Chapter Twenty-Two

Tiffany found Kieran seated on the front porch, his laptop perched on his thighs, his eyebrows pulled toward one another. His eyes were red and dark circles sat under his eyes.

“Why are you out here?” She sat on the bench beside him.

“I was typing too loudly, and it was easier to move out here than to listen to Kane complain.”

“Were you up all night?”

He shrugged. “There was a lot to do. I wouldn’t have been able to sleep even if I had gone to bed.”

The idea of staying up all night made Tiffany want to nap. After her time with Kane, she’d dozed off in his bed. Later, when the sun had streamed in through the windows, she’d found herself alone. Kane must have moved to the living room to complain about the typing at some point, but it didn’t shock her.

He’d admitted when they’d still spoken by text and on the phone that he never slept well.

Admonishing Kieran wouldn’t do anything, so Tiffany didn’t even try. “Find anything?”

The question finally stilled Kieran’s quick fingers on the keyboard. He reached up to grasp the top of the laptop screen and close it, then faced her. “Some. A lot of the information I couldn’t make sense of. I’m good at what I do, but to fully access these files, it’s going to take more than just me. What I could find?” He sighed, setting the laptop aside. “It’s not good.”

Tiffany crossed her legs, trying to look at ease despite the fear. “What do you mean?”

“That drive didn’t belong to an omega there. It has files from the people who abducted them.”

“Why would it smell like an omega, then? Because an omega wore that, I can guarantee it. I could smell her on it.”

“My best guess? They hid it on one. Maybe the mate of one of the alphas to protect it, to hide it. It doesn’t change that what is on that drive is the reason people are after you, and they won’t stop until they get that back.”

She shouldn’t have been surprised. She’d known whatever reason these people were chasing her wasn’t good, but to think she’d had the answer all along and hadn’t even noticed? Tiffany tried to push down the nerves, to think through it. “So, what do we do?”

Kieran leaned back, his face that hard and distant mask he wore that she couldn’t read. “I’ve already put in some calls contacts I have in the FBI. This is a delicate matter, because criminals like this usually have more than a few people in their pockets. The men I contacted, I trust. We can turn the information over to them.”

“And what about me?”

“Ideally, we’ll have enough information on the drive to sweep up any threats. The agents I spoke with want to talk to you tomorrow to discuss specifics, but I suspect we’ll turn the drive over and you’ll finish out your year with me. After that, well, then you’ll be able to start your life.”

Tiffany stared at him, not sure how to respond. His eyes were flat, face giving nothing away.

After everything, he was saying she could walk away? Was she nothing but a contract to him? He’d said nothing differently, hadn’t promised her more, so why did it hurt?

She tried to keep her voice steady. “So that’s it?”

“What do you want from me, Tiffany?” He asked it as if he didn’t know.

How can he not know what I want?

“Nothing at all,” she whispered when she knew her voice would give her. She rose, ready to walk away, to swallow down the hurt at how quickly and easily it was for him to toss her aside.

He caught her wrist. “I understand that you have some feelings for me. That’s not uncommon, especially because you don’t have much experience.”

She drew in a deep breath and pressed her lips together to keep from snapping at the arrogant bastard. Was he sitting there and explaining that she didn’t even know how she felt?

If he noticed her reaction, he didn’t let on. “The fact is, after that year, after you are able to go on your own, you will realize that this infatuation is based on a lack of options. You’re young, Tiffany, and you don’t know what you want yet.”

“But you’re so sure that it can’t be you?”

His thumb stroked over the pulse on the underneath of her wrist like some consolation prize. “I’ve been through this before. I’ve had omegas who were swayed by the dynamic, not the alpha. It’s why I stopped taking care of omegas, because once I helped them get on their feet, they realized I wasn’t what they wanted. You, who haven’t done enough or lived enough to know yourself, let alone what you want, are asking for trouble.”

“So, you expect me to spread my thighs for you for a year while you offer me nothing? And I’m supposed to be okay with that?”

“Yes. It’s for your own good as much as mine. You’re young enough, desirable enough, you could have any future you want. You have Marshall and Kane, both interested in something long-term. The last thing you need is a jaded alpha like me.” Self-hatred dripped from his voice, and beneath that? Fear.

Tiffany stared back into his eyes, willing some crack to show his feelings beneath that mask of indifference he wore. “Isn’t that for me to decide? Let me figure out what I want, but I can’t do that if you take away the chance.”

His eyes softened the barest amount, but a shake of his head was final. “I can’t. I can’t plan a future knowing you’ll change your mind. All I can give you is the year, Tiffany, the year to get you on a good path. Trust me, by the end of it, you’ll realize it’s best this way.”

