Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Brooklyn

I t's been a few days since I saw Noble in the bookstore, but tonight is the night for our…hang-out session?

Date?

God, I don't even know what it is.

Getting Libby to bed early isn't as hard as I expect it to be. I made sure to take her to the park on the way home and let her run until she was content.

It feels like a win-win. She had a blast, and I get a little time to feel like a woman instead of a toddler wrangler.

I'm just swiping on a coat of mascara and about to do my lip gloss when I hear someone knocking on the front door. Luckily, I made sure Libby's door was closed just for this situation.

My hands tangle through my waves as I give myself a once-over in the mirror.

Well, I'm still seven months pregnant.

Nothing is going to change that, so I get my butt in gear, taking off for the front door.

I stretch up to check the peephole, and Noble's handsome face greets me. Goodness, he really is gorgeous.

Flattening back on the floor, I open the door.

"Wow." He smirks, eyeing me from head to toe. "You're beautiful." He steps inside, bumping the door closed with his foot, and aims for the counter to drop off the pizza balancing on his hand. "Where's the shortstack?"

My eyes fly up from examining his ass in those dark jeans. He's got a nice butt, and that's such an inappropriate thought that it makes my cheeks burn.

I actually put my kid to bed a half hour early, so this would feel more like a date.

What am I even doing?

My hand flies to my face. "She's asleep."

"Do you know how gorgeous you are?" Noble rumbles, swaggering closer. "That dress shows off every single curve you've got." His hands land on my hips, and he ducks his head, nuzzling his cheek to mine. It's an intimate move that marks me with his pheromones and vice versa. His palm moves over to tease my stomach. "Are you far enough along that you can feel the baby move?"

My heart races.

My pregnancy has been such a heavy secret that it feels strange—but good—to hear him acknowledge the baby.

"I do. I'm not sure anyone else can feel it yet, though."

His face breaks out into a dazzling smile that makes my knees a little weak. "That just gives me something to look forward to."

I blink up at him for so long that he chuckles.

"Have you eaten? I brought half meat lovers and half cheese since I thought Libby might be eating with us."

It's a little hard to believe he remembers the conversation we had in the hallway one night when I mentioned she only eats cheese pizza. Even then, she mostly picks the cheese off and leaves the crust.

"That was very thoughtful." I stare up at him under my lashes. "And it smells fantastic. I actually haven't eaten."

"Perfect," he purrs. "Have a seat and pick the movie. I'll bring everything over."

My heart races.

He's very considerate. I'm not sure I deserve his attention, but my instincts won't let me push him away. Not when care from a potent alpha is exactly what my system craves.

There's a slight possibility that I pick a scarier movie than I would normally enjoy, but it does make for a solid reason to snuggle up to Noble's scent.

He smells indescribable. It's rainy and fresh, with hints of lightning. Kind of electric or dangerous but also wildly appealing. It's incredible, and my nose is very fond of having him close by.

Unfortunately, I barely make it thirty minutes into the movie before I need a bathroom break.

I walk back into the living room after finishing up, but Noble isn't on the couch.

My mouth falls open.

Noble is just inside the doorway to my apartment, and Bless is right next to him. He's bent slightly, like the two are talking, but Avan's cousin shouldn't be here at all.

She hasn't stopped by in ages, because she said it was too dangerous with his guys watching me all the time.

Noble stretches to his full height, rolling his shoulders back as he spins to face me. "Your friend stopped by. Sorry, maybe I shouldn't have answered the door?"

I stumble forward.

"It's fine. This is Bless…" I frown, trying to figure out how to describe her. "A friend."

Wow.

I bet that was totally convincing.

"I can get back to the movie if the two of you need to speak," Noble says, but he walks into the living room without waiting for confirmation.

I glance between him and Bless.

Why is he suddenly acting so strangely?

Maybe he feels guilty that he opened the door without waiting for me.

He disappears around the corner into the living room, but I'm pretty sure he can still hear anything we say.

Bless grabs my hand and tugs me out the door before I know what's happening. She closes the door behind her and gives me a once-over. "Damn, Brook. You're not going to be able to hide the baby for much longer."

I sigh, tugging at the waist of my dress. "Yeah, I know. What are you doing here? I thought it wasn't safe for you to come around anymore?"

"It's not, but the risk was higher that something could happen to you and Liberty if I didn't, so here I am."

"You could just call." My hands wring together as I study her face.

"Listen to me, Brooklyn," she says in a deathly serious tone. "Shit is about to go down with Avan. I don't have an exact timeframe for how soon it will be, but I have people in place, guarding you and Lennox." She makes a grab for my hand and gives me a squeeze. "I know you don't want to leave without your sister, but if it comes to it, I need you to worry about you and Libby first."

Ice slides through my veins.

Bless offered to get me a new identity and help get us out of New York a couple of months ago while Avan was distracted by something big going on with his family.

I turned her down initially because I needed some time to talk Lennox into leaving with me. But she wouldn't agree, and the window of opportunity closed.

Bless let me know that it was best to let it ride for now, but she made it clear that, if things change, I might have to make a split-second decision.

"I will do everything I can to ensure Lennox stays safe," she says. "But she's an adult who can make her own choices. It's not just you that you have to think about."

I swallow thickly.

I get it.

As much as I want to protect my sister, I have to make sure Libby and the baby are protected.

