Page 25 of Bully Alpha's Secret Baby

I can feel my temper rising, but I swallow it down. They’re looking for a reaction, waiting for me to crack, but I won’t give them the satisfaction.

“That’s none of your business,” I begin through gritted teeth. “And my life isn’t up for your commentary anymore.”

Jeremy leans against the truck again, crossing his arms like he’s settling in for a show. “You know, it’s funny. I remember a time when Damien had a little bet going. You remember that, Trevor?”

Trevor’s grin widens. “Oh, yeah. The bet.”

Deep down, I know I should leave it alone. I don’t want to hear this. I don’t want to know what they’re about to say, but I can’t stop myself from asking. “What bet?”

Jeremy chuckles, glancing at Trevor like they’re sharing some private joke. “Back in the day, we bet Damien he couldn’t get you out of your panties. He figured he could, but you were so proud of being Miss Innocent, we figured there was no chance, even if he was the alpha’s son. Guess all that boasting about being a virgin was just a front because you couldn’t get laid unless someone was getting paid to you.”

And just like that, every shred of self-control I had evaporates.

I storm over and shove Jeremy hard enough to knock him off-balance. My anger is a white-hot heat coursing through my veins, and it fuels my strength. I could take him. I could take them both.

I hear myself saying something, but the words are coming from somewhere else. Somewhere primal and protective. Somewhere deep and dark.

The world seems to slow down around me, and Jeremy stumbles backward, caught off-guard by my sudden aggression. Trevor is watching the whole thing unfold, and he looks equal parts amused and surprised. Jeremy regains his balance and snarls at me, his eyes flashing a golden-yellow. He looks like he wants to tear me apart.

I can’t believe Damien would do something like that. I knew he had issues back then, but that is just cruel. I don’t care how long ago it was. That is something you don’t do, no matter what.

“Mama?”

I whirl around to see Penny standing a few feet away, and her wide eyes are darting between me and the guys. She has confusion written all over her little face.

I force a smile and ignore the burn of unshed tears. “Hey, sweetie. You ready to go?”

She nods, and her little hand reaches up for mine.

I grab her hand and turn back to Trevor and Jeremy with my spine straight and my chin held high. “We’re done here.”

Without waiting for a response, I walk away with Penny’s hand securely in mine and my heart pounding in my chest. I can feel their eyes on me as we leave, but I don’t look back. I won’t give them the satisfaction.

As we make our way down the street, Penny tugs on my hand. “Mama, who were those men?”

“Just some old friends of your Damien’s,” I explain, trying to keep my voice light.

“Were they mean?”

I glance down at her, and my heart aches at the innocence in her voice. “No, baby. They’re just… they don’t matter.”

Penny doesn’t say anything else, but she sticks closer to me as we walk. I can still hear Jeremy and Trevor’s words echoing in my head, but I push them aside.

I’ve got bigger things to worry about than some bet Damien made years ago.

Chapter 9 - Damien

The second I step through the door, I know something’s wrong. Jade’s standing in the kitchen, looking like she’s ready to tear me apart. And that would be fine, except I can tell this isn’t her usual brand of irritation. No, this is something darker, sharper, and aimed directly at me.

Great.

“Something you want to tell me, Damien?” Her voice is ice-cold, and I feel it cut through me.

I frown, trying to keep up. “What are you talking about?”

“Jeremy. Trevor.” She spits their names out like poison, and suddenly, I have a pretty good idea where this is going. “They told me about the bet.”

The air leaves my lungs in one tight breath. Shit.

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