Chapter 24

Chapter Twenty-Four

Noble

T he doctor hooks me up with some good drugs and uses surgical glue to seal the wound on the back of my head. Not that I'm complaining. It's easier than stitches or staples, although she mentions I might lose some hair around the site, but I'm not concerned.

I'd rather not bleed all over the pillows, because that'll make Brooklyn anxious. She doesn't watch while I'm patched up, but she does peek back in after the medical staff heads out.

Bless stands at the end of the bed with her hands on her hips. "I'm going to punch you in the throat." She raises an eyebrow. "You deserve it for bonding when you know your pain will filter through the link and straight to her."

I frown.

Damn.

I should have thought about that, but I was too far gone to even contemplate it.

"Because I consider you a friend," she mutters, like it's physically painful to admit, "I'm going to wait until your other injuries have healed."

"Thanks." I snort, and even that makes my skull pound.

"Don't make him laugh." Brooklyn pushes off the doorway and comes to the edge of the queen-size bed.

Bless mutters something about us all being hopeless and spins around to leave.

My sweet little omega moves slower than a turtle as she climbs onto the mattress. She kneels at my side, looking terrified to touch me.

My hand flies up to cradle her rounded stomach. "How's the baby?"

"Fine, shifting around a lot." She grabs my arm, moving it to lay across the pillows, then snuggles up at my side.

I tilt my head and watch her wiggle closer without actually touching me. "Mama, I'm not going to break."

"Maybe not, but your pain is unmistakable, and I'm not trying to add to that." Her hand gently lands on my chest. "Soak up the soothing pheromones." There's some huffing. "Well, as soon as I figure out how to force my system to secrete them. Just don't let me fall asleep. I can't have Libby wake up alone in an unfamiliar environment."

She really is too fucking good for me. Entirely too sweet for the ugliness stained on my soul.

A good guy would have protected her from afar, then moved along. But I'm not a good guy.

I'm going to bask in her light and work my ass off every day to deserve her.

Brooklyn falls asleep within minutes, but she sure does spit out pheromones like a cat purrs while it naps.

My entire body is warm and fuzzy, which could be a result of the opiates, but I'm guessing it's a biological reaction to having my bonded omega so close.

She's so fucking tender.

I got my ass handed to me today because I was running on rage and the need for revenge.

I haven't built my reputation by being impulsive, but that's exactly what I was.

And I paid the price.

If Maverick and Gunner hadn't swooped in to save the day…

I'd have met my maker as soon as my usefulness wore off.

I bring my hand over, brushing my fingers over Brooklyn's cheek as she snoozes.

The nurses helped me scrub the blood from my face, arms, and hands.

I also stripped down to just my boxers, but I still feel dirty.

"It's taking some getting used to…" Gunner softly clears his throat. "I like my solitude, but Brooklyn links us together strongly enough that I'm picking up bits and pieces from you." He comes over, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. His fingers run through her long hair, and he sighs. "She's probably too good for all of us."

"I know," I murmur, studying the few light freckles on her cheeks.

"Avan is going to burn this city to the ground, searching for Dustin's killer." Maverick comes in and takes a seat next to Gunner. "That's why I'm not going to bond her until he's handled."

"Don't get caught up in your feelings now," Gunner says softly as he watches Brooklyn. "You might have landed the final blow, but all three of us are equally responsible for Dustin's death."

"Yeah, but if it comes down to it…" Maverick runs a hand through the long hair on top of his head. "I'm just saying, she could live without me."

"We're not going down that road." I point at his chest as I continue to keep my voice low. "Dustin said someone was feeding the enemy information, but it wasn't him. He made it seem like he suspected it was Brooklyn, but we all know she doesn't know shit about the Barretts."

"So, it was Dustin who hired the guys for the hit-and-run?" Gunner asks, his dark eyes narrowing.

"That's who they were meeting, and it sounded like it, but I also don't think he knew his brother originally tried to hire me to take out Brooklyn and Liberty." My stomach rolls at the thought.

I live in the gray.

I work with criminals regularly, and his request is one that will haunt me to my dying day.

I've always known there are some especially vile motherfuckers out there, living their lives. I'd just never gotten a front-row seat to how low some people are willing to stoop, and that's saying a lot, considering my profession.

"Avan is definitely the lowest form of trash there is," Maverick says, stretching a hand around Brooklyn's middle to rub her stomach.

"It might be time to call in some real backup," Gunner muses.

"I have a team I trust too," I concede. "I'm sure they'll give me hell about my epic failure, but they'll come if I call."

