Page 74 of Not Ready

I go over all the details of my day yesterday.

“This is why I can’t let that inheritance go to my brothers. They’ll buy another estate. Our work saves lives.” Mercy sighs heavily. “I very nearly bit her without her consent.”

My head rears back so hard, it bumps the wall of the shower. I yank the curtain open as the hot water streams over my back.

My fucking muscles ache.

Maybe I’m getting sick.

Who the fuck knows?

“You almost bit her?”

“She was begging for my bite, but yes.”

I shove the shower curtain closed. “If she asked, then you had consent.”

“I’m not so sure. You saw how hazy her eyes were. I’m pretty sure she was too far gone to the fog to fully consent.” Mercy sighs heavily. “I’m going to assign an extra team to the DC area. I need to touch base with Ranger. He and Garza were here for a while last year. He might have some ideas on who to assign to it.”

“Hargrove and Merryweather are technically his. They’re probably down to stick around, considering the heart eyes that came every time Merryweather talked about Vale’s snotty roommate.” I snort, scrubbing my abs.

A loud knock sounds on the door, and Mercy pops up.

“I’m so sorry. It’s an emergency,” Vale calls out.

Mercy chuckles, and it sounds like he opens the door. “By all means. Feel free, but Holt is in the shower.”

“Oh, damn,” she says. “Actually, I can’t wait. Please move.”

I can’t see what’s happening, but the door closes. I assume Mercy headed out. The toilet lid bumps against something. The white curtain liner doesn’t block shapes. When I spin around, I can absolutely see Vale’s nude form.

God help me.

I think there’s a slight possibility that I’m attracted to my soon-to-be wife.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Vale

We make a quick stop by Kate’s apartment, and the truck is already almost completely packed with my stuff. Kate gives me a hug, but it’s almost like I can feel the frustration radiating off her. It has my emotions all out of whack as we start the trip back home.

It’s such a weird feeling to call it that, but it does feel that way.

Really, I think wherever Bishop is would be where I feel most comfortable.

Mercy too, which is strange to admit. He’s a bit abrasive at times, but I find myself wildly fond of his quirks. I feel like he’s way too hard on himself. There’s an underlying level of care and consideration that makes it difficult to see how anyone could hold his straightforward comments against him.

The traffic leaving DC is terrible. Holt once again drives, and Mercy keeps me company in the back seat. I buckle in because it’s a necessity, but he allows me to move my legs sideways, so they’re resting in his lap. A pillow tossed behind me makes the position almost comfortable. He pulls off my flats, massaging my swollen feet and ankles.

I groan. “Thank you. That’s incredible.”

A bright smile crosses his face that makes my heart race. The way his eyes crinkle at the edges, combined with the dimples… Good God, my impulses want to snatch him up for my pack. Immediately.

After an hour, we stop for food and gas. The small restaurant is nice and not packed, but that could be because Mercy specifically scouted it out. It’s pretty far from the interstate, which also might help with the fact it’s not packed with other travelers.

I’m just finishing up my sandwich when Mercy answers his phone. There’s a weird tingly feeling in my chest. I can’t be positive, but I think it’s spillover from Bishop in the bond.

I shove my plate away and take a deep breath.

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