Page 75 of Bonded By Christmas
“You let us worry about all of that,” Grim says. “It looks like you’ve got a blanket or two to test out.”
“Want me to cut them open for you? Or you want to save that for tomorrow?” Callum asks, patting the vacuum-sealed package on top.
I shrug and smile. “Might as well see what they feel like on my skin.”
Truthfully, I’m just trying to be polite. What I want most is to strip out of my pajamas and cuddle naked with all three of my men.
Chapter Thirty-One
Wilder
My buzzing phone wakes me at some point in the middle of the night. I frown at the texts, attempting to make sense of what I’m seeing.
Patrick O’Connor is always clear and to the point, but apparently I’m more exhausted than I realized.
Target was attempting to flee. We have both assets and are relocating to our residence. Will update you later.
It takes me way too long to determine Charlotte was trying to run.
I’d love to know if she opted to go with the O’Connors peacefully or if they kidnapped her and the kid. I’m sure they explained how much safer she’ll be with them, and the woman decided of her own free will that she would like to accept their protection.
I’m at least twelve percent certain the O’Connors wouldn’t actually kidnap a woman and her child…
And you know what?
Not everything is my problem, especially not days before Christmas when Lacey is on the verge of her first heat.
I’m occasionally allowed to relax while the rest of the world figures out its own shit.
I glance around, looking for Lacey, only to determine she’s nowhere to be found.
Okay, now see…
This is an example of something that ismyemergency.
Flinging off the blanket, I roll off the bed to search for my omega.
I wanted to wait to sink my teeth into Lacey until I had the chance to fully court her, but having a bond would be a convenient way to track her sexy ass down.
Lacey sits up against the pillows on the bed in the pack bedroom. She has her phone in her hands, and I begin to panic that a call from her friend might have upset her.
Striding over to the bed, I take a seat on the edge of the mattress. “You startled me. I didn’t like waking up to find you missing.”
“I’m sorry,” she whispers. “I had a dream that Christmas morning came. You all gave me amazing gifts, and I had nothing for you. I thought I could buy a few things and get them here with rush delivery, but there’s no way.”
“I will take you shopping myself once your heat is over,” I assure her, grabbing her phone and putting it down on the nightstand. Turning back to face her, I cradle her jaw with my hand. Just by touch, I can tell that she’s warmer than I am, but it also doesn’t feel like her fever is at a concerning level. “You’re the only gift I want, and I know Grim and Callum feel the same.”
The tip of her nose is red, possibly from shedding a few tears, but the scratches from her attack are lighter than they were. Perhaps Grim isn’t delusional, after all. I’m tempted to leanforward to lick them myself, but it feels like the wrong time to address that.
“I appreciate you saying that, but it’s the point,” she says, sniffling.
“I understand,” I say, smoothing my thumb over her cheek. “I’ll put you in touch with Alice tomorrow. She’s got a team, and she’s quite efficient. She’ll make sure your gifts arrive before the holiday. All you have to do is tell her what you’d like to get each of us.”
“That’s really sweet, but I’m not sure I can afford her prices.”
“She’s on retainer.” It’s technically not a lie. Alice is paid a flat rate monthly, but I also pay her per hour for any shopping she does on my behalf, which Lacey doesn’t need to know. “If you’d like to pay for the gifts she selects, we can work something out. She has a card which she uses for all my transactions. It’ll be easy.”
The little omega continues to study my face like she’s attempting to parcel out whether I’m being truthful.
