“I called Donovan while you were out. The DAU is working with the FCDA to dismantle the cult. It will be a lengthy process, but they’ve declared it safe for us to return to New York. Your father was arrested, along with all the men he had on the church grounds. Your mother, brother, sister-in-law, and Harrison all escaped during the raid and are unaccounted for.”
Fates, that isn’t good. Father being taken off the table is great, but all four of them are as evil, or more so, than he is. “And Colin?” Hope soars in my chest, but it’s quickly crushed.
“He was detained, but there are currently no charges being made against him. That may change as they sort through the evidence they find at Harrison Pharmaceuticals and within the church.”
I melt against his bulky frame, needing the peace his presence brings. I shouldn’t allow him to hold me like this, but with everything that happened, I can’t bring myself to push him away. A purr rattles to life in his chest, easing the aches in my muscles and stirring the baby to life. The flutters and kicks of his moving steal some of the pain from my heart.
I have to believe Omen is still alive; otherwise, I will fall apart, and this little bean cannot survive without me.
“We’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning, and hopefully Donovan will have more of an update for us then.” He doesn’t have to add “about Omen.” We both know her safety is our biggest concern. The cult and dismantling of my father’s empire can be left to the government agencies. They don’t need our help, and if they do… well, they’re out of luck.
He leans us back against the couch, arms framing my baby bump. Seeing his palms spread across the spot where my son rests… it brings an array of emotions roaring to the surface. My worn-out brain doesn’t have the strength to hide them all, and they leak into the air alongside my scent. Sadness, because Colin never cared this much for me during either pregnancy. Joy that I’m finally free, and that we’ve found such incredible men to stand at our sides. Arousal, so thick and honey-sweet that it makes my cheeks burn.
“Mommy! You’s awake!”
Foster dances into the room carrying a freshly bathed, wiggly Kaitlin in his arms. She beams at me as he gently deposits her on my lap. Her expression turns serious as her tiny hands squeeze my cheeks. “Okay?”
“Yes, Little Bug, Mommy’s okay.”
Taking me at my word, she hugs my neck and presses a slobbery kiss to my cheek before turning to look at Foster over her shoulder. “Ice cream?”
I snort, the sound making my ears burn. “You promised ice creamafterher bath?”
Shepherd’s chest rattles with a laugh beneath me. “He was a little frazzled after you passed out. Didn’t think about the mess.”
Foster’s lip pushes into a pout. It’s equally adorable and sweet. Tucking Kaitlin to one side, I hold out my free hand to him. He takes the olive branch I’m offering and dives onto the couch, curling against my other side so Shepherd can cuddle himtoo. The soft curls of Foster’s hair brush against my chin, where his face tucks against my throat.
“Mmmmm, much better.”
Lifting a hand, I run it through his hair and whisper. “I’m sorry I worried you.”
Those stunning blue eyes turn up to me, shimmering with tears. “No apologies. I didn’t watch the whole video, but what I saw was rough enough. I understand how overwhelming it was.”
Sometimes I forget that these two men are also my sister’s friends. They’ve been there for her over the past four years when I couldn’t, and they care for her as much as I do.
Curled together on the couch, I soak in the citrusy blend of Foster and Shepherd’s scents. The Omega’s sweeter lemon tart melds with his Alpha’s masculine bergamot and sandalwood to create a calming blend of heaven. Adding in the gentle smell of Kaitlin’s body wash, they smell like my pack.
“Can we has ice cream now?” Kaitlin asks, wiggling her head under Shepherd’s arm so she can lie beside me on his chest. We all laugh, and it’s perfect. Or more accurately, the start of something perfect.
Chapter Twelve
After two nightsof restless sleep and another arduous car trip, we finally get the call that Omen is awake and ready for visitors. I’m jumpy with anticipation, needing to see her with my own eyes. Donovan promised she is stable, but until I have visible proof in front of me, my heart won’t believe him. I doubt I will ever get the image of her lifeless eyes staring up at the church ceiling out of my mind.
Shepherd swings my door open and offers me a hand. I take it, glad for the help to steady me as pain zips up the outside of my left hip. “You’re riding up front for the trip home,” he grumbles, fingers flexing as he fights the need to physically comfort me.
As much as I would love to have him knead the strain from my sore muscles, there are too many eyes on us. I cannot risk someone seeing us and skewing our interaction to make it appear like I am cheating on Colin. Not when I haven’t met with a lawyer. Thankfully, I have an appointment with a Family & Pack Law attorney who works alongside the DAU. She has agreed to meet with me tomorrow afternoon and will represent me during my divorce and custody battle with Colin. After they serve him the papers, I will be free to pursue any relationship I wish.
“Are you ready?” Foster asks as we ride the elevator up to Omen’s floor. His red-rimmed eyes are full of the same concern I know reflects in mine. Neither of us is prepared to face the worst. We cannot lose my sister. It would break us.
“As much as I can be.” His pinky wraps around mine, a small offer of comfort. The contact is minimal and hidden from others, but it still warms my cheeks. I squeeze him back as the door dings and opens, and then I let him go.
Shepherd greets the DAU agents posted outside. They’re here to ensure no one tries to come after Omen in retaliation for outing our father’s true plans to the world. Many of his followers distanced themselves from him, and the authorities arrested plenty during the raid on the church, but others may still try to get revenge in his name. Those who view my father as some sort of savior, even after hearing the truth behind his false claims. Blind sheep willing to sacrifice themselves for their shepherd.
We stop at the nurse’s station, where a worn-out Donovan is chatting with a female doctor. “Ah, Hannah, it’s wonderful to see you again! This is Doctor Russell. She is overseeing your sister’s care.” Her phone beeps, and she excuses herself before we can speak, leaving me to pepper Donovan with my questions instead.
“How is she?”
The older Alpha gives me a fragile smile. “Alive, which is what matters most. You should see for yourself. She’s right in there.” He nods his head toward the room across from us. The door is closed, and the lights are dim inside, ratcheting up my nerves.
