Page 12 of Not Ready

“What happened to frighten you?” he asks, standing and coming to a stop in front of me.

“A guy from work…” There’s a weird hitch in my voice, like I might cry.

My entire chest gets tight.

Andrew was inside my bedroom.

It feels like such a violation.

The fact I slept through the entire experience only makes me more upset. I’m so tired of fighting the universe. I feel beat down in a way that’s difficult to explain.

“A man from work?” Mercer prods, tilting his head as he studies my face.

“He was inside my apartment this morning when my roommate woke up. Then I got here and was questioned by your guards and…”

“Shh.” He awkwardly pats my arm. “You’re safe. Truly, your friend sent you to the right place.”

I nod, and my face ends up buried in his side. He’s very tall, otherwise I’d go for the neck. My system is all out of whack, but the urge to nest is nearly uncontrollable. Having a delicious-smelling alpha to huff hits of his scent is the next best option.

He continues to pat my back, like he’s attempting to burp a baby. It’s awkward, but I do appreciate the effort. “You’re safe now. That does sound upsetting, but I’m sure you saw the security measures we have blocking access to the property. He can’t get to you here.”

“Vale,” Holt calls out, stomping into the living room. Mercer blocks me from being able to see him, but Holt curses under his breath as the sounds come closer. “That took way longer than it should have.” He steps around Mercer, stopping at our side. “Wait, what happened?”

“I was under the impression she was here for me,” Mercer says in a clipped tone. “I was unaware she was here for security services.”

“No, she’s specifically here for Bishop,” Holt says, scratching his jaw. He gives Mercer a look I can’t decipher.

“Yes, I’m here to see Bishop,” I agree, shuddering out a shaky breath.

It seems like maybe Mercer is Bishop’s boss or something, and I don’t want to get him in trouble, but also, he sent me here. He must have felt confident it wouldn’t be a problem.

“I just introduced you to my mother,” Mercer accuses with wide eyes.

Holt chuckles. “That is going to be a problem.”

“Thank you, Holt. That will be all,” Mercer growls, stepping back, so he can meet my eyes. “I’m afraid you and I need to have an important conversation.”

Chapter Five

Mercer

Holt grumbles under his breath as he leaves the room.

He’s right.

If she’s who I now think she might be, then Bishop will likely attempt to murder me with his bare hands.

Oh well, what’s done is done.

The last woman from the dating agency must have changed her mind. Without Vale’s arrival, I would be up a creek without a paddle.

I’m flabbergasted that I didn’t put two and two together. If she could have spoken up several minutes sooner, that would have been ideal.

We’re all aware of Bishop’s unusual relationship with the woman from the Slick site we attempted to shut down several years ago. Out of all my men, he’s the only one who formed an attachment during that project.

One of our clients was convinced his daughter was being exploited via the cam site. Unfortunately for him, we found everything was on the up and up, but during the assignment, Bishop met a woman he’s been communicating with ever since. He hasn’t been on a date in the last two years, but he did recently mention that she’s pregnant.

Each one of us has had a fair number of conversations with him about how we thought she was using him, but he wouldn’t hear a word of it. Seeing her in person might give me the chance to parcel out if she’s genuinely fond of him, or if she’s been using him as a source of cash.

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