Page 38 of A Baby for the Beast
"I'd love that," I say, looking at the other women who have various confused expressions. "I haven't had a girls' night since I got pregnant."
"Even if this is some weird scheme, you know I'm never saying no to girls' night," Sarah says, sitting down in her seat and immediately noticing the missing odor cannister. "Henry…"
"Promise you'll be safe," I whisper to Lucas as everyone settles into their chairs and conversations start up around the table. Lucas lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles before urging me to sit.
"I will always come back to you," he tells me, his words a breathy whisper against my ear, and then, like nothing serious is happening at all, we have dinner with his family.
It's not as hard to pretend to be normal around them. In fact, I'm not pretending at all. After half an hour, it's just hanging out with good people while I try to put it out of my mind that my alpha is probably going to do something really stupid tonight.
15
Lucas
"You realize this is fucking stupid, yeah?" Henry asks me, his voice trying to hold some semblance of humor since he's worried about me and trying not to make it super obvious.
Too bad he's been in my life since I was six minutes old, and he's shit at hiding his feelings. How Sarah didn't know he was head over heels for her the first time they spoke is something I don't understand.
"He threatened her," I say, keeping my voice low because we're still in Sam and Janie's house. Everyone is saying their goodbyes, even though all the women are staying here tonight. Sam will probably go stay up at the Young Alpha Center, if he doesn't try to join Henry, who I'm pretty sure is going to follow me, even though I've told him not to.
"I get that, but handling it yourself seems like a great way to end up somewhere where you can't take care of her for a long time."
"That's only if I get caught." I shrug, trying to stay as nonchalant as Remus is about this whole thing. He'll be the one doing all of the heavy lifting. I'm just finally agreeing that murder might be the best option when it comes to dealing with this specific problem.
Henry grabs my shoulder, getting way too close as he hisses. "Stop acting like this is normal or rational or like you've actually thought through any of it."
"Get out of my face," I say, keeping my voice even.
I really don't want to let Remus out to remind Henry that we're stronger than him. It's a dick move, but it's a dick move we'll make if he doesn't stop trying to get us to let this go.
"Who's part of the murder party?" Jace asks, startling both Henry and me because we didn't notice him coming over. It's not even like he was being sneaky, he's chewing loudly on some gum and typing away on his phone. He doesn't even look at us until our silence stretches, then he looks up at us through his red curls. "Hello? Is it like a family affair or just a twin thing?"
"It's a none of your business thing," Henry says, shooting me a glare that tells me he's not going to forgive me for bringing Jace into this. The kid lived with Henry for almost a year before he aged out of foster care, and now he stays in Sarah's old apartment above their coffee shop.
"Leave this to the adults," I tell Jace, who rolls his eyes.
"I'm an adult, have been for over a year." He stops talking, his lips pressing tight together as he types out something else on his phone. "So, murder party?" He looks back up at us, a smirk on his lips. "Can I come?"
"No," Henry and I both growl at the same time. Of course, the rumbling causes everyone else in the house to look over at us, and Jace just throws his head back and laughs.
"I'll wait for you guys in the car," Jace says, ignoring the warning growls being sent his way as he waves over his shoulder and leaves. I pinch the bridge of my nose, knowing full well that when the kid gets it in his head to do something, he can be stubborn.
Sam's expression is thunderous as he walks over to where Henry and I are still huddled near the door. When he gets close, he whispers, his anger palpable in the words. "Tell me right now you're not taking Jace on whatever idiotic plan you're cooking up."
"No one is going but me," I snap at the two men. "And I'm leaving now. I've wasted enough time. Just keep my omega safe until I come back, and if anyone asks, I was here all night."
I shoot a wink at Sam, who looks like he might be willing to stoop to murder with how arrogant I'm being about all of this. The truth is, it's a front. I know what needs to be done, but doing it is a whole other thing.
I'll do it. Easy peasy. I'll probably even enjoy it since it's Kyle. You just hide in our mind.
No, I want to be there for it.
Fine, but no backing out.
"If it comes between my omega's safety and lying for you, it's not even a contest," Sam tells me, making sure I know he's only willing to lie to me up to a certain point.
"I wouldn't expect anything more," I tell him.
He shakes his head, scowling, but he cups my shoulder, squeezing it before tugging me into a hug. "This is stupid."
