Get used to what?
* * *
One hour later, I have an answer.
I’m brandishing a mop, wiping up the water I’ve just tipped down myself and all over the floor when there’s a flurry behind me, whispers and giggles until Veronica’s voice echoes through the kitchen.
“Everyone, back to work!”
I focus on squeezing the water out into the bucket until a voice distracts me.
“Gabrielle?”
Stumbling, I nearly slip on the wet tiles, but hands appear under my elbows, tugging me into a very male, very broad chest that smells disturbingly like toasted marshmallow. Warm with a hint of vanilla and caramel.
I take a deep breath, swaying slightly as my bones soften.
“Woah,” a very male, familiar voice chuckles huskily in my ear. “You okay?”
My eyes fly back open, and I push away from the temptation of Nathaniel’s very comfortable chest.
He’s staring down at me with the smallest, secret smile on his face when I spin around.
“Hello there,” he teases.
My cheeks must be on fire. I can feel the heat and it’s nothing to do with the kitchen prep.
“Um… hi?”
He waves a hand behind him. “We thought we might have lunch here,” he says with a wink. “Wanted to introduce you to Cade… but I think you may have already met.”
My eyes slide behind him. There’s no sign of Hudson, but Axel is there, talking to a new alpha watching me with interest, sharply dressed in a dark suit and deep blue shirt.
A terrifyingly familiar alpha with steel blue eyes.
My feet skitter back until my lower back hits the edge of the metal sink with a crack. My hands fly up as I flinch, and Nate’s face changes in an instant, the easy teasing replaced by a rumbling growl.
He takes a step forward, his arm reaching out, but I flinch away. He pauses as a small whine ripples out of my chest.
This is it. I knew it was too good to last.
“Gabrielle,” Nate’s voice is low. “You don’t need to worry. He’s not angry at you, kitten.”
Axel places his hand on Nate’s shoulder. My breathing speeds up as I wait for his face to change, to crease in disgust, for them to throw me out, or call the police.
I don’t know what this alpha has told them, but there’s no way they’ll keep me here.
I’m athief.
My lip starts to tremble. Nate closes his eyes with a grimace, and I brace myself for the inevitable words.
“I’m an idiot,” he says quietly. “I didn’t mean to scare you, kitten.”
My eyes veer between him and the icy blue stare of the alpha from the alley. He takes a slow step forward, his hands up and palms out.
“You’re not in trouble,” he murmurs.
He’s interrupted by Hudson, who appears with a frown on his face.
