The word causes my head to jerk up.
Luther moves his hand slowly, allowing me time to tell him to stop.
I don’t.
He cups my cheek. “I let you push me away the first time. I won’t allow it again.”
My mind is muddled, my heart a pulverized mess.
“Not unless you truly mean it. Do you want to leave, Omega? Do you want to run from me again?”
He must have been able to recognize my entire body yearning for him.
Because it does. My entire being reaches for him. Our time in that clinic was unforgettable…no matter how much I had tried to do just that.
Forget it.
The relief I felt when I realized I was in fact pregnant.
An excuse to break the anonymity. To run and find him.
“Your pack doesn’t want me,” I say as an excuse. One last ditch effort to widen the space between us. “The Rossis are after your son.”
“They do. They just don’t know it yet.” Gingerly, he swipes his thumb across my lips, pressing down on my bottom. “Xenia, you areours. We will keep you safe. No matter what.”
Breathing a few times, I attempt to calm the rapid beating of my heart, to allow his tone and scent to comfort me. And they do. Except there’s a terrifying thrum that strums just beneath the surface.
If Vinny tracked my location, and I’m sure he did, he would know the general area of where I am. He would come looking for me here. And maybe he can’t now because of the snow, but it wouldn’t stop him for long.
eighteen
Xenia
Fully clothed in Pierce’s oversized shirt and Luther’s rolled up sweatpants, I open the door of the nest to look around. My eyes land on Pierce’s back.
He turns, offering a large grin. “There you are. Luther is fixing us something to eat. I imagine you are starving.”
As if on cue, my stomach gurgles painfully. My face flushes in embarrassment. “I am,” I agree.
Pierce is in short sleeves and pajama pants. With his arms bare, I can make out the intricate tattoos that line his wrists all the way up and up. I imagine they cover most of his skin.
There’s a name that vines its way up his forearm.
I recognize it.
“What is your last name?” The question comes out before I can stop it.
His face darkens, but he inclines his head. “So you are aware of my family’s notoriety. Does it change anything for you?”
“You’re a Stellar?” I ask outright. But not out of concern. It just all makes sense now.
“I am,” he agrees. “Food?” He offers a hand.
And I take it without hesitation.
I don’t know him. Ibarelyknow Luther.
But instinctually, I recognize he won’t hurt me.
