Page 99 of Mark & Don't Tell

“I have something you might want to put in your mouth.” Linc winks at her, and Daria giggles and buries her head against my chest.

“You’re embarrassing me in front of my friends,” she grumbles.

“Good Fellas?” I ask.

“Bio-dome.” She steps out of my arms, taking all my warmth with her. “I’ve never seen Good Fellas.”

“Well, that’s a crime,” Linc says. “We have a lot to teach you.”

She arches her eyebrows. “Because you’re so much older and wiser?”

“Not that much older,” I mutter.

“Sure thing, old man.” She nudges me and tips her head toward her apartment. “There’s not much more to grab.”

Linc and Vic take the boxes they have down to Vic’s truck, and I follow Daria to her apartment. The walls are dingy, the floor is worn, and the light fixtures look older than me. That has to be a hazard. The fridge isn’t from this century—okay, that’s an exaggeration, but is that thing even safe? The Formica counters are bubbled and peeling.

I swear, if Daria gets sick because of asbestos, I’ll sue the building owner.

The only thing I like about this apartment is that it smells like her.

She deserves more.

Daria returns from her bathroom with a small box and pauses, flinching at the look on my face. “It’s not much, but it was home for a long time, you know?”

Fuck. I didn’t mean to make her feel the need to defend herself. She’s been struggling for a while, and although this may not be the best place, it’s given her shelter. That’s enough.

“I only think you deserve better,” I tell her with an apologetic smile.

“Yeah, well, some people can’t afford better.” She huffs, then glances away, shaking her head. “Sorry. I’m embarrassed, is all. This place is clearly so beneath you, and I feel like an imposter going to live in the castle.”

I move toward her, chest heavy with regret. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who was being uptight. There’s something inside here”—I place my hand over my heart—“that will never think anything is good enough for you.”

She slides her gaze over my face, eyes a little guarded. “Is this our first argument?”

“I think so.” I grimace, shoving my hands into my pockets and stepping close enough we’re nearly chest to chest. The only thing separating us is that little box. “Is there any way I can make it up to you?”

Daria breathes in and looks up at me through her eyelashes. “I might be able to think of a few things.”

“Again?” Linc asks with a dramatic sigh. “Are you going to help or not, Kai?”

“He’s so mad,” I whisper to Daria, leaning in and brushing my lips over hers. “Let me know when I can apologize.”

“What are you apologizing for?” Vic’s voice is edged with a warning.

It seems our beta also gets overprotective of our omega.

“For being rich.” Daria pushes the box into my arms. “Let me get you another box.” She turns, grabbing one from the closet.

“What did you say?” Vic asks with a frown.

“Nothing. It was my face that was the problem.”

Linc snickers. “See, I’ve been telling you that for years, but you never want to listen.”

I roll my eyes when Vic and Daria both laugh at my expense. The teasing doesn’t bother me. They can talk shit all they want, so long as she calls our house her home and she forgives me for judging her place.

Thirty-Four

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