“Modesty is for people who don’t have anything to brag about.”
Kai’s hand finds my thigh under the table. “So all three marks now,” he says, his voice low and intimate. “Love knowing that you’re ours for good.”
My stomach flutters. “I guess my heat will come soon, then.”
They both nod, their expressions shifting to something more serious. More intense.
“We’ll take care of you,” Carter promises, his hands lightly squeezing mine. “When it happens. Whatever you need.”
“I know.” And I do. For the first time in my life, I actually believe it.
I glance around the courtyard, trying to compose myself, and catch a couple of girls at a nearby table staring daggers at us. Or perhaps only at me. They’re young, early twenties, probably, dressed in the kind of revealing outfits that scream “rodeo tourist hoping to catch a cowboy.” Their glares are focused entirely on me, and I can practically see the jealousy radiating off them.
Three rodeo stars. Three gorgeous, devoted men who can’t seem to stop touching me.
Too bad for them. These ones are mine.
I turn back to my Alphas with a satisfied smile, but it freezes on my face when I see who’s approaching our table.
Tanner.
He’s out of uniform, wearing jeans and a T-shirt that’s seen better days, and he’s swaying slightly as he walks. His eyes are glassy, his movements uncoordinated.
Drunk. Great.
He stops at the edge of our table, one hand slapping down on the wood to steady himself. “June.”
“Tanner.” I keep my voice flat. “Go away.”
“I can’t.” He’s trying to sound earnest, but it comes out sloppy and pathetic. “I still love you, you know that? It fucking destroys me to see you with these… these dicks.” He gestures vaguely at Carter and Kai. “You deserve better than them. You deserve me.”
Kai’s hand tightens on my thigh. Beside him, Carter has gone perfectly still, his jaw set and his eyes hard.
I laugh. “Which is exactly what I have now—better than you. So do yourself a favor and walk away before you make this worse.”
“They’re using you.” Tanner leans in, his breath rank with alcohol. “Can’t you see that? The second the rodeo leaves town, they’re gone. You’ll be nothing to them.”
“Wrong.” Carter’s voice cuts through the noise of the restaurant, sharp as a blade. “She’ll be everything to us for the rest of our lives.”
Tanner’s attention swings to him, his lip curling. “Oh, fuck off. I know what you did. You and your little friend here”—he jabs a finger at Kai—“stole my cruiser the other night. By the river.”
“Can’t prove it,” Kai says with a shrug.
“I’ll fucking find proof. And when I do, I’m getting all of you tossed in prison. See how much she loves you then.”
“Tanner, you’re drunk,” I say. “Go home. Sleep it off. Stop embarrassing yourself.”
He reaches for me, and suddenly Kai is on his feet, moving with a speed that seems impossible for someone his size. He positions himself between me and Tanner, his broad shoulders blocking my ex from view.
“Don’t.” Kai’s voice has dropped to something low and dangerous, a growl lurking beneath the words. Every muscle in his body is coiled tight, ready to strike. “Don’t touch her. Don’t look at her. Don’t even think about her.”
The transformation is startling. Gone is the playful, reckless cowboy who jokes about everything. In his place is something primal, an Alpha protecting his Omega, and God help anyone who gets in his way.
Tanner tries to peer around him. “June?—”
“She’s not yours anymore.” Kai steps forward, forcing Tanner to stumble back. His voice is quiet now, almost conversational,which somehow makes it more terrifying. “She’s our Omega now. Our pack. And you? You’re nothing but roadkill we haven’t bothered to scrape off the pavement yet.”
“Big talk from a guy who steals police vehicles. You left water everywhere. You better not have been fucking naked in my car.”
