“No, they shouldn’t, but that’s not your fault.” I sigh. “I escaped the next night. I had someone create my new identity and headed to New York, where Lark was supposed to hook me up with a flight to Colombia. I was going to run back to the cartel. Only I never made it. Gideon’s men found us somehow and took us. You know the important bits from there.”
“You need to tell them no, Luna. I know how you feel about telling clients no, but you don’t have to do this.” There’s a desperation in Prescott’s words as he cups my cheeks with his hands. “Don’t do this to yourself.”
I force a half-smile. “I’m going to take the case, Pres. I know what my brother is capable of, and I can’t allow an omega to stay in his grasp. I don’t think he cares much for women, but hehatesomegas. There’s no telling what he’s done to her—what he’s doing to her.”
“Fuck.” He shakes his head. “No, I guess that isn’t something you could walk away from. Stubborn ass woman.”
I scoff. “Damn straight.”
A yawn cuts off anything else I’m about to say, and I shake my head. “I don’t know why I’m so tired. I was sleeping when you got here—I fell asleep on the phone with Lark.”
“Dealing with emotions—especially heavy ones—saps our energy. Why don’t we get you settled into bed?”
I wrinkle my nose, not wanting to go to bed, but more than that, not wanting him to leave me.
“Only if you stay.”
His shock is obvious as he stares at me. “You want me to stay?”
I nod, chewing on my bottom lip. “Tell me if I’m reading too much into this, but it feels like maybe there’s something more than friendship?—”
“You’re not,” he rushes out, cutting me off. “Fuck, I’m sorry. That was rude.”
I chuckle. “So you’re interested in me as more than a friend?”
“Hell, yes. I just didn’t think you noticed.”
I can feel the blush creeping up my neck and onto my cheeks. “I didn’t, but Lark did. I didn’t believe her, but I think I was being willfully ignorant—and not just about that. Tonight, I realized I care a lot more about you than I wanted to admit.”
There’s hope in his eyes as his boyish grin returns to his face. “So, what does that mean?”
“It means I think we should…explore this.” I make a face. “Starting with you staying tonight. I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want sex or anything, but it would be nice to be held.”
He leans in, brushing his lips softly against mine. “I’d love nothing more than to cuddle the shit out of you, Luna. I mean, I’m always willing to have sex if that’s what you want, but this hasn’t been about sex for me in a long time.”
“Good.” I pull him in for a kiss, relief soaring through me. “Then take me to bed, Pres.”
I giggle when he stands with me in his arms and heads for the stairs. I rest my head on his shoulder, wondering what Christian would think of Prescott.
An inkling of guilt floats along the edge of my consciousness for considering moving on from my first love, but at least Prescott is a beta. It’s not like I’m replacing my alpha. I’m just…adding to my pack.
It’s what Christian would’ve wanted for me.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Mack
Imove my hands behind my head from my spot in the bed as I watch Ven and Knight move around our room.
It’s not exactly big, and it’s probably better if I don’t attempt to get ready at the same time as them.
Last night, after deciding that Knight had spent enough time laying in cum, I dragged him into the shower to clean up. Fitting both of us was a feat in itself. There definitely wasn’t room for Ven to join us, so I’d cleaned off as quickly as possible before washing Knight’s body.
I’d switched out with Ven so he could wash our omega’s hair and clean himself up. That’s always been how we handle his aftercare: Ven taking care of Knight’s hair and me scrubbing his body.
I hope we don’t have to stay here for long, because I won’t be able to handle that too-small shower for more than a day or two.
What can I say? I enjoy showering with my men—even when it’s nothing more than showering.
