70. Chapter Seventy

Chapter Seventy

Beth

I feel a whole lot better after I've spoken to Secret. She listened to everything I had to say, and she took her time to think before she answered my questions. I wasn't any clearer on how to handle the situation with Gio's pack, but she came up with a suggestion and I agreed that it would help me figure things out.

Now, all I need to do is message Gio back.

I open my phone and read his messages.

They're short and to the point.

I know you're upset, and I understand.

If you need time, we can wait.

If you want to talk to us, we're here.

I'm sorry.

The job is still yours if you want it.

You can decide how that works.

We'll leave when you're there if you need that.

Just let us know what you need.

He still sounds like the great guy I met at the mall.

And I don't want to walk away from him, or his pack brothers.

Secret told me it was important to trust my feelings.

They feel like the real thing to me, but I've been wrong about that before.

I don't know how to make a decision based on my gut when it's steered me wrong in the past.

I also don't like the thought of being so paralysed with fear of what might happen that I end up standing still and doing nothing for the rest of my life.

I've already decided I'm done with my college course.

It was the wrong move for me.

I don't want to be trapped in a job that bores me to tears.

It's a positive change, and I need more of those.

So, I send Gio a message.

I'm not sure how I feel right now.

Start with honesty and continue with no promises.

I don't know if I'm ready for something serious.

I pause for a second. It looks like he's typing. I go on before he responds.

I'd like to bring a friend with me tomorrow so I can continue with the work.

If that's okay, no one needs to leave.

Now, I wait for him to say something.

Secret wants to help me work out if these guys are really fated to be mine.

Everything she said makes me think they could be the real deal, but I'm not willing to take any chances.

I can't. It's not worth the pain.

He sends a message back finally.

That's no problem. Do you have someone to walk you over here?

Clearly, he's still worried about Rourke's stalking.

My friend will bring her mate. He's in security. We'll walk together.

I chew on my bottom lip while I wait for him to reply.

Great. We'll be here when you get in.

I put my phone down and slip out of my sneakers.

Secret's the only person I know who has any experience of fated mates.

She fell fast for hers, and they're good guys who've done nothing but take care of her in every way they can. It's a dream situation that usually seems to be reserved for Omegas.

She has one Beta mate, and he's going to come with us tomorrow.

It'll be good to get his take on this, too.

I let her know that we're all good for tomorrow, and she tells me she'll be here at eleven thirty with Ryan, ready to check out that restaurant pack and make sure they're good enough for me.

It makes me smile. I might not get to see her as often now because she's doing a home study degree now, but she's a good friend and I'm lucky to have her.

I go back out to the hallway and check the peephole.

Rourke is still out there, leaning back against the wall across from the door.

"I still don't need you!" I call out.

"It hasn't been forever yet!" he yells back.

The neighbors are definitely going to start complaining if I can't get rid of him.

I groan as I think about what Catherine's going to say.

"You know my sister will call the cops!" I yell back.

He gets up and I let out a sigh of relief.

But he doesn't leave. He just smiles wryly before he goes into his pocket and takes something out that he flips open and moves up to show me.

A police badge. Oh my God. My psychotic ex-boyfriend is a cop.

"Don't worry," he says. "I'll tell her I'm here undercover."

Holy shit. There's no way for me to get rid of him now.