Page 56 of Power Shift

I lift a brow. “Oh,youwill, will you?”

“We will,” he corrects himself.

My car isn’t anything special, and I almost cringe when we stopped at the driver’s door. I focus on the duct tape keeping my side mirror on. Yeah, one small ding and it just fell off—a total manufacturer problem.

“Keep us updated with the details of your plans, please. Sadie could go into labour any day now, so if you can put a rush on it?”

Duke peers into the back window, checking it before doing the same to the front. “I’ll have it finished by tomorrow. For now, keep her vigilant. Remind her that she doesn’t have protection when she’s outside of the clinic.”

“Well, she’ll have it tonight while we’re with her.”

“You and Clover need to take my advice as well.”

I frown. “We’ve never had reason to worry for ourselves before.”

“You’ve also never had these exact circumstances to deal with before. Nor have you made it your mission to befriend an omega seeking help from the clinic.”

“Is there a lecture coming, Duke?” I ask, palming my hip.

“No. I’m just making sure you’re careful. If either of you ever feel unsafe outside of the clinic, let me know, and we’ll get something figured out. The same goes for Sadie.”

Surprise swells in my chest. “You’re offering personal favours to an omega in need now?”

“Get in the car, Briar.”

“Not when this is getting so juicy!”

He pushes forward and opens the door for me, staring pointedly at me to get in. “Now.”

“You do know that we pay you, right? It’s rude to order your boss around.”

“You enjoy my company too much to fire me,” he mutters while I reluctantly slip into the front seat.

“Or maybe you just know we’re the best ever and that you’ll never find a business like this again, so you work your booty off to make sure we don’t stop hiring you.”

“Sure,” he deadpans.

“Don’t try to deny it. Have a good night, Duke.”

“Stay safe.”

He shuts the door and backs up enough to break the spell of safety I was under. Without it, I’m quick to lock the doors and turn the car on.

Unease drips like cold water down my spine as I pull out of the lot and toward Clover’s place. For the first time in my entire life, I keep an eye out on the road behind me to make sure I haven’t been followed.

19

BRIAR

Clover’salready two mocktails in by the time I arrive.

The giant pitcher of pink juice sits on the centre of her kitchen table as she slips a cheese-sprinkled casserole into the oven.

“Am I allowed to have a real cocktail, or am I also stuck with a mocktail?” I ask, dropping my keys beside the pitcher.

Sadie’s already here, too, and from the soft smile she wears while sitting at the table, it’s clear she’s been having a pretty alright time thus far.

“I think you both deserve a real drink,” she says.

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