The sun had long set by the time I left the guest house. We spent hours talking. Sometimes, simple things, like new books or movies. Others, more serious. Mom planned to sell the house after the papers confirmed Dad’s death, not wanting anything to do with it. Kaelen had asked her to stay with us, but she refused.
Even when he offered to buy her something far too lavish, she insisted on taking care of herself. She was the strong, independent omega I remembered. She promised to find a place close by after I worried she might move across the country.
After hugging her goodnight, I wandered back into the den.
Shadow sat curled up on the sofa, wagging her tail when she saw me. I snuggled in beside her, resting my head on her thick coat. A subtle scent of freshly mown grass lingered on her coat. I wrapped a blanket around both of us, grabbing my dogeared copy ofLittle Womenfrom the coffee table.
I had barely finished my chapter when heavy footsteps padded into the room. Delectable waves of whisky and fresh espresso settled nearby. My fingers splayed over my sternum, lighting up with the serenity my alpha pushed through our bond.
Fringe hung over my eyes, obscuring my vision as I looked up, pleased to see Kaelen staring at me like I was the reason for the moon and stars.
His eyes softened as he sat beside me, careful not to disturb Shadow. Two callused fingers tilted my chin back, his lips brushing against mine in the shadow of a kiss. They slowly moved southward, pausing at his mark, tending it with reverent licks.
A purr vibrated his chest, and I leaned into him, practically crawling into his lap. Damp, loose tendrils of his hair hung around his face, fresh from the shower.
“Is it done?” I asked, my face buried in his shirt.
“Taken care of.”
The grief I expected never came, only relief. My dad was gone and so was Vittorio Rossi. With Kaelen’s work, I suspected the inherent dangers that came with that, but knowing the two bigger ones were handled made my breath come easier.
I laced my fingers with his. The pad of his thumb rubbed over my Claddagh ring as sparks sputtered in the hearth.
“Come to bed with me, my little omega,” he said, sweet and gravelly in my ear.
A tingle danced down my spine, making me shudder.
“Tired, Alpha?” I cooed.
“No,” he grunted, standing up and effortlessly tossing me overhis shoulder.
“Hey,” I squeaked, swatting at his back.
Laughter spilled from me, dampening my protests. Aileen eyed us from the dining room, both brows arched as Kaelen carried me up the stairs. I blanched, hot crimson burning my cheeks, but Kaelen didn’t care, taking the steps two at a time with those massive tree trunk legs of his.
A whine fell from me, imagining those strong thighs pinning me in place while my alpha knotted me.
Two hands gripped my waist, tossing me on top of a mountain of plush blankets and pillows. I giggled, scooting back and admiring my husband.
Without looking away from me, Kaelen ripped off his t-shirt by the back of the collar, his tattooed torso on display. Like the greedy thing I was, I ogled my alpha and how his joggers clung to his hips.
I sat up on my knees, curling a finger in Kaelen’s direction—beckoning him.
“Come ravish me, Alpha,” I whispered.
“As my omega commands.”
Forty-Five
KAELEN
Adull pain lingered behind my right eye as I finally looked away from the computer screen I had been staring at for the last hour. No matter how long I reviewed the financials for the pubs, they never made sense.
Everything to do with the pubs was strictly legitimate, and as such, needed to be pristine. I trusted our accountants and Aidan, but I preferred to give them a look myself at least once a year after one of our managers had been caught funneling money from the Quincy location three years ago.
I sat in my office, the glow of the monitor the only light in the cavernous room.
It was late, and I hadn’t bothered to turn on a light.
