Page 33 of Ready or Not

She grimaces. “Yeah, that never feels great.”

“Did you need something, love?” Mercy asks, batting his eyes innocently.

The fucker.

“Just help with the zipper.” She twists her arm behind her awkwardly. “I pretty much have no hope of getting myself in or out of things these days.”

He helps her get it zipped while she frowns down at the material.

Once she notices he’s watching, she plasters a fake-as-fuck smile on her face. “It’s a great choice.”

I scoff. “Did you forget she’s an omega? What the hell is up with that scratchy-ass fabric?”

“You don’t care for the material?” Mercy asks, running his hand over the baby belly like he has every right to.

I’m about three seconds away from drugging his ass and locking him up in Ranger’s basement.

Except, Vale would miss him. It would upset her. I hate that thought even more because, if I went missing, she’d probably thank the universe.

“It’s…” She pauses. “Not bad. It’s not my favorite, but I don’t hate it.” She glares, narrowing her eyes at me.

“She’s too polite to tell you that half the clothes you’ve picked for her make her miserable,” I deadpan, ignoring how cute she looks when she’s pissed.

“Well, that simply won’t do. I thought I was helping, but…” Mercy sighs. “How about you pick as many things as possible that tickle your sensitive omega senses?”

“I want to look nice. The last thing I want to do is embarrass you in front of your family.” She turns around, burying her face in his chest.

“I will handle my family. They can be very…” He frowns, palming the back of her head. “That’s no matter. They’ll accept you as you are, or they’ll hastily see themselves back to England after hearing exactly how little I’ll stand for it.”

She groans. “That makes me even more nervous. What about your inheritance?”

“Under no circumstances will I settle for them disrespecting my wife. It’s that simple.” Mercy captures her mouth, and my stomach drops.

Fuck me.

Hearing him call her his wife makes me want to punch myself in the face.

Chapter Eleven

Bishop

Ibrowse the baby store that Landis broke into yesterday. It would be closed, but the owner was able to have the glass door replaced early this morning. I double checked that they have insurance. Otherwise, Assurance would have covered the costs.

Holt is still with Ranger, but that fucker creeps me out.

I needed a break.

Also, shit is going down with one of the teams in Florida.

Mercy needs to be in the office, overseeing everything and assigning a backup team.

My plan is to stick close to my omega.

No fucking way am I getting sent on another bullshit out-of-state mission. There’s a hierarchy for a reason, and I’ve put in my dues over the years.

“Bishop?” Vale’s voice drags me out of my thoughts as I browse the baby onesie section. “I told you he was close.”

“I’m afraid I need to head back to the office.” Mercy nods at me. “Bishop and Garza will help shop for necessities for the baby.”

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