Chapter 33

My father continually calls while we're eating, to the point I can't ignore him any longer. As soon as I'm finished, I excuse myself and step away to the living room to procure a bit of privacy.

"Hello, Dad."

"Where the hell are you? You told me you were on your way to Virginia, but that's not the case. Is it, Cassian?"

"We stopped in Kentucky," I say, clearing my throat. "Annika went into heat."

"Mmm, I see." His condescending tone sends my hackles up.

"You have a new daughter-in-law. I'm bonded." I spin in a semicircle, looking for something to preoccupy myself. The curtains are open, and I aim for the window to peer out.

"Tell me the rumors I'm hearing are false," my dad growls. "Tell me you didn't bond Ranger fucking Cavanaugh's little sister."

I grimace. "How did you know about that?"

"I recognized her from the nationwide newscasts from a few years ago. I only hoped you had more intelligence than to be led around by your cock!"

"So, you knew why we were attacked in Vegas. Why play dumb?" I ask, spinning around to pace the living room.

"You didn't come to me all those years ago when my former associates were bothering you. Do you think I'm stupid, Cassian? There are only so many for-hire individuals capable of taking out the Maxons. I've always known you owed someone a massive debt for that clusterfuck."

"Enough," I growl, swiping a hand over my face.

"Not even fucking close," he says condescendingly. "You're now tied to the vendetta the Andrettis have with the remaining members of the Cavanaugh family. I thought you wanted a different kind of life?"

God, even the sound of his voice is about to send me over the edge.

"Annika and I are in agreement. We want nothing to do with the kind of life you live."

"So, you don't want my assistance in removing the problem?"

I open my mouth, but no matter how much it stings my pride, I know my father has an army of his own. "I don't want you to fight my battles for me, but if you want to help support your oldest son, then I'm not too proud to turn it down."

"All you had to do was ask, Cassian." My father chuckles darkly. "Enjoy your honeymoon." He hangs up as I'm trying to comprehend what the hell just happened.

Does he somehow know about the falsely filed marriage certificate?

God.

My brain hurts.

I shove my cell phone into my pocket and turn around to head for the kitchen.

Annika leans in the doorway, watching me with a wrinkled brow. She's still in the same oversized T-shirt that I think belongs to Grady or Kane.

Her head tilts as she smiles softly. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything is just fine." I stride forward, pulling her into my arms. "Are you done down here?"

She nods and nuzzles her face to my chest. "Yeah."

"Would you like to head back to the nest?"

"Aww, Cas, do you need a cuddle?"

I chuckle, shaking my head.

She's very astute.

Or I'm a novice at blocking my emotions in the bond.

"I wouldn't turn down an opportunity to snuggle with you."

Annika has sporadic spikes of fever, combined with a desperate need for dick, throughout the evening.

We fall asleep together as a pack in the nest, but I'm not sure what time I wake up with her wiggling on my cock.

"Are you okay?" I ask, running my hand down her back.

She buries her face in my bare chest and groans.

I wait for a while, but when she doesn't speak, I start to get anxious. "Annika, are you okay?"

"Yeah," she agrees. "The post-heat cramps started. I'm a little afraid to crawl off the bed."

I frown.

Ward lies next to us, and he rolls over and leans close. "The supplies Grady picked out are in the bathroom."

Annika nods against my skin. "Thanks." She keeps my cock inside her but pushes up on her palms to look at me. "Sorry, I'm pretty sure I bled all over you."

I frown again, feeling quite like an idiot. Then again, I was asleep thirty seconds ago.

"Take your omega to the shower," Ward growls, elbowing my arm.

"I can—" Annika starts.

Reality finally catches up. "I've got you, sweetheart. Let's shower together."

"I'll clean up the bed when I get back," she says to Ward.

"No, lass. I'll handle it." He gives her a soft smile.

Wrapping an arm around her lower back, I scoot us to the bed and stand with her wrapped around me.

"Sorry," she whispers as I aim for the door. "Being an omega really isn't as glamorous as the world claims."

"Are the cramps especially painful?" I pull the door handle and tote her to the bathroom across the hall.

She shrugs. "It's a few times worse than the periods I used to get before I presented."

I nod, stepping over to grab towels. I actually remembered that tidbit of information from the alpha-and-omega-dynamics class they forced me into in high school. Before presenting, female omegas have monthly menstruation.

