Page 35 of All That We Keep
Only then do I relax a little but don’t let go until a police car pulls into the driveway behind my car. An officer steps out, his brow furrowed in confusion as he approaches us. His gaze dips to my threatening grip and then Hudson bent awkwardly over the console before he taps my arm to let go. "What's the situation here?"
"This is Hudson Ellis," I explain before spitting on Hudson’s face. The bastard hacks out a cough as he tries to catch hisbreath. "He's been harassing my family, and there should be a protective order in place. He shouldn’t be anywhere near us."
The officer checks something on his radio and then shakes his head. "Actually, sir, the protective order expired a few days ago. So, unfortunately, we can't arrest him for being here." He pauses, hearing another muffled voice before speaking again. "However, he did skip out on bail, so we will be taking him in on that charge."
Relief floods through me as another officer approaches the driver’s side of Hudson’s car. I fold my arms across my chest, finally letting myself step back. "Thank you for responding so quickly."
Hudson doesn't resist as they drag him out of the car and place him in handcuffs, but he keeps his eyes fixed on me as they lead him to the patrol car. "You're making a mistake, Luther," he calls out. "When you find out who the buyer is, you're going to wish you'd listened to me."
I watch as the second officer drives away with Hudson secured in the back seat, the first officer climbing into Hudson’s car and backing it out onto the street. There’s something odd about that. An officer would usually call in a tow but I don’t have the time to care about that. Right now? I need to make sure my mates are okay and then I need to fucking rage.
I stalk into the house, looking for Blake and Luca, Grayson appearing in the kitchen as I'm looking around, his expression concerned. "I took them upstairs to their first nest, thinking we might need a little more privacy to discuss whatever just happened."
"Yeah, because what the fuck was Hudson doing at our house?" I demand, running a hand through my hair in frustration.
Maceo joins us in the kitchen, his own expression grim. "I have a better question. I overheard that the protective order ended. When did that happen?"
"Yeah, I have to fucking figure out what happened with that," I say, my anger shifting to confusion and concern. "Someone should have notified us that it was expiring." Not that it should have been. Ward had told me it would be good for years.
I quickly explain to both of them about everything I’ve told Damien so far. "We're going to have to get him to look into a few other things now, because at this point it's more than just Hearthstone and Hudson." I pause, processing the implications of Hudson's desperate plea for help. "The fact that Hudson was so desperate to come to the very men he was planning to steal from for help means that this buyer is a very dangerous man."
Grayson's face goes pale. "I don't like this at all. I hate how dangerous this is getting, and I'm very worried about what's going to happen next."
"It's about to get a little more dangerous," I admit reluctantly. "We were given invites to the gala for Hearthstone's supposed closing, because they claim they found homes for all of the Omegas except for a few. The problem is, I don't believe it, and I need to know what's really going on."
Grayson immediately shakes his head. "I don't like the idea of any of us going to that event whatsoever."
"I don't either," I agree. "But at this point, I can't trust the police to handle this properly. And while I've sent some tip-offs to an agent I know, I can't wait for this to end through official channels. I need to protect my pack."
Grayson nods slowly, understanding the impossible position we're in. "I totally understand the necessity but the only thing I ask of you is that Luca doesn't go. He's too close to giving birth, and he's been through enough trauma already."
"I completely agree," I say immediately, meeting the smaller Alpha’s gaze as I step up to him and pull him into my chest. "Luca stays here, no matter what we decide to do about the gala." I take a deep breath, trying to center myself and focus on what's most important right now. "However, for tonight, it's just going to be the five of us. We're going to stay in here, lock all the doors, and take comfort in being together. Tomorrow we can take on the world."
Grayson's expression softens with relief as he sags against me. "That sounds perfect. I'll go ask what Luca and Blake would like to do for the evening."
20
Luca
The living room transforms into our own little world as we spread out board games across the coffee table, the stress and tension of the day melting away with cardboard cutouts and dice. Grayson suggested game night and I think we all needed something light and normal to focus on instead of the darkness that keeps trying to creep into our lives.
Blake is sprawled across my lap on the couch, his head resting against my shoulder as he studies the Monopoly board. Having him this close seems to settle the babies a little bit, like they can sense their other parent through my skin.
"You're cheating," Maceo accuses Grayson with a playful grin, pointing at the stack of money in front of our Alpha. "There's no way you legitimately own that many properties already."
Grayson throws a handful of fake bills at him in response, laughing as Maceo dramatically dodges them. "I'm just naturallygifted at real estate acquisition. It's not my fault you keep landing on my properties."
"Naturally gifted, my ass," Luther grumbles from his spot on the floor, but there's a fondness in his voice. "You've been playing this game since you were five years old. Your parents probably let you win every time."
The casual mention of family makes something warm bloom in my chest. This is what I always dreamed pack life could be like—easy laughter, gentle teasing, the comfortable intimacy of people who love each other unconditionally. For so long, I thought this kind of happiness was something other people had, something I would never deserve or experience.
It pains me a little that my parents will never be part of it but I don’t need them when I have all this.
Blake shifts against me, his hand moving to rest on my belly where the babies are kicking. "They're really active tonight," he murmurs, his voice soft with wonder.
"They like the sound of everyone laughing," I tell him, covering his hand with mine. "I think they're going to be social babies."
"James and Samuel Keller, the life of every party," Grayson says with a grin, and my heart does a little flip at hearing him say their names out loud. He hands me the dice and I shake it before throwing it onto the board, groaning when I realize I’ll be landing on Grayson’s railroad.
