Page 55 of All In

Despite what everyone thinks, I’m not stupid. I get that our close proximity was part of it, but I thought we had some kind of connection.

“And I like you too. A lot, in fact.” Her lips ghost over my throat, then her tongue darts out, flicking over my skin. “I didn’t love it when you ran away from me earlier. It brought back some bad memories. My last boyfriend cheated on me…” She huffs. “Probably more than once. And I always felt like I was more into him than he was me. I don’t want to do that again.”

“Seriously?” I scoff. “That guy was a dumbass.” That might have been a cop out. If I don’t tell her where my head is, she’s going to feel even more isolated. “I haven’t spent a whole lot of time around omegas, and it threw me for a loop when my impulses were screaming to bite you. There were some other things they were trying to convince me to do, but I want to take the time to get to know you.”

“Yeah?” she whispers and moves to suck on my earlobe.

“Absolutely.” I run my hand down her back. “Everything is kinda rushed because of your heat, but I want to go at our own pace if we can.”

“I’d like that too. You have good energy, Tanner. Not to mention, you make me feel really safe.” Her arms slide around my back, and she hugs me.

There’s something seriously wrong with me when it feels more intimate to hold her while she snuggles to my chest than it did to make her come on my hand.

“So, this other guy… Should I be worried? Is he a threat to steal you away from me?”

“Locke?” She chuckles. “No, we haven’t even been on a date, but we are friends. He works as personal security for the ex I told you about. He didn’t really interact with me much until Will and I broke up. Then he turned up to save me from a couple sketchy situations. I guess I just trust him, you know?”

I nod.

That doesn’t sound terrible.

If anything, we probably have a lot in common. Running full-time security can take over your life if you let it. It’s hard to make connections and find time to meet people when your job is live-in style. You basically go where your client goes, and that’s that.

I twist my head to speak directly against her ear and still whisper, “He’s who you called?”

She nods. “Yeah. I just needed someone to know I’m alive.”

Ranger sits facing the front of the moving SUV, and I glare at the back of his head. I barely know him, but I do know he’s stubborn. He should sit and actually talk to her instead of barking orders.

She hasn’t freaked out and tried to call the cops to be rid of us. She also hasn’t tried to run. Letting someone know she’s alive feels like the bare minimum he can offer her, considering how screwed up this entire situation has been.

If he doesn’t learn how to communicate, it’s going to be a wild ride.

Chapter Sixteen

Laken

Ranger lives in a prison. Okay, maybe it’s not an actual state-run prison, but it sure looks like one. It’s dark when we pull up, but I can see the massive gate and security features as the SUV drives past them.

Tanner looks wide-eyed at the house as we park in front of a huge garage. It helps me feel better to know he wasn’t lying about being a new addition to their team.

“Allow us to grab our things, and the two of you can be on your way to the Assurance compound,” Ranger says to the two men in the front seat. “I know it’s been a long few days.” He tosses open his door and climbs out.

Tanner and I follow him from the vehicle as Maverick and Gunner climb from the other SUV. Their dogs jump from the back door as soon as they’re released.

I’m genuinely shocked when Nova comes over, nuzzling her head to my hand.

Squatting down, I rub her blocky head as Tanner and Ranger toss bags out of the SUV into a giant pile.

“Come on,” Maverick calls. “It’s your bathroom break. You better use it.”

Nova looks at him, and I stand up so she can go do her business.

“I’ll send you the maintenance bill for their droppings,” Ranger calls after Maverick.

Maverick raises a hand, flipping off the sullen alpha.

My gaze moves to Tanner and Ranger as they collect the bags. Shaking my head, I realize I should probably help. I head back to the SUV and collect the blanket and pillow I used during the ride.

---