Chapter 1
IsighheavilyasI watch my phone vibrate on the worn, oak coffee table. My boss’s name flashes and I groan as I grab the device and answer the call.
“Smith,” I say sharply.
“Smith, finally. I really need you to come to the office,” Dom replies.
“It isn’t something we can talk about over the phone?”
“No, you’re the only one I trust with this job. I know you’ve taken a few weeks off, but we need the Omega whisperer on this one.” I groan—I fucking hate the nickname. You do a good job handling security for a few Omegas and suddenly everyone calls you the Omega whisperer. I just don’t let them wrap me around their sweet-smelling fingers and boss me around. Same can’t be said about some of the dumbasses I work with.
“I’m not sure I can leave Kelsey yet.”
“Why don’t you ask her if she wants your massive, brooding ass still hanging around?” I hear him chuckle and he lets out a breath. “Text me as soon as possible. It’s a big job. Something more permanent, which I know you’ve been wanting.”
No fucking kidding, especially after getting Kelsey’s first hospital bill. I’m not sure whether I’m ready to leave her by herself. She’s twenty-three, but she’s still my baby sister, and after everything that’s happened, I just don’t know if I should take an assignment that will take me away from her.
“I’ll let you know soon, Dom.” I hang up the phone, put it back on the coffee table, and scratch my beard. The living room looks just like my mom left it. The Tuscan decorating movement definitely had her inspired. I can’t believe it’s been five years since their passing. I’m usually working and don’t live here full time, but Kelsey does. When she needed me, I dropped everything and came here to look after her. It’s been three weeks of making sure she’s okay and doesn’t go into a deeper spiral.
With a grunt, I rise from the brown leather sofa and walk to Kelsey’s room. I tap my knuckles on the wooden frame of the door, and Kelsey shouts, “Come in.”
“We need to talk,” I say, looking her over. She looks healthier, like she’s put on weight and put in an effort on her appearance. We share some similarities. We both have green eyes, brown hair, and light freckles scattered across our noses. From there, the similarities end as I tower over her at six foot six. Of course, our designations separate us as well, as I’m an Alpha and she’s an Omega.An Omega that I can’t stop worrying about.Now that she’s packless, how the hell am I supposed to leave her here alone?
“Dom wants me to take a job, I wouldn’t be nearby.”
“Thank fucking God, I thought you would never leave the house,” she says excitedly.
I shake my head and look at her in confusion. “You don’t want me here?”
“It’s not that, it’s just, I’m twenty-three. I know I scared you, and I’m sorry, but I’m doing better now. I’m taking my medication appropriately. I’m seeing a therapist. You shouldn’t be hovering over me—I’m a grown woman.”
“I know you’re an adult, Kelsey. I just want to make sure you’re okay. This job could have me gone for weeks at a time. It sounded like this might be a more permanent position.” I scratch the back of my neck and a deep part of me is a little annoyed at how badly she wants to kick me out of the house. I dropped everything to be here with her. I don’t want to admit it, not even to myself, but I want someone to need me. Doesn’t a little sister always need her big brother?
“Bro.” She sighs and wraps her small arms around my waist. She can barely connect her hands. “You’re the best big brother a girl could ask for, but it’s time for me to do this on my own. I’ll be fine, I promise.”
I wrap my arms around her and sigh. She’s the only person I have left with our parents gone, and the idea of leaving her alone makes bile rise in my throat. I don’t know how I’m going to handle the stress that comes along with her living alone. She’s been through so much lately, and with no one to hold her accountable, what if she does something reckless?
“I will call or text every day. Does that help?”
“Yeah, just don’t make me worry about you, okay?”
“Okay,” she says, as she unwraps her hands from me and I take a step back.
“I’m headed to the office, I’ll be back in a few hours. If there’s anything I need to do around the house before I leave, make a list.”
“Just go, I’ll be fine,” she says as she attempts to move my body with her small one. I appease her by walking out of her bedroom.
I collect my wallet, jacket, and the keys to my bike. My Harley is the only thing I keep at this house that means something to me beyond Kelsey. I’m going to miss riding all the time, but I’m ready to get back to work. I’m not someone who likes to be idle, and sitting around the house with Kelsey all day is making me feel lazy.
Straddling my bike, I make my way to headquarters. The ride to the office is relaxing and I wonder what kind of assignment Dom has in store for me. I hope that it isn’t another diplomat’s daughter. Being constantly around a bunch of stuck-up assholes gets old. While I always have my guard up, it is nice to be in an atmosphere that isn’t completely stifling.
The ride only takes around fifteen minutes and I pull up to Bosch Security. Merle at the front door gives me a head nod as I walk through the foyer and head over to Dom’s office.
I don’t bother knocking, I just walk in. I’ve known the asshole since elementary school, and I only treat him like a boss when I have to. He’s been in charge since his father stepped down and retired a few years ago. He’d been patient with me when I took off to take care of Kelsey. He never threatened to fire me or push me back into work too soon. Dom talks too much for my liking, but he is a good man and Alpha.
He isn’t as tall as me, but he’s a large and intense Alpha nonetheless. He scratches his short, buzzed hair and hangs up his call to acknowledge me.
“Smith, that was quicker than I expected. Kelsey tell you to get the fuck out?” He laughs and straightens his suit jacket as he rounds the desk and leans against the modern steel counter.
