Page 93 of Not Ready

Mercer

Vale is quiet during our late-lunch, early-dinner celebration. It makes me a bit pensive, but Bishop doesn’t seem concerned. My instincts dislike not being able to fix her problems. Not knowing exactly what’s bothering her is an even bigger issue.

We eat at a restaurant not far from the courthouse and aim for home. Holt drives, and Bishop sits in the back seat with Vale. The drive is strangely quiet, which is the only reason I hear my phone vibrating in my pocket. For some reason, I’m not even able to feel it, but I’ll blame that on the movement of Holt’s truck.

Yanking my phone out, I see a series of texts from Merrick.

One is a three-second clip from a surveillance camera in downtown Charlottesville.

It’s grainy and difficult to make out because it’s far away.

I glance at the clock, and it’s just after seven-thirty, which means the store the person just exited out of would be closed. Basically, everything downtown closes by six p.m. during the winter.

The next text sends a shiver down my spine. The clip is of the baby store you and Vale shopped at. Police are en route. No injuries. The place was empty at the time of the break-in. I couldn’t get a solid hit, but my gut says it’s Landis.

Andrew fucking Landis.

Jesus Christ.

After hearing the report from Holt and Merryweather…

Well, let’s just say, I wish he’d show himself once and fucking for all. I agree with Holt’s sentiments. It’s time for that bastard to learn he’s not the scariest of the monsters who hunt under the cover of night.

We arrive back at the compound, and my instincts won’t allow me to let Vale out of my sight. Based on the way Bishop and Holt hover, I’m guessing they also opened their messages from Merrick.

However, I have a new wife.

Bishop has a bond with said wife.

As such, I don’t feel the least bit guilty when I elbow him out of the way to follow her into the bathroom. He already started the tub and laid out towels, which was very thoughtful because I intend to take full advantage of the setup.

“Dick,” he mutters as I close the door in his face.

I stride over to my bride, and my hands land on Vale’s waist before moving to help her pull her hair to the side.

I kiss her cheek from behind and palm the baby belly. “Would it be okay if I soak in the tub with you for a bit?”

“If you rub my swollen feet, then I suppose I can handle that,” she says with a laugh.

“Of course,” I agree, moving to unzip the dress. She allows it to fall down her arms as I focus on unhooking the bra next. She lets the material of both fall to the floor and shimmies out of her panties while I’m still working on the buttons of my shirt.

I finally toss it aside and help her into the tub still in my pants. She snuggles back into the cushioned headrest as I work on my belt.

“Is everything all right? You’ve been…” I hum as I make quick work of removing my trousers and boxers. “Quiet since we left the courthouse.”

Her eyes stare into mine. “I didn’t know the law about pack members being forced to be on the birth certificate.”

I toss the last visage of my clothing aside and climb into the steaming water.

It’s not as hot as I would’ve guessed.

I suppose that could have something to do with her being pregnant.

My backside slides into the seat across from her, and I pull her foot into my lap.

“You know that’s going to follow you forever, right? I’m an omega. I know how I would feel if Bishop had a child with someone else.” Her head shakes. “And, yes, I’m wildly aware of how awful that makes me sound. It wouldn’t change how I feel about him, and I would do my best to be a loving and attentive stepparent, but the idea would take some getting used to.”

“Omegas are notoriously possessive of their chosen alphas.” I hum. “So, you’re saying it wouldn’t bother you if I had an ex-wife and a child?”

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