Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Brooklyn

" H as anyone seen my cell phone?" I whisper-hiss, trying not to wake Libby. It was plugged in and sitting on the nightstand next to the bed the last time I saw it.

"I took it," Bless says without whispering.

I'm clearly in angry-pregnant-woman mode as I spin around, glaring at the alpha. Stomping toward the door, I give her a shove out into the hallway and pull the door to the frame.

"Why?" I ask, planting my hands on my hips.

"You know why," she says, rolling her dark eyes. "But I'm going to coordinate with your guys to get you a new phone. I figured it would be easiest if one of them adds you to their plan."

I blink up at her.

That actually does make sense.

A huge part of me wants to ask why the guys and I can't just take Libby and leave New York once and for all. It makes me feel a little like a coward. It might be her family, but I'm all tangled up in this mess too.

I'll just feel a lot safer when there's distance between Avan and me and Liberty.

That, or he's dead.

"Is there a phone I can use to call Lennox?" I ask, wringing my hands together. "She's going to be furious with me."

Bless nods. "Yeah, come on. I'll call the guys with her, and you can talk. But if she stresses you out, you're hanging up."

I roll my lips together, trying to hold back a laugh. "Yes, Mom."

"Hey," Stacia calls from the living room, "I'm the only one allowed to call her Mommy ."

I snort as Bless peeks around the wall with an exasperated look on her face.

Lennox doesn't sound like herself, and it has me frowning up a storm. I knew she wouldn't be overly ecstatic to be stolen away from her job and life, but I didn't expect her to sound so… resigned .

"I'm fine," Lennox repeats for probably the fourth time. "Or I would be, if these guys would stop bossing me into doing stuff I don't want to."

"Stuff like what?" I ask, suddenly more anxious than I was.

"Getting out of bed to shower. Forcing me to sit at the table if I want to eat. I'm depressed." Lennox huffs. "Thorne basically broke up with me two hours before Bless's thugs hauled me out of the club. Not that we were really official or whatever, but?—"

"Oh, Lennox," I whisper, remembering what it felt like to have my heart broken for the first time.

"It's fine," she mutters. "I thought if I got close to him that he would help us when Avan found out about the baby. I didn't mean to fall for him."

"I'm so sorry," I say, trying to find the words to help her feel better.

Lennox might be young and naive, but I know she loves me as much as I love her.

"It's not your fault. You shouldn't have to apologize for everything. I'm sorry too." She sighs. "I should have listened to you months ago when you wanted to leave. I thought I was helping…"

"I love you." God, I wish I could give her a hug right now.

"I love you, too, but if I'm stuck here, I'd like to be able to wallow in my misery without being bothered by Bless's guys."

Bless scoffs. "Basic hygiene is a necessity when you're around other people. Enjoy your vacation. Brooklyn has to go." She snatches the phone, hanging up before I can even say goodbye.

I feel like a terrible sister, because I know Lennox is hurting, but honestly, I'm relieved.

Thorne would have brought her nothing but trouble in the long run. His involvement in Avan's world makes him a terrible choice for a life partner.

At least it sounds like Bless's people are making sure Lennox eats and is taking basic care of herself.

God.

I can't wait until life settles down.

Stacia and her grandmother decide to go out for dinner. Bless is with her family, so that just leaves me with Libby and the guys.

As it turns out, we aren't so far outside of the city that nowhere will deliver. Maverick is responsible for ordering the fancy meal that smells delicious.

I'm beginning to see that he and Noble thrive on being able to feed and care for me, like helping with a shower.

Gunner is more reserved, but I don't doubt our connection.

The bond really helps in that department because I can feel his intentions. When he looks stoic, he's just thinking, and let's face it—the man looks devilishly handsome, even when he's stone-faced.

Noble looks rough, but he joins us at the table, and Libby isn't nearly as fazed by his appearance as I expect her to be.

She spots the smaller plate and immediately tries to climb up into the chair in front of it.

Unfortunately, I don't have her booster seat here with us.

