Page 7 of Whatever It Takes

Keir spins around so fast his shoes squeak against the tile, likehe’snot just as transparent as I am.

He might be worse.

He’s always offering to walk her out after work, as if Jameson doesn’t work in the same damn building.

The happy couple rides home together!

I haven’t decided if I’ll share with Keir yet, but I grew up in a pack.

My mother would slap me in the back of the head if she heard me musing like it’s my choice. Technically, the omega is supposed to build their pack, but I’m a control freak. She’ll need to understand that anyone she brings in will have to acquiesce to me as the apex alpha. Although, I personally view that as a fair trade to my unwavering devotion and as many orgasms as her soft little body can handle.

“East and I live together,” Keir says, clearing his throat. “One container for the both of us would work, but I don’t want you to go out of your way.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Briar says, smiling brightly.

A low growl forms in my chest, and I barely manage to stifle it. There’s no reason she should smile so damn sweetly at him. I’ve gone out of my way all night to coax a single look like that from her.

“I’ll get that packaged up,” she says before promptly departing.

Once she’s around the corner, my fist flies at Keir’s face.

The giant asshole brings a forearm up, knocking away my swing. “Chill the fuck out, or I’ll have you put in one of those facilities for alphas who’ve gone rabid.”

I scoff, straightening my shirt sleeve.

“Like you have the authority to do that. I still own three years on your seven-year contract.” I jab a finger at his chest. “Don’t forget that.”

“Oh, the employment contract you forced me into signing? Fat fucking chance of me forgetting that,” he grumbles. “Get your shit together or I’ll kill you myself. I’m no longer convinced you aren’t a threat to her.”

I glare so effectively that I can’t seem to understand why his skin isn’t melting off.

Having friends is exhausting. But it would take so many additional steps to cover up his murder, especially because he resides in my home.

It might be time to check the database and see who’s available for a contract. Keir is officially on my last fucking nerve.

Chapter Three

Briar

A Week and a Half Later

I’ve barely seen Jameson the last few days, and it feels strange to be camped out in his apartment when he’s not there, so it’s actually a relief to be at work today.

When I started at Shadow Security, I thought it would be more of a Monday through Friday type of company, but this place has someone working seven days a week, and my schedule rotates based on when Easton needs me.

Originally, I was under the impression I was being interviewed to work at the reception desk. As it turns out, Easton wanted to torment me on an hourly basis, but personal assistant to the president of the company will look killer on any future job applications, and this is a pretty cushy job.

I’d like to keep it long-term, even if Easton can be an ass.

Jameson works here, too, but he’s not my direct supervisor, so it doesn’t go against the rules.

The more he pulls away, the more I wonder if I’m going to need to find a new job. The dumbest thing I’ve done recently was to relinquish my apartment. Not that it was all that great, but itwas mine. Everything in me said not to give up that stability, but Jameson has a way of being so charming and charismatic that it’s practically impossible to say no to him. He went on and on about how it wasn’t safe for an omega to live on her own, and I caved, even though I knew better.

My morning is a blur, mostly because my focus is crap. I go through the motions, making sure to do the things I can’t put off, and that will have to be good enough for today.

I’m stuck in my feelings, apparently.

“Briar,” Easton calls out through his open office door.

---