Vega puffs his cheeks out. “I should say yes. But you’re not. Not unless you bring this shit to the firehouse.”
The relief makes me lightheaded. “Thanks, Cap.”
“Don’t thank me. Thank yourself for not being as much of an asshole as those other three.” He taps the brim of his hat against my chest. “I know you got a lot of pent-up rage in there. I’d rather see you get therapy to get that out, but I can’t fault you for protecting your omega with it.”
He eyes Connor and Zev, then shakes his head. “Go home. Clean up. And for God’s sake, don’t do this again.”
We file out. I limp behind the rest into the dark. At least the rain’s stopped. It’s left the city glistening and brand new.
I look at Zev, who’s already planning the apology donuts for his high schoolers, and at Connor, who will definitely charm his way out of trouble.
And I think about Grace, who might never forgive us for brawling in her living room, but at least she’ll sleep safe.
I also think about that insane punch she threw.That’s my girl.
CHAPTER 30
GRACE
It’s not even 5:30 A.M. when the first knock shudders my apartment door. I don’t remember falling asleep on the couch, only that Charlotte left at some point before midnight. The knock startles me upright.
Charlton Pack.
But no, these knocks were far too quiet for the likes of them. Then I smell my alphas through the door. Chocolate, campfire smoke, and peppermint.
My eyes widen, and I hurry to let them in. I open my door to find a wall of alphas looking worse for wear.
I throw myself into their arms. “How are you out already? I was going to swing by this morning. Not that I could bail you out alone.”
They pull me into a huge group hug.
“Captain Vega bailed us out,” Fowler says. “I’ll probably be paying him back straight out of every paycheck for a few months.”
Connor and Zev laugh. I invite them inside.
Zev studies the floor. “You cleaned up the blood?”
I nod. “Charlotte helped—insisted, really. It’s fine. But areyouguys okay?”
Connor gives a low whistle. “Probably depends how you feel about it all. We’ll be okay physically, but…”
“But what?” I ask. “I threw the first punch, Charlton Pack only responded in kind once they felt threatened.”
Fowler reaches for my hand and holds up my healing knuckles. “Speaking of, you punching that guy was hot as hell. I had no idea you had that kind of arm on you.”
“Remind me to never make her mad again,” Zev says.
I laugh. “Stop.” Tears flood my eyes. I think all the tension and worry is finally catching up to me.
“Hey,” Connor says as he lifts my chin and brushes away the tears. “We’re okay, don’t worry.”
“And you’re safe, too,” Zev adds.
I nod. I know we’re all safe now, especially as police yesterday helped Charlotte file the restraining order, but it doesn’t lessen the fear I felt from seeing them in that fight.
We drift into the living room like a single creature and collapse onto the futon in a tangled pile. Nobody seems to want to let go, so we don’t.
I fill them in on what happened after. Since Charlotte left, I’ve just been hyper alert and worried which is why I’m surprised I fell asleep at all.
