Page 111 of Queen of Spades

“My guys wouldn’t let me out of their sight after I gave birth,” Vale says. “I really needed a job. Just something for me. Anyway, I helped Ranger stock the cabinets with standard stuff. The basics—dishes, bathroom essentials, cooking necessities, and I picked out the fabrics for the nest and the pack bedroom, but I did my best to ensure my scent wouldn’t stick to any of it.”

“Thank you,” I choke out as Kane starts to purr. It rattles against my ear, and it instantly settles my system.

“Right, then, if the four of you would come with me?” Ranger asks, clearly speaking to my guys.

“How about I stay with Annika?” Ward offers. “She can explore later. Right now, she needs a hot shower and some rest.”

Ranger bristles, but Vale smiles.

“That sounds great,” she says. “My baby should be up at any time.”

Kane kisses my forehead.

Ward pulls me to him with his hands on my hips.

Ranger strides toward the hallway that leads to the door we came in through.

“Ranger?” I call out.

He stops dead in his tracks, spinning back around.

“Thank you,” I say sincerely. “I hope we can start fresh, but let me make one thing abundantly clear. If you touch any of my guys, I will kill you.”

Ranger’s head tilts as his eyes narrow.

“Don’t try me on this,” I say with every ounce of conviction I feel coursing through my body lining my tone.

He finally nods and leaves without a word.

I really hope he understands exactly how serious I am.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ward

The house is incredible. Beautiful, modern, and spacious. Not that Cas’s house in Vegas isn’t, but I must admit, I’m fond of the trees in the background and the grass that makes up the yard. It’s nothing like the arid climate of Nevada, and it actually reminds me a little of home. Perhaps that’s why I find myself so fascinated by the prospect of actually calling this place ours.

Annika and I explore long enough to find the pack bedroom.

Kane brought up our bags before heading out, which was nice, but I would have put Annika to bed nude if he hadn’t. She’s dead on her feet, but more than that, she’s mentally at her limit.

Omegas are meant to snuggle and nest with their pack following their heat. Also during and leading up to it, but the point is, she needs a break from the massive amount of changes.

She spins to face me as we wrap up our shower. My head tilts, and a smile crosses my face when she wraps her arms around my back. It pushes her wet tits to rest against my skin, but this is supposed to be a sweet moment.

“Thanks for taking care of me,” she whispers, kissing the edge of my jaw.

“Always, lass.” I palm her wet hair. “Now, let’s rinse off and get a few hours of rest.”

“Okay,” she agrees. “I just need you to know that I appreciate you. You make me feel safe, and…” She shrugs. “I have feelings for you.” Whatever she’s feeling slaps into me in the bond.

I bend to kiss her slick forehead. “Me too.” My hand flies to the handle to cut off the water, and I grab one of the towels hanging over the shower wall and wrap it around her body. “Damn, maybe I should have brought three towels.”

She laughs. “Yeah, Grady and I usually use four, since his hair is so long too.”

I grab the other, wrapping it around my hips. “We’ll get you one for your hair, but then, it’s time for a few hours of sleep.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

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