"Why don't you sit with me?" Maverick offers when I shove myself out of my chair to help her.

"Sit down, Mama," Noble says. "Relax and actually enjoy your meal for a change."

It's crazy.

This isn't real life.

Not for Libby and me.

I'm used to standing at the kitchen island while she eats. That way, if she needs something, I'm already up. Sometimes, I would bring everything to the breakfast nook, but then I'd have to put it all back after, and with it just being the two of us, it was easier to hover in the kitchen.

I slide back into my chair as Libby points at Maverick's steak.

"I want some of that," she says, nodding against his chest.

Gunner chuckles. "The dogs are going to be heartbroken. There will be even less leftovers for them to beg for." He stretches a hand over, patting my thigh. "I'm only joking. Noble is right. Enjoy your food."

I smile, trying to remind myself that we're bonded.

They signed up for this craziness.

I just hope they knew what they were getting. It feels a lot like I got the better end of this deal.

My eyes widen, and I take a deep breath to center myself. Libby throws an absolute tantrum as I try to get her into her pajama pants.

I have no idea what changed between putting on her Pull-Up and trying to get her into the pants, but it feels like it was something drastic.

She's normally very well-behaved. I think the changes are taking a toll on her.

She rolls around the bed, kicking and screaming. "I said no touch me!"

The baby flips or turns in my stomach, possibly reacting to the chaos unfolding in the room. The movements are becoming more noticeable with every passing day, but luckily, I'm not outnumbered just yet.

"Okay." I toss the pants on the bed and take a seat at her side. "We don't have to do that right now. Would you like me to brush your hair?"

"No," she says, shoving at my thigh as she kicks at the blanket.

"How about I rub your back?" I offer, moving her still-wet hair away from her eyes.

"I said no!"

Sometimes, when she's overtired, she turns into a tiny tyrant, but those moments are so few and far between that I tend to let her get her emotions out.

"How can I help you feel better?"

"I want my bed." She cries even harder, and my chest aches.

"I know." I sigh, stretching out to lie at her side. "We've had some big changes, but I'm right here with you. I love you so much."

She rolls onto her back and crosses her arms over her chest. "Let's go home. We can do it."

"Sweet pea…" My stomach wobbles as she nods, like she's trying to mentally will me to take her back to her bed in the apartment.

It feels like all my words disappear, and I don't know what to say to make her feel better.

Omegas are notoriously sensitive to the emotions of others.

I can't tell if I'm picking up on her misery or I'm just exhausted and overwhelmed to the point it's making me freeze when I should be tackling this problem.

"I want my bed, Mommy." Her entire face gets even redder, and fat tears spill down her cheeks.

My own eyes throb as I try to find something to distract her with.

"Am I missing the slumber party?" Maverick asks, leaning in the doorway.

"No," Libby says, pointing at the door.

"Uh-oh." Maverick grimaces. "Did I upset you?"

"I wanna go home," she says, sniffling.

"Aww." He swaggers over with his pajama pants hanging low on his hips and his tattoos on full display. "I bet you do miss the apartment. I remember how sad I was when my family moved out of our first house." He kneels on the edge of the bed and moves to sit next to her. "Do you like having Nova and Haze around?"

Her nose wrinkles, like she has no idea where this conversation is going. She finally huffs, "Yes."

"They like being around you too," he says, booping her nose. "But we can't have the dogs in Mommy's old apartment. They don't allow pets."

"Why?" Libby asks, frowning.

"Nova and Haze are big dogs. They need more space than the apartment has. Also, the rules say dogs can't live there."

"Why?" she asks again.

"See, dogs need a lot of exercise, especially the breed of dog they are. That's why Gunner and I have to take them out for a run twice a day. Otherwise, they build up too much energy."

Libby sits straight up. "I like to run." Her head bobbles up and down. "We can go now."

"You're already in your jammies." Maverick laughs. "Well, mostly. How about you come with me in the morning?"

"To run?" Libby asks, sounding interested.

