We order peppermint mochas and wait at the end of the counter. Three minutester, ire slides them across to me with a wink.

    ¡°When are youing back to work?¡± she asks. ¡°I miss you.¡±

    ¡°Aw. Next week. There are still a few things I need to finish first.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t wait,¡± ire tells me. ¡°Have fun today. Remember, I want a cottage in the woods!¡±

    ¡°Won¡¯t forget,¡± I promise as Nick¡¯s hand finds mine again.

    Together, we step out into the cold and head toward the Range Rover.

    ¡°Ready to check out thend?¡± he asks once we¡¯re buckled in.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m actually excited.¡±

    He turns onto Main and follows it until it hits Skyline Drive. ¡°Zane told me that if, for any reason, we split, neither of us keeps the property. The resort confiscates it.¡±

    The words hang between us.

    I exhale. ¡°I really don¡¯t think we have anything to worry about.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I told him.¡± Nick reaches for my hand, his thumb stroking slow circles against my skin. ¡°I believe in us.¡±

    The Range Rover¡¯s engine hums as the town fades behind us. When I roll down the window to feel the briskte autumn breeze, I inhale the clean air.

    In the distance, the mountains rise higher. Their ridges are painted gold and brown, while some arepletely bare. The sky is endless blue. It¡¯s something I can only find in Colorado.

    I sip my peppermint mocha, watching our reflections blur in the windshield. He¡¯s driving one-handed, his other hand over mine on the console, as if he can¡¯t stand not touching me, even for a minute.

    When we climb the hill near Hollow Manor, I grow excited, knowing we¡¯ll live this close to Autumn and Zane. It makes me giddy. The thought of tying our lives together here, permanently, does something to me.

    Nick turns onto a gravel road that cuts into the mountain. Tires crunch over stone until the trees open up, and we¡¯re met with arge stretch of meadow. Surrounding it are towering aspens. Beyond them, the mountains climb,yered in smoky blue. To the right, the slope drops into a viewpoint that overlooks Cozy Creek. I can see tiny houses, the church steeple, and even the coffee shop.

    From here, the town looks like a snow globe.

    ¡°Ready?¡± he asks.

    ¡°Hell yes,¡± I tell him, and we step out of the SUV.

    The cold air bites my cheeks as I breathe in pine and possibility.

    Nick slips an arm around my waist as we take it in. ¡°Zane said he wanted thisnd to go to someone he trusted after Harper stated she didn¡¯t want it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± I whisper. ¡°Can we really ept this?¡±

    ¡°Yes. And we will with a smile and a thank-you,¡± he says. ¡°It¡¯s selfish on Zane¡¯s part. Trust me.¡±

    Wind rushes through the aspens, causing the branches to tremble.

    Nick nces over at me, wearing a soft smile. ¡°Picture it, Jules. A house with a porch swing. A kitchen big enough for several espresso machines. And a pumpkin patch in the backyard.¡±

    Iugh, blinking away tears I didn¡¯t even realize had formed. ¡°I can imagine it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve never wanted anything more,¡± he admits.

    Nick tilts my chin, his golden-brown eyes locking on mine. His mouth ims me, and the kiss sears through me.

    When we finally break apart, the cold rushes in, and I shiver, but I don¡¯t stop staring over thend. I can imagine a farmhouse with pumpkins on the porch; kids with sticky fingers, chasing each other through the grass; andughter carrying through the trees.

    I see myself in that kitchen, pulling espresso shots on a machine that hisses like a dragon, Nick sneaking up behind me to wrap his arms around my waist. I imagine us stringing lights on the porch every October. I can almost hear our kids begging for one more story before they go to bed. I picture Christmas mornings and birthdays, stupid arguments, and sexy make-ups. Whole seasons stitch together into a life I want to live with him. It¡¯s not a fantasy, but a possibility.

    I see us growing old together, with gray hair and wrinkles, and still kissing because we can¡¯t get enough.

    When our eyes meet again, I know he saw it all too.

