Page 29 of Tinsel Time Treasure

I smiled. “Rest. You’re safe here, and I don’t think you’ve slept well recently.”

“But… your friends…”

“Are still several minutes away, and I know they’ll understand if you actually manage a few minutes of sleep.”

He deflated. “I’m sorry.”

I shook my head. “Don’t be. I can’t imagine how stressful this has all been for you.”

“But we just met and…”

“There is plenty of time to get to know you later. For now, let’s focus on this.”

“Ok.”

He closed his eyes again while I tucked the blanket around him.

“You don’t have to be strong by yourself,” I murmured as a soft sigh escaped him. “Let people help you.”

“I wouldn’t be in this mess if I hadn’t let him knot me.”

I blinked at the admission, then shook my head. “His actions are on him. You should never blame yourself.”

“I should have seen the signs,” he replied with a yawn.

“What signs?”

“I don’t know…”

“If you don’t know, then you didn’t miss them.”

Part of me remembered my own boss saying something similar about how my relationship with Linden had ended.

He hummed, and I stepped back as he was clearly on the verge of sleep.

I returned to my chair and kept my eyes on him as his breathing evened and it was clear that he’d passed out.

“How bad was it that you feel this comfortable with a practical stranger?” I whispered to the sleeping man.

Part of me wanted a drink, but I knew the night was just getting started. I needed to keep my head clear until I knew that Justin was safe.

I sighed and scrubbed a hand down my face. I didn’t want to let the handsome omega out of my sight until I knew that the asshole giving him problems was taken care of.

I wanted him to be safe.

I had to choke back a growl of challenge when there was a knock at the door. I doubted that it was his stalker, and I was expecting Annie. But my alpha side insisted that I protect Justin against anybody who would do him harm, and in that moment it wasn’t entirely rational.

“Max?” Annie called as I approached the door.

I yanked the door open, making Grace yelp and hide behind her mate.

“Sorry,” I said, forcing down the aggression. “I’m…”

Annie reached out and laid a hand on my arm. “I think I know what you’re feeling. Where is he?”

I blinked as I allowed them inside, not understanding what she meant.

“He… kinda fell asleep,” I stated as I closed the door.