Page 71 of Unhinged

"Same," Arrow chimes in, already pushing off the wall. "Now, I’m gonna see if she needs any help getting dressed. Maybe she’ll let me play before we leave."

"Fucker," Gears mutters under his breath.

And yet, none of us stop him. Not when it comes to Brydgett. She may be a wildfire in disguise, all soft edges and quiet fury, but we all know we’re already caught in her pull. And none of us are getting out.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

BRYDGETT

I zip up my jeans with gritted teeth, my wound pulls tight beneath the waistband like a moth struggling against a screen door. The pain is a dull reminder, a whisper of what Earl is capable of. The shirt I choose is a short-sleeved, flowy top that dips low, the fabric skimming my cleavage. There are no bruises—nothing visible, at least. I already know Gears won’t like it. Arrow will love it. Acid… I don’t know what he’ll think. I’m not sure I want to.

I glance in the mirror and barely recognize the woman staring back at me. That’s the problem, isn’t it? I look like myself, but I feel like someone else—someone I don’t trust. Someone who might actually believe she belongs to three alphas who are certain they belong to her. The thought is dangerous. I shove it down. Now isn’t the time for weakness. I have a job to do, and getting tangled up in my own instincts will only slow me down.

Since finding out I’m Kismet to Acid, Arrow, and Gears, I haven’t been able to untangle my body’s cravings from mymind’s doubts. Too good to be true. That’s what this is. My entire life has been a lesson in deception, in learning that nothing beautiful stays unbroken. I refuse to repeat old mistakes. I spent eight years proving to Judge that I’d protect him at all costs. I won’t let three men undo that even if fate has written it.

I slept with Arrow last night. Gears and Acid? I don’t know where they ended up, and I don’t care. Not right now. After our meeting, when I was trying to get dressed, Arrow offered me everything but the moon, and damn if he didn’t sound like he meant it. He leaned in close, voice low and teasing, hands lingering on my body. I had to shoo him from the room; his pout almost convinced me to let him stay. Almost.

Acid and Gears—I left them in the office this morning without a second glance, but their faces haunted me, their words curling around my thoughts like they saw straight through my defenses. I didn’t like that. I didn’t like that at all.

They haven’t asked for more than I was willing to give.

Yet.

I rake my fingers through my hair, fluffing it in an attempt to hide the wildness. If it were just me, this might be easier. But it’s not. Judge is part of this equation. I can’t risk him. Not for comfort, not for thechanceat something real. I know the cost of trusting too soon. The only thing I’ve ever wanted more than revenge is safety for Judge. And safety doesn’t come wrapped in promises from alphas who think fate is on their side.

My pulse quickens, too close to hope. And I’m not used to hope.

Then there are the blockers. Or, more accurately, the lack of them.

The clubhouse wasn’t a prison, but I wasn’t foolish enough to think I had any real options except to stay. They hadn’t given me anything to suppress my heat, and that told me everythingI needed to know. They weren’t keeping me hidden. They were waiting.

Waiting for nature to take its course.

Waiting for me to come to them.

Waiting to see if I’d let myself believe in them.

Maybe that’s just me, though. Maybe that’s just the part of me that can’t trust a soul but myself.

I could have gone out and found blockers myself. Could have demanded they get me some. Hell, I should have. But something stopped me every time the thought crossed my mind.

Maybe they aren’t waiting on purpose.

Maybe they’re just that goddamn clueless.

I don’t even know what I believe anymore.

What I do know is that Kenny had information the Renegade needed. I took him from them, and now I owe them. An eye for an eye, after all…right? Plus, they need to have this off their plate so they’re ready when Earl hits again. He sent men for me once. He’ll send more. I won’t sit around waiting to find out when. The Rusty Nail was Kenny’s haunt, and if anyone there knows anything about him or has information, they’ll talk or they’ll bleed. Maybe both. I don’t care which.

I take one last look at my reflection, memorizing the stranger staring back at me. I don’t need her tonight. I need the version of myself who doesn’t flinch, who doesn’t question, who only moves forward.

I swing open the door harder than I mean to. Acid, Arrow, and Gears are waiting. Three alphas, looking like sex on wheels, watching me like they already know my mind. Their expressions are a mix of possessive and amused. It pisses me off more than it should.

“I’m set,” I say, forcing the words out like a challenge.

Gears’ jaw tightens, his gaze sweeping over my outfit, lingering on the exposed skin. “I don’t like this.”

I roll my eyes and tap him on the shoulder as I pass. “You don’t have to like it. You just have to deal with it.”