Jonathan bowed his head but didn't reply to me. Deep circles were beneath his eyes, and an emotion lingered in their depths that I didn't even want to name. Something had shaken the detective to his core, like all of his hopes and dreams had died.
Without thinking, I reached out and pulled him into a brief hug, slapping his back before taking a step back. "We're here if you ever need us. You're part of the family now, too."
Clearing his throat, Jonathan nodded but took a few steps away to collect himself.
"See ya tonight," I said to Elias and returned to my pack and our omega.
CHAPTER56
Noah
Bridget slept in my arms, her long lashes a dark crescent against her pale cheeks. I swept her hair away from her face, my fingers lingering on her soft skin. Rage still simmered just beneath the surface, barely sated by her shithead brother being taken into custody.
Jonathan had given us a time when we would go and 'talk with him'. If Aldridge came out of that talk broken and bloody, Jonathan and Chicago PD didn't much care as long as he was still breathing. They could claim he was just roughed up before police arrived, and no one knew who caused the damage.
I wasn't sure if it was worth it. Only when the entire organization was brought down would my bloodlust be sated.
"When are they supposed to come by to take her statement?" Lucas asked quietly from his position on Bridget's other side. She was safe and secure between the two of us. She'd never get away from us ever again, even if we had to put a fucking tracker beneath her skin.
"Jonathan just said to let him know when she's awake and ready." I was thankful for the detective for various reasons, this only being one of them.
"She's too selfless." Lucas' fingertips skated over her cheek and down her neck. His eyes shone with reverence and love, the emotions radiating from him as bright as the sun.
"She is," I agreed. "We'll just have to remind her that she doesn't need to sacrifice with us."
I allowed myself a moment of rest, closing my eyes and inhaling Bridget's scent with every breath I took. Soon, I found myself nodding off, the events of the day weighing heavily on me, and I fell asleep.
A shake to my shoulder roused me back into consciousness, and I jolted to see James standing over me. "Jonathan called. There's a few things he wants to discuss with us and the others."
Bridget's eyes opened as she curled against me, and she nodded. "I'm ready to give him my statement too."
My lips feathered over her temple, and I took great care not to press too hard against the nasty bruise marring her skin. "My beautiful, brave girl."
"No, I'm not." Her hands curled against my chest. "I just did what I had to do. I couldn't let anyone suffer when?—"
"Shh," I cut her off with a finger pressed to her lips. "You don't have to defend your actions anymore. Next time, let us know, and we'll figure everything out together. We're a team. A family. We will do things together from now on, okay?"
She nodded, her eyes shiny with unshed tears. "I promise."
"Good." I grinned down at her before rising from the mattress. "Let's get you changed. Do you want to take a quick shower?"
She thought about it for a moment. "Do we have time? Is Jonathan coming right now?"
"I'll tell him to give us about an hour," James answered. "Let's get you cleaned up."
He scooped her up in his arms, eliciting a squeal from Bridget as he carried her into the large attached bathroom. The suite was incredible. Hanging around Elias and his pack came with some perks, traveling in style being one of the biggest.
The shower was one of the largest I'd ever seen, complete with a rainforest-style shower head in the ceiling and a handheld wand on the side. Plus, a tiled bench and enough space to fit all four of us easily.
James placed Bridget on the counter, slowly removing the clothes from her body as I removed my own.
"Uh," Bridget hesitated, her eyes growing heated as her gaze swept over my body. "Are you sure we have time for more?"
I chuckled, James joining in as he pulled his shirt over his head. "No extras right now, baby girl. Just helping get you clean. We have the rest of the evening to enjoy more if you're so inclined."
She nibbled on her bottom lip, the pink in her cheeks deepening to a pronounced red as she couldn't help but stare at my cock.
Which, of course, rose to attention under her intense stare.