Page 99 of Ready or Not

I bite my lip. It’s going to suck to bend over again, but I want to taste him, even if my lower half isn’t extremely pleased with the movement after standing. He growls into the kiss, palming the back of my head.

“I’m going to take my pain meds. I skipped the last dose, but I officially can’t take it anymore.”

“I would have gotten it for you.” His brow furrows as he studies my face.

“I know, but the doctors repeatedly mentioned that I need to be moving around.” I grin, nodding to Aurora. “Plus, that spoiled princess doesn’t like to be disturbed.”

“That’s probably true,” he says fondly.

I shuffle off toward the kitchen.

“That, ladies and gentlemen, is why things are more than welcome to pop into my vagina, but no human beings will ever be popping out,” Kate says, nodding at me.

I snort, flipping her off behind my back as I waddle toward Marina. I don’t want to give my mother-in-law a bad impression.

“Do you know how much I appreciate all you’ve done the last couple days?” I ask as Marina shoves another pot onto the drying rack. Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, I turn back to study her as I grab the pill bottle.

“I do, but truly, it’s a gift for me too. I’d nearly lost hope of having grandchildren before I’m too old to enjoy them.” She smiles softly.

I shake one of the pills out before pushing the bottle back to the far wall of the counter. I toss it into my mouth and take a swig to swallow it. “Will you be staying for dinner?”

“Oh no, my husbands will starve to death if I don’t get home soon.” She pulls me in for a hug. “I know it’s hard and you feel rough, but this time will go by in the blink of an eye.” She kisses my cheek and gets very close to my ear. “You’ve got help, but I’m going to tell you the same thing my mother told me. If ever you have a day where it’s just too much—where she won’t stop crying and you’re about to pull out your hair, then call me. No questions asked. Being a mother is rewarding. It’s also the hardest job on the planet by far. There’s no shame in needing a break.”

“Thank you,” I whisper as my eyes burn.

A sound unlike anything I’ve ever heard here fills the air. It’s so loud and unexpected that Marina and I jump, holding on tight to one another.

“What the fuck was that?” Kate gasps.

“Andrew,” I say before I can hold back the word. The bond explodes with so much chaos that I can’t pick out thoughts or feelings from each individual alpha. All I do know is that this is serious.

“Take the baby,” Bishop growls at Kate.

Kate stands frozen, shaking her head. “I can’t.”

“You can.” He places Aurora in her arms. “Come on, you two.”

“I’ve got a visual on at least six,” Holt growls from the door to the patio. “It’s an AR kind of evening.”

“Head to the room Kate has been staying in. Lock both bedroom doors and the doors to the bathroom. Barricade yourselves in there,” Bishop growls, jogging past us as he heads for the garage.

Marina drags me toward the living room, and I get my shit together.

The pain is nothing compared to the fear.

Six guys?

It was always Andrew and his team of three.

Two of which are dead.

I move as quickly as I can, grabbing Aurora from Kate.

The sound of gunfire fills the air.

My impulses are frazzled, and I want to aim for my nest.

Bishop said to go to the bedroom downstairs. It makes sense because the stairs take forever for me to get up and down lately.

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