Page 12 of Fight

If you’re offering, I’ll take a blow job and a massage, baby.

That’s the second time I’ve said that word, and I wait for him to correct me. I know he’s waiting to be able to break the news to Cerenity that he’s her scent match. He has visions of making the three of us work, but I just don't know if that’s going to be possible.

As I walk up the stairs to my apartment, my thoughts turn to the problem Augustine mentioned. I need to make sure that he tells me what happened, so I can do a little digging. My phone buzzes again in my hand, making me roll my eyes as I hike my gym bag up on my shoulder.

I need to take a shower and do some laundry before he gets here.

Thank God my apartment included a washer and dryer, so I don’t have to worry about having to fight to use a shared laundry room. Blowing out a breath as I let myself into my apartment, I allow myself to check my phone.

Auggie: Only if you make me dinner first. I’m fucking starving.

That’s the second time I’ve said that word, and I wait for him to correct me. I know he’s waiting to be able to break the news to Cerenity that he’s her scent match. He has visions of making the three of us work, but I just don't know if that’s going to be possible.

As I walk up the stairs to my apartment, my thoughts turn to the problem Augustine mentioned. I need to make sure that he tells me what happened, so I can do a little digging. My phone buzzes again in my hand, making me roll my eyes as I hike my gym bag up on my shoulder.

I need to take a shower and do some laundry before he gets here.

Thank God my apartment included a washer and dryer, so I don’t have to worry about having to fight to use a shared laundry room. Blowing out a breath as I let myself into my apartment, I allow myself to check my phone.

Chicken and quinoa or salmon and broccoli?

He wasn’t kidding when he joked about my being on a high protein diet. I’m going to make him go for a run with me tonight too if he’s staying here. It’ll be good for him.

Auggie: Salmon and broccoli. Thanks, Pookie.

God, he’s such an idiot.

Spending the next hour showering, doing laundry, and icing my shoulder as I cook, I find myself winding down from the adrenaline rush of training. When the door opens behind me, I twist my body to make sure it’s Augustine before continuing to plate the food.

“Did you take the long way?” I tease him as I bring the plates to the small dining table that I have, along with a beer for him and water for me.

“I found a marshmallow store, and stopped to grab some of Cere’s favorites,” he admits with a slight blush. He’s got it so bad for her. “I left the cooler in the truck on ice. I made a meat run too.”

My lips curve even as I feel a little disappointment. He’ll be back during Cerenity’s heat this week, we both track her cycle, though for different reasons. I don’t know her well, but I’m fairly certain she wouldn’t appreciate me knowing that her heat is due soon.

“So this was a productive trip,” I guess, tucking into my food. I am freaking starving.

Augustine nods as he takes a bite and moans happily as he eats. My heart flip-flops at his appreciation, because I didn’t do anything special. This man just makes certain the people important to him know they’re appreciated. It’s not his fault I want more.

“It was,” he murmurs. “Cere’s birthday is coming up, and I found her wearable throwing knives for her hair. I also bought her a dress to take her out to dinner.”

“She’s so not the typical omega,” I say, amused. “I don’t know her well, but I like how she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself.”

A shadow passes over Augustine’s face, reminding me again of the trouble they had last night.

“Yeah, about that,” he sighs. “What can you tell me about Arthur Bailey?”

“I know he works for Tommy,” I tell him, taking a sip of water. “Arthur is a bit of a hot head, and likes his whores. I didn’t see him today at the gym, but it doesn’t mean he wasn’t there mouthing off to the boss. Is he the one who was messing with your dancer?”

“Yeah,” Augustine grunts. “Cere embarrassed him and beat him up, then had him thrown out of the club. She was pretty pissed off about it, and I don’t blame her. Róisin and the other cage dancers depend on our security to walk them to their places so no one gets grabby.”

“So what happened?” I ask, pushing my plate away as I finish. I absolutely inhaled my food.

“Someone fucked up and Róisin, one of our cage dancers, didn’t want to be late to hit her mark,” he explains. “She decided to take her chances, and even though she kept trying to say no, he wouldn’t let her go. Arthur got a bit handsy with her, which is unacceptable.”

“Looks like Cerenity took out the trash,” I tell him with a smile, carefully rotating my shoulder as I take the ice pack off. This particular pack has Velcro so I don’t have to hold it.

“She did. Look, I promised you a massage, let’s loosen some of those muscles. I have a bit before I have to go,” Augustine says, his eye on my shoulder.

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