Page 88 of Unhinged

“You don’t know everything,” I mutter, but it’s weak.

She leans back against the counter, raising an eyebrow. “Then tell me.”

I glance at the window, like maybe someone’s listening. I lean in anyway, voice low.

“She’s the Alpha Slayer.”

Her eyes go wide.

For a second, I think she’s gonna faint. Or throw a pan. Maybe both.

Then—shelaughs. A full-on belly laugh that shakes the damn rafters.

I scowl. “What the hell is so funny?”

She wipes a tear from the corner of her eye. “She’sperfect. Especially for Titus. That man needs a woman who might stab him just to keep him humble.”

“I’m serious, Mom.”

“So am I.” She softens, smile turning gentle. “It almost makes me feel at ease, knowing she could protect you boys just as much as you protect her.”

“Thanks.” I mean it.

She walks over, kisses my cheek like I’m still ten years old and just got a B+ in math. “Anytime, baby.”

I start to leave, and she smacks my arm lightly. “You’re having dinner with me soon. All of you. Including Brydgett. And the boy.”

I blink. “We’re throwing a party this weekend. Saturday, most likely.”

She waves a hand. “Perfect. Then Sunday night dinner it is. I’ll make Stromboli.”

I grunt. “We’ll be there.”

And I mean that too.

Even if Brydgett glares at the tablecloth. Even if Acid pretends to hate small talk.

We’ll be there. Because that’s what family does.

Even the fucked-up kind.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

ARROW

I don’t usually sleep in, but today I lingered too long, tangled up in thoughts of her. Her scent still on me, days later. Like that bed branded me. Likeshedid.

Brydgett.

Gidge.

Our omega.

I close my eyes, and I see her everywhere. In that cage, bloodied knuckles and wild eyes, moving like she was born to destroy. I see her with a knife pressed to Nikola’s throat, steady and sure, daring anyone to stop her. She’s chaos in motion. A fucking tornado wrapped in a sinful, sexy package.

And she’smine.

I’ve barely scratched the surface of her. Just the tip of the blade, the edge of what makes her tick. But I’m obsessed already. She’s in my blood, behind my eyes, carved into every damn thought I’ve had since I laid eyes on her.