Page 82 of Taken Off Camera
“Oh.” I scan the platters on the table, then the empty plate in front of me, and my stomach twists into a knot.
When I set my sights on Sebastian, I really did reach too high. How can Gabriel joke about me being Sebastian’s mate? Shouldn’t they be trying to steer him away from me? Who in their right mind would want a sex worker in the family?
I’m such an idiot. It was so much easier to dream about a future with Sebastian before being faced with the reality of his life.
Leo’s hand rests over the swell of his pregnant belly. “Do you not like the food? We can have something else prepared.”
I stare at the platters of fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon crisped just right, and fresh fruit arranged in an artful pattern. Nothing like my usual breakfast of coffee and whatever’s not expired in my fridge.
“No, it looks delicious,” I rush to reassure. “I’m just… not very hungry this morning.”
Leo frowns, unconvinced. “You need to keep your strength up. Especially now.”
Nolan appears behind his mate’s chair, adding more strawberries to Leo’s already full plate. “He’s right. Though, you should have salmon and spinach instead of French toast. The first trimester is an important time to focus on nutrition.”
My mouth drops open in horror as all the Rockfords turn toward me. “I’m not pregnant.”
“Not that you’d know yet,” Gabriel mutters into his coffee cup, drawing a glare from Sebastian.
Leo elbows his husband. “Not everything is baby-related. I meant stress affects appetite, and now is not the time to skip meals.”
Phoenix pipes up from his perch on Damien’s lap. “Leo believes in first breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner… Damien says he’s going to need to reinforce the furniture soon.”
“I said no such thing, troublemaker.” Damien tickles Phoenix before he turns to Leo. “You’re radiant, sweetheart.”
“Of course, he is.” Phoenix nestles against his Alpha’s chest.
Envy twists in my chest at their easy affection, or maybe it’s longing for that kind of unquestioned belonging.
“How did you sleep?” The question comes from Ezra, his focus keen as he studies me.
“Fine,” I answer automatically.
Ezra tilts his head. “Really? In a strange house, after learning someone’s been watching your most private moments? That’s remarkable resilience.”
Saint growls low in his throat, the sound vibrating from where he sits two chairs down from me. “Back off.”
“It’s only a question,” Ezra reproaches with increased interest. “Do you need anything? Books, entertainment? Access to secure internet?”
The last question catches my attention. “Do you have secure internet?”
A small smile plays at Ezra’s lips. “Several networks. Isolated. Untraceable. I understand you might have particular requirements in that area.”
Saint growls again, louder this time.
Gabriel, leaning a hip on the sideboard with a coffee cup in hand, smirks. “Down, boy. Ezra’s just being hospitable in his own way.”
I want to ask for a laptop more than I want to eat. My fingers itch to map their networks, to do something useful that isn’t crying into expensive sheets.
Sebastian’s hand finds my knee under the table,his pheromones rising to offer comfort. “You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to.”
I place my hand over his, grateful for the connection. “It’s okay. I just… Wasn’t expecting…”
“The third degree?” Sebastian glares at his cousins and brothers. “Welcome to breakfast with the Rockfords.”
My focus shifts to the far end of the table, where Jade picks at his food in silence. His shoulders hunch inward, posture defensive as he scans the exits. He appears as out of place as we do.
“Just fucking eat,” Saint mutters, rising to shovel food onto my plate, “so we can get out of the spotlight.”
