Page 49 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)

I kind of meant the precum clinging to her thumb, but she leans forward and licks my knot, right at the base of my shaft.

Seeing her pink tongue flicking against the angry red flesh makes my head spin, and that groan I tried to muffle rattles out of my chest. Kate doesn’t stop, licking and lapping until she’s traced every inch of my cock, including the slit that’s pumping out precum like it’s a Las Vegas fountain.

I pride myself on my restraint, but I have to grab my knot and ease her back before I blow all over my office.

She stares up at me, her lips glossy and her eyes hazy. “Why are we stopping?”

“Because unless you’ve whipped up a pair of trousers to go with that jacket, I’m going to be wearing a huge wet patch the rest of the day.”

She smiles, raising her brows at me. “That can be arranged, but maybe not today.”

I give a frustrated grunt, and while she scoots back to her feet, wrangle my knot back into my pants.

So much for putting the damn thing out of my mind.

When I’m finally done, Kate is still lingering in front of my desk, and I realize there’s a different note to her perfume. Not so much a scent, as a vibration in the air. “What is it, sweetheart?”

“Can you feel Dash through the bond?”

There’s no envy in her voice; just curiosity and a little wistfulness. “I can. He's happy as a well-pampered clam right now.”

“I like that,” she smiles, wrapping her arms around herself. “Lee wasn't ever really clear to me through the bond, but then I'm not sure I really knew him at all.”

“That was his loss, sweetheart.” Less said on the subject of her fucking ex the better, especially since she’s finally lost that haunted look when his name comes up.

“One of the advantages of being an uber is that things are magnified. I’ve always had a sixth sense about Corbus, but now we’re sharing an omega, it’s a lot clearer. ”

“Mmm.” She pokes me with the toe of her shiny shoe, and there’s a wicked light in her eye as she says, “I saw how good you guys are at sharing omegas.”

I give her a pained look, since my cock just about erupts from my pants. “I promise you, Kate, even if something happens to your hormones, odds are we'll still have some amazing chemistry.”

That must be the right thing to say, because she gives a happy hum as she slides off the desk. “I’m going to take your jacket back to the salon for a couple of tiny tweaks. Are you ready to go home soon?”

I check my watch. “Half an hour?”

“Perfect.”

She saunters out of the room, and I watch the space she left in my open doorway until I hear the soft chime of the elevator.

Forcing my attention back to work, I check my emails.

There’s a lot waiting for me, given we’ve been out of the office for the last couple of days, but one email catches my eye.

It’s an unknown contact for an external address, and the second I open it I feel my blood pressure spike.

Stick your nose in Emerald business again and you might lose your rare jewel

There’s no link to click, so I grab my desk phone and call Curtis, the head of Paragon’s security team.

After Monaco, our insurance company insisted we beef up our safeguards, both physical and virtual, and Curtis now leads a small department of ex-military security experts.

“Hey, boss. I heard you’ve finally tied a knot. How’s bonded life?”

“None of your business,” I reply, “but highly recommended.”

He snorts and cracks his knuckles. “Well, congratulations. We’re monitoring online traffic to see if anyone’s showing particular interest in your new status. We’re also going to tighten things up at the ballet on Friday night.”

I shift in my seat, a little on edge that this is starting to feel like a perfect storm.

I never expected to claim Dash so close to opening night, and now with Kate and Lachlan joining our pack, the risks have increased beyond my comfort levels.

“I got an email,” I tell him with more than a little growl in my voice. “I’ve sent it to you.”

“Reading it now.” Curtis is quiet for a moment and then he grunts. “I don’t like this. They’ve gone to some effort to cover their tracks.”

“I was thinking this might have to do with our source in Colombia.” The South American country is one of the biggest producers of emeralds in the world. “They didn’t like our last supply agreement.”

“Yeah, I’m not so sure this is about gems. It’s emerald with a capital E. Could refer to a criminal group in Boston, except I know for a fact they were taken off the board last year.”

“Criminal in what way?” My work with Perry has opened my eyes to a lot of shit people are prepared to do in the name of money and power, but I’m mostly involved in financial crimes.

“Every way. The head of the outfit, Quinn, was a real piece of work, especially when it came to the omega trade.” I have to swallow the growl building in my throat, but it’s nearly impossible when Curtis says, “I don’t like the reference to your rare jewel.

It could be seen as a threat to your new mate.

You want me to initiate additional protocols around him? ”

“Yes. And do whatever it takes to track that email.” I look down to see that my thumb has dug a deep groove in the side of my desk. Get a goddamn grip, Webber. I take a steadying breath before I ask, “You know anyone who can tell me more about this Emerald group?”

Curtis is quiet for a beat, but I pay him and his pack enough to break any confidences. “Word on the street is that the Volk Pack was involved.”

I frown. I know that name, even though it takes me a moment to put it into context. “The guys who took over the Ferro Club?”

“Yep. Their security guy, Patrick, would know, but he’s a walking red flag. Want me to handle it?”

I’m feeling like a bit of a red flag myself. “Just get me his number.”

“Already sent it, boss.” Curtis pauses, then clicks his teeth. “Hope this hasn’t ruined your afterglow.”

I snort, but he’s not wrong. Threats to the business are one thing, but targeting my pack is a quick way to fuck with my composure. “I’m good at compartmentalizing, but call me the second you get anything on that address.” I end the call, then dial the number he emailed me.

The guy answers like we’re half way through a conversation. “Webber? Hang up and I'll call you.”

“But...”

The line clicks and I stare at the handset until my mobile rings. It’s an unknown number, and when I answer, that same Irish drawl is on the other end. “What can I do for you, Mr. Webber?”

“How do you have my cell number?”

“Must be because you’re a very important person,” he snarks. “Now is this just a friendly chat, or do I have something you need?”

I figure this is one of the red flags Curtis mentioned and swallow a sigh.

“I got an email from someone referring to Emerald business and Curtis Meecham directed me your way. He thought it might have something to do with a guy called Quinn.” Deathly silence follows, and I frown at the gouge I took out of my desk.

“This isn't an accusation, Patrick. I'm just looking for information to see if this is a credible threat.”

There’s a rasping sound at the other end. Either he’s sharpening a knife or rubbing his palm over his three-day growth. “Emerald was Quinn’s operation,” he finally says, “but he's been pig food for nearly a year. Let me check around and I’ll get back to you.”

“Thanks...” But I'm already talking to air, and Kate is waiting in the doorway, my new jacket over her arm and a smile on her face.

Compartmentalize now, Webber, and chase up those red flags later.