Page 102 of Heat & Deceit
“Yeah, I am.” She smirks. “Fine. If you’re not coming back to Dolin, then give me a few days to find the suppressants. Meanwhile, we can install some cameras around the building to try and deter the beta while we help you find a new place, one that asshole won’t be able to find.”
I don’t want them spending money on me, but it’s not safe here. “You don’t have to get me a new apartment,” I find myself saying, hating to be a burden. “I’m okay, and you don’t need to spend any more money on me.”
She narrows her eyes. “I’m not going to apologize for helping you, even if that means spending every dime I have.” Shaking her head, she crosses her arms over her chest. “I know you value your independence, but we need to make sure you’re safe. Okay?”
“Fine,” I snap, then grimace. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped.”
“I’m surprised you’ve been this nice after a heat like that.”
“It wasn’t so bad.”
She gives me a look.
“It fucking sucked,” I say on a breath. “But it’s over.”
“And I’ll get you some more suppressants. Let me send the guys to the store.”
“Do you think... Do you think I could have some space?” I avoid her gaze. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I just need some time to myself. I doubt that beta will be back tonight.”
She twists her lips to the side but nods. “Okay. I’m struggling to leave you, but again, I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. I’ll make sure to put in a call about the cameras tonight.” Heading to the door, she opens it and says something to the guys. When she ducks back in, she hands me a phone. “You didn’t have one,” she says in explanation. “If anything happens, or even if you want me to sit with you in the dark, promise you’ll call me?”
I accept the device and nod.
“The guys got you some electrolyte water and light snacks. I thought maybe your stomach would be too sensitive for a full meal.”
“Thanks.”
She leaves the room and returns with the snacks, hovering while I take a drink.
“I’ll be okay,” I tell her. “I’ve been through worse.”
Her features darken. “If those assholes get out, the guys will take care of it.”
“I don’t want them killing on my behalf.”
“Then, I’ll do it.”
I pinch my eyes shut. “You don’t need to do that. Not for me.”
“Please. Those guys deserve to be strung up like Christmas lights. It’s already a done deal. No one fucks with my friends.”
There’s no arguing with her or the guys. They’ve already made up their minds, and while I don’t want them to get their hands bloody, I can’t deny how much of a relief it would be knowing my old pack is dead. They’re locked up because of me, and when they get out, they’re going to come for me. I don’t know if they’d be able to trace my fake identity, but I wouldn’t put it past them.
“Okay.” Kiki crowds my space and kisses the top of my head. “We’ll find a hotel for a few weeks and make sure you’re settled before we head back to Dolin. Deal?”
I nod and pull the blanket around me. “Deal.”
* * *
I slept for a few hours, but when I woke up, I was too wired to rest, even though my body was exhausted. I’m on my fourth batch of cupcakes, dropping globs of batter into the paper wrappers and scowling at the pan. That familiar itch is crawling all over me, and while baking has helped keep my mind off what it thinks it wants—drugs—I’ll need to do something else soon to keep the cravings at bay.
Shoving the cupcakes into the oven, I wipe my hands on my apron and pick up the bag of icing and begin decorating the batches that are already cooled. I’m halfway through my first dozen when someone knocks. I glance at the clock on the wall.
8:34 p.m.
It must be Kiki.
Or the beta dealer.