    The dream doesn¡¯t feel impossible.

    I smile. ¡°Did you ever think it was only going to be a hookup situation?¡±

    Nick chuckles, pulling me closer. ¡°No fucking way. You¡¯re the only one who ever believed that.¡±

 The Hookup Situation: Chapter 36

    The town outside is just starting to stir on Thanksgiving morning, but in here, it¡¯s peaceful.

    After my sister passed away, this holiday has been hollow for me. It used to be nothing more than a press release about how much Banks Advertising and Marketing Firm donated. There were a few posed photos at charity gs. The night was filled with endless champagne and cameras, most of which were staged and empty.

    During the holidays, I went through the motions of crossing things off a list instead of celebrating.

    Not anymore.

    Today, I¡¯m looking forward to spending my time with family and friends. I have so damn much to be grateful for, especially the woman who¡¯s asleep in my arms. I smile, thinking about Julie, who carved herself into me without even trying.

    I tighten my hold on her.

    Eden would¡¯ve adored her. She would¡¯ve seen what I see¡ªhow Julie doesn¡¯t give a damn about myst name, my bank ount, or the skyline I used to worship. She would¡¯ve loved her for giving me back the one thing I thought I¡¯d lost forever ¡­ a sense of home.

    Julie stirs, mumbling something incoherent, then tips her head back with a sleepy smile. ¡°Happy Thanksgiving.¡±

    ¡°You too.¡± I kiss her temple.

    A half hourter, we¡¯re wrapped in nkets on her condo balcony, peppermint cocoa warming our hands while the Cozy Creek Thanksgiving parade begins on Main Street below.

    It¡¯s ridiculous and charming¡ªexactly like this town.

    A giant intable pumpkin bobs between two pickup trucks. Kids in construction-paper pilgrim hats wave from the back of a hay wagon. The high-school marching band stumbles through a holiday medley, horns ring just off-key enough to make Julie snort.

    I nce at her flushed cheeks and see the sparkle in her eyes. ¡°You know, we only have onest thing to check off the naughty list.¡±

    Her head whips toward me. ¡°You want to do that now?¡±

    ¡°When else will we have another opportunity?¡±

    ¡°Christmas,¡± she tells me.

    ¡°Do you want to wait until then?¡± I ask her.

    ¡°Nope.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought.¡±

    I smirk, dropping to my knees and sliding between the balcony wall and her so she can still watch the parade. I slide her pajama shorts and panties down. She adjusts the nket on her shoulders, then nces down at me.

    ¡°You¡¯re sure?¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah. Enjoy it, sweetheart.¡±

    She gasps when my tongue slides over her. Her hips jerk forward, and her knuckles go white against the railing. I can hear the parade noise of people cheering, horns in the distance, and the rumble of engines. The only thing that matters is how sweet she tastes on my tongue.

    ¡°Tell me what you see,¡± I mutter. My breath is hot against her, and my fingers open her thighs wider.

    Her voice breaks. ¡°Th-the¡ªoh?¡ª¡±

    Her head tips back, her throat working as she forces herself to keep watching the parade. ¡°The Cozy Creek Elementary cheer squad is wearing matching sweaters ¡­¡±

    I suck her clit between my lips, humming approval. Her body jolts, her knees already trembling.

    ¡°What else?¡±

    Julie¡¯sugh cracks into a moan. ¡°N-Nick¡ªthe Boy Scout troop is in a float that¡¯s built like a giant turkey.¡±

    I thrust my tongue inside her, and she bites her lip.

    ¡°Keep going,¡± I whisper.

    Her voice is hoarse now, half breathless, half daring. ¡°The ¡­ oh ¡­ don¡¯t stop ¡­ the middle school marching band. They¡¯re ying ¡®Jingle Bells,¡¯ but ¡­ oh my ¡­ they¡¯repletely off-key.¡±

    I drag two fingers along her soaked slit, circling before pushing inside, curling just right. Her words stumble, dissolving into gasps.

