Page 32 of Whatever It Takes

Hepurredme back to sleep.

An alpha purring for an omega is something I hadn’t experienced before coming here. Keir yesterday, then Calder last night…it’s like they want to woo my instincts into being compliant.

Based on his reaction at the table, I can believe Calder didn’t know about Easton’s plan with Steffanie. But Keir did.

And he didn’t warn me.

Honestly, I’m not sure I have the right to feel so betrayed.

Keir and Easton live together. They’ve been friends and colleagues longer than I’ve been in this state. It still sucks feeling like I’m the butt of some huge joke that everyone else knew about.

It takes everything in me to go downstairs with my head held high following my morning shower. I probably owe Calder anapology for sweating and crying all over him last night, but I escaped to the original room they gave me before he woke up.

On days we both work, he’s always already in the office by now. He likely overslept because I kept him up half the night with my nightmares.

Easton leans with his back against the kitchen island as I make my way into the room. He’s got his phone in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. His head tilts, and he shoves his phone into his back pocket.

“Good morning.” A lazy smile crosses his face. “I was wondering. Would you like to stick with Briar when Calder addresses your identity today? Or would you prefer to venture into something new? Once we remove your brother from the equation, I have no doubt you’ll be able to safely return to Bianca, if you choose.”

I’m a little impressed that he’s able to string together so many sentences this early in the morning, but that just goes to show how exhausted I am. Easton never says as many words to me as he has in the last few days.

I grunt, walking toward the coffee machine. The multitude of syrups and creamer bottles with pumps makes it look like we could be in a coffee shop. Collecting a cup, I get to work. “I like Briar. Bianca was a family name. It belonged to my grandmother on my father’s side long before I came into existence, but I have no attachment to it.”

Also, if he had any idea the number of times I heard my father sneer,Bianca, what the fuck have you done now?it wouldn’t be a question about if I want to go back to my old name.

Bianca died on my wedding day.

An event I got zero say in.

Briar is just close enough that it didn’t take long to adapt to. And I’m finally on the verge of becoming the woman I want to be. Okay, maybe that’s a work in progress, but last night, as I cried against Calder’s chest, I realized I’m tired of being the walked-all-over version of myself that I’ve always been.

Easton might be batshit crazy, but I’m no fool. I’ll ride this wave for as long as I can and pray I can get off safely if things go south. It’s not like I have much of a choice. He threatened to handcuff me to his bed, which shouldn’t have made my lady bits quiver, but here we are.

In the meantime, I need to win over Keir and Calder, so they’ll protect me from Easton if the time comes.

“Good to know,” Easton says as I turn around with my freshly prepared cup of coffee. “Calder and I will be heading into the office as soon as he makes it out of the shower. I looked through your bags last night. Either you left a significant amount of your belongings at Jameson’s penthouse, or you have almost nothing. Which is it?”

My eyes roll practically into the back of my head. “I left the FBI office with literally the clothes on my back.” I blow over my coffee and take a quick sip. “I’ve been slowly building up a wardrobe, but I don’t exactly make millions as your assistant.”

“You should make a little over five thousand dollars a month,” he says, frowning.

“Yeah, but I wanted to do my part. Half my checks went to Jameson.” I shrug. “It was basically the same amount I was paying to live in the one-bedroom apartment before I moved in with him.”

“Jameson pays no rent. That penthouse was a gift from his parents,” Easton grinds out. “It’s no matter. While Calder and I are at the office, Keir will take you shopping. It will give you the chance to spend some one-on-one time together.”

I’m just about to explain that I have no interest in blowing money for the hell of it when he reaches into the pocket of his coat, pulling out his wallet. He selects a card and places it on the counter, sliding it at me. It’s black metal and it scratches against the marble as it skids my way.

My gaze flies to his.

His lips tip up, and it almost seems like he’s waiting for something. “Would you like to say anything?”

I snort, snatch up the card with my free hand, and tuck it into my bra. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” His dark eyebrows draw together. “Are you going to acknowledge how generous I’m being by encouraging you to spend time with someone other than me?”

I smile.

I can’t help it.

---