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“Bailey, where are you going? You’re not giving up already, are you?” The annoyance in his voice was wrapped up in teasing and a hint of worry.
“Oh no, I still have a lot of work to do. I’ll probably be here late, so the guys are escorting me to my favorite coffee shop. I needed to stretch my legs and look at something other than lines on paper for a moment.” I gave a giggle that had him relaxing. “We’ll be back soon!”
“Enjoy your break,” he said, effectively dismissing me for the second time that day.
The fresh air was amazing enough that I didn’t care about being disregarded so easily. I tilted my head back as I walked, resting my arm on Hayes so he could lead me while I let the sun warm my face.
After a day cooped up in the office, I wanted to soak in some sun even if a chill still hung in the air.
I opened my eyes when the scent of ginger, whiskey, and cloves announced that Weston had ruined the moment. He leaned into my bubble, blocking my sun.
“Are you trying to photosynthesize? The rest of us are freezing, Bailey, and you stopped walking.”
“Fine, fine,” I grumbled. “Come on. I wasn’t kidding about that espresso. It’s calling my name.”
They looked so grumpy I could help but ask, “Are you guys finally going crazy from following me around and sitting in that office all day?”
They all gave non-committal shrugs, not seeming put out in the least.
“You’re nice to look at, and that helps,” Sterling teased. He bumped his shoulder into mine, his spiced cider scent making the bite mark on my neck ache as if my body knew he was close. Bonding with a mate was obviously new to me, and I was learning that anything I felt for this particular mate was now intensified. It definitely helped lessen the bite of our usual heated banter because I could tell when there was actually something negative beneath his words. The connection and draw to him was also harder to ignore. This was the kind of complication that meant my original plan of walking away wasn’t going to be an option.
This morning, I’d diligently worked to cover the mark so that Burke wouldn’t know about it, but now that we were far enough away from the office, I didn’t have to be quite so distant. Anyone watching us would just think we were friends, with a teasing laugh here, a shoulder bump there.
“We need to talk tonight, guys. I think it’s time,” I said as we rounded the corner, approaching the coffee shop. “But you have to promise me that if I spill, you do too. If you break this promise, it’s over for us. I won’t entertain liars.”
Instead of looking at the brothers, I looked at Cyrus. We all knew he was the one in charge. He’d have the final say on whether they could share their secrets with me or not.
“Is everything going to be laid on the table?” I pushed when he didn’t respond right away.
Cyrus squinted in the afternoon light, his hazel eyes studying me. “You tell us everything, and we’ll tell you what we can.”
“Hard no. Not good enough,” I said firmly. “I will never be a true mate to you if I don’t know anything about you. The things I’m going to tell you are going to be secrets I never intended to tell anyone. I won’t do it if I’m not going to get the same in return.”
Cyrus sighed, and Weston was the one to speak.
“She’s already in danger. Our omega has been attacked more times than we’ve been able to keep up with, and it will likely get worse. I don’t think her knowing about it is going to create any problems we’re not already dealing with.”
“For once, I’m on Weston’s side,” Sterling agreed. “We can’t keep going like this. It’s so hard not to slip up anyway. She deserves to know, and, dammit, I want to know more about what she’s dealing with. It’s obviously serious.”
“And similar,” Weston added.
“All the cards on the table,” Hayes agreed. “All of them. We shouldn’t underestimate our mate.”
We all stared at Cyrus while he ran a hand through his stubble and contemplated it.
“Deal,” he said, “but back at the apartment.”
“You read my mind,” I agreed before pointing in front of us. “Now, onward to espresso.”
There was a bit of pep in my step as we walked into the coffee shop. The warmth and smell of roasting coffee beans enveloped us. I breathed in deep then groaned when I spotted the insanely long line.
“Here, Weston, hold my purse. I have to go to the bathroom. You guys keep our place in line. If you miraculously get there before I’m back, get me a double shot.”
“You’ve got it,” he promised. He started to move forward like he was going to kiss me, but Hayes stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“We’re in public,” he reminded his brother in a barely audible warning.
Part of me hated them holding back, but maybe after tonight we could finally finish this job. I could befree.
