Page 122 of All In

“I guess so,” she mumbles.

Her pheromones help to soothe my headache, but by the time I notice it’s gone, Laken is snoring against my shoulder.

I have many things I need to accomplish, but they’ll have to wait. For now, I intend to soak up sweet omega cuddles.

Chapter Thirty-Six

Laken

“Iunderstand,” Ranger says softly. I blink awake to find I’m asleep on his chest in his office. “No, you’re correct about that. I appreciate the callback.”

“What’s the verdict?” Locke asks, making me jump. I didn’t know he was here.

“Lyra checked herself out not thirty minutes after her call with Laken.” Ranger sighs, sliding his hand down my back. “For the record, this is why I was hesitant to allow the two of you to speak in the first place. Not that anyone listened to me.”

“What?” I whisper, sitting up. “She left? Of her own free will?”

“Yes,” Ranger says, his discomfort pulsing in the bond. “The facility recommended against it, and I pushed for you to be allowed a onetime call. I’m afraid her leaving is ultimately my fault.” His guilt is like a heavy weight in my chest, and it pisses me off.

I know my sister.

She does what she wants.

If she makes her mind up, she doesn’t waver.

No one can talk her out of it.

Ranger’s misery upsets me even more, knowing he was trying to make me happy. I did stop pushing once I realized where she was, but I’m sure that was still in the back of his mind.

“It’s not your fault,” I assure him. “Not even a little. Lyra has always been unpredictable.”

I almost feel like she went to rehab because she felt guilty about me being kidnapped. Then, as soon as she heard I was safe, she decided she didn’t want to tough it out anymore. Maybe she didn’t want to risk staying too long and losing out on being able to cash in on the payday of all the drugs she stole from Will’s penthouse.

I honestly don’t get it. She had a fully paid treatment program funded by Ranger.

We’ve always been so different that it’s hard to comprehend what she was thinking because, if it were me, I would have stayed there to get better.

At the same time, she’s still my sister.

“Is there any way someone can monitor my old phone number, in case she calls for help or to ask for money or something?” I ask, trying to keep myself from panicking. It’s been one thing after another since she showed up that day in Chicago.

“I’ll speak to Merrick. He runs tech. If it’s possible, we’ll make it happen,” Ranger assures me, sending steady comfort in the bond.

Locke tosses himself down on the couch at our side. “I’m guessing she was gone before your team arrived?”

“Indeed,” Ranger says solemnly. “They’re in the process of doing reconnaissance. They’ll attempt to follow her trail, but I feel like I should be in Miami.” He nuzzles his cheek to my head. “However, if Locke and I took a trip to Florida, that would leave you alone here with Tanner. He’s certainly not going to take care of my prisoners. I could do away with?—”

“No, we’re not leaving the safety of Virginia to track down Lyra,” I say, shaking my head. “She’s resourceful, and she knew the risks when she chose to leave.”

It hurts my heart, but I’ve got to start protecting myself.

Every time there’s a choice, it feels like she chooses the wrong one.

No, she chooses the one that benefits her, no matter the cost to anyone else.

She’s always been selfish and a little reckless, but it never put me at risk the way it does now.

I’m bonded and pregnant.

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