Page 29 of Claimed By the King's Gamma

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When I asked Abbie what she liked in town, she sounded distant, like what I asked upset her.That thought alone has me watching her and I can’t bring myself to leave her side.She peels the skin from her fingertips, a habit that bothers me because she doesn’t even seem aware she’s doing it.The entire drive home, she was lost in her own world, trapped in her thoughts, tearing her fingers to pieces.

After we returned, she headed to the laundry room to start the washing like she couldn’t get away quick enough.I followed her silently, watching as she loaded the washer, her focus entirely on the task in front of her.She didn’t notice me standing behind her until I walked over and picked up the basket.

“Come on, I’ll help.”

She looks unsure but eventually sighs.“You don’t have to help me,” she says.

“I want to,” I reply, carrying the basket over to the clothesline.I set it down and retrieve the pegs.Since I have the afternoon off to prepare for tomorrow’s trip with the king, I decide I’d rather spend the time with her than doing anything else.

“What chores do you have next?”I ask as she hangs a pillowcase.

“Staff bathrooms, then mopping, and whatever Clarice sends me to do,” she says.“After that, I have to head back to the guards’ floor—your floor—to do the afternoon sweep of the rooms, restock supplies, mop the floors again, then help with kitchen prep before serving.After dinner, I’ll clear the rooms again, do the dishes, and check the laundry for any extra loads.”

“How long does all that take you?”I ask, frowning.

She glances at me over her shoulder.“Tonight’s a full roster, so…probably until around 10 PM.”

I furrow my brows.“What time did you start this morning?”

“4:30,” she says with a shrug.

“AM?”I clarify, and she nods, grabbing more linens to hang.

“Why so early?”I ask, shocked at the insane hours she’s working.

“Damian likes the gym cleaned before the men go in for training.Do you train with them?”she asks.

“No, I don’t.Damian handles mornings, and Liam and I alternate nights.Lately, Liam’s been taking most of the night shifts.His paranoia keeps him awake,” I tell her, handing her some pegs and grabbing a sheet to hang.

“Yeah, he seems a little…” She trails off, hesitating.

“Unhinged,” I suggest with a smirk.

She peeks at me, chewing her lip, then shrugs.“He’s nice, though,” she says.

If only she’d seen him in his element.Nice wouldn’t be the word she’d use—psychotic, dangerous, maybe even manic—but definitely not nice.

“I’ll speak with Damian.Does he know how late you’re working?”I ask.

She shakes her head.“I don’t think so.But I don’t mind.It’s not every night I work this late, and I don’t want to get into trouble.”

“Why would you get in trouble?”

“For not working enough,” she says simply, pegging the last set of linens on the line and grabbing the empty basket.

“How about this,” I say, “I’ll help you finish your chores, and when we’re done, we can go for a run.I’ll clear it with Clarice and Damian.”

Her eyes light up, darting toward the forest.“Really?”she asks, her excitement obvious.

“Really,” I confirm.

“But it’ll be late by the time I finish,” she says, looking longingly at the woods.

“I’ll get someone to cover your afternoon shift.Show me where to start,” I tell her, nudging her toward the laundry doors.

“Are you sure?It’s pretty boring.I’m sure you can find better ways to spend your time,” she says, setting the basket on top of a washer and checking the machines still running.

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