“So you’re kidnapping me because you want her to give universal healthcare? Do you think she has a magical wand that can make that happen?” I asked with a scoff as I crossed my arms over my chest.
I was done pretending like this interaction was anything but an abduction.
Kidwell just snorted. “Please, I don’t actually care. I’m just telling you that Brady might still be here if he followed the money like I did. In fact, now that I don’t have to pretend anymore, you’re going to meet my benefactors very, very soon.”
Then she lashed out at me with something shiny in her hand.
It pricked my neck and darkness began to tunnel my vision.
Then there was nothing.
Chapter Thirty Five
Walter Reed Medical Center — Just outside of Washington D.C.
Two days until the Election…
“If I have to watch another episode of Little House on the Prairie I’m going to go back into a coma,” Dallas groaned as he turned off the TV. “What kind of hospital television only plays TV shows from the seventies?”
“I kind of like it,” Zeke said from his place on the bed next to Dallas. “Come on Dall, you don’t like snuggling with me and watching Pa save Carrie from the wolves outside?”
Dallas made a face at him before giving the alpha a weak shove. “No, you weirdo.”
I just rolled my eyes before turning back to the book on my phone that I was trying and failing to focus on. After stumbling through Lennon’s first heat I realized just how little I remembered about omegas from the singular class I took in high school an embarrassingly long time ago.
So, the book entitled‘Omega care for dummies’had been promptly purchased.
It was too bad I was still on chapter one which was all about nesting. I was sure the rest of the book had some hidden gems that would unlock all of my knowledge about omegas and make me the most attentive alpha there ever was.
In case it wasn’t completely evident, my thoughts about the book were completely sarcastic. There were cutesy cartoon character illustrations throughout that looked like they suited a children’s show rather than a book about the intimate relationship between alphas and their omegas.
With a sigh, I shut my phone down and glanced at Brooks who was snoring softly in the chair next to me.
The poor guy had been sleeping the least out of all of us and it had taken a toll out of him.
Someone had slung Lennon’s jacket over his bulky shoulders and his nose was tucked into the folds of the puffy black surface, seeking out whatever was left of her scent even in his sleep.
Reaching out, I gave his hair a soft ruffle.
The level of skinship between us had been one of the biggest changes since Lennon’s heat and subsequent separation. Before her we’d been best buds and teammates, content to get a beer or play a video game together, but now we were a pack.
It felt natural to draw platonic comfort from each other just by touch—even for me who’d been my parent’s most touch adverse child. I’d shrugged off my mother’s hugs and kisses more thanonce as a petulant child and teenager and I regretted it now that I understood how gratifying it could be.
Making a mental note to give her a big squeeze the next time I saw her, I tucked Lennon’s jacket more tightly around Brooks’ shoulders and looked over at Zeke and Dallas who were still arguing about whether or not Mary was a good character or a bad character.
“She’s insufferable,” Zeke said with a snort. “She’s always in Laura’s business—we’ve watched six hours of this shit and it’s been the same thing episode after episode.”
“She’s the older sister, that’s kind of her job,” Dallas said like it was obvious. “Protecting her sisters even if it makes her the bad guy, just like I have to sometimes.”
“Last time I checked you’re the younger brother, Dallas,” I threw in casually just to piss him off.
The alpha’s green eyes narrowed at me. “That’s debatable.”
“How?” Zeke asked incredulously, looking excited to hear whatever harebrained theory the alpha had come up with to justify why he tended to boss his older brother around like he did.
“I have a theory that the doctors got us mixed up and I’m actually the older twin,” Dallas sniffed.
“Now that’s crazy,” Brooks, who seemed to have woken up at some point during the conversation, said with a yawn. “I just let you be in charge because it’s too much work otherwise.”
