Page 21 of Not Ready

“Action is good.” I force a smile.

Bishop nods, grabbing the remote and putting something on. I exhale heavily, trying not to let my emotions get the better of me. I’m somewhere safe with the one guy in the world I actually trust. The intro music starts, making me jump.

“You doing okay over there?”

“Yeah, it’s just been the longest day…maybe since my mom died.” My head rolls around until I can meet his pale blue eyes. “Thank you for bringing me here. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without you.”

“You’re right where you’re supposed to be.” He runs his pointer finger over my cheek. “Settle in and relax, sweet girl. We can talk about all the important stuff tomorrow.”

I bite my lip, nodding my agreement as my heart races. He is incredible. No one else sets me at ease the way he does.

And it might not be entirely practical, but I’m an omega. If I don’t want to have a complete meltdown that involves me hiding in a nest or at least a makeshift one, then I need to give my system a little time to rest and reset.

I wake up with a very full bladder and intense confusion about where I am. The television is on, casting ambient lighting, but the sound must be muted. Warm breath fans over my neck as Bishop’s smoky campfire scent floods my nose. My eyes fall closed as I snuggle back into him.

I’d give just about anything to be able to ignore my bodily functions at this moment. Unfortunately, that’s not happening.

I open my eyes and wiggle toward the edge. Bishop’s arm falls to the mattress. The entire bed shakes as I toss my legs down and force myself to sit up.

Goose bumps erupt on my arms. The room is chilly.

My impulses want me to cuddle in the warm bed with the mountain of an alpha.

My body reminds me that’s not possible.

I stand up and head off, lamenting the fact that I know I’m going to have to head to my own room after using the restroom.

I use the toilet, wash my hands, and force myself to go into the room I was given. My entire body aches worse than it normally does. The bedroom is lit by the lamp on the bedside table, but the room feels exceptionally cold and empty.

It’s a thousand times worse than being alone in my apartment, because the space doesn’t smell right.

It’s like a hotel.

I pull back the plush comforter and force myself to climb into the bed. It also feels cold and empty. Grabbing one of the pillows from the other side, I put it between my knees and pray for sleep.

Chapter Nine

Holt

The damn car had not one but two separate tracking devices. They’re currently being delivered to our tech specialist. The new hires at the gate got the full brunt of my wrath, but even then, they didn’t piss me off half as much as the guys Vale interacted with in the driveway. The gate guards pointed out they were told not to give any of the female visitors today the full shakedown, which made it difficult to come down on them too hard.

I stomp down the hall and don’t bother knocking on Bishop’s door.

It’s late, but the television is on. However, a quick sweep of the room determines that he’s not here.

That pushy motherfucker.

If he’s not careful, he’ll end up scaring her off.

Not everyone is used to his style.

It’s like a combination of a battering ram and the most loyal canine you’ll ever encounter. But the skittish little omega only knows the nice-guy persona he pasted on for their video calls.

Not that he was playing her.

It’s more like he was on his best behavior. We’ve done enough stakeouts and overnight jobs that I’ve had the distinct pleasure of listening in on their conversations more than a time or two. I’m still baffled the man spent hundreds of dollars a week to talk and, creepily enough, watch her sleep.

No matter what any of us said, he never heard a damn word of it.

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