"I'm choosing to believe he's not that much of a fucking bastard," I interrupt, even though I'm not sure I believe it. "That he's not that fucking desperate to control you through Harmony House."
Charles is absolutely capable of that level of manipulation and control. But the alternative—that someone else put Ashton in the system without his knowledge—is almost worse because it means we don't know who we're dealing with.
"Regardless," I continue, "I've got to handle this deal with Kade and then I'll be back. Keep the fucking door locked, okay? Don't open it for anyone except me, Kade, or Dustin."
I lean down and kiss him fiercely, pouring everything I can't say into the contact. When I pull back, Ashton's eyes are dark with worry and lingering arousal.
"Be careful," he says.
"Always am."
I leave the room and meet Kade in the hallway. He's changed into clean clothes, no trace of the unknown Alpha's scent remaining. His expression is all business, the easy domesticity from earlier completely gone.
"Ready?" he asks.
"Yeah. Let's get this done."
We head outside where a large trailer is already pulling up the service road. The timing is perfect, exactly as planned. Morrison's people are nothing if not professional.
The truck stops and several men climb out, moving with the efficiency of people who've done this hundreds of times. They start unloading the horses, leading them down the ramp one by one. Five beautiful thoroughbreds, all of them probably stolen or obtained through questionable means, all of them worth a fortune.
Everything looks in order as we're loading them into the barn. The horses are calm, well-trained, showing no signs of mistreatment or poor handling. Morrison knows his business, knows that damaged goods are worthless in this market.
One of the younger guys, maybe twenty-five, takes a deep breath and grins. "Damn, someone's got an Omega in heat. Lucky bastard."
The comment is casual, thoughtless, the kind of thing men say when they think they're among friends. But it sends rage flooding through my system before I can control it.
I don't hesitate. My fist connects with his jaw and he crumbles to the ground, blood spraying from his split lip. The punch feels good, satisfying in a way that's probably unhealthy.
Another guy steps forward. "What the fuck, man?"
The main guy dropping off the horses holds up a hand. "We're not here to be friends. We don't ask questions, you don't ask questions, and everyone gets paid. But you disrespect a man in his fucking house? You pay for it." His gaze sweeps across his crew. "Anyone else want to talk about their Omega or make a joke? No? Smart move." He extends his hand to Kade, who shakes it firmly. "Congratulations," the man says, his tone genuine. "To both of you. Never thought I'd see the day. Let us know when you get these transferred."
Kade nods. "Will do. Payment will be wired by morning."
We watch them load back into the truck and drive away, the trailer empty now. The whole transaction took less than twenty minutes, quite professionally despite my outburst.
"I'm going to do a round," I say, scanning the perimeter. "Make sure everything is secure."
"I'll make sure these are all checked in," Kade agrees. "Meet me back here in an hour."
I'm about to head out when I hear the rumble of an engine approaching from the front drive. Both Kade and I turn, hands instinctively moving toward weapons.
A car stops and out steps Alpha Graves.
"Fuck," Kade mutters. "Change of plans."
I look at him. "What do you need me to do?"
"I need you to make sure there isn't anyone else walking around the fucking property," Kade says, his voice hard. "No one gets into the house. No one."
"I got it." I pull my gun, checking it one more time. "Call if you need help."
Chapter forty-two
Solana
I'm resting in the nest, trying to doze despite the tension humming through the house. Dustin's knot deflated a while ago and he pulled out carefully, but there's been an edge to him all morning. The heat has receded to a manageable simmer, giving me moments of clarity where I notice things like how Kade and Stefan have been on high alert since before dawn.
