Page 74 of Three of a Kind

It’s such an intimate feeling to have her this close. She’s tender in a way I’m not used to, but this is why Gunner and I and all the other guys at Assurance do what we do.

Omegas are meant to be cherished and protected. They’re the only thing that stands in the way of our minds failing us when the rot of going feral sets in. And, in exchange, we’re meant to protect them above all else.

“How’s life been since I saw you last?” Brooklyn asks.

“Lots of working, but also a little trying to find you mixed in,” I say with a playful lilt to my voice, so I don’t scare her.

Admitting I still haven’t washed the T-shirt I wore that night might be over the top. I huffed hits of her scent until the last hints of it basically disappeared, but I still couldn’t bring myself to wash or wear it again.

“I do feel bad about that, even now. I should probably tell you about my neighbor. I mentioned Noble to Gunner?—”

“Bless mentioned him.” I cut her off because she sounds so uncomfortable. “Apparently, he got the Bless seal of approval.”

“He had to leave this morning for work, but I haven’t heard from him since. Who knows? He might be really upset that Gunner and I bonded.”

I tilt my head and kiss her forehead. “Alphas don’t control omegas.” At least, not ones worth an omega’s time. “He’ll adapt if he’d like to stick around.”

She sighs. “Yeah. I just think I would feel better if I could talk to him.”

Brooklyn falls asleep before Gunner gets back. He drops our duffel bags and aims for the bedroom with barely a backward glance at me.

I snort.

Damn, he’s in deep.

Not that I’m not, but I think I have better chill factor than he does.

Once I have fresh clothes, I hop in the shower in Brooklyn’s bathroom and dress in sweats. I check on Libby and do the rounds to make sure the door is locked and the lights are off before climbing into Brooklyn’s bed. I cuddle up to her front since Gunner is at her back.

I’m not sure what time I’m woken out of a dead sleep, but my phone vibrates on the nightstand.

Rolling over, I pat around for it and squint at the screen once it’s within reach.

Merrick’s name glares back at me, and I know I can’t ignore it, no matter how much I’d like to.

Shoving myself out of the bed, I head for the living room.

I briefly spoke to the tech specialist for Assurance again after Brooklyn fell asleep, but he told me I was rushing him and that hacking takes time when it’s done right.

Once I’m no longer worried I’ll wake Brooklyn, I take the call.

“Merrick?” I exhale heavily, trying not to let panic set in.

“Shh, you’re okay,” he coos in my ear, and I pull the phone away to frown at the screen.

Maybe I’m half delirious from chasing a toddler around all afternoon. It takes me several long seconds to remember his omega gave birth to twin girls two weeks ago.

“Sorry, Cecily is pissed at the world right now…” Merrick huffs. “Hold on, this is important. I’m going to pass her off to Steele.”

Couldn’t he have handled that before dragging me out of bed?

Whatever.

He’s doing us a solid favor, and if he’s calling at three in the morning, it’s safe to say, it’s serious.

“Okay, I’m back,” Merrick says after a few seconds. “First, Soren took the necessary steps to secure a conversation with Ivanov.”

Mikhail Ivanov is Keeley’s dad. Considering Keeley and Soren are bonded, couldn’t Soren have just called his father-in-law?

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