Page 81 of The Gift
“Donnie set it all up, inviting Pack Miller when we expressly forbade them from any event where you would be. We had to call for friendly reinforcements, that’s why there’s so many packs and alphas here. No one can touch you,” Reno insists, his lips ghosting over my forehead as I continue to bury deeper into his arms. If I could, I’d climb into the suit he’s wearing, I’d push my skin to his and curl asleep in his rich essence.
“They didn’t need to touch me though, did they? The message was loud and clear and was probably more effective than a physical attack. Someone knows, Reno. Someone here knows. And they want me to know,” I say, my voice starting to wobble, betraying how thrown I am.
“And now we show them how ineffectual their manipulations are. They will never get you, Bailey. They can toy with you, but all that is going to do is make things that much worse for them, when we catch up with them. And we will.”
“They’re escalating.”
“Which means you’re getting too close to exposing them with your story.”
“Or they’re getting louder because they think I’m not paying them enough attention.”
“Possibly. We’ve got lots of moving parts going on that we need to figure out. And for the time being, I think it’s important that we maintain the separation of all those issues. They might be connected, but there’s also a chance they’re not.”
I close my eyes, taking in a very obvious lungful of my most favourite beta in the world before taking a small step away.
Reno’s hand moves down to cup my cheek. “You’re going to walk back in there, wearing our name around your throat, which these stupid dicks don’t even recognise, with that stunning dress cupping your ass. You are going to shine bright with your head held high. Then my pack and I are going hunting.”
I close my eyes, leaning harder into his gentle touch, enjoying his confidence, because without a doubt I can do what he said. I have before. It’s quite different when another person says it though, it’s like pouring cement over my belief. Solidifying it forever more.
“And where will I be while you go hunting?” I ask, opening my eyes up again, curious.
“Where no one would think to look for you, of course,” Reno says. His green eyes are like glittering emeralds and are the embodiment of the rich decadence I associate with him.
“And where is that?”
“The omega wellness resort.”
I pull away from him, my mouth open in stunned shock.
“Jesus, really?” I splutter so eloquently.
Reno’s finger traces over my lip, that self-assurance he basks in, morphing into something more. A look of predatory proprietorship is the most accurate way to describe it. “Bailey, no one will be able to get you there. It’s impenetrable. We know, we helped design it. We’re taking you home, making you ours and then leaving you at the wellness centre, stuffed with our come while we hunt down the stupid fucks who keep threatening you. Then, once we’re back, we’re going to take your heat, for days, one of us, all of us probably are going to fuck you, make love to you, satisfy and pleasure you for hours and hours. Days hopefully. Safety first, then lots of orgasms for our omega.”
“You should be in marketing,” I say, fanning myself, not even trying to hide from him what his words do to me. “You’re always so sure.” I smile, tipping my head to one side, filling my nose with more of Reno’s scent.
“You are too. Don’t let any of this bullshit take away from what you know you want.”
“It’s some serious bullshit, Reno,” I argue, tangling my fingers with his.
“True. But don’t ever forget who you are, or who we are. You’re ours, plain and simple. And Pack Bailey are a contradiction. Intentionally. We’re known for being intelligent pacifists but, Bailey, we gladly, and aggressively do the dirty work that no one else wants to do. We are definitely not afraid of pain or blood; you give us a reason.”
Henley
“Gentleman, sorry about before.”
Bailey glides back into the conversation seemingly without a care in the world. And even though I know her sense of ease is an elaborate act; she damn well draws me in too.
Until she looks at me, and I can see past all her smoke screens.
And while I work closely with these packs, I haven’t confessed to the pack leaders the truth about Bailey. Obviously. They know of our pack’s involvement in Exposé Media, as shareholders, and also in tracking down the omegas. They also know our security firm, of which they too are a part of, are tasked with watching over the team at Exposé in light of recent events, as well as caring for the found omegas. Bailey having a stalker is fucked, but it does provide explanation to my overprotective urges and gives me the excuse to hover and scowl.
I play around laughing and chatting with the packs, acting better than she does before I drop the curtain on the evening and guide her out of my circle of friends with little more than a nod of my chin.
“That was awfully rude of you,” she says through a tight smile, waving a goodbye to Carmen at the same time as we rush out the door, leaving the Donnie drama behind us. I hope.
As we walk through the corridor towards the central lifts, she shivers, and before she can complain, I have my black dinner jacket around her shoulders. Without hiding or being subtle, she grabs the collars and watches me, sniffing the lapels, and boom, I’m back to wanting to claim her like a fucking caveman. Her eyes dilate in response, and I know we’re all fucked. Completely and utterly fucked.
Ashton and Koda left before us to collect our belongings from Bailey’s office, including her blue bag that she always carries, and to triple check that our exit stayed clear. Reno, by now, would be in the car waiting.