    ¡°T-there¡¯s ¡­ the Cozy Coffee float. It¡¯s a giant ¡­ cup of coff?¡ª¡±

    I grin against her, continuing my war on her pussy as she tries and fails to finish the thought. Her hips rock, chasing me, her voice pitching higher as the crowd below cheers.

    ¡°You wanted this fantasy.¡± I growl, pleasuring her with my fingers, sucking hard on her swollen clit. ¡°So, give it to me, sweetheart. Let go.¡±

    Her cry rips out of her, muffled when she buries her face against her arm, body convulsing as the orgasm tears through her. Her body shudders, and I don¡¯t stop until she¡¯s nearly copsing, the nket slipping off her shoulders.

    I press a kiss to her thigh, lingering there, tasting her skin. Then I look up at her, grinning. ¡°List is officiallyplete.¡±

    Herugh is breathless. ¡°You¡¯re incredible.¡±

    I slide away from her and stand, picking the nket up and cing it over her shoulder.

    ¡°How was it?¡±

    ¡°Amazing,¡± she says, squeezing her thighs together as we watch Santa finish the parade.

    Julie leads me back inside, and we climb into bed and watch the Macy¡¯s parade on TV. She teases me about which float I¡¯d sponsor.

    She grins as the parade marches on.

    ¡°Sweetheart, the list may be finished, but I think we should start a new one.¡±

    Her smile widens. ¡°A couples one?¡±

    ¡°Hell yeah. And we¡¯ll check off every damn box together,¡± I say.<hr>

    Hourster, we¡¯re walking up the stone steps of my father¡¯s mansion. The air is crisp and full of woodsmoke. Julie¡¯s hand is tucked into mine, her navy coat cinched at the waist, her red hair gleaming in the fading light.

    The house glitters like a cathedral behind us, windows glowing with candles and chandeliers, voices leaking out from within. Family. Friends. Everyone of importance who means anything to us is here.

    Julie pauses on the porch, taking a moment to look at me. ¡°You seem nervous.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not. Not even a little,¡± I admit, my pulse steady. ¡°I¡¯ve never been more certain of anything in my life.¡±

    She smiles, but before she can say anything, I drop to one knee.

    Her gasp catches in the cold November air; her white-gloved hand flies to her mouth.

    ¡°Julie Lovnd,¡± I say, pulling the ring from my pocket. It¡¯s the one that¡¯s been burning a hole in my pocket since I picked it up from Easton Calloway in New York. ¡°You turned my October upside down. You made me believe in forever again. You are my home, my peace, my true love, and I don¡¯t want to waste another second without you. Will you please make me the happiest man on the and spend the rest of your life with me? Will you please marry me, sweetheart?¡±

    Tears slide down her cheeks as sheughs. ¡°Yes. A thousand times, yes.¡±

    The door behind us opens wide, and suddenly, the house erupts with cheers. My mother, stepdad, Asher, Billie, Harper, Brody, Dyson, Miranda, Zane, Autumn, ire, Julie¡¯s parents, and even the Fairy Godmothers are here. Every face we love is gathered inside, pping, and some are already crying.

    Julie turns to me, and I slide the orange diamond onto her finger.

    She covers her mouth. ¡°Nick ¡­ this is too much.¡±

    I chuckle, brushing a kiss to her knuckles. ¡°Never. No limits for you, sweetheart.¡±

    Our mouths crash together on the porch of my stepfather¡¯s mansion, which is close to the ski resort. Everyone we love steps outside to congratte us. It¡¯s messy, loud, and perfect. The people who matter most to us are sharing in this moment.

    ire shrieks so loud that downtown Cozy Creek probably hears it. The Fairy Godmothers fan themselves dramatically, dering it was better than television. Asher ps me hard on the back with a rare, unguarded smile, and even Zane tears up as Autumn squeezes his arm. Billie smiles as Harper and Brody lift their champagne sses toward us. Everyone who matters is here.

