Page 10 of Whatever It Takes

I can’t remember the last time Jameson did something thoughtful like opening my car door. He laid it on thick in the beginning, but it almost feels like once he had me, he realized he didn’t want the hassle of keeping up with an omega.

Keir’s smoky, nutty scent floods my nose as I end up plastered to his chest when he tugs a little too firmly.

“Sorry about that.” He takes an abrupt step back, but I almost wish he hadn’t. Something about his smell soothes my anxious edges, but Keir is ever the gentleman. He closes the car door and gestures toward the restaurant.

Chapter Four

Keir

Briar’s skittish movements make me ache to pull her into my chest. The urge to protect her from anything that could possibly hurt her is stronger than I should admit.

She’s in a “relationship” with Jameson, but that won’t last much longer and not just because East won’t stand for it.

If Easton wasn’t such a conniving fuck, I would have made the tough call to tell Briar myself.

Some part of me wants to believe Easton is trying to protect her in his own fucked-up way, but that man’s thought process is as much a mystery to me as it is to the rest of the world.

Before Easton hired that woman, Jameson came out with all of us from the office one night after work. I couldn’t figure out why he didn’t bring Briar—even the two new receptionists were there. Only, I figured out real fucking quick why he made a point of not inviting his girlfriend.

My head shakes, and a huff of pure disgust leaves my lips. It’s hard to believe I used to consider Jameson a friend, but that ship has sailed.

If East hadn’t intervened, I would have knocked Jameson on his ass that night. There would be no way he could go homewith the random woman he spent hours flirting with if he had a concussion and two broken hands.

Jameson did eventually realize he was being scrutinized byallof his coworkers. And at least that night, he didn’t hook up with that woman. I know because I followed his ass back to his apartment building.

It’s only become harder to be around him since then. The overwhelming urge to break his face is almost too tempting.

A gust of wind blows through the parking lot, dragging me out of my grim thoughts just in time to plant my hands on Briar’s hips.

She takes a step back, and her heels land on my boots, so I slide my hand around her middle to steady her. “Um, okay. Everything is fine. Probably. Probably, this isn’t a problem. Oh my god, this is a problem.”

Her honey and coconut scent floods my nose, but I’m more interested in the physical cues she’s giving off.

I curl around her, trying to get a look at her face, because I have no idea what’s happening. That’s when I spot the two men walking in our direction.

“B? No fucking way. It’s beenyears. Since what? High school?” One of the guys jogs closer, and Briar backs up even farther, to the point she’s fully standing on my boots.

She rolls her shoulders back and pats my hand that rests against her middle. “I-I’m sorry. I think you have me confused with someone else.”

“Dylan Montgomery.” He points at his face. “I only flirted with you every day in eleventh grade. Well, until I figured out who your old man was.” He laughs, and it’s an obnoxious sound that grates on my nerves.

“No, sorry. I just have one of those faces,” Briar says with a waver in her voice that betrays the lie.

“Bianca Manzo,” he says, studying her even more intently. He goes on to name some part of Boston and even a high school that I commit to memory. “We always sat in alphabetical order by last name. If you’re not the same person… There’s just no way. You even have the same little freckle by your lower lip.”

“That is strange.” I chuckle, tugging Briar back into my chest to offer her comfort. “Have you ever heard of doppelgangers? Might want to do a little research, because you just met your first set. Anyway, I’m going to get my omega out of the cold. Have a good afternoon.”

My omega?

Jesus Christ.

She’s going to bolt as soon as that dickhead is out of her line of sight.

Shaking my head, I grit my teeth, trying to hold back the string of curses that almost flies out.

The guys from the parking lot follow us into the small diner.

Since there’s a sign that saysseat yourself, I guide Briar to the far corner booth. It puts my back against the wall and will allow me to supervise them. Also, with her back to the room, there’s no chance they’ll be able to snap a stealthy picture.

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