Tiffany pulled her hand away. She didn’t yank, but tugged and he let her slip away. Wasn’t that the theme, though? He was happy to let her go.

All his pretty words didn’t change that he didn’t want her, didn’t think she was worth the risk. A year? A year wasn’t enough, and she knew it. Each day of that year would only make losing him worse. She tried to picture that year, tried to imagine it passing with her living with him, sleeping with him, and knowing he didn’t want anything more.

It tore into her.

She couldn’t do it.

Trying to live with him knowing he’d cut her loose as soon as he legally could would kill her.

There was only one option, and none of the men would like it.

* * * *

This isn’t good.

Kieran could read situations and people, and the hard look on Tiffany’s face said he would not be pleased with whatever she was about to say. After having spoken to the FBI agents herself for a few hours, she’d called the men together like some family meeting.

What had happened? What was that troublesome omega planning?

Whatever it was, he had a feeling he’d be objecting to it.

She probably would explain how she wanted to continue to help with the investigation. Maybe she planned to ask about getting an apartment away from Kieran, a neutral place where she would have time for Kane and Marshall as well.

Truth be told, Kieran had already broached that topic with the other alphas. He had no intention to sell his home, but they’d discussed moving into Marshall’s house as it was the largest and had more than enough rooms for each to have their own space. He would rent out his house during the year, and Kane could sublet his apartment.

Marshall also was a good choice because he was less territorial than the other two. His house felt more like neutral ground than either of the other.

The idea of moving into Marshall’s felt strange, but not as negative as he’d have assumed. Moving never was a comfortable idea, and while it was only for a year, he had enjoyed the company. He enjoyed when he was up late and found Kane in the kitchen, searching for food. He liked that if he rose early, Marshall would be poring over some book. Yes, he liked the relationship with Tiffany, the sexual tension and passion, but the stranger comfort was that of the household unit.

However, with the way Tiffany bit softly at her nails, he had no doubt she planned to say something none would be happy about.

Kane, as usual, had sat himself on the kitchen table. He never did seem to know how to operate furniture properly. Marshall was seated in a chair he’d pulled out from the table, one ankle crossed over the other knee, the vision of calm. On the other side of that was Kieran, who leaned against the wall to hide the tension inside him.

“Out with it, doll.” Kane swung his long legs.

Tiffany took a deep breath, her small hands drawing into fists. “I talked to the FBI. They’re sending over an agent to get the drive tomorrow morning.”

Kieran had figured they’d come soon. The information on that drive, once they decoded it, would be invaluable to the task force that handled omega crimes at that level. Of course, that couldn’t have been all there was to the little talk.

He waited for the other shoe to drop.

“And I’m going with them, too.”

Like hell. The thought came so fast, Kieran couldn’t hide the growl that passed his lips at the thought of her going anywhere.

Kane was faster, though. “The fuck you are. You giving a statement? They can do that here. They need you at their office? We’ll drive you there, make sure you’re safe. You’re still in danger until those fucks are caught.”

Tiffany didn’t wilt beneath the rough words or harsh looks. “They’re taking me into witness protection. There isn’t anywhere safer I could be than that. They’ll get the information off the drive, do whatever they can with it, but I’ll be somewhere safe.”

“The contract—”

“—is transferable. The agent already assured me they have alphas in place in their witness protection network who are qualified to take over the contract.”

Kieran didn’t trust his temper, so he remained silent.

Marshall, always the even-tempered one, didn’t even shift in his seat as he answered. “Why would you want that? I can’t imagine a stranger would be a better choice than the three of us, who you already know.”

She met Marshall’s gaze, and wasn’t it obvious she avoided Kieran’s? “Because I need to move on. I can start over after this, and I won’t be putting anyone in danger.”

“Fuck danger. If it’s dangerous, that’s the exact reason we ain’t going anywhere.”

“I can’t risk you guys. None of you asked for this, none of you wanted me to walk in and screw up your lives, and if I stay, that’s all I’ll do.”

“You aren’t screwing up our lives, Tiffany.” Marshall finally leaned forward. “I can’t speak for anyone else, but I’m not feeling particularly put out by having you in my life. Don’t make a rash decision because you are hurt or angry or afraid.”

Rash. That’s exactly what she was. Despite him not being willing to promise any sort of future, did that mean she should rush off like this?

“I…” She sighed, her shoulders slumping, and that hurt him worse than anything else. “I can’t stay. Please, stop asking me to. Don’t make this any harder than it has to be.” With that, she pulled in a trembling breath and turned glassy eyes toward the ceiling as if to stop tears from falling. Her soft steps followed her, then the click of her door as she shut it.

Kane turned the sort of glare on Kieran that would have normally worried him. “The fuck did you do?”

“Nothing.”

