Page 37 of Bound to the Guard

Something like wonder flickers across Damien’s face, and a flush of pleasure floods my cheeks to cause that expression.

Maybe this won’t be so bad after all.

As we settle onto the plush couch, the door swings open, admitting an older woman carrying a silver service tray laden with steaming teacups and a plate of delicate finger sandwiches.

Damien rises to take it from her, a warm smile on his face. “Thank you.”

As he sets the tray on the desk and disperses the tea, the older woman’s eyes flicker to me.

Anxious under her scrutiny, I fidget. Does she think I don’t belong here? That I’m not good enough for this grand house and the people in it?

My shoulders hunch, and I clutch the blanket tighter around me, trying to keep my breathing slow and even.

Damien clears his throat, drawing her attention back to him. “Thank you for the tea. We can take it from here.”

“Right.” Blinking quickly, she turns to go, but spins back, her face creased with desperation. “Jade.”

I flinch as fresh guilt slams into me that I couldn’t save him.

“How was he?” She wrings her hands as she steps forward, despite Damien’s warning glare. “The last time you saw him, how was my boy?”

Oh, god, this is hismom. The famous Mrs. Bustly.

My eyes burn, blurring my vision. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Leo gasps and waddles over, though he doesn’t offer to take my hand or touch me. Damien must have warned everyone not to scare me. “Oh, sweetie, no. It’s not your fault. None of this is your fault.”

He starts crying, too, giant crocodile tears that do nothing to mar his pretty face. “I’m sorry, I can’t help it. Whenever I see someone else cry, I just…” He gestures helplessly, a watery blubber escaping him.

“I apologize.” Mrs. Bustly steps closer. “And Leo’s right, no one blames you. Thank you for coming here to give us news. It’s just, my boy’s never been one to keep his head down, and I know he’s strong. Stronger than any mother could dare to hope for her child. It’s just…he’s been gone for over a month now…”

“He was holding up when I last saw him.” I wipe my cheeks with the corner of my blanket and offer Leo the other corner. “You’re right that he’s strong. I’ve never seen someone so resourceful.”

“Thank you.” Tears shimmer in her eyes, and she bobs her head. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

She turns to go but pauses at the door. “Oh, and Damien?”

In the process of handing me a cup of tea, he straightens. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Speak to me like that again, and I’ll short your sheets for the rest of your life.” She smiles at me. “It won’t affect someone of your height, sweetie.”

With a last glare for Damien, she sweeps from the room.

“Never get on Mrs. Bustly’s bad side. She runs the entire estate. I can’t believe Damien tried to dismiss her.” Leo waddles over to grab two sandwiches for himself. “Lucky for us, she has a soft spot for Omegas after helping to raise nine Alpha boys.”

“We can always buy our own place like Caleb did.” Damien settles on the couch beside me, one arm across the back. “How would you like to spend the evening house shopping?”

I gape at him. “What?”

“We could get a penthouse in a high-security building.” His fingers slip under the blanket and brush the back of my neck. “Or buy our own estate?”

Leo swats him with half a sandwich. “Stop trying to run away before Seven and I become friends.”

Damien scoffs. “You have a townhouse you’ll return to after the baby is born. The only reason you live here right now is because stairs are dangerous, and we have Dr. Walton on speed dial.”

Leo purses his lips. “Give me time. With Milo living here, it would be nice to be surrounded by family when the baby comes in a couple of months.”

Shocked, I stare at his enormous stomach. A couple ofmonths? Is he going to growbigger?

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