Page 2 of All That We Keep
I catch the papers before they hit the floor, setting them aside on the cluttered desk next to his laptop, a chuckle pulling at the edge of my lips.
Blake and Luca seem to be feeding off each other lately, their sleep patterns becoming almost identical over the past week. While it would be absolutely hilarious under normal circumstances, watching them nap in sync, it seems to be taking a serious toll on Blake's already fragile health.
I rest a hand on his forehead, sighing when heat meets my skin. I'm more than a little worried about him at this point.
"He's been pushing himself too hard," Grayson murmurs from across the office, his voice barely above a whisper so he doesn't disturb either of the sleeping Omegas. His ocean-gray eyes meet mine with concern as he continues stroking Luca's curls. "Ever since we got the all-clear from the court about Luca finally becoming a Keller, he's been working near twelve-hour days."
"I know." I adjust Blake's position slightly so his neck isn't at such an awkward angle against my chest. "He keeps saying he needs to get ahead on the Starlight Falls expansion before the babies come, but he's going to burn himself out completely."
I’m not even sure why any of it matters so much to Blake. It’s like he’s trying to avoid focusing on something else but I have no idea what that is.
Luca shifts in his nest, making a soft sound of contentment as he presses closer to Grayson's touch. His pregnancy is showingmore now, a gentle swell beneath one of Grayson’s sweaters that just looks like an oversized fabric on Luca. The sight makes something warm and protective surge through my chest, even though I know he's safe here with us.
"Think Luther's meeting with Ward is going well?" I ask, nodding toward the hallway where we can hear the low rumble of voices through the closed door.
Grayson shrugs carefully so he doesn't disturb Luca. "Hard to say. Ward seems genuine enough about wanting to help, but there's only so much he can do within the system. Hudson's arrest was a good start, but Hearthstone is still operating, and no one’s talking. The precinct might have been overhauled, but the chief is still there, and he let all this bullshit happen under his nose to begin with."
The frustration in his voice matches my own feelings about the situation. We've hit wall after wall trying to dig deeper into the organization, like someone with serious resources is protecting them from scrutiny. Every lead we follow turns into a dead end, every contact we try to make suddenly becomes unavailable, or claims they've never heard of Hearthstone.
Blake shifts in my arms, mumbling something incoherent against my chest before settling back into sleep. His breathing is slightly labored, and I can feel the heat radiating from his skin through his thin button-down shirt. This fever is new, starting just this morning when he nearly fainted getting out of bed.
"Maybe we should call Quentin," I suggest, running my thumb along Blake's jawline. "I know Omegas can feed off each other’s hormones, but this seems… excessive."
"Already scheduled an appointment for tomorrow morning," Grayson replies, his own concern evident in his voice. "Luther insisted on it after Blake threw up his breakfast this morning."
The office falls quiet again except for the soft sounds of breathing and the distant hum of the air conditioning system asI try to figure out what’s going on with the Omega in my arms. He knows he doesn’t have to be strong for Luca, that he has three other mates to help protect and provide for both of them. None of this makes any fucking sense.
My gaze drifts outside to the busy streets below, people going about their normal lives without any idea about trafficking rings or corrupt organizations operating in plain sight. Sometimes I envy that ignorance.
Luca's scent shifts slightly, becoming even sweeter as he settles deeper into whatever dream he's having. It's still surreal sometimes, having Luca here with us, safe and protected and growing our pack's future in his belly.
Our pack.
Sometimes, that’s an even bigger thing to wrap my head around over everything else.
"Do you think we're being paranoid?" I ask quietly, voicing the question that's been nagging at me for days. "About something still being wrong, I mean. Maybe we're just so used to crisis mode that normal feels suspicious." Being Luther’s friend and lawyer first and then his Beta, there’s always been something wrong. With the company, with the paperwork, with ensuring that the assets were protected. Most of them were small things, but I’ve always been alert, ready for something to break, fall apart, or hit me in the face.
And now… I can’t trust the silence.
Grayson considers my words for a moment before speaking. "Maybe. But Luther's instincts are usually right about these things, and he's been on edge, too. Did he tell you that Hearthstone’s donation list was taken down last night?"
My brows furrow with confusion as I reach around Blake to wake up his screen and quickly search up Hearthstone’s website. Sure enough, the list is gone. We have several copies back at the house as we’ve been digging into every family, but whoeveris covering their tracks is realizing we’re a little too close for comfort.
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter, searching through a few of their other pages just as Blake’s scent suddenly floods the room, cutting through Luca's sweet pregnancy hormones. My cock fills in my pants as I shift uncomfortably beneath him, my instincts confused on whether to fuck Blake or hold him tighter to my chest.
Grayson looks up from where he’s working, concern immediately creasing his features as he takes in whatever he's seeing on my face. Blake shudders himself awake with a long moan that vibrates through his chest against mine.
"Morning, genius." I keep my voice soft, not wanting to startle him further. "How are you feeling?"
Blake sighs heavily, his breath warm against my shirt. "Like I got hit by a truck." He shifts slightly in my lap, wincing. "Luca's the one who's pregnant, but I feel all hot and clammy."
I don't like that at all. Blake sits up a little and leans back against my chest, his body weight settling more comfortably against mine. He's sweating just like he was two days ago when he nearly passed out in the shower and again this morning, his pulse racing beneath my fingertips when I check his wrist. His symptoms don’t make any sense to me.
"Are you in preheat?" I ask, though the timing doesn't make sense.
Blake shakes his head slowly. "No, I don't think so. I'm back on my suppressants, and I just had a heat." His voice is rough with exhaustion. "I don't know what this is."
"Have you had anything since breakfast?" I already know the answer from his silence, and I sigh when he doesn't respond.