    When we finally break apart, Julie presses her forehead to mine, her voice full of joy. ¡°I love you so much, Nick Banks.¡±

    ¡°Love you too, Little Red.¡±

    Our friends¡¯ and families¡¯ excitement echoes through the yard, and suddenly, we¡¯re being pulled inside. We¡¯re hugged and congratted, and champagne flutes are ced in our hands. Everyone wants a piece of this moment, and I don¡¯t mind sharing it with them.

    Just a few months ago, Julie and I made a fake-dating pact that quickly turned into a hookup situation.

    Now, this gorgeous, stubborn, pumpkin-obsessed woman is going to be my wife.

    Guess the old saying is true, and the third time really is the charm.

 The Hookup Situation: EPILOGUE

    <h2 id="id__798_130_" ss="heading_s1">FIVE WEEKS LATER</h2>

    Billie Calloway doesn¡¯t throw parties; she creates memorable experiences.

    Tonight is no exception. Her Manhattan penthouse, which is one of many, looks like the inside of a champagne bottle exploded. It¡¯s gold glitter with diamond chandeliers and sequined dresses that cost more than what some people make in a lifetime. The skyline outside zes with spotlights. The Empire State Building is lit like it¡¯speting with this party. Music throbs through the room,ughter echoes off the marbled walls, and cameras randomly sh. It¡¯s a safe space though.

    Billie doesn¡¯t just decorate; she designs arenas. This isn¡¯t just another Calloway spectacle or a New Year¡¯s Eve celebration, which the entire family is known for. Tonight, we¡¯re here to celebrate Nick Banks¡¯s engagement to Julie Lovnd.

    Nics fucking Banks is getting married.

    He¡¯s one of my best friends and a brother in everything but blood. He once swore offmitment harder than I swore off carbs during preseason. Now? He¡¯s across the room in a clean-cut tuxedo, wearing an orange tie, smiling at the beautiful redhead on his arm like they just shared an inside joke. She¡¯s his fianc¨¦e. His forever. The love of his life.

    He doesn¡¯t care that half of New York¡¯s elite is watching him kiss her. It almost makes me believe in something fictional like love.

    But if Nick can change ¡­ Nick, who used to treat women like they came with expiration dates ¡­ then maybe there¡¯s hope for the rest of us.

    I¡¯m the exception.

    Love isn¡¯t in my ybook and never has been. I¡¯m Patterson Cross¡ªcenter for the New York Angels, fan favorite, notorious tabloid headline maker. I¡¯m the guy who breaks hearts and builds rivalries. I¡¯m known for ruining happy endings, not living them.

    Still, watching Nick hold Julie tight makes something hollow in my chest ache in ways I don¡¯t admit to anyone.

    ¡°Patterson Cross,¡± someone slurs, pping me on the back. It¡¯s Wyatt King, our rookie winger, already drunk on Billie¡¯s bottomless champagne fountain.

    ¡°Smile, man. It¡¯s New Year¡¯s Eve. Tomorrow is a brand-new year,¡± he says to me.

    Yeah, no pressure.

    I force a grin, tip back my drink, and scan the elite crowd. Anything to distract myself from the bullshit. It¡¯s a mistake, though, because that¡¯s when I see her.

    Kendall Hart.

    Her name is bitter on my tongue.

    She¡¯s my coach¡¯s daughter, my little sister¡¯s best friend, and my brother¡¯s ex-fianc¨¦e. Kendall is the ghost that shows up in my memories, and she¡¯s always haunting me.

    I hate her. I fucking hate her.

    She shouldn¡¯t be here. Not in this room. Not in this city.

    But still, she persists, and this time, she¡¯s not alone.

    Her hand is tucked possessively around the arm of Damien ckwell.

