Page 33 of Retribution

Lucas and another man I recognize from my research as his guard come outside, and I frown as I see that Lucas is being yelled at.

“This is your pack?” Grant snarls. “They’re cleaning their firearms and staring at me. It makes me feel like I’m under a microscope. Alesso and Oliver both remind me of alphas who have seen some shit.”

“Like military men?” Lucas asks, his calm voice being brought to me by the wind. He doesn’t raise his voice at all.

My lips twist in my mirth, because Alesso and Oliver don’t fit that description at all.

“Like fucking criminals!”

“And if they are?” Lucas asks. “You’re not exactly squeaky clean, Grant. They tracked me down and found me. I don’t think they’re going to hurt me.”

“They may rob you,” Grant mutters.

“Doubtful. They both have their own money. What else are you angry about? Once my omega joins us, you’ll need to bury this shit. That’s the only warning that you’ll get from me.”

Blowing out a breath, Grant stretches his neck from side to side to stretch his muscles.

“I have this bad feeling you’re holding out on me. How am I supposed to protect you from things if you lie to me?”

He’s right. I would have thought that Lucas would tell his guard the good, the bad, and the ugly about his past three weeks with me.

So why didn’t he?

“My omega isn’t like anyone else,” Lucas explains. “She’s been hurt, and so she views everyone as her enemy. I spent the last three weeks showing her what a good man looks like. She’s skittish and untrusting, but most of all she’s mine. I am already unhappy that she’s not here with me, Grant. I want to show her what it means to be with alphas who know how precious she is. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know much about her.”

“Your instincts are riding you hard,” Grant grunts. I’m still able to hear him perfectly well despite the fact that he’s no longer yelling. “So why isn’t she here?”

“Isolde wants her own space. I don’t know if she followed me back to Bargersville or not, but I hope she has. She’s got good instincts. Oliver and Alesso are cleaning their weapons because they need something to do,” Lucas sighs. “Being someone’s scent match doesn’t mean rainbows and cotton fucking candy for everyone. It does give us a chance that she’ll accept us as her alphas though.”

“That’s fucking rich,” Grant complains. “I’ve known you for a long time. You are the ideal alpha. If rainbows and cotton candy existed in the form of an honest person who takes care of everyone around him, your fucking photo would be next to the definition.”

My hackles lower as I realize how loyal Lucas’s guard is. However, Lucas also relaxes, just enough for Grant to pull out some type of gun. He yanks Lucas against him and presses it to his neck before he pulls the trigger. My hand clamps against my mouth as I silently sob, but Lucas pushes him away and punches his guard in the face.

“I’m glad you’re still quick on your feet,” Grant chuckles, his hands up in the air. “Now, if you disappear, I’ll know exactly where you are.”

“A fucking tracking chip?” Lucas groans. “Damnit.”

“And, it can’t be dug out. If you want to flirt with danger, that’s fine. See where this will go, but I reserve the right to dislike this,” Grant says.

“I have been single for a really long time,” Lucas snorts. “Without fate stepping in, I don’t know that I would give anyone the time of day. Even Oliver has been flirting with me and I didn’t even realize it.”

“Did he realize yet that you have to be hit over the head?” Grant asks. Turning out to the forest, he looks around as if he can see me. Shivering, I hope not. The backyard lights are off, so the glasses are aiding me perfectly. “If you’re out there, try not to freeze! It’s still winter for goodness sake.”

“The temperature is supposed to drop,” Lucas says worriedly, looking out toward the trees.

Grant needs to learn how to keep his mouth shut. I’ll be fine.

“I doubt she’d be dumb enough to be out here,” Grant adds, opening the back door.

If I wasn’t worried about my tongue freezing, I’d stick it out at him. Asshole.

Lucas looks around again before sighing and following him in. Since his security is so shitty, I’m going to sleep out here to protect him. I’ll be gone in the early morning to shop, change, and meet with my new landlord.

My eyes grow heavy as I yawn silently, and I turn off the glasses and put them into the backpack in my lap. Wrapping my arms around it, I get as comfortable as I can and fall asleep.

Tomorrow, I’ll be that much closer to figuring out if this courting thing is for me or not. Lucas is right though, I need my own space. I need to know that I can escape if necessary as I gather information, and decide if I want to give these alphas a part of me that no one has ever had access to.

My heart.