Chapter 4 – Riley Thomas
Riley Thomas
T he fact I wake up in a strange room and Cove is missing sends a shiver down my spine. Peeking around the massive room, she's not here. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I check the bathroom, but she's not there either.
Cannon helped me assemble Lily's bassinet playard contraption before leaving us to it last night.
Desperation probably has me looking half crazy as I stomp over to check on Lily.
She's still out cold. I bolt through the house searching for my child.
The dark wooden flooring ends where the smooth cream tile-floor of the kitchen begins.
I'm frantic as I come around the corner, but I stop dead in my tracks.
There's a huge man standing in front of the stove in the lavish kitchen.
He's grinning over at Cove. My hand flies to my mouth as he picks her up, holding her in the air like Superman.
"Drop 'em where you want 'em," he says in a deep rumbly voice.
"Okay, I'm done," Cove says after a few moments.
She has no fear. No idea how dangerous and dark the world can truly be. I'm simultaneously grateful and worried by that fact.
My breath catches as I watch her smile up at the mountain of a man. He sets her back on the kitchen counter, but she's still got a handful of chocolate chips.
"Mommy." Cove's face breaks out into a bright smile.
"You scared me," I whisper, walking over to give her a hug.
"Sorry," Cove grumbles.
"Killian Adler," the big guy tosses over his shoulder as he flips the pancakes.
When Cannon invited us to weather the storm at his house, I had no idea what to expect. Whatever I would have guessed is so far from reality that it's not even funny.
The sprawling modern mansion on waterfront property wouldn't have made my top hundred guesses. The kitchen is sleek with black stainless-steel appliances and a crazy picture window that shows off the ocean cliffs in the background.
"Alright, you gotta move on over to the table," Killian says to Cove.
I'm frozen in place, blinking at the two of them like an idiot.
"Alright," Cove says, shoving the rest of the chocolate chips in her mouth. She chews with no shame.
"I'm Riley Thomas," I say finally finding my voice. "That's Cove."
"You got a booster seat or something for her?" he asks, plucking Cove off the counter and walking her to the table.
"It's in storage," I say, shaking my head.
These guys must be used to chaos. Neither Finn nor Killian has blinked twice at finding a strange woman and two small kids in their home.
Maybe Cannon warned them? That would make sense.
"Got one somewhere." Killian frowns, holding Cove in one massively tattooed arm, he bends down plucking something out of a cabinet. "This'll work for now."
Holy crap. That's a giant phone book. Wow. How old are these guys?
He drops it on the chair and sets Cove on it. My best guess is late twenties. Killian might be a few years older. Maybe thirty or thirty-two at most.
"Don't wiggle or you'll slide off," he says. His voice is low and rumbly like an earthquake.
"Kay," Cove agrees. "Where's Lils?"
I gasp.
Oh holy shit, I forgot my baby. I spin ready to bolt back to the bedroom.
"Look what I've found," Finnegan Sunderland's melodic accent fills the air.
It's something like Irish, I think... I'm not familiar enough with any of those accents to be sure.
He's standing leaning against the wall near the entrance to the kitchen.
He's holding Lily and grinning. "The vicious little bugger tried to bite my finger. She's quite hungry."
Shaking my head, I smile back. Lily's only three months old. She has no teeth.
Finn rocks her against his strong chest.
I honestly can't think of a single day when Jeremy helped with anything. I'm floundering here. Completely out of my element. I probably look like a dim-witted fool, standing around staring at everyone and doing nothing.
"I'll take her," I say, heading Finn's way.
Finnegan Sunderland is tall and slender. His reddish-blond hair is messy in a purposeful way. The top is longer with a host of thick curls. His face is covered in a few days' growth of stubble in the same color.
"Nah. Go on and make her a bottle," Finn says. "Good morning, Button." He smirks over at Cove, who crosses her arms over her chest. He has Lily cradled in one long arm as he boops Cove on the nose playfully.
Finn has tattoos that dance up each forearm, across his shoulders, and over his muscular chest. It's literally freezing outside, and the man is in only a thin pair of pajama pants.
"