I pace the small confines of my living room, my mind racing. Part of me, the logical, practical part, acknowledges that they’re right. My apartment isn’t secure. Whoever broke into the gallery could easily break in here. I can’t afford private security. And to be honest, imposing on Leah and her pack isn’t ideal either.
But another part of me recoils at the idea of running to four alphas for protection. Especially these four alphas, who already have my hormones doing the cha-cha every time they’re within ten feet of me.
And the most infuriating thing? They’re right about the danger. And…I’m…I’m scared. The word “BITCH” keeps flashing in my mind.
“This is a transaction,” I say finally, meeting each of their gazes. “Let’s be clear about that. You need me to silence your ‘static.’ I need security. That’s it.”
“If that’s how you want to see it,” Rett says, his expression unreadable.
I take a breath. “Temporarily. And we have rules.”
All four of them straighten slightly, their attention sharpening.
“I get my own room, with a lock,” I state firmly. “You do not enter without my permission. Ever. This is a security arrangement, nothing more. We areroommates. Got it?”
Rett nods, a hint of respect in his eyes. “Agreed.”
“And I need to keep working,” I continue. “No interfering with my job. No showing up unannounced like Tristan did.”
“Hey,” Tristan protests, holding up his hands. “For the record, my ‘interfering’ landed you the Davelle sponsorship. You’re welcome.” He says it with a half-smirk, but he has the grace to look a little sheepish about it.
“Agreed,” Rett says again, shooting Tristan a warning look.
“And this istemporary,” I emphasize again. “As soon as whoever did this is caught, I’m coming back to my apartment.”
They glance at each other. Something passes between them that makes my eyes narrow.
Rett nods. “Of course.”
I release a deep breath, still not quite believing what I’m agreeing to. “I’ll need to pack some things.”
“I’ll help,” Diego offers.
Tristan claps his hands together. “Well, this will be cozy. Roomies!” He grins, some of his usual spark returning.
I shoot him a look that could wither plants. “Temporaryroommates. Withboundaries.”
“Of course,” he agrees, though the dimple in his cheek suggests he’s not taking this as seriously as I’d like.
As I head to my bedroom to pack, my mind is spinning. Am I really doing this? Moving in with four alphas who claimed me after one night? Four men who turn my brain to mush and my body into a traitor every time they’re near?
Yes, apparently I am. Because staying here alone, jumping atevery sound, wondering if tonight’s the night someone decides to turn that spray-painted threat into action is worse.
Fuck.
I pull a suitcase from my closet, throwing in clothes, toiletries, my phone charger, my planner. Normal things. Everyday things. As if there’s anything normal about this situation.
Diego appears in the doorway, his expression soft. “Need help?”
“I’ve got it,” I say, perhaps too quickly. Having him in my bedroom feels too intimate, too close.
He nods but doesn’t leave. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry about all this. The break-in, the threat... It’s not fair.”
“Life rarely is,” I mutter, creasing a sweater into a brutally sharp line, my knuckles white with the effort.
“Lo sé, querida,” he agrees. “But that doesn’t mean you have to face it alone.”
I look up, meeting his gaze. There’s something in his warm brown eyes, a sincerity that makes it hard to maintain my walls. “I’ve always handled things on my own.”
