Page 40 of Cost of Courting

“Well, damn, crazy girl, that just makes me want to fuck you even more,” Kingston purrs.

I roll my eyes and notice the baleful glare of his cat.

“What is that thing doing here?” I snarl.

“Shade loves you.”

“Shade would love me in little slither bits he can eat,” I retort.

“Don’t be like that. Shade approves of you being a strong, kickass omega, don’t you, Shade?”

The cat lets out a chirp that sounds suspiciously like agreement and gets up. He walks across the bed and climbs up onto my chest. He turns four times and just drops down. One leg somehow ends up punching me in the nose. But the cute little upside down eye somehow tugs on my heartstrings enough that I decide to just leave him be. He’s so soft, and when Shade purrs, I find myself staring at him in awe.

I glance at Bailey, but his eyes are closed, his breathing slowed, and he looks, for all intents and purposes, like he’s asleep.

I couldn’t possibly have fallen for him so soon, could I? No, impossible. I shove that horrifying thought away.

Chapter ten

Kingston

I circle around himand smile with genuine humour. I’m really, really enjoying this catch up.

“Come on, Anchor. You should be used to dealing with pain. You’re slow and old now. This must happen a lot, yeah?”

To my surprise and delight, when we’d snatched up Anchor, I’d recognised him as a local bully that I’d had the pleasure of beating up when we were teens. Apparently, he didn’t learn from my warnings and chose instead to devote himself to being an even worse human being.

I strike, kicking at a spot in his leg that I know is going to ache and make moving hard. Not that I’m going to let him live. I slam the heel of my hand into his nose, loving the satisfying crack.

He whirls, but he’s slow now. I’ve been beating him for three hours, and he’s a bloody pulp, but he’s still trying to save himself. It almost makes me feel sorry for him.

But then I remember how she looked, and I just don’t. I lash out again, hitting him solidly in the chest.

I’m not even breathing hard, but I’m sweaty and bloody, none of it mine. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to unleash my demons on someone.

“You really should’ve known better than to touch her. An omega like Selene was always going to have the most feral and savage . This day was always coming.”

He coughs, and red blood bubbles up. Ah, I can see the finish line.

“No one touches her. No one hurts her. No one looks at her the wrong way.” With each word, I hammer a blow, sending this fucker to his final destination.

“He’s going to get you. He…” Anchor drops to his knees, his eyes are unfocused. His chest heaving, but he’s drowning in his own blood. The idiot who dared touch our crazy girl splutters and slumps. “Tiger.”

The last word catches my attention. I grab him and shake him, but he’s gone. His body collapses to the ground, and I let out a hiss of annoyance.

He’s here. We were on the right track. Edric and Bailey approach. The latter kicks the body hard enough to break ribs.

“I didn’t think you guys had it in you,” Bailey says with a curiously blank expression.

“What? You think only bikers could murder people?” I scoff and grab the back of his neck, smacking a kiss to his lips before he can stop me.

Bailey’s scent flares but settles quickly. I snicker as I go to stand beside Edric, ignoring the way Bailey clearly wants to crush me. The trick with our omegas is quite clear. Whatever you’re going to do, do it quick and get out of hitting range.

Edric brushes his blond hair behind his ears and considers the situation.

“He said tiger,” I insist.

Edric doesn’t answer me.

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