"That's good to know, but this is a somewhat personal grievance." Gunner sighs. "The company we work for has had Avan on their radar for quite some time. We are going to need a decent-sized army at our backs to handle his minions, though."

"That feels like tomorrow's problem," Maverick says, studying Brooklyn's sleeping face.

"One of you will have to carry her in to sleep with Libby. I'd try, but I'm not sure I could keep myself upright at this point." It burns my pride to admit it, but I know my limits.

"You sleep with them," Gunner tells Maverick. "I'll stick around and make sure our new packmate doesn't throw a clot while he sleeps."

"Thanks, man." I chuckle to cover for how unsettled I'm feeling. I have no problem being part of a pack, but we also met four hours ago. And now, we're tied together for life. That's going to take some getting used to.

Libby runs in the next morning, waking me out of a dead sleep. Maverick follows her in, but he's not swift enough to keep her from getting an eyeful of me.

"Oh no," she says, climbing up on the bed at my side. "Noble, you got hurt bad."

My name still sounds like bo-bull , but it's so totally Libby that I smile and wrap my arm around her lower back to keep her from falling off the edge.

"Don't worry, shortstack. I'll be good as new before you know it."

She leans her hands on my chest, studying my face. "I'm gonna kiss it better." She nods and bends to lay a slobbery kiss on my cheek. "Mommy kisses boo-boos all better."

I chuckle. "What do you know? I think I'm on the mend." I pat her back. "Hey, did you like the doll?"

"I love her!" Libby declares a little too loudly. "I'm gonna go find her." She gives me another kiss and slides down the bed.

"Do you need anything?" Maverick asks me as he bends down to pick up Liberty.

I shake my head. "Nah, I'm good for now."

He nods, tickling Libby's sides. "Let me know if that changes."

"What in the world are you doing?" Brooklyn gasps from behind me.

Grimacing, I turn around slowly. "I'm rancid. I need a shower."

She frowns, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door behind her. "Did the doctor say it was okay?"

I'm stubborn and don't like to be told no, so I purposely avoided asking.

"Where's Libby?" I ask to distract her.

"Grandma Bea, Stacia's grandmother, is keeping her company for a while. Libby loves her already." Brooklyn licks her lips as her eyes dance down my chest. "I think kids just automatically love old people." She shrugs. "Maybe she's enamored because she's not used to having any grandparents around." Her gaze slowly meanders back up to meet mine, but she gives herself away with how her interest pulses in the bond. "You never answered my question."

I chuckle at the way she plants her hands on her hips.

It seems I need to be more mindful. The bond is an excellent way to get insight into where her head is at, but she can do the same in return.

"I can still smell blood. I need to rinse off."

"Bless said she had someone stop by and grab some of your clothing." She frowns. "Okay, get naked. We'll clean up together."

"Mama," I say with a laugh. "If I go down, there's no way you'd be able to stop me."

"Nope," she agrees. "But I'd know to go for help."

"Scooping me up off the shower floor isn't your boyfriends' job." I slide a hand down my abs and drop my boxers.

Brooklyn keeps her eyes on mine, like she's making a point to not let me distract her. "At least one of those boyfriends is now your packmate. It's probably time you come to terms with that."

I snort, striding over to the cabinet to grab a few extra towels. With that mane of hair, I have a feeling she's going to need more than one.

"If nothing else, your dick seems to be feeling better," Brooklyn says sassily as she soaps my chest and abs.

"There was never anything wrong with my cock." I quirk an eyebrow as the appendage in question jumps against her stomach.

Although, the doc did make it clear I should avoid any and all strenuous activity for at least three to five days.

I wonder if it counts as strenuous if Brooklyn is on top.

"Do you want to tell me what happened last night?" she asks, moving her hands to my hips and twisting me until I'm the one under the shower spray.

"I'm sure you get the idea." I tilt my head to the side to keep the water from cascading over the surgical glue. "Those guys in the SUV won't be a problem for you. They're taken care of."

Brooklyn stares up at me from under her lashes as her lips tip downward. "I appreciate that, but in the future, I'd rather you be safe." Her fingers dip into my abs as she tenderly caresses my skin. "I get the feeling you're used to being kind of a lone wolf. I need you to work on being part of a pack. I'll feel a lot better knowing you have someone watching your back."

"Mama," I groan as her hand wraps around my shaft.

"I'm just being thorough in my cleaning," she says playfully. The shy smile that tugs at her lips makes me ache to eat her alive.

"Is there room for one more?" Maverick asks.

My head whips up as he steps through the cutout in the glass.

