Page 35 of These Bonds that Unite Us
‘Don’t worry firefly, we won’t let him go crazy and overwhelm her. -Titan’
My cheeks heat as I reread Titan’s new nickname over and over again. Darlin’ was cute, very southern of him, but firefly… I love it way too much for someone who shouldn’t want anything to do with these men.
‘Do you want to see them? We can invite your sister and Foster over to hang out. Go swimming before it gets too cold for the year. -Cal’
Glancing at the sinking sun in the distance I question if their presence here would help. I do miss Hannah like crazy, but dragging her all the way out here seems like it would be a bitmuch for someone who could go into labor literally any day now. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask though.
‘I think I’d like that. If Hannah feels up to it. She’s due next month so she may not be up for the trip.’
I can hear them in the distance. Not the words but the muffled sounds of their planning. It warms my weary soul to see them taking such a simple request so seriously. Perhaps Bea is right and I need to make them work for my forgiveness.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Now Playing: Rain (cover)- Will Ramos & Nic Nocturnal;
Made For Love- Archers
I sense his presence before he knocks on the door. The sound of his feet moving across the floor is lighter than the others, as soft as the beta himself. “Omen, it’s Callisto. Donovan is on the phone, he needs to speak with all of us.”
Shit, I should have text everyone to let them know I had a phone again, but I’d forgotten after my video call with Bea. Knowing Donovan he still would have called one of the guy’s phones. Anything he can do from afar to ensure I’m dragged into their presence so my body can try to start to heal from their rejection.
Trudging across the room, I inch the door open. Callisto’s eyes roam over my face, his jaw clenching when he sees me. I haven’t looked in a mirror recently but I can imagine what he is seeing. Messy, tangled hair and dark circles beneath my eyes from the fitful sleep I’ve been getting.
Flicking my eyes up and down the hallway, I slowly open the door more when I am sure he is alone. I don’t think I can handle all four of them in my face at once.
“Hello, starlight,” he murmurs, extending a hand toward me. My teeth dig into my bottom lip as I study his palm. The physical contact would probably help with the sharp pain skittering across my skin, but I don’t want any of them to misconstrue me accepting their help as a willingness to make things work between us.
“Hey Cal,” I whisper back, cringing at the hoarse, strained sound of my voice. Reluctantly, I slip my hand into his and let him lead me to their living room.
My body bumps against his with each step and it takes the full length of the hallway for me to realize he’s walking so close to prevent me from toppling over. It’s probably not a good sign that I can’t recognize the lighter symptoms of rejection, like dizziness, in my body anymore.
Callisto leads me to the large, comfortable couch and drops me onto a cushion beside Titan. The large alpha’s weight dips the fabric and I slip against his side. My fingers dig into the edge of the couch to try to push myself to the other side, but he isn’t having it. His arm wraps around my hip and pulls me flush against him.
When I try to protest he shushes me, ignoring my scowl and letting a purr rattle up his chest. The sound melts me like butter, relaxing every muscle in my body until I’m slouched against him. If I had more energy I would fight harder, but damn if I’m not tired of fighting all the time.
Callisto reappears with a bottle of water. He presses it into my hand before taking the seat beside me, thankfully leaving space between us.
“Okay, we are all here,” Nebula tells Donovan. His dark blue eyes haven’t left me since I walked into the room. I shrink atthe intensity of his attention, keeping my face glued to where his phone lies on their coffee table.
“How you doin’ Trouble?” Donovan asks.
“I’m okay.” My voice cracks, so I uncap the water and take several drinks before speaking again. I know Donovan won’t believe me when I say I’m alright, but at least he won’t call me on my lie. “Did they find whoever was trying to break into the apartment?”
“Yes and no. During a check-in with the team hunting Doctor Harrison, Lex informed me he and Ridley have cameras hidden at each entrance to your apartment. We were able to access the videos and find the culprit’s identity.” That doesn’t really surprise me. With how obsessed those two are with Bea, it makes sense they would want some way to monitor her when they aren’t around. “The person trying to break into the apartment was your brother, Benjamin Montgomery.”
My head falls back against the couch cushion, and I stare blankly up at the ceiling. Studying the mid-morning light as it dances through the glass windows and reflects off of the pictures hanging on their walls. “That… is relieving to hear.”
I can feel all four guys' attention snap to me, shocked by my response. At this point, I doubt anything could surprise me. If my sister-in-law Jacquelyn was the one who drugged me back in Boston, it makes sense my brother would also have some vendetta against me.
“You’re relieved the culprit is your brother?” Nexus’ voice is filled with skepticism.
I shrug half-heartedly. Unfazed by this news. “Better a threat you know than to have new ones thrown at you.”
“We haven’t been able to track Benjamin’s whereabouts yet, and we know he isn’t working alone. His wife Jacquelyn has been spotted with him here in Starburgh.” Donovan cuts in before the guys can say anything else.
Hearing Jacquelyn is so close has my head tilting up, my eyes narrowing on the phone. Anger burns in my head, giving my words an edge. “Of course she is.” Pack Graves’ attention on me grows heavier, their unspoken questions tangible in the air between us. “My sister-in-law is the one who drugged me with the heat inducer after your show in Boston. She also gave me the same drug the day I presented, though she wasn’t as direct in administering it back then.”
All four of them share a look I can’t interpret. I can feel my brows furrowing as I try to understand what they are thinking, but I'm distracted by the conversation with Donovan.