They come above all else.

"So," she says conversationally. "Who's the new guy?" Her eyebrows wiggle. "Finally moving on from you-know-who?"

"I'm pregnant." I give her a deadpan look that screams, No one is going to want me when I'm about to pop out some other guy's kid .

"I've never seen someone inside your apartment. You're usually picky as hell about who you let around Libby."

She's right.

"Noble is my neighbor. He's nice."

Bless quirks an eyebrow. "He better be. He's a fucking beast. I haven't seen an alpha that big in a long time."

Noble is massive.

If he was angry, he could do some serious damage. But he's actually one of the kindest alphas I've ever been around.

You also have a terrible sense of judgment when it comes to men.

"What happens if you have to run?" Bless asks, startling me out of my thoughts.

"He's got a life here. I couldn't ask him to come with me."

"Would you leave without telling him how to find you?"

That feels like a test.

"I wouldn't have a choice," I say, raising my eyebrows. "You told me I have to cut off contact with everyone I know if I do run."

"I did say that, and it's good advice." Bless frowns, swiping her long, dark hair back from her face. "The exception to that is if he would be willing to leave with you…"

I shake my head.

"We're just getting to know each other, and even that is dangerous. I worry all the time about what happens if Avan sees us together."

She sighs. "Yeah, he's not the sanest of individuals, and it's getting worse with the pressure of having to defend his claim on the city. Just do me a favor and pack a couple bags filled with things you and Libby can't live without. Stuff them in the hall closet, so they're ready when you need them."

My heart skips an actual beat. That sounds like things are getting more dangerous than they were.

I swallow around the lump in my throat. "Is it really that bad?"

"It is, but I don't want you to worry. I'm not going to let anything happen to the two…" Her forehead wrinkles, and she breaks out into a smile. "Three of you. That's taking some getting used to."

Bless has treated me more like family than Avan ever has. She's the only person that I know, without a doubt, has my best interests at heart.

"Thank you." I glance at the door.

I need to get back inside before Noble gets suspicious.

"Go on, I know I interrupted your date." She laughs. "And for the record, I think you could do a hell of a lot worse than that guy. He didn't set off my creep-meter. Not even a little bit, and you know how accurate my instincts are."

I nod, moving to give her a hug. "Thanks, Bless."

I stop dead in my tracks as I come around the corner into the living room.

Noble is stretched back against the couch cushion with Liberty wrapped around his front. His hand soothes up and down her spine as she cradles her favorite blanket under her arm, like she did that damn orange. Her face is plastered to his shoulder, and from here, it looks like she's sleeping.

"She toddled out right after you stepped into the hall." His voice is a low, raspy whisper that sends a shiver down my spine. "But I think she was fine with only finding me." He grins. "Do you want me to carry her back to bed?"

I dry my clammy hands off on my dress, trying to find the words to say I'll take her .

Avan interacts with Libby during the day for short visits, or he used to.

It's so bizarre to see her being held by Noble.

My instincts find it way too intriguing.

Noble is a potent alpha.

He's also kind, smart, and funny.

Seeing him holding my daughter makes my eyes throb as my stomach aches with a weird feeling.

Libby has missed out on certain things by not having her dad around.

Normally, I'm rational enough to remind myself that it's a good thing Avan isn't here more. If she saw him every day or was used to spending nights at his house, then it would be harder on her when we have to leave.

I won't risk the two of us becoming collateral damage when one of his enemies wants revenge.

Some might consider me a bad mom for contemplating keeping Libby and the new baby away from a willing parent, but those people have no understanding of the hard lessons I've learned over the last three years.

I feel like everything is compounded by the fact I let myself fall into his trap again.

In the beginning, I didn't know who he was, but by the time I got pregnant this time around, I was already in the process of trying to cut the cord.

God.

I've made so many mistakes.

I'm the only person I know will be there for Libby and the new baby, no matter what, and it kills me.

I'm literally all they have.

Noble carefully pushes himself off the sofa. "Don't worry, Mama, I've got this."

Watching him cradle Libby in his arms is not helping my already wobbly knees.

I glance at the wall, biting the inside of my cheek.

I will not burst into tears right now.

I refuse to.

Noble tucks Libby into her bed, and I'm still really confused about how I'm feeling. My shoulder leans against the doorframe as I study the lines of strong muscle under his T-shirt. He tugs up her blanket, giving her shoulder a pat, before spinning to walk toward the door.

My head tilts to take in all of his impressive frame as he swaggers my way.

I step into the hallway as he gets closer. Once he's out the door, he pulls it to the frame without clicking it closed.

"Is everything all right?" He brushes my hair out of my eyes and tucks it behind my ear.

It's so rare that I'm this physically close to anyone these days. Well, outside of my toddler and my sister.

"All good." I force a smile I don't feel.

It hurts because I like Noble, and it's hard because he seems to like me.

Or maybe he's just a really sweet man.

It doesn't feel like I can even pursue anything between us.

Bless made it clear that my life in New York has an expiration date. I just don't know when that will come.

"I think you need a hug." He slides his arms under mine, circling my back and pulling me closer.

His scent hits my nose, and I ache to wallow in it until my face is covered.

I clutch at his back, trying to keep myself together.

Some of it has to be pregnancy hormones, but I'm exhausted on a soul-deep level.