Page 121 of Knight Life In Vegas

“You’re the best,” Dylan yelled as Chico and Leo led Applesauce and Scout into the arena.

The actual show was a blur. I stayed tucked in the wings at Dylan’s request so my alphas could practically fly off their horses and into my arms as often as possible. They had set up a little waiting station for me with a chair and a meal the servers brought to me. I was too tired to do much more than sit there, dropping off into brief naps a half dozen times through the evening. How the alphas managed to ride their horses, throw javelins, and sword fight was beyond me.

“You guys get home for some rest,” Leo said. “I’ll stay late and take care of your horses.”

With profuse thanks, they tucked their horses into the stalls to await Leo’s care and bundled me back to Chico’s office while they showered and changed.

I couldn’t even work up the energy to be embarrassed when Chico picked me up and carried me out to the vehicle to head home. He drove, since his bond wasn’t quite so fresh, Eduardo and Dylan draped all over me in the backseat.

When we stepped back inside the apartment, it smelled fresh and clean. Beau was in the kitchen, tending to a pot on the stove. “You’re all home early. Have a seat and I’ll dish everyone up.”

Most of the nest contents were neatly folded, and I couldn’t wait to burrow.

“The last items are in the dryer now,” said Beau as he passed me a bowl of beef stew and a plate of heartily buttered baguette. “I know it’s not a very seasonal dish, but I figured it would help with recovery.”

He dished up everyone else and we sat together in the living room on the plush couches. Every bite was exquisite. I tore into the bread, using it to mop up the remains of the sauce and looked at Beau plaintively for more.

“Full serving or half to start?”

“Just give her a full. I’ll eat whatever she doesn’t finish,” said Dylan.

With a nod, Beau fetched me another serving and I scarfed it down as easily as the last.

They were so sweet with me, every alpha touching me as often as possible and letting me fall asleep in their arms.

I woke in the dark to my phone ringing. I fumbled toward it, answering groggily. “Hello?”

“Charlotte,” said Ava, “I’m so sorry to wake you.”

I sat up sharply, the bolt of panic lancing through me and waking the whole pack. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing bad,” she promised. “Ollie woke up crying, asking for Mommy and Daddy. That was almost an hour ago. We can’t get him to calm down.”

“I’m getting up. We’ll be there soon. Thank you.”

“No problem. We’ll be waiting up.”

My pack and I dressed quickly and we set off in the middle of the night to Ava’s. I kept twitching with anxiety, and when it came to my kids, it didn’t matter what the pack sent to me through the bond, I couldn’t stop worrying.

“It’s okay,” Dylan soothed. “He’s not in any danger. He just misses you.”

“He wouldn’t have to miss me if I’d just brought him home tonight.”

“Charlotte,” Beau said firmly, “youareallowed to rest. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but you haven’t done anything wrong.”

I tried to repeat that to myself until we pulled up into Ava’s driveway. The lights were on, and Bryce opened the door to us before we could knock.

Sammy and Ollie were both awake, Ollie sobbing his little heart out on Ava’s lap with Waffles clutched to his chest.

“Mommy!” Sammy yelled, hopping off the couch and racing toward me. He slammed against me, squeezing tight, and I winced over every tender spot he found.

“Hi, honey.”

“Ollie won’t stop crying,” Sammy said against my stomach.

“Let’s go see him.” I walked with him over to Ollie and Ava. My youngest looked at me with tear-filled eyes, instantly breaking my heart. “Mommy’s here, baby.”

He climbed right into my arms and I sat there on the floor with him, letting him cry. His hiccups interrupted his sobs every so often. “I want Daddy, too.”

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