Brooklyn's thumb runs over my crown, and it's nearly impossible to keep my face placid.

I ache to snarl and bare my teeth until he gets the hint and fucks off.

"We can make room," the little omega says, moving me until I'm in front of the bench. "Take a seat." Her amusement pulses in the bond.

I'm guessing she caught my intentions filtering through the link.

Damn, I'm going to have to get better about blocking spillover.

Brooklyn gives me a little push, and I fall to my ass as my cock bounces.

She's fucking stunning as she twirls to face Maverick. Her hair is up in a messy bun, and it bobs around as she pulls him into the shower spray.

"I'm going to need you to turn to the side." I chuckle, getting a full view of Maverick's ass.

He laughs, pulling Brooklyn until they're standing with their fronts facing each other.

"You smell like orange juice," she says, smiling as she squints up at him.

"Yeah, I dozed off with a full glass of it on the coffee table. Libby climbed off my lap to help herself to some, but when she made her way back onto the couch…" He laughs. "She was devastated. Bless wants you to know how lucky we are that she has leather furniture. And Gunner suggested I pop in to share a shower with you two, so Noble wasn't tempted to go against doctor's orders."

I snort and flip him off while Brooklyn isn't looking.

"Oh no, I'm sorry she woke you up with a mess." She turns to grab a pump of the fruity-smelling body wash.

It's not a bad scent, but I much prefer Brooklyn's apple pie smell to that of the soap.

"I'm not complaining," he says, running his hands down her sides. He grins, nodding at me. "Since Noble has to take it easy for a few days, I figure we should spoil him with a good show." His hand lands on her ass, and he pulls her flush with his chest. "Feel free to soap me up with your fantastic tits."

Brooklyn giggles as Maverick dips his head to kiss her.

I'm strictly attracted to women, but I can appreciate the sight.

They make for an enticing image as their slick skin brushes.

The curve of the baby belly is visible from this angle, and fuck if it doesn't make my dick throb.

Stretching back on the bench, I wrap my hand around my length and give it a solid tug.

Maverick gives Brooklyn a gentle shove back as they part from their kiss. He rinses off his shoulders, and the water slides down, ricocheting against Brooklyn's tits.

My gaze continues downward.

Brooklyn's hands are wrapped around Maverick's cock. One at the base, cupping his knot, and the other working his crown.

Goddamn.

What I wouldn't give to be him right now.

Actually, I wouldn't mind leaning her toward him, so I could slide inside her from behind. That way, he wouldn't even be left out.

See?

I'm evolving.

I'll be a decent packmate before they know it.

Brooklyn whimpers, and my gaze snaps up.

Maverick's hands are massive in comparison to her as he cups her tits and flicks her nipples.

Brooklyn's hips wiggle, and her head falls to the side.

"You're playing a dangerous game here, sweetheart," Maverick growls, teasing his hand down her stomach until he can grab her cunt. "The body wash doesn't have a hope of hiding the scent of your arousal from me. It's taunting my instincts." He chuckles darkly. "How do you feel about fucking a half-feral alpha?"

"I trust you." The little omega shivers, and I loosen my hold on my cock.

If I don't, I might paint the shower floor, and I'd much rather let my sweet little omega suck down every drop.

"Why is my nose trying to convince me you're in heat?" Maverick teases a finger or two inside her, and Brooklyn curls toward him. "Is it because your body knows you need my knot?"

"Oh, God." Her shoulders tremble like she really enjoys whatever he just did, and it makes her tits bounce with every jolting movement.

I've never been a big fan of watching, but I'm starting to see the merits. I'd love to be able to see everything, but this side view is delicious.

My dick jumps, leaking precum, like I can breed her from here.

Fucking impulses.

They almost never make logical sense. She's already pregnant, but my system is convinced we can breed her all over again.

Maverick continues working her core. "I've always wondered what slick felt like. I mean, you get the idea, but it's so fucking hot. You're soaked." His head dips, and Brooklyn pushes up on her tiptoes to meet him.

His forearm of dark tattoos flexes as he works her pussy from the front and cradles her face in his other hand.

I'm entranced by everything, even the little creases that form under her ass as she settles back flat-footed.

"Your alpha is looking a little left out." Maverick chuckles, winking at me. He spins her to face me and pulls his fingers free of her sex as he helps her hands settle on my shoulders.

Brooklyn grins, batting her thick dark lashes.

She mouths, "Hi," and my heart races.

"Hey, Mama." I smirk, leaning forward to brush my lips over hers.

It stings like a fucking bitch, but I would suffer much greater pain to keep her.

And I get to.

She's all fucking mine.