Page 40 of Three of a Kind

“I’ll make sure you get home safely,” he says, like the issue isn’t up for debate.

My head shakes.

No one looks out for me but me, and his protective, domineering vibe makes my insides light up.

Dammit.

When, exactly, did I become such a cliché omega?

It doesn’t matter what my instincts find sexy.

I’m about to be a mom of two.

I have to think with my brain, not my impulses.

“I have to get my child from my upstairs neighbor,” I tell Gunner as he walks me up the stairs in my building. There’s something way too comforting about the way his huge hand stays plastered to my lower back as we take the turn at the landing one floor down from mine.

“I’m happy to come with you.” He gives a tight smile.

“I need to talk to Bless,” I say as firmly as possible, considering my instincts want to melt into his chest and rub his scent all over me.

Being an omega around a compatible alpha adds a whole different layer of complication to everything.

Unfortunately, I still don’t know if I can trust anything he’s said.

My instincts believe he’s being truthful, but I’m not in the business of trusting my gut anymore.

He did know where my building is.

That only proves that he might be stalking you, the suspicious part of my brain says.

If that were true, then how would he know about Bless?

“We can call her or Stacia right now,” Gunner growls as we make it onto the landing on my floor.

Okay, so he also knows Stacia.

That’s a huge relief.

It’s another point in the column that says he’s telling the truth.

“Look, I get it. You’re skittish because of your shitty ex, but I’m nothing like him.” Gunner brushes his knuckles over my cheek. “I was brought here specifically to help get you out, if the need arises.”

My heart skips a beat, and I hiss, “You have got to be more mindful of the things you say.”

I swivel my head around, checking for…

I don’t even know, but I do know that I’m always on high alert.

It feels like I get very few opportunities to just relax and enjoy life.

His head shakes. “I’m sorry, but it fucking kills me seeing you so terrified to live your life. Your ex is getting married. Why aren’t you allowed to move on?”

“That’s a very good question, but I’m sure you understand the reality of what I’m dealing with,” I mutter, wishing I could melt into the floor.

I hate anyone knowing about my relationship with Avan. It makes me look weak and can lead to assumptions that make me seem pathetic. Which I kinda was when we were together, but that’s why I broke up with him.

I’m trying to be stronger for my daughter. Even before learning about the new baby, I knew I didn’t want Libby to grow up thinking the way her dad treated me was normal.

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