Page 197 of Forget

“He lives in Whalen,” I confirm.

Taking his SUV, Aiden navigates his way through the streets to Whalen. Ryan does custom pieces at his shop from what I remember Mom saying, and they’re beautiful. I’d rather give Aisling something we’ve created, but that may be the bougie part about me.

My shoes are custom whenever I can order them, as are my suits because of my size. It makes more sense to buy something that is tailored or made for me, than hobble around in something that doesn’t.

The Lord blessed me with large feet as well as height, and there’s no getting around it.

“What are the odds that Ryan is going to be a dick about this?” Evan asks, eying the jewelry store.

“Careful, he’ll think you’re casing the joint,” Aiden snorts.

That’s why we have problems with Ryan. He thinks we’re thugs who thrive on petty crime, when the reality is light years different.

“Ugh, let’s get this over with,” I groan, pushing open the passenger side door.

He’ll either agree or not.

Crossing the street with the guys, I’m aware of how Ryan watches us as we approach. Maybe Mom didn’t have a chance to talk to him. Pulling at the door, I find it’s locked and glare at the door.

“Fucking really?” I yell. “If you’re going to be an asshole, I’ll go to Redmond’s Jewelers and tell everyone at every family get together that I had to go there for my mate’s engagement ring. I’ll loudly suggest they all go there, Ryan.”

“You can’t be serious,” he snarls.

I swear, the universe was not kind to him. Ryan’s parents are good looking, but he had an upturned nose, is potbellied, and crotchety for a forty-year-old omega. He’s forever single.

I can see why.

“Deadly,” Aiden says, pulling out a knife and licking the blade. Our alpha is releasing his crazy. This should be fun. We can be Ryan’s worst nightmares very easily. It’s completely up to him. “What’s it going to be? Are we going to have to take our business elsewhere?”

“You know we’ll never let you forget it,” Caelin drawls, cleaning his glasses on his T-shirt. Somehow, it makes him look both hot and unhinged.

If we’re not careful, Ryan is going to piss himself. Eh, it’ll be another thing to fuck with him about the next time he calls us thugs and bottom feeders. For fuck’s sakes, I’m a lawyer.

“Be sure to tell your mom about this, Domh,” Evan says with a shrug as he turns away. “I’m sure that’ll be fun when we have our next get together.”

“The moms will want to throw a party when they find out we formally asked Aisling to be ours,” I agree, shrugging.

“Wait!” Ryan yells, coming around the counter to unlock the door. “Why are you torturing me with your mothers? It’s not fair.”

“I could pull the skin away from your bones with my knife and make sure you can still work. Would that be any better?” Aiden asks idly.

“Ah, I’ll pass, thank you,” Ryan rasps, opening the door.

“Too bad,” Aiden murmurs, putting his knife away.

I have to admit the knife is scarier than the guns.

“Do you really want a ring?” Ryan asks, pointing to the cases in the store.

“We want custom,” I tell him. “Show me what you’ve got.”

Sighing, Ryan mumbles, “Of course you do. Why can’t this be easy?”

“Because I’m a bottom feeder that needs to be a pain in your ass,” I tell him.

Pulling out different diamonds, he shows us different bands as well. Aiden purses his lips as he looks at everything. I have to admit it’s overwhelming.

“Ryan,” Evan says slowly. “What do you usually do when you’re building someone an engagement ring their omega will wear forever?”

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