Page 40 of Secured By the Buyer

He returns with an almost invisible golden chain,slipping it around my neck. A tiny star hanging from it nestles into the hollow of my collarbone. Next, he has me try on a few rings until we find ones to fit my middle and ring finger on my right hand and pointer on my left.

“Your hands…” he fusses, examining the rough condition of my skin. “We need a manicurist here as soon as possible.”

“Liam is arranging it.” I turn back to my reflection with a strange sense of pride. “This is the style I want.” I meet Baptise’s excited gaze in the mirror. “I don’t have any clothes, so I’ll require a complete wardrobe.”

“Of course!” The stylist squeals with delight as he whips out his tablet to start ordering items. “Leave it to me!”

As he busies himself, I walk to the door and poke my head out, wanting to show Liam. When I don’t find him outside, I step into the hall, the cuff of my pants swishing around my ankles.

From a cracked door farther down, I catch the murmur of voices. I approach to peer through the crack, hoping to find Liam inside.

Instead of my Alpha, I spot Jade perched on the edge of a desk, leaning in close. “It’s okay to take a break sometimes.”

The older man sighs. “Why do you push like this?”

“Because if I don’t, you’ll keep pretending I’m another of your little brothers.” Jade touches the man’s cheek, turning his head toward him.

Guilt washes over me at witnessing this intimate moment. As I spin away from the door, I nearly collide with an angelic-looking, very pregnant man.

His hand goes to his stomach before he gasps and lunges forward to grasp my fingers. “You must be Milo! Finally, I get to meet you. My name is Leo!”

“Oh…” I remember he’s one of Liam’s in-laws. “It’s nice to make your acquaintance.”

The formal words twist in my mouth, but the unexpected encounter has left me floundering. Liam and I haven’t discussed how I should comport myself around his family.

Not letting me go, Leo’s gaze sweeps over me. “You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. The outfit you’re wearing accentuates your figure to perfection.”

“Um, thank you?” I stammer, unsure of how to respond to such a compliment.

“I used to have a figure.” His blue eyes well up. “But now I’m a whale!”

As he bursts into tears, my mouth drops open in shock.

Behind me, the office door opens, and Jade steps out, followed by the older man.

Jade hurries forward. “Leo, sweetie, what’s wrong?”

“He’s just so,sogorgeous,” Leo sobs, shaking our clasped hands.

A voice booms from down the hall. “Who made my husband cry this time?”

Everyone turns toward me, and I panic. “I swear I didn’tdoanything!”

14

Itake a seat in the high wing-back chair in the library and accept the herbal tea Leo offers. The fine china cup, delicate enough to break if I hold it wrong, probably costs a fortune or is a family heirloom.

Leo gives me an apologetic smile as he waddles back across the room toward the teapot. “Sorry for my earlier outburst. These hormones have been making me so emotional.”

My attention drops to his swollen belly, trying not to stare too long. The last thing I want is to set off another bout of tears.

Leo tries to pour himself a cup of tea, only to have Nolan attempt to do it for him. A sharp slap on the hand and a scolding from Leo puts an end to hisfussing, though, and Nolan steps back to hover over his pregnant husband.

I shift uneasily in my chair. “Really, I should go find Liam.”

Leo waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry, Oliver has him distracted.”

A sour ball forms in my stomach at the mention of the other Omega’s name, remembering how Liam had wanted to steal him away from Caleb.

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