“I assure you that it’sverypossible. If you don’t believe me, then call your brother and ask him if he’s enjoying that New Jersey air.” His crystal eyes glitter with mirth. “You can talk to him while we disembark. Pretty sure Tania is getting impatient outside.”
He starts toward the door while I gape at his back.
The phone he handed me is no doubt rigged. But if he’s going to let me talk to Gio…
I pull up the contact and select Call while trailing after Johan.
A petite female with spiky black hair waits for us at the bottom of the steps. A petite female who is sizing Johan up like he’s a delicious snack she’s about to enjoy. A petite female who has me narrowing my gaze and suppressing a growl.
“Hey, Tania,” Johan greets her, his sensual baritone grating on my nerves.
“Hey, J,” she coos at him, her use of a nickname making my stomach twist. “Nice flight?”
I’m about to cough or snort orsomethingwhen the call connects and starts to ring. The delay is probably related to whatever spyware Johan installed on my phone. Or maybe there’s a cell phone jammer on the jet. Who knows? I’m just thankful it works.
“Aurora?” My brother’s voice travels down the line, nearly making me stumble on the stairs as relief and a myriad of other emotions echo through me all at once.
“Gio,” I breathe. “Are you okay?”
“AmIokay?” he asks, sounding incredulous. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? Where are you? Are you okay? Did that asshole touch you?”
“Who? Noah?” I blink.
“No, Lazarus,” he growls. “But Noah is there, too? God, I assume that means Johan is with you all.”
“Uh, yes and no,” I say slowly, then shake my head. “Wait, where are you? Are you really in New Jersey?”
Johan glances back at me with a humored look, ignoring whatever the spiky-haired omega is saying to him. She has her hand on his arm, though. His exposed forearm. And she’s… she’s dragging her nails along his skin like she has a right to touch him.
Which is really not okay.
“Hold on,” I tell Gio, interrupting his reply, which I now realize I wasn’t listening to. “Can you stop doing that?” I ask, looking straight atTania.
She frowns back at me. “Doing what, babe?”
“First of all, I’m not yourbabe. And second of all,that.” I gesture to where she’s stroking Johan. “He’s not your scent match; he’s mine. So fuck off.”
Okay. I might be… losing my mind.
That’s fine.
Everything’s fine.
“Scent match?” my brother roars down the line.
Okay. Not fine,I decide, clearing my throat. “Uh, yeah. Unfortunately.”
Johan arches a brow. I’m not sure if he’s reacting to my comment to my brother… or to Tania.
“You’re scent-matched?” Tania asks, yanking her hand away. “To her?”
Johan’s attention returns to the now-simmering omega. “Yes. I am. Is that a problem?”
Tania looks wounded, like she’s about to cry.
And now I feel like an asshole for even commenting.
“Aurora,” my brother snaps, making me realize that I’ve missed something else that he’s said.
