“Not today. Lock it up, Tristan, because if Raney knew you were over here talking like that, you know she’d be pissed. So instead, how about you focus on Raney and making sure she knows I’m not going anywhere. Because no shit, I thought that’s what besties did.”
“We look after each other,” she snaps.
“Do you? Because from where I’m sitting, you’re hashing up the past instead of getting her ready for her future. She needs lots of everything in this shop since we’re going to be making up for all the time we missed out on.”
“What about playing?”
“Yeah, I’ll probably be taking a leave of absence. I’ve got better things to do.”
“She said you were crazy good.”
“I am. Hockey I don’t need to practice, with Raney, I do.”
She pops her eyebrows up and her lips pull down like Simona’s did before. “You can swoon her all you like.” But then a smile breaks out and it adds to her pretty face, but she’s not a patch on my girl. “She needs lots of loving, and reassurance.”
“That’s the only position I want. And yours is to go make sure she gets anything and everything she wants. I’m trusting you with my omega as much as you’re trusting me with your bestie. I get it, okay? Now shoo!” I don’t wink even though our chat deserves it. I keep it so far above board I kind of feel like an actor, but I’ll do that and more to make sure Raney is happy.
I miss what happens next when one of the shop assistants interrupts me, thumbing off a text to King to tell me someone called the shop asking for me. Even without saying hello, I know it’s Reid.
“Yeah?”
It’s easy to transition into full protection mode, as easy as breathing. Standing up, it’s like my brain locks down all my emotions, and I become an unfeeling thing. A thing that is only focused on Raney.
Stopping at the window, I’m relieved to see Koz is back. I wave him over, and he climbs out of the car looking resolute and ready.
“Colt, I think you’ve got something of mine,” Reid’s voice makes every muscle in me contract, and I have to crack my neck at the instant tension that nearly locks me up.
“Yeah?” I answer, making eye contact with Lew, letting him know we’ve got issues.
Koz meets me at the door with King and Joker at his back. The look on his face lets me know he’s got a fair idea of who I’m talking to already and the reality is, we’ve all been waiting for Reid to contact either me or Raney.
Sharlene showing up at the game was too coincidental. And we all knew that. I wait, letting him stew in the pause, because growing up, Reid’s tetchy impatience made him rash and stupid. I’m hoping it’s only gotten worse in the past few years.
“I want her returned,” he hisses at me like the fucking snake he is.
“Returned?” I goad.
“She’s mine, Colt.”
“Not going to happen.”
He snaps again. “I’m serious, Colt, she is mine. Don’t make me kill my only brother.”
I smile at his choice of words. “I’m not your fucking brother.”
“I was hoping you were going to say that.”
ChapterThirty-Seven
RANEY
“Ipromise, this is the last room we have to do. Your nest is done and I can start arranging delivery times with your alphas,” Emmalina says, almost apologetically.
She has nothing to be sorry for. Birdie is food for your soul. Every item she has in her store has been lovingly selected, and I could quite happily have spent days wandering through the store. Spending time with Emmalina is a bonus and is like bathing in warm sunshine.
Even watching Koz and Puck standing shoulder to shoulder at the entrance to the store isn’t a concern right now. I really don’t care what the issue is. All those two are is a distraction. Admittedly, a very nice one, but nothing is stealing this moment from me.
“Raney! Stop standing there like you’re the judge in an ass competition.”