"Yeah." He tickles her tummy. "If Mommy brought the stroller, you can ride. If not, I'll carry you." He shrugs, winking at me, and my stomach dances with butterflies.

He sends steady comfort in the bond, and I start to wonder if my panic drew him in here in the first place.

"Okay, I wanna do that," Libby says, kicking her feet, but this time in excitement.

"Now, how about that slumber party?" Maverick asks. "I know Nova would like to sleep in here with you. What if you, me, and Mom watch a movie?"

"Can we, Mommy?" she asks, tilting her head until she can meet my eyes.

"We can," I agree, running my fingers over her cheek to wipe away the leftover tears.

Maverick grins, holding out his fist to Libby, who completes the fist bump. "It sounds like we have a plan."

I nod, giving him a soft smile. I think I might have been on the verge of having a solid cry with my kid.

It's hard.

I feel so guilty for uprooting her life, but something had to change.

It's also not like I can explain the truth to her, so if I have to occasionally be considered the bad guy in order to keep her safe…then so be it.

Maverick yawns, nodding to the sleeping Libby. Nova snoozes, too, but she's stretched out across the bottom of the bed. The baby was super busy for a while, but he or she settled down a bit ago.

Maverick stretches a hand over Libby and runs his fingers along my cheek. "I know you've been worried about Noble. You can go check on him."

I nuzzle my face to his hand. "I'm not sure I should leave Liberty. She was really upset earlier."

"She's got big feelings, but I think at least some of that was her feeding off your guilt and stress." He shrugs as my eyes narrow. "Hey, it's just a theory." He laughs, a low and throaty sound that shouldn't affect my system the way it does. "I know you're worried about all the changes, but kids are resilient. She's also young enough that she probably won't remember any of this when she's older."

"Yeah," I agree, exhaling heavily.

"I do think it's important that you tell her about the baby, sooner rather than later. She needs time to adjust to the idea."

"I know." My stomach drops thinking about it. "I was terrified she would repeat it to the wrong person," I admit, gnawing on the inside of my cheek.

"I get it," he says earnestly. "But after everything that we've learned recently, she won't be going around him ever again. That means, when you're ready, you can tell her."

I nod as my eyes ache.

I have no idea why I feel like I'm going to burst into tears.

None at all.

Maverick gets up, and I can hear him shuffling around the bed as my eyes stay clenched shut.

Yes, I feel betrayed by Avan, but life is getting better. I'm bonded to three amazing guys, who have done nothing but work to keep me and Libby safe.

Maverick lies down behind me, running his hand over my stomach. "It would be a lot for anyone to process. You've held it together all this time. If you need to cry now, no one is going to judge you."

My lip trembles as my head shakes.

I can't cry.

Libby is asleep, and the last thing she needs is to be woken up by me in hysterics.

Maverick moves his mouth close to my ear. "It kills me knowing how hard you are on yourself. We all make mistakes. You can grieve yours without beating yourself up about it. Avan is a manipulator of the highest order, but you caught on. Shit is hard right now. It's not going to stay that way forever."

"Thank you," I whisper, running my hand over his.

"Always, sweetheart." He kisses my temple. "I'm always going to be here to look after you. And, occasionally, to remind you to be kinder to yourself."

Maverick is a great guy, and something about being close to him soothes my system on a foundational level. It makes me wonder how different our lives would be right now if I didn't run that night in the bar.

Then again, if I hadn't left, I wouldn't have met Noble.

"You should go check on him," Maverick says against my cheek, like he can read my thoughts in the bond. "Gunner took Haze out for one last run. If you want to sleep in there, I can stick with Libby. Or I can come grab you before I fall asleep, and we can both sleep in here with her, like we did last night."

"Are you sure?" I ask, trying to feel him out in the bond.

"I'm positive." He sends steady comfort back at me in the link, and my entire chest pulses with warmth. "But I'm going to need a kiss before you go."

I grin, struggling to turn to face him. "Gladly."