Page 61 of Three of a Kind

“Then, we’ll snuggle and nest for a bit.” I stride forward, grabbing her hand and leading her toward the hallway I assume has the bedrooms. “Let us know if Libby wakes up.”

“I’m sticking around for a while,” Bless says. “Get some sleep.”

Brooklyn leads the way into her bedroom, but she stops next to the bed.

“I feel like things are moving really fast, and I’m not opposed to that.” She swallows thickly, looking up at me from under her lashes. “But there’s someone else in my life that I don’t think you know about. My neighbor. He’s a great guy. He’s lived there for a few months, and he does know about the baby. He also knows about you and Maverick, but he asked if he could court me?—”

“You’re in the process of being courted by another alpha?” I growl as my hands land on her hips.

She nods tentatively and takes a slight step back.

I immediately leash my attitude. It bothers me on a foundational level to see her so skittish.

“You never have to be afraid to tell me anything.” I exhale heavily, shaking my head. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Telling me now was the right call.”

“He’s working today, but I think he’ll come over tonight. He’s been stopping by in the evening…” She frowns. “Would you mind grabbing my phone? I think I left it on the counter when I dropped the rest of my stuff.”

“You got it.” I bend, brushing a quick kiss over her forehead. “Snuggle in and relax. I’ll be right back.”

I make it back into the living room, and Bless is in the kitchen while Maverick leans over the island as they talk in hushed tones.

Bless is dropping small kitchen appliances into one of the plastic bins, and I actually stumble at the sight.

She wasn’t exaggerating about the timeline being moved up considerably. Not if she’s starting to pack up Brooklyn’s apartment.

“Tell us what the fuck is going on,” I growl, trying to keep my voice low enough that Brooklyn won’t catch it.

Bless sighs, dropping several small pans into the bottom of the bin before standing. “I don’t believe in coincidences under the best of circumstances. Anything that involves my family immediately makes me even more suspicious.”

“Well, that was a roundabout way to say nothing new.” Maverick snorts.

“You know information that you’re not sharing,” I accuse at the same time.

“Avan placed a contract in one of the marketplaces I don’t actively monitor. I would have missed it completely had the individual he initially reached out to not made me aware of the situation.” Bless tucks her hair behind her ear. “I’m doing everything I can, but I’m not infallible. Luckily, Avan approached the wrong man.”

“Who?” I growl, trying to fathom exactly how vile a person would have to be to try to kill their child’s mother.

“The Cleaner,” she says, glancing between us to see if we recognize the name. “Deveraux isn’t perfect, but he wasn’t about to take a contract that involves a kid.”

I step back at her words, like I can physically distance myself from their meaning.

“Fuck,” Maverick growls.

“Okay, so, one guy refused the contract,” I say. “Is it still live?”

If it is, that means anyone could take it at any time.

“It is, but he’s monitoring it. Anytime it disappears, he’s aware he needs to be on the hunt.” Bless steps closer to the counter. “He’s who has been handling close contact, but Brooklyn doesn’t know. And neither of you are going to tell her.”

“The neighbor she just told me about?” I choke out.

I’m not sure why it’s the first place my mind goes, but I’d bet I’m right.

“He’s positioned to be able to intercede at any time—day or night—and he’s ruthless when the need arises. Also, keep your fucking voice down,” Bless hisses in barely more than a whisper. “They have feelings for each other. He already said he’s going to tell her everything, but he’s trying to ease her into it.”

“Fuck,” Maverick mutters again, like that’s the extent of his vocabulary.

“You think it’s fine to have an assassin around Brooklyn and her fucking daughter?” I snap.

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