Page 135 of Slick Handling

“You’re spiraling.” Mick grabs my hand, leading me to the nest.

It smells so much like Clover. All the sweetness of her scent washes over me as I nuzzle into the fabrics, wishing that it was her instead.

A soft meow, a warm body tickling my ankles makes me look down at the cat that is doing figure eights around my legs.

Without thinking I bend down, picking him up, and carrying him to the nest. He misses Clover just as much as the rest of us miss her.

“I’m sorry, One.” I whisper into his fur. “Also I’m sorry I didn’t speak up when she named you One. It feels kind of mean.” Griffin snorts into a pillow and Vaughn kicks me in the shin harder than anyone should be able to do when laying down.

McKinley is the one that corrects me.

“She didn’t call him One because of his eye. What sort of monster do you think she is? Little Omega called him One because he is the One she chose. The One that she loves. The One that belongs with our pack.” My heart is hammering as I snuggle up the cat, who doesn’t choose violence for once in its furry life.

Clover’s the one for us.

And I need her to come home.

CHAPTER 44

CLOVER

Beans and Biscuits.

I am not in a good situation.

After being punched in the face, I wake up in the back of a SUV. It’s very much like a bad, made for TV movie. Duct tape is over my mouth, my hands are bound in zip ties, and something is over my eyes so that I can’t see.

It’s obvious we’re driving somewhere from the way that the vehicle is bouncing over potholes. Driving is good because it means that we can’t be getting that far away. If I was on a plane somewhere I would be way more worried. Not that I’m not concerned about the situation I’m in.

I am very concerned.

My scent spikes as the fear rushes through me and I’m sure that they can scent the burnt lemon scent of it coming off me as I wake up.

“She’s awake.” A female voice speaks and someone swears.

“We’re almost to the house.” That’s Orion’s voice and I whimper, trying to shrink down.

Not a big fan of a grown Alpha hitting me. Not a big fan of anyone hitting me if we’re being honest.

How long have I been out for? Maybe they did get me further away from everyone than I realized.

A big bump makes my head smack hard against the carpeting. Nausea rolls up my throat and I take several deep breaths in my nose because the last thing I want to do is choke to death on my own vomit.

The sound of gravel rattling under the tires as we bounce along. They’re obviously all insane because they don’t even have the radio playing as they drive. Just pure silence in the vehicle.

Another turn and then someone slams the brakes too hard, making my body roll backwards in a weird position before tumbling forward again. They should take the lessons that Griffin gave me. They need it more.

Doors slam and the trunk opens. I’m lifted up, pulled against the cigarette scent of Bryce. I wonder if they can really have a scent match if they smell this awful. Surely, I am not the Omega for them. That I am certain about.

“You’re sure this place is secure.” Bryce asks as I’m settled down on something.

It’s a lot gentler than I expected him to be so I don’t move or do anything that could possibly get more negative attention on me. The last thing I need is more violence. Especially since I know he has no problem hurting me.

“My family doesn’t use this house. It was foreclosed on and has been sitting empty for years. I just knew where the spare key is because we always keep the key by the garage in our other properties.”

Ugh. I hate Orion.

Lilac scent burns my nose and my blindfold is tugged off. Jennifer meets my eyes, wincing slightly when she looks at me and giving a look over her shoulder.

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