Page 115 of With A Little Luck
I try not to obsess about why he didn’t call mebeautiful,but I’m sure he’s just as rattled as I am.
We never even got to make it to Harrison’s to get his belongings, and what he wore today is destroyed.
Once he’s in jeans and a long-sleeve T-shirt, he comes back and helps me fully dry my hair.
“I just mean, I know you hurt one of those guys.” I swallow around the lump in my throat. “That’s not who you are as a person, and I’m just so sorry it came to that.” It kills me because I’m pretty sure he only acted to protect me, which I appreciate, but I’m also struggling to come to terms with the fact it was necessary in the first place.
“I’m an adult. I made choices that I don’t regret.” He tosses the towel over the chair by the dresser and comes back, pulling me into his arms. “You always hear about how vicious alphas are in protection of their omega, and we got to see that firsthand today.”
I nod against his shirt. “You just mean a lot to me.”
I’m also terrified that he’ll say enough is enough. He didn’t sign up for any of this, and he still got dragged into it.
“Me too, beautiful. Now, ready to hide under the covers with me?”
An unexpected bark of laughter escapes my lips. He did exactly that when I got overwhelmed our first night here. “I would love to snuggle with you.”
I’d also kill for an update on Ridge.
Hart purrs for me, and I almost give in to the urge to fall asleep. Last night was rough with the never-ending waves of heat, and I was exhausted before we even left for my doctor’s appointment.
Only flashes of Ridge’s blood play through my mind on repeat, and it makes my skin crawl. The sound that came whenthe bullet ripped through his flesh, and the crunching sound when Hart connected with that brick he threw… It’s a lot.
I give up on being able to sleep, so Hartley accompanies me downstairs.
We come around the corner into the living room, and I’m once again immensely grateful for Hart. He has his arm wrapped around my lower back, and it’s the only thing that keeps me from bolting when all four faces swivel in our direction.
I go over their names in my head.
Omen.
Saylor.
Briar.
Even the guy who drove us here is back from having the SUV checked, and he kneels beside the couch, talking quietly with Briar.
Keir. That’s his name. We got a quick introduction, but I was beyond frazzled. I think he’s one of Briar’s alphas. He stands when he spots us and bows his head. “You look better.”
“I’m hanging in there.” I offer a tight smile and scan around for King.
He’s on the floor getting belly scratches from Omen. He tries to roll over, possibly to come greet us, but he looks like a turtle trapped on his back. He wobbles, never quite getting enough momentum to fully flip over onto his stomach.
Omen smiles, patting King’s stomach. “You are a portly gentleman, aren’t you? Here, would you like an assist?”
“Don’t let Ridge hear you talk shit about that dog,” Keir says, laughing. He refocuses on Hartley and me. “Your vehicle was clean, but I’m going to do a sweep of the perimeter.”
I take a step forward, and I don’t know what I plan to do…
Block him from being able to leave the room?
Beg him for a status update?
“Have you heard anything about Ridge?” I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my tone.
“I haven’t.” He shakes his head. “But believe it or not, that’s a good sign. Ridge is an old friend. One of the first employees Easton hired back in the day. He’ll make sure he’s taken care of.”
“And Keir will update us as soon as he hears something,” Briar says, pushing herself off the couch and stepping over to her alpha. “Be safe. I don’t know how I feel about you being out there without backup.”