    Yeah. That Damien. Captain of the Brooklyn Cobras, my biggest rival on the ice. He knocked my Angels out of the yoffsst season and hasn¡¯t stopped smirking about it since. He¡¯s dangerous on skates, insufferable off them, and now he¡¯s strutting into Billie Calloway¡¯s penthouse with Kendall on his arm like she¡¯s the Stanley Cup. I won¡¯t even mention the influence his entire family has in New York.

    The crowd parts like their movements are scripted. The event photographer¡¯s camera shes, and champagne bubbles. Damien whispers something in Kendall¡¯s ear, and herughter floats across the room toward me. Her dress is silver and cut low enough to start wars. Sequins catch the light like she wore it to personally blind me.

    And the worst part is, she easily finds me in this crowded room.

    Our eyes lock together, and I can¡¯t break the hold she has on me.

    Not even as the countdown to the new year begins.

    Ten, nine, eight ¡­

    Everyone moves closer to the windows to watch the ball drop. Nick and Julie are front and center,manding the spotlight with their perfect, glowing love story. All eyes are on them or the ball.

    But not mine. Mine are locked on Kendall. Her mouth curves in that cocky smile I¡¯ve never been able to scrub from my damn head.

    Damien¡¯s arm mps tighter around her waist, staking a im that makes my blood boil. Kendall wraps her arms around his neck but holds my gaze. She knows exactly what she¡¯s doing. This is her opening move in a game that I told her I wouldn¡¯t y.

    Three. Two. One.

    ¡°Happy New Year!¡± everyone screams.

    Confetti rains inside and outside. Champagne corks pop, and cheers fill the night. Nick and Julie kiss under the glittering gold, sealing their future.

    But all I can think about is Kendall¡¯s eyes still burning into me.

    If she keeps this up, I will give her hell.

    The only thing that pulls me away from my thoughts is Regina, the model I brought as my date. She¡¯s tugging at my arm, shouting something about a toast, her champagne nearly spilling onto my suit.

    When I nce back, Kendall slips out of Damien¡¯s grip like smoke. She weaves through the crowd in that silver dress that clings to every curve. The sequins catch the light like a thousand tiny knives. My pulse races with every step she takes closer, closer, until she¡¯s standing directly in front of me.

    For a heartbeat, the world narrows to just us.

    My jaw clenches as her perfume hits me. It¡¯s sweet and familiar. It¡¯s memory and poison, all wrapped into one. Her gaze rakes over me before she meets my eyes. Her smirk is merciless, and her eyes are cold. Calcted even.

    Kendall doesn¡¯t say a single word, but neither do I.

    The noise of the party rages around us, but it also blurs.

    It¡¯s just her and me, toe to toe, trading silent daggers. Her eyes dare me to break first, to break the promise that I made years ago. I will never fucking speak to you again, I swore to her. Though I have a million things I want to say, I won¡¯t give her the satisfaction.

    The silence stretches on for too long. It feels too heavy, too loaded. Her not speaking is a de sharper than anything she¡¯s ever said to me.

    Damien barks her name, and it causes my jaw to clench tight. She doesn¡¯t flinch or even acknowledge him. Instead, she spins around, her dress swooshing with every movement as she walks away.

    She shouldn¡¯t sparkle like a damn diamond, but somehow, she does.

    Regina scoffs. ¡°That was weird.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± I mutter, sipping my drink as she chats about champagne towers.

    I barely register that I have a date to entertain because Kendall¡¯s presence has wrecked me. I¡¯ve avoided her for years and made it crystal clear to my little sister, Addison, that I do not want to see Kendall. Ever.

    I let out a frustrated sigh as the party continues on.

    Nick kisses Julie like she¡¯s his forever. And me?

    I stand there, gutted, because Kendall gave me nothing.

    No words I can fight. Zero insults or rudements. I have aeback for everything and she usually has a lot to say. Not tonight, though.

    Her silence will take up space in my head. Somehow, she¡¯s suffocating me without even trying.

    Fuck, have I mentioned I hate everything about her?

    Well, I do. And that¡¯s a problem because hate also feels a hell of a lot like wanting her.

    That can never happen.

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!