I hold out my hand, wiggling my fingers at the Alpha. “I dropped my phone on the way over here so unless you have–” My words cut off as Kade grabs a tablet from the desk and hands it to me. It’s already unlocked, Kade’s lack of security on some of his items a little concerning, something I’ll rectify later. A few taps and passwords later bring up the secure server where I keep all the forged documents. "I still have access. Charles never knew about this particular server. It's completely separate from his systems but I’ll need to get it moved."
"Good," Kade says. "I need everything ready by tomorrow morning. Five complete packets, all the documentation Morrison needs to claim legal ownership once the horses are ready to be picked up from here."
I nod, already mentally going through the work required. It's a lot to do in less than twenty-four hours, especially with my injuries. But it's doable. "I'll need a laptop and a printer. My setup at Charles' house is obviously not accessible anymore."
"Use mine," Kade offers, gesturing to the laptop on his desk. "Password is on a sticky note in the top drawer. Everything you need should be there."
The casual trust implicit in that offer surprises me. Kade is giving me access to his personal computer, to whatever files and information he has stored there. Either he trusts me more than I thought, or he's confident enough in his security that he doesn't consider it a risk.
"What about the actual transfer?" I ask. "Morrison's people coming here to pick them up?"
"They'll arrive after sending a text," Kade says. "Hopefully, before the sun is fully up. They’ll unload the horses and then we wait for Morrison’s guys. Load the horses, hand over the documentation, collect payment, and they're gone within thirty minutes. Quick and clean."
"And Solana?"
"I'll handle Solana," Kade says firmly. "Your job is to get the paperwork done and make sure everything is in order. Can you do that?"
I nod. "Yeah, I can do that."
"Good," Kade says. "We don't have much time and I need this done right. Morrison is paying a fortune for these horses and if anything goes wrong, we're all fucked."
Chapter thirty-two
Solana
I'm making another plate, carefully arranging the slightly burnt toast and scrambled eggs that are probably overcooked. My cooking skills are severely lacking, years at Harmony House where we weren't allowed near the kitchens leaving me with almost no practical experience. But I'm trying, focusing on making something edible for the injured Omega in the guest room.
Dustin watches me from where he's leaning against the counter, his eyes tracking my every movement. There's still lingering distress in his scent, that sharp edge of fear that hasn't quite faded despite the relief of his stepbrother being alive.
"Sunshine, I'll take it to him," Dustin offers, pushing off the counter and moving toward me.
I shake my head, pulling the plate closer to my chest protectively. "I want to."
The need to do this myself is overwhelming, stronger than logic or reason. Something deep inside me insists that I need to be the one to bring food to Ashton, to care for him in this small way. I don't understand it, can't explain it, but the drive is undeniable.
Dustin moves closer and pulls me into his chest, the plate trapped between us. His arms wrap around me, solid and warm and reassuring. I can feel his heart beating against my cheek, still faster than normal but steadier than it was last night.
"I need to explain a little about what happened," Dustin says quietly, his chin resting on top of my head. "Stefan... he works for a very dangerous man. Ashton's father. Things went bad last night, really bad, and Stefan had to get Ashton out."
I listen as he gives me the bare bones of the story, leaving out details that are probably too violent or complicated for me to process right now. But I can fill in the gaps myself, can imagine the fear and desperation that drove Stefan to bring his Omega here.
"I felt your pain," I whisper against his chest. "Through whatever this is between us. I had never been so scared in my life."
Dustin's arms tighten around me. "I thought..." His voice breaks slightly. "I didn't know what condition he'd be coming in. We were on the phone and then he stopped speaking. The line went dead and I didn't know if he was alive or dying or already gone."
I pull back enough to look up at him, seeing the fear still lingering in his eyes. Without thinking, I press a kiss to his lips. It's meant to be brief, comforting, but Dustin deepens it immediately. His mouth moves against mine with desperate need, like he's trying to ground himself in this moment, in me.
He hoists me up onto the counter, the plate somehow ending up beside me without breaking. His head buries in my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he just holds me. I wrap my arms around him, one hand stroking through his hair in what I hope is a soothing gesture.
"I want to help," I say softly.
"You don't have to," Dustin murmurs against my neck. "You're going into heat, sunshine. You should be resting, preparing."
"Let me do this." I pull back enough to meet his eyes. "I can do this much. Please."
There's something in my expression that makes him relent. He nods slowly, helping me down from the counter and handing me the plate. His hand lingers on mine for a moment, his thumb stroking across my knuckles.
"Okay," he agrees. "But I'm going with you."
