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Maybe I’ve hit my limit on wallowing or maybe Mellie’s said it exactly the way I needed to hear, but I force myself up and out of the covers. “I want it known that I’m doing this mostly out of spite.”

“If that’s what it takes.” Mellie brushes my hair back, careful not to snag her nails. “Atta girl. Speaking of alpha dick?—”

“We definitely weren’t.”

“We should get you on suppressants soon.”

Fuck. One more thing I need to handle. “Can we start with coffee?”

“I’ll buy you an entire store if you get showered and throw some clothes on. Penises can wait until you smell better.”

Though I’ll never admit it, Idofeel better once I’m clean, dressed in jeans and a hoodie. Out of everything I lost, that’s something I’ve gained—the ability to wear whatever I want without snarky comments or annoyed looks.

Mellie, beautiful tyrant that she is, hands me a travel mug with my favorite iced lavender latte from that new shop across town, tosses a satin lined hat on my unwashed curls and shoves me out the door. “Get ready, Daph. Your new life starts today.”

“Why does that sound kind of ominous?”

“Because it is,” Maverick says.

As soon as I spot the rest of our friends waiting in the hallway, I understand exactly what’s going on. “Oh, goodie. Group intervention time.”

“Something like that.” Lacey’s cheery smile rubs away some of the bleakness in my chest. She slips her arm into mine, dragging me to the elevator where the others wait.

Mellie and Kai own half of the top level of their apartment, and while their painted entryways and adorable doormats say things likethis isn’t a whore house, it’s a whore home,Lacey’s the brightest part of the whole damn floor.

Long blonde waves pulled back with her signature pink bow, full curves covered by a flouncy, ruffled dress from a brand I can no longer afford and heels higher than a skyscraper; she’s the epitome of a coquette princess. I adore her.

“I’d like to announce that I’m here under duress,” I say, huffing Lacey’s light black tea scent. Her base scent smells good, but there’s nothing powerful to denote that she’s an omega yet. It won’t come until she presents.

“Aw, baby want her blankie again?” Chin-length bob swinging, Kai holds open the elevator. She’s swapped her usual loose fabric overalls for denim and long sleeves to fight the incoming cold front. The change always makes her moody, which is why I forgive her for being an asshole.

A hint of sugar sweetens her sour-raspberry scent, leaving an artificial film on my tongue. I’m never sure if it’s body wash, perfume, or something else, since she and Maverick always carry a bit with them.

I’m also not stupid enough to ask.

I blow a kiss and a raised middle finger her way. “Fuck you.”

“That’s not very nice, butterfly.” Standing on the other side of the elevator with her, Mav’s in his usual bouncer fare—black tee and jeans—arms crossed, and reeking of his omega.

“Who said I’m nice?” I bare my teeth at him. Kai steps between us and I look away immediately, not interested in a fight I definitely won’t win. The short ride down is silent, broken only by the ding of our arrival and my groan at the chill the open doors let in from the parking garage. “I hate you all.”

“You love us,” Mellie counters, pulling me toward the SUV Kai bought because she prefers us all to ride together when we go out. Her little way of making sure we’re safe.

Maverick helps his omega inside first, then opens the door for us. Before I get in, he stops me with a hand on my arm. “Trust that this is a good thing, Daph. Something we know you need.”

I do. Despite everything else, this group is my family. “Pussy Power, right?”

He laughs. “Right.”

Mellie chatters from the middle seat, telling us all about her latest clients at the phone sex company she works for, like the guy who only wants her to tell him puns.

Lacey blushes as she recounts how her favorite fan has been spoiling her audio erotica alter-ego, Lilah Love. Keeping her stocked in bath bombs, lotions, and sweet treats while she pretends they’re not utterly infatuated with each other. Mav’s already looked the guy up and determined he’s not a creep or I’d be far more worried.

Kai updates us on the newest bodyguard rotation at the scent bar she moonlights for, while Mav gives us a rundown of all the shit he’s confiscated from some of her new escorting clients.

And through it all, I enjoy my coffee as the people I care about cart me off to who knows where.

Who knows where is a building in downtown Seaport. It’s worn down, but the art deco designs are still beautiful even if the inside looks infested with dust mites.