Page 6 of Love in Excess

Swallowing a growl, I push her to continue. “What happened next, baby girl?”

She sighs again. “He mentioned something about getting in your good graces. Like he thought dating me would impress you, some cop thing, I guess. We finally left the restaurant and when I mentioned going home, he grabbed my arm. I pulled back, fell and hit my head on the concrete. He helped me up, but I was so mad, I punched him. Then someone else knocked him out, and I scrambled away. I was dizzy, though.”

My growl is soft but unmistakable, my arms tightening around her further. Carter thought he could use my Omega to curry favor? He’s lucky he’s still breathing, though I’m not sure forhow long.Focus on Celeste,I remind myself. There will be time to kill Carter later. “You’re my good girl,” I murmur, against her forehead. “You fought back and got away. I’m glad you’re safe.”

She hums, taking in lungfuls of my scent, one of her hands splayed out across my stomach. For a few silent moments, she relaxes against me until her breathing starts to rattle. My chest tightens. She’s here, safe with me, so why’s she panicking? I need to fix this, to pull her back from whatever’s got her spiraling.

Slowly, I roll her over, guiding her onto her back so I’m above her. Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t resist, her hands resting on my shoulders. I lower myself, covering her completely, my weight a steady pressure that I know she craves in moments like this. Her rattling breath evens out almost immediately, her body going pliant beneath me. I run my nose across the top of her head, the soft hairs tickling my senses, and breathe her in, her rose scent steadying me as much as I’m steadying her.

“Baby girl, tell me what’s going on,” I purr, my lips brushing her hairline. “You’re safe now. Talk to me.”

A small broken sound slips through her lips as her fingers dig into my shoulders. “I wanted to do it,” she whispers. “Bring home a Beta to you. Share someone with you. But he… I can’t…” She trails off, another hiccup cutting her words, her Omega instincts warring with her fear.

I start purring, a low rumble in my chest, letting it vibrate through her. “Shh, baby girl,” I murmur, kissing her temple. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You tried and that’s enough. We’ll find the right one, yeah? Someone who fits.” I mean Lincoln, though I don’t say it, not yet. His scent’s still in my head but right now, Celeste needs me here, fully present.

She nods against my neck, her breathing slowing as my purrs soothe her. “I’m sorry,” she mumbles, her voice heavy with exhaustion. “I messed up.”

“You didn’t,” I say firmly, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes. “You’re my fierce Omega, always will be. Carter’s the one who fucked up, not you.” I kiss her again, pouring all my love into it. She hums, her eyes fluttering shut, and I keep purring, letting her drift off to sleep.

Her breathing is finally even as I roll off my Omega but stay close, my hand resting on her stomach, gently patting in time with her soft snores.

I was fucking terrified when she called me and used her safe word. She rarely calls me that, usually as a playful tease, but every now and then it’s a cry for help. I couldn’t get to Star Medical fast enough, my heart pounding as I sped through the city, imagining what I’d be walking into. Now, with her curled in her nest, the fear is gone but anger is right there to take its place. Carter dared to touch her, to hurt her, and the thought of him walking free makes my blood boil.

I grab my phone from the edge of the nest, careful not to jostle Celeste, and dial my partner, Ruiz. He picks up on the second ring, his gruff voice filling the earpiece. “Hunter, you okay?”

I keep my voice low, not wanting to wake her. “Yeah, she’s fine now. What’s the deal with Carter?”

Ruiz sighs. “We didn’t come to the hospital to question Celeste once we knew it was her. Didn’t want to stress her out. If she wants to press charges, that’s the only way he’s looking at time.”

“No, that’s fine,” I say. Charges won’t be enough. I want to handle this myself, make sure Carter knows exactly what happens when he touches my Omega.

“Don’t do anything stupid, Hunter,” Ruiz growls into the phone. “Anything else and they might put you on a paid leave suspension. You know how the chief is.”

I hiss, frustration burning in my chest. “I know that, but that fucker attacked my Omega.”

“I’m not saying let it go,” Ruiz says. “Just don’t do anything that gets back to the precinct or the chief. That’s all.”

“Yeah, I got you.” Handle it, but keep it clean. I can do that.

A knock at the door interrupts the call, the sound coming again but firmer this time. It’s just past 8 pm so I’m not expecting anyone. Still, that fucking sound is going to wake up Celeste and I can’t have that.

I sigh, glancing over at my Omega. “Gotta go,” I say to Ruiz, hanging up before he can respond. I slip out of the nest and pull on my pants from the floor. The knocks come again, more insistent, and I stride to the door, my anger still simmering beneath the surface.

Of course, it’s motherfucking Carter Harrington, standing there like he’s got a right to be here. Like he’s just one of my old acquaintances stopping by for a chat.

Yeah, fuck that.

I yank the door open and swing before I think, my fist connecting with his face. He stumbles back a few steps, clutching his nose, blood seeping through his fingers. “Meet me at the café in twenty minutes,” I growl, my words laced with menace. “We need to talk.”

“Yeah, I deserved that.” He straightens, wiping his hand on his shirt, and nods before turning away.

He deserved that? He deserved so much more than that but I’ll make him see that in twenty minutes. Right now, I need to explain to my Omega that I have some business to take care of. I’m sure she’ll understand when I mention that Carter needs a few strong words directed at his face.

LINCOLN

I open the fridge, the flickering light casting a glow over empty shelves. A half-empty jar of mustard and a lonely beer stare back at me. I forgot to go shoppingagain. My stomach grumbles, a reminder of the sandwich I left behind at the deli before Celeste’s call. I close the door with a sigh and glance at Jasmine, sprawled across my bed like she owns it. Her tongue dangles out the side of her mouth, that stubborn ear standing up, feet in the air, a picture of pure dog bliss. I laugh, the sound easing the tension in my chest, and cross the room to rustle her belly. She lets out a happy huff before flipping over and then tries to jam her head into my thigh for more pets.

“Gotta go out for a sandwich and some coffee, girl,” I say, giving her one last pat. She whines, tilting her head, and I chuckle. “Yeah, I know coffee’s not good this late, but I don’twork tomorrow. It’s fine.” Her brown eyes follow me as I grab my keys and sweatshirt, hoping to grab some food and then return to my little slice of peace.

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