“Do you know them?” my driver asked, looking between me and the road anxiously. “Should we call the cops or something?”
“Yes, I know them. No, we don’t need to call anyone.” I sighed, my heartbeat kicking up behind my ribs as my stomach did flip-flops. “They’re…my pack, and they’re stubborn, apparently. I’m so sorry about this.” I put as much regret into my voice as I could to prove my point.
Poor guy. His day was taking a very testosterone-filled turn.Stupid rich assholes.
Despite my anger, something deep inside me hummed with happiness at their proximity, which was very annoying.
I made no move to get out of the car, staring straight ahead as I scowled. But they weren’t going anywhere.
“Do you want me to unlock the car?” he asked, his voice carrying a very sweet edge of concern.
I sighed. This conversation would be happening, regardless.
I pushed the window button, letting the glass descend a couple of inches. “What the hell do you guyswant?” I crossed my arms and glowered at them.
Avery curled his fingers over the glass. Logan and Hunter were behind him with equal looks of concern, but they could get lost. I was ready to scream at them too.
Like it or not, theyweremy pack, and I was attached to them in a way I would never be attached to anyone else. Still, considering Parker’s recent behavior, that wasn’t seeming like a good thing. I couldn’t live with someone who thought of me the way he did, and I could never allow my child to grow up around that sort of influence.
Thinking about it made tears sting my eyes again, but I wouldn’t cry in front of these alphas, even if my hormones weren’t getting the message right now.
“Clover, please, we can talk about this,” Hunter begged. “We’ll deal with Parker, but we want to be there for you.”
“I’m leaving,” I said simply, looking forward again and trying not to meet any of their eyes. I wanted to get on a plane and get my ass to Seattle and far, far away from them.
“Look, angel,” Avery said gently, “I can’t blame you for wanting to run away. What Parker did wasabsolutelydisgusting and so fucking dumb. We”—he gestured between himself and the rest of his pack—“don’t think that way at all.”
Logan nodded, those damn hazel eyes of his burning with intensity. “We really don’t, mama. You know that, too, even if it’s buried under being upset with Parker.”
Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes, and I blinked rapidly, trying desperately to get rid of them. Yes, I was bitter about what had happened, but more importantly, I was downright furious. And unfortunately, I was one of those people who, when I got too angry, would cry. And the damn pregnancy hormones still weren’t helping.
I was so over this day. My shoulders slumped as profound exhaustion hit me.
Traffic lurched around us. “Hey, you guys are holding me up,” the driver said. “We’ve got to move.”
Avery quickly glanced at him before rummaging in his back pocket and pulling out a wad of bills. Because, of course, that would solve everything. I shook my head, pinching the bridge of my nose as he thrust the bills through the window opening.
“Traffic can go around you for a second. This will cover your time while I talk to our omega.”
The driver gathered the money with a shocked look. Embarrassment crawled up my spine, making my stomach twist again.
“Perfect, already settled.” Avery turned back to me. “Let’s talk.”
Part of me wanted to laugh at his antics, but the mood was too somber, and I was still annoyed. “There’s nothing to talk about, Avery. What you might want to say doesn’t matter. Parker is still part of your pack, whether you guys like it or not.Heis part of this, and he has made itveryclear where he thinks I stand in this situation.”
The pain over that reality flared brightly behind my ribs again, the memory of reading the contract a slash across my heart.
“Get out of the car, mama,” Logan said gently. “I can feel how upset you are, so I know you can feel how sorry I am.”
I grumbled. He wasn’t wrong.
“If you still want to leave after we have a conversation,” Logan continued, “then we’ll drive you to the airport and I’ll buy the house next to yours.”
I let out a bitter laugh. “You’re not moving to Seattle.”
“Watch me. I’m going to be there for you, however I can be.”
“Princess, we’ve known Parker for years. He’s hardheaded, yes, and this is probably thestupidestthing he’s ever done,” Hunter reasoned, his hand moving over his chest like it would prove he was being genuine. “I’m not going to stand here and say anything he did was okay, but if he doesn’t figure out his shit with you, he’s not going tostaypack. I hate thinking that’s a possible future, but we’re going to protect you.”