I toss the towels over the glass shower wall and pull the handle to climb us inside. My version at home in Vegas is sleek and modern, but this is what we have available.

Aiming for the back, I turn on the hot water. It comes out cold at first, and I twist so it falls over me instead of her.

She stretches her legs but refuses to look at me as I kiss her forehead. "Well, this is going to be embarrassing."

I run my hand down her spine. "Don't give it a second thought. Let me take care of you."

It's a little shocking how my heart races at the idea, but it's true.

I don't only want her during the good times.

Heat sex is mind-blowing. It's clear society isn't exaggerating when they say how quickly and deeply it bonds alphas and omegas to ride out a heat together. But I want to get to know her on a deeper level.

She finally looks up at me, running her fingers over my collarbone. "It's not always like this, just so you know. I mean, it was with Grady. We've always had that instant connection like I feel with you, but I rode out multiple heats and never got attached the way I feel about you, Ward, and Kane."

I chuckle to cover how warm and fuzzy that makes my chest feel. "Good."

I've never experienced a heat before, but I wouldn't want my first to have been with anyone but her.

Annika continues to nest during the next four days. She's cuddly and affectionate, but the way she snuggles to my chest hits completely differently when there's no sex as the endgame.

Grady and Kane are working out in the garage, but the equipment isn't quite up to their standards. The amount of complaining they've done leads me to believe they're the princesses. At the very least, they're spoiled and unimaginative.

Ward and I worked out this morning by jogging the exterior of the property, followed by more push-ups and sit-ups than I could count.

Annika snoozes with her head on my bare chest, and even I'm taken aback by how quickly my feelings for her have grown. We have a fair amount in common, considering neither of us wished to become what our families expected of us.

It's still a little hard to fathom that she killed Marco Andretti and one of his men. Remembering how she threw that knife in the kitchen helps reinforce that she is capable of looking out for herself.

And yet, watching her snore against my skin only strengthens my need to keep her safe.

My phone vibrates loudly, and I snatch it up.

"Hello?" I whisper to keep from waking the snoozing omega.

"Why isn't Kane answering my calls?" Ranger growls.

"He's working out. What's up?"

Annika wakes, blinking at me in shock.

It's nearly silent.

I'm not surprised Ranger's snarls woke her.

"At least twenty, possibly twenty-five men. That entire fucking area is a dead zone for surveillance cameras."

My brain is still processing the information as Annika snatches the phone from my ear, putting it on speakerphone. "How far out?"

"Hello, Sparrow, you sound well. I'm glad. I've missed you," Ranger says, but his tone is still as cold and dead as it always is. "Merrick was watching the two ATM feeds from that shit-hole town. Three SUVs passed seven minutes ago."

"Jesus Christ," she hisses. "And there's only that one road in?"

"Technically, yes," he says. "There's a slight possibility there could be hunting trails or other dirt roads behind the property that lead to actual government-named roads, but nothing Merrick can see. It would be something only the locals are privy to."

"So, we have no choice but to have this out?" she asks, climbing off my lap and starting to pace in front of the couch.

"You could run, but that would be a long drive to Virginia. You'd have to hope you didn't even need to stop for gas." Ranger sighs. "I have a friend and her team on the way. They won't be there for at least two hours."

"A cleanup team?" Annika asks, spinning toward the doorway.

That's when I spot Ward. He's watching and listening, just inside the entrance to the living room.

"Exactly," Ranger agrees. "You know, I have to say, I'm proud of you. You kept yourself alive and hidden for longer than I thought possible. I genuinely hope that was due to your fear of the remaining Andrettis and not me."

"I-I…"

"It's no matter. Rally your men and prepare. Merrick says you have no more than ten minutes. Head for my home in Virginia once you're done." He clears his throat. "I have a surprise for you. Stay alive. Be aware, it's highly likely Ezrah is with them."

The phone disconnects as Annika's hand shakes.

"The middle Andretti. Well, I guess the younger of the two that are still alive." Her eyes are huge as they meet mine. "We need guns."

"Fuck," I grunt, shoving myself off the couch.

"I'll grab Grady and Kane." Ward takes off without a backward glance.

"There's a balcony, right? That's what that is on the second floor, like an outside porch thing?" She tosses my phone on the coffee table. "It's time we play offense."

My head tilts because I have no idea what that means, but I'm also part of this pack. I grew up in a world where I didn't make it to sixteen without completing my first kill. I've purposely moved away from that kind of living in my adult life, but I still remember where I came from.