Lincoln’s arm is draped over Bayleigh’s waist, possessive even in sleep, his face buried at the nape of her neck like he’s guarding her from the world. Korbin is sprawled on the other side, one long leg thrown over hers, a hand resting on her thigh as if he’d reached for her in the dark and refused to let go.
And me, I’m in my favorite place, buried between her legs. The four of us in bed together is like playing a game of Tetris.
And Bayleigh—well, she’s right where she belongs, tucked in the middle of the three of us. Marked and safe.
I don’t move, even though I desperately need to piss. I just take this moment of peace to watch her. I want to commit every scar, freckle, and little twitch she makes to memory. My eyes drift, moving up to the marks on her neck. They’re faint in the morning light, soft shadows against her skin instead of the vivid proof they were placed there just hours ago. But seeing them still makes something in my chest ache—in the best way. Pride. Reverence. Awe. Happiness.
Of all the people Bayleigh could choose, she chose us.
We’re a full pack. The thought nearly knocks the air from my lungs. God, I love her.
Not in the wild, reckless way I used to think love felt. This is different. Like standing in a room that’s finally the right size after years of trying to shrink to accommodate the miniature space. Everything finally feels right, and I’m at peace. The only thing that will make life even better is when Kor and I are traded to a new team. Fuck, we don’t even care who as long as we’re away from the Scorpions.
Carefully, I shift my body so as not to wake them and slip out of the nest.
Lincoln grunts but doesn’t wake. Korbin’s fingers tighten reflexively, then he relaxes when Bayleigh sighs and nuzzles deeper into him.
I can’t help but grin. “Guard dogs, already,” I mumble softly.
After heading to the bathroom, I pick up my shirt from the floor and pull it over my head before picking up my jogging pants and putting them on. I take one final look at my pack before quietly leaving the room and making my way to the kitchen. I need coffee, and once the three of them wake up, they’ll need it too.
I move through the kitchen as if I’m on autopilot. Coffee first. Always coffee. Then breakfast. French Toast sounds delicious, and after careful inspection of the fridge and cabinets, I’m happy when I find we have all the ingredients needed. I decide to make some eggs, too and I’m halfway through cracking them into a bowl when I hear the phone ringing.
Not my cell. But the house phone.
I freeze.
No one ever uses that number. Hell, there’s only a few people who have it, and it’s strictly for emergencies if they can’t reach one of us.
My heart races, fearing that something must be wrong.
It keeps ringing, disrupting the calm silence within the house. I don’t want it to wake the guys; it might cause Bayleigh to stir and she needs to rest, so I rush to the living room to answer it.
I trip over a lone shoe on the floor, but catch my balance only for the phone to stop ringing when I get there. I turn to head back to the kitchen when it starts again. I quickly pick up the receiver and answer.
“Hello?”
There’s a pause on the other end before a deep voice speaks.
“Yes, can I speak with Milton Grady or Korbin Brooks, please?”
I know that voice, but I just can’t place it.
“This is Milton. May I ask who’s calling?” I ask, making sure to use my most adult voice.
“Hi Milton, this is Gary. So sorry to call you so early in the morning.”
Gary is the GM for the Scorpions. Why would he be calling us? My mind starts to race to figure it out.
“No problem. I was up. How can I help you?”
“Well,” he pauses, and instantly something in his voice hits me wrong.
“I was hoping to have the both of you come into my office, but I can tell you now over the phone and that leaves us more time for what I need you to come in for.”
Something about the tone hits me instantly. I know something is up.
“Okay.” The word drags out of my mouth as I head over to the coffee pot and start making myself a cup. Something tells me I’m going to need it.
