Page 59 of Bonded By Christmas
“Do you know what it’ll do to my brother if Chapman doesn’t go through with our contract?” a male voice growls in response. “You promised you’d advocate for us!”
“And I have,” Wilder says, sighing.
“We’ve spent the last five years waiting for her to come of age,” another voice chimes in.
I gasp, twisting my head.
Wilder blocks my view with his giant hand and brings my face back to his chest. “As you can see, gentlemen, I’m a bit tied up at the moment.” He tilts his face down to look at me. “They weren’t waiting for her to turn eighteen. Vanessa is about to be twenty-five. It’s when the contract expires.”
“That’s no one’s goddamn business,” the first voice snaps.
“Yes, well, I would introduce you to my sweet stepsister, but she’s currently locked on my knot,” Wilder says, sounding entirely too amused. It’s hard to see his face from this angle as he looks at the men once more, but I believe he smirks. I smack his chest. Though it clearly doesn’t do much, as he simply chuckles. “You’re beginning to test my patience.”
“You canceled on us with no notice. This isn’t a game, Pierce,” the first voice says, calling Wilder by his last name.
“I am doing my best to mediate both of your wishes. You want the omega your family was promised. She wants the freedom to choose her own future,” Wilder says, sounding exasperated. “And while I understand your predicament, I truly believe you should consider what your quality of life would be like tied to that woman?—”
“Malachy is half-rabid. There are times he doesn’t even recognize us,” the first voice says. “We can’t wait any longer. Not to mention, our fathers honored our end of the bargain two decades ago!”
“Wait, is he getting treatment?” I ask, slapping Wilder’s hand away to make it possible to look over my shoulder. “He should be seeing an omega at least two to three times a week if he’s that bad off.”
“What’s she talking about?” the second voice asks.
“Pheromone treatment therapy. It helps prevent the decay from taking over. I’ve had Grim in sessions for two months,” Wilder says, and he tilts his face down to mine once more. “Is Charlotte an omega? I would assume so if she works with you.”
“She is,” I tell him, my forehead wrinkling.
Why would that matter?
“Actually, I have an idea,” Wilder says to the men. “Let’s see if we can help each other…”
“Well, I can cross that one off my bucket list.” Wilder chuckles, kissing my forehead. “I never thought I’d negotiate a deal with you locked on my knot.” His body shakes with the force of his laughter, and it makes said knot drag along my inner walls.
I bite my cheek to keep from moaning and pat his chest. “Do you promise they’ll take good care of Charlotte and Lucky?”
“I do.” He nods solemnly. “I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise. They’re good people. Their fathers were close with mine, meaning I grew up with all three of them. Hopefully meeting Charlotte will help them understand they have other options. If nothing else, she can help Malachy get registered at the pheromone clinic.”
I squint as I study his face.
I don’t believe he’s lying about any of that, but I get the distinct impression that he wouldn’t mind if they fell for Charlotte in the process of protecting her. Hell, maybe I’m reaching, but I bet it would make his life easier.
Vanessa has made it clear that she wants no part of that marriage contract. The O’Connor brothers need an omega as soon as possible to help ensure the oldest doesn’t end up rabid.
It’s a messy situation, but I overheard a lot while Wilder was working his magic. He’s very good at what he does. He was born to be a negotiator or mediator or whatever the hell his job title is.
“I appreciate it so much.” I stretch up on my tiptoes, giving Wilder a quick kiss, and smile as I pull back. “Can we go home yet? I’m sore, and I really want to spend some time setting up my nest.”
“I love hearing you call ithome.”
Wilder’s driver is thoughtful enough to ignore how putrid we must smell on the drive, but I’m still self-conscious. My nerves are frazzled, and I just want to hide at home and nest. Only, I can’t just yet because there’s something else I have to handle.
Wilder walks me through what’s safe to tell Charlotte and what to avoid talking about.
I keep the conversation quick and concise, mentioning that I thought I saw the guys from the festival watching me on my trip to the bus stop.
She doesn’t seem too concerned for herself, but I ask her to keep an eye out for anyone suspicious. Then I let her know a few guys from Wilder’s “security company” will be watching over her from afar just until we’re sure it’s safe. She seems confused—which I get—but she thanks me for thinking of her and Lucky.
I wrap up the call by giving her a phone number to reach the O’Connor brothers, and I can only pray that she won’t need it.