“I saw the way she looked at you—or rather didn’t look at you. Clearly you two had some disagreement, and enough for her to go into hiding over it. Make no mistake, she isn’t choosing that because she is afraid of whoever is after her. She’s doing it to get away from you,” Marshall said.

Kieran didn’t respond. What was he to say? They were right.

Kane jammed a finger toward Tiffany’s bedroom. “Get in there and make it right! I ain’t losing her because you’re an idiot.”

“I can’t. What she wants isn’t possible. It’s better she realizes it now instead of later.”

Kane’s lips pressed together until the seam turned white, then he released a vicious growl and stormed off toward Tiffany’s room.

Marshall rose, more controlled, as always.

“What, nothing to say?”

The other man shook his head. “What would be the point? You’ve made up your mind, and if you are determined to allow fear to control you, there isn’t much anyone can do.”

“I’m not afraid,” Kieran argued, voice hard.

A sad chuckle left Marshall as he went to follow Kane toward Tiffany’s room. “Of course you are. No one gives up what they want most except for fear.”

The door opening didn’t surprise Tiffany, and neither did the scents of the two men. Of course, Kane and Marshall would come to find her, to check on her.

Not Kieran. No, he’d be sat out there, stoic as ever, as if the entire thing didn’t matter to him.

Maybe it didn’t.

I am not going to cry. I’m not some damsel, damn it.

She dropped the clothing she’d taken from the drawer into the bag she had open on the floor, hoping the simple chore would distract her.

The thought of leaving broke her heart. Could she turn away? Could she walk out and never see the three of them again?

Maybe, in a year, when she was free…

Maybe what? Maybe Kieran will have changed? I doubt it. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks and I doubt he listens well enough anyway.

Her eyes stung.

Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, twisting her to and pulling her closer to a wide, warm chest. Kane. She breathed him in, his hands grasped her close, and when another hand stroked through her hair, she knew it was Marshall.

Even still, she refused to cry. What would tears change?

“Shh, doll,” Kane cooed to her, voice surprisingly soft. “Whatever’s going on, we’re here for you.”

Tiffany pushed back enough to look up and into his familiar face. “I’m leaving in the morning. Nothing is going to stop it, but morning is still a lot of hours away.” She slipped her fingers into the waist of his pants, a question on her face.

Kane answered the question with a deep groan and a kiss that made her breathless and wanting. Marshall ran his hands up her sides, slipping his fingers beneath the fabric of her top to stroke her skin directly.

They both gave so quickly, and Tiffany allowed herself to be swept up by the moment.

She tugged at Kane’s pants until the button came loose, then pushed at the waist. Her lips never left his as they stumbled backward and he collapsed onto the bed, her over him.

Marshall pulled her up then stripped her of her shirt. He made short work of her bra, his agile fingers undoing the hook.

Kane’s palms enveloped her freed breasts, and he sat, so he could bring his hungry lips to them. He snaked his tongue out to flick at the nipple, then raked his teeth over the nub.

Meanwhile, Marshall had moved to her pants. He didn’t bother to take them off, not at first. Instead, he dipped his hand into the front of the loose sweatpants and against her pussy. Her body wasn’t drenched, not yet, but at the first brush of his seeking fingers she knew it wouldn’t take long.

She couldn’t wait long. Morning was coming and she was leaving. It sat in the back of her mind like a clock that wouldn’t stop ticking. No matter how much she struggled to ignore it, it kept going, kept taunting her.

She didn’t want to take it slow, didn’t want to waste a single second. It made her desperate, so she pulled at the men, at their clothing. When one slowed, she urged them on. When one hesitated, she begged.

Pride didn’t matter, not when faced with the reality that it was their last night. They each knotted her, their kisses and sweet words and rough touches seeing her through it all.

At the end, once they’d come, once she’d come time and time again, she curled into a ball on the bed.

Kane’s heavy hand rested on her hip as he sat at the edge of the bed, a helpless look on his face. “Stay, doll. You ain’t gotta go anywhere. You got a place with us, always.”

She shook her head and shut her eyes. “I can’t.”

Marshall pressed a kiss to her temple, his lips pressing against her skin for longer than needed, as if he didn’t want to break the connection. “Do you want us to sleep in here?”

“No. I think some time alone would be good for me.”

It wasn’t the truth, but it wasn’t a lie, either. Getting used to being on my own is probably good. The depressing thought made her want to take back what she’d said, but she let it stand.

Every second would only make the next day harder on them all.

Kane squeezed her hip but said nothing else as the men left, her body chilled and her mind in chaos. The warm cum they’d left inside her had leaked onto her thigh, and she couldn’t find the energy to wipe it clean.

Instead, she tried to sleep.