But I don't know how to stop it.
Cass leans in and whispers, “It’s too dangerous for beautiful omegas to be all alone.” His eyes stare deep into mine. “I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
I want to argue that he doesn’t fucking know me, but I’m not brave enough to say that out loud. “Okay.” I lean back and pull free of his grip, forcing his hand away from my chin. My gaze drops to my lap as I nod once in defeat. “Understood.”
“You’re safe here, Tansy.” He angles his head down, clearly trying to see my face. He lets out a heavy sigh when I don’t say anything, but he doesn’t force me to look at him again. “Everything is going to be okay, omega.” His other hand lifts from the small of my back, and I suddenly realize I’m free.
The loss of his hands on me is immediate and startling, and my body reacts before my mind can catch up.
I scramble off the bed, pitching myself forward over Cass’s legs. My feet hit the floor, and I freeze.For half a second, I just stand there, chest heaving, eyes darting from the window to the door. The urge to keep running flares hot and wild, instinct screaming at me to move.
Then reality catches up.
The window is stuck. Warren and Gray are right outside the door.
There’s nowhere to go.
The weight of it crashes down all at once, and I brace myself, shoulders tensing, waiting for Cass to snatch me up. To fuck the disobedience right out of me, to violate me and remind me that I'm weak and powerless.
My heart hammers in my chest, blood rushing in my ears.
…but it doesn’t sound like he’s moving at all.
The silence stretches, thick and heavy, until it’s unbearable.
He’s looking at me.I can feel it.
Terrified, I cross my arms tightly around my middle, then slowly turn back to face the bed.
Cass is still sitting there, exactly where I left him, watching me with a strange, curious expression. Almost like he’s faintly amused by how fast I bolted.
Then his gaze moves down my body.
It’s a slow, deliberate drag, taking in my full height, head to toe. His eyes linger where the shirt rides up to my knees, looking at me like he’s trying to see right through the fabric.
Then his brows lift a fraction. “Huh.” He licks his lips. “You’re tall,” he says, almost thoughtfully, as his attention slips back up to my face. “Verytall. For an omega,” he adds with a small smile. He almost looks…pleased?
Heat crawls up my neck, and I shift my weight, suddenly too aware of my body. Of how I’m standing. Ofhow he’s looking at me. The compliment…if that’s what it was…makes my skin prickle. I hate talking about my body.
So I do the only thing that feels safe.
I change the subject.
“So I’m trapped here?” My words come out sharper than I mean them to, but I’m just so uncomfortable. “I’m your prisoner.”
Cass clears his throat, thinking. It’s a low, rough sound. He shifts slightly on the bed, careful but not careful enough to hide the wince that flashes across his face. His weight settles unevenly, and he exhales through his nose.
“You aren’t a prisoner,” he says finally. “But if you’re smart, you’ll see you’re safer here than on the streets.” As he speaks, his hand drifts to the top of his thigh, rubbing the muscle above his bad knee. His fingers press in, squeezing like he’s working against a deep, persistent ache.
Panic cuts through me as I realize I jumped over his legs. Did I hit his wound when I scrambled away?
Did I make it worse?
It's a stupid thought to have about a man who's holding me hostage, but I can't help it.
“Tansy?” Cass’s dark eyes flicker to the bedroom door, jaw set tight. “Will you ask Beck to come in?”
“Beck?” I hesitate, not sure if opening the bedroom door is the right choice. Unsure if this is some kind of test or….hell, I don’t know what’s happening anymore.
