Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 141165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 706(@200wpm)___ 565(@250wpm)___ 471(@300wpm)
She ended up just keeping one 24/7 bodyguard on-duty. After that happened to her, I took time to ensure she was protected.
I thought it was because I was a lead. But Banks believed differently.
I just nod a couple times, and I scrutinize my brother for a second.
He shaved closer this morning, making his jawline appear narrower. Which makes me look about two years older than him, but only six-minutes separate us in reality. Growing up, he’d tell our dad I was the “older brother” to shirk responsibility.
I didn’t care that it wound up on me.
I am six-minutes older, but I’m constantly turning to him for advice.
My phone pings, and I read a text.
Do not rush if you’re preoccupied, but I have an announcement that you should hear. You can find me in my bathroom. – Jane
It can’t be an emergency if she’s saying not to hurry. But I’m still on guard.
“Jane?” Banks guesses off my expression.
“I need to head over there.” I read the text out to him.
The corner of his lip hikes up like I read a portion of her diary. “In her bathroom? First a kiss, then a—”
“We have boundaries set,” I cut him off, pocketing my phone. “This is just to protect her.”
“But you like her,” Banks says.
“Doesn’t matter.” I have to follow the hierarchy. Breaking the rules will rip a bullet through security and plunge all of Omega headfirst in boiling water with Alpha and Epsilon.
Banks nods and starts to crawl back underneath the car. “Gomesegiam’…you’re in over your head?” How do you say…you’re in over your head?
I exhale through my nose. “Fuck.”
16
THATCHER MORETTI
I’m in Jane’s bathroom, and she isn’t the only one here.
“Just a fair warning: if you fuck with Jane during this fake-dating stunt, I won’t come for you,” Maximoff says firmly, spearing a territorial glare into me. “Because I’ll go after your brother instead, and I’ll break both of his kneecaps and stake his head on a fucking pitchfork.”
Gut reaction, I almost glare.
I’d die for Banks, no hesitation; the idea of living without him is eviscerating—but I get Maximoff’s protectiveness of Jane. Fully.
“He’s being hyperbolic,” Jane says to me, her eyes widened. Cautious. Like all four of us are on the edge of a cliff together.
I steal another brief glance at her. She’s in a purple bathrobe, hair twisted in a nest, and zit cream dotted on her chin and forehead.
Her ability to be comfortable in her own skin—it’s gorgeous. Flat-out, and for once, I allow myself to think it without reprimand.
“Pretty sure I’m being honest,” Maximoff says, pulling my attention back. He never shifts his intense green eyes off me. A straight razor is in his hand. He was shaving short stubble on his jaw.
The second that I ducked beneath the doorway and straightened up—only a foot inside the bathroom—Jane, Maximoff, and Farrow rotated towards me. And Maximoff got the first word out.
Sorry—the first threat out, and I don’t blame him. Hell, I’ve been waiting for something like this from Maximoff. Being around the Hale family for a long time, I’ve heard their sharp-tongued threats. His dad is more brutal, but on some deep level, I know Maximoff is just as serious right now.
I open my mouth to reply.
He cuts back in, “And by fuck with her , I mean hurting her even a fraction of an inch.”
I nod, just as serious. “Understood.”
Because I’m complete shit at showing emotion, I force myself to add more. Just in case it’s not clear.
I look him in the eyes. “I’ll never hurt Jane. I wouldn’t.”
Jane steeples her fingertips to her lips. Eyes darting back and forth to everyone. Even to Farrow who leans casually on the shower door and smiles while chewing gum. I can’t tell if he’s entertained by his fiancé or just by me getting threatened.
“Glad we have that covered,” Maximoff says strongly. “Especially since you kissed her already.”
The air deadens.
I’m motionless.
Can’t be surprised she told them. Not when I already told Banks.
“Yeah,” I say out loud. “I kissed Jane.” I’m assured that this is where I need to be, and I’m not someone who fucking cowers. But there are plenty of times I wish I would’ve taken a step back rather than barrel forward and rip myself up in barbed wire.
But this isn’t even close to a regret.
Maximoff thinks hard for a second, and more silence weighs the room down.
“For practice,” Jane reminds them.
Farrow pops a bubble in his mouth. “Is that what Cobalts call it?”
Jane knots her robe tighter. “We call everything what it should be. An orange is an orange. Your eyes are brown, and a practice kiss is simply a practice kiss.”
I sweep her with more concern.
She’s getting stressed, and they should be able to tell as much as I can. I’ve never seen Maximoff or Farrow actively be a roadblock in her life. Only support. And even now, they quickly back off.