Page 26 of Tinsel Time Treasure
He walked back out, and I took a seat on the bed. Did I really feel safe? Not really. I had no idea how Frederick had gotten into my apartment, nor when he would decide to come back.
Did I have days, or hours? As quickly as he’d escalated, I had no idea.
I took a deep breath, stood, and forced myself to walk back out to the living room—where the police were finishing up.
We exchanged a few more words, then they were gone.
The silence was deafening, and as the lights stopped flashing outside my windows a sense of dread settled over me.
I paced my living room, hands shaking.
Staying wasn’t an option. But where could I go? A hotel would probably be the safest option, but would get expensive in a hurry.
My breath came in rapid pants, and I clawed at my hair. I needed to go. I had to get out.
Max… Max was safe. And he was close. I’d be able to think there.
I made sure my phone and keys were still in my pocket, then I locked my door and dashed across the parking lot to his apartment.
Chapter 10 - Max
I’d sat at the window until the police left, eyes locked on Justin’s door. That they didn't escort out an intruder was both a relief and a problem. It meant that the person who’d broken in was still out there, and still able to terrorize him.
I sighed as the cop cars pulled away. I needed to figure out what to have for dinner, and I wasn’t going to make Justin’s life more complicated by inserting myself into it.
I just decided on a dinner of pan-seared chicken with steamed vegetables when there was a knock at the door. I walked over, opened it, and my heart broke when I saw Justin on the other side.
He trembled, and I doubted that it was from the cold. His eyes were wide and unfocused. He was barely holding back a panic attack.
I stepped aside, clearing his path to safety, and waved him in.
Justin darted inside, and froze beside the window, breathing in spurts.
I closed and locked the door, then rounded him cautiously. It was only when our eyes met that I moved closer.
“May I touch you?” I asked gently, determined not to make his panic any worse. “I’d like to hold you until you calm down.”
He studied me for several seconds, then gave me a tiny nod.
I approached slowly, arms spread, until I could feel his warmth against me. I kept my hold loose at first, giving him a chance to escape, then wrapped him in my embrace.
Justin bunched my shirt in his fists, clinging to me like he was a drowning man and I was a life preserver. He gasped for breath, and his heart thundered so hard that I felt it through our clothes.
I ran my hand up and down his back, only remembering that he was still wearing my hoodie as my fingers tangled in the loose fabric.
Maybe it was just my alpha side in overdrive—seeing an omega in distress—but I needed to help him.
Justin’s breathing eventually slowed, and he melted against me, releasing a bone-deep sigh of relief.
“You ok?” I asked after a couple minutes.
He nodded. “Yeah. Sorry… for that.”
“Never apologize for being human. It’s a stressful situation—one that nobody should face alone.”
I gave his back a couple pats. “Wanna stay here? Or should I get you that hot chocolate now?”
He let out a wet-sounding chuckle, and I didn’t need to see his face to know that he was probably crying from the stress of it all. “Both?”
