AllFreeNovel
Share Us
It’s barely been a couple of days since I last saw River, but he looks at me like it’s been years. He gives me a sly grin and pulls me into a hug, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight.
“Hi, baby,” he murmurs into my hair.
His scent swirls around me, spicy and delicious, as I press my head against his chest to listen to the thud of his heartbeat.
I can do this.
And when I pull away from him and notice the dark circles under his green eyes, I’m overwhelmed by guilt.
Guilt for sitting around while River and the others work their cases.
Guilt that I haven’t been back to work yet, putting extra pressure on Devyn when she’s an Omega herself.
Guilt that I’ve let myself be given countless orgasms while my best friend is still missing.
Shame and embarrassment eat at me.
I should have insisted I talk to the police while I was in the hospital. Were Landon, River, and Vincent protecting me? Should I have done it earlier? Is that why I wasn’t questioned?
“Skylar,” Vincent’s low voice says, interrupting my spiraling. I step out of River’s grasp and turn to him, my cheeks flushing at the reminder of what we did yesterday.
I give Vincent a half smile, doing my best to not break down.
I have to do this.
“Ben’s already inside.” Vincent’s light blue eyes pierce through me, as if he can sense my nervousness. “Whenever you’re ready.”
I choke out a laugh. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” I mutter. Vincent nods in understanding, and I turn to see River glaring at him.
More guilt swirls inside me. I don’t know how any of this will work. Landon and Vincent can tolerate each other, but I don’t know if River and Vincent will ever be able to put aside their differences.
I’m making things worse between them.
I take in a deep, shaky breath and wrap my arms around myself.
We’re just outside the front of the building, but I feel frozen.
“Sweetheart,” Landon murmurs from behind me. His arm wraps around my waist. “You can do this.”
His earthy scent swirls around me, blending with Vincent’s rich essence and River’s spicy aroma.
“Use us,” he continues softly, quiet enough that only I can hear him. “Use us to ground you.”
I inhale their scents. I calm myself enough that I’m able to move my feet toward the building.
“One step, baby,” River says. “One at a time.”
I hate feeling this weak. I hate that they have to coddle me like this.
What happens if they decide I’m too needy, or that I’m demanding too much of them?
But Vincent is holding open the door, his icy eyes still on me, and it gives me enough strength to take those extra steps.
Ben is compassionate, patient, and kind.
I’m grateful he’s the one that takes my statement.
Yet telling my story still hurts. Answering Ben’s questions is an excruciating process.
