“No, it’s the same.” Frustration and shame welled in the bond, and it broke my heart.
“Vieni qui, amore,” I murmured and pulled him down onto the couch. I laid his head in my lap and brushed my fingers through his hair the way he liked until he purred softly. “You are like a big kitten.”
“Should we call her?” Andrew asked after a few minutes. A football match played on the TV and the color from the screen painted his face in shades of blue and green.
“I am not sure. I think she will call us.”
He nodded, his eyes on the game.
We fell asleep that way until I jerked awake, my phone ringing loudly. “Cazzo,” I spat, rubbing my neck. The clock said it was 5:45am.
I grabbed my phone, ready to dismiss the spam call. But then I recognized the name.
“Carrissima, are you well?” I asked.
“Hi. Yes. I mean, no, not really,” Bridget replied. Her voice was breathless. I shook Andrew awake impatiently. “It’s kind of a long story.”
“Good thing I am an excellent listener.” Andrew sat up and I mouthedBridget, pointing at the phone. He was instantly alert. “What is wrong?”
By the time Bridget reached the events of that morning, we were already dressed. “I am coming to get you now,” I said when she paused. “Where are you, tesoro?”
“Hold on,” another voice interjected. It was a woman — Maggie — and she sounded impatient. “You can’t just come get her. The house is obviously being watched.”
“Yes, obviously,” I said, trying to keep the impatience from my voice. “We will go to a second location and switch cars so anyone who is watching will not know it is her.”
There was a pause on the line. “That’s a good idea,” the woman said begrudgingly.
“Yes, I know. I am very good at my job. I will send my colleague Jason to pick her up.” He owed me a few favors. “Carrissima, are you there?”
“Yes,” Bridget said, her voice stronger. “I know it’s so presumptuous, but I didn’t know who else—”
“None of that. You did the right thing, and I promise you will be safe.”
“Thank you,” she said in a small voice.
“I will see you soon. Send me the address.”
Despite the early hour, Jason agreed to help immediately. He knew I wouldn’t have called if it wasn’t important. We arranged to meet in a parking garage about equidistant between Bridget and our apartment in an hour.
Andrew had stayed silent through the exchange, but when I hung up with Jason, he drew me in for a kiss. We didn’t have time for anything more, but I felt his passion in the bond. “You are an incredible man,” he whispered against my lips.
“I will pick up breakfast for us. You should do something about this.” I gestured to the living room. We weren’t slobs, but I wanted Bridget’s first impression of the apartment to be a bit more welcoming.
“I’ll take care of it. Go,” he said, his eyes warm. I gave him one last peck before rushing out the door.
I arrived at the parking garage a few minutes early, but later than I’d intended. I drove all the way to the seventh floor and checked every car parked on the level thoroughly, but each was empty.
I’d stopped for coffee and pastries and ended up ordering almost the entire menu.
Jason had already texted me to let me know they were on the way, but tension still clawed at my shoulders. I rubbed the sore spot on my neck again.
Right on time, Jason’s car rolled up the ramp. He looked annoyed, and I could see why immediately. A man with a beard was sitting in the front seat, looking just as irritated.
I peered into the back and saw a woman with red hair. Where was Bridget?
Jason parked next to my car, and I realized the woman in the backseat was, in fact, Bridget wearing a cheap wig. As soon as the car rolled to a stop, she pulled it off and opened the door. I was waiting for her with open arms.
She rushed into me. My heart contracted almost painfully with tenderness. I couldn’t help it. Seeing an Omega in this state brought back all the old memories of Matteo, coming to me with a busted lip from Nico or Tomas. Her scent was faint, but clearly stressed; the floral notes were stale, the honey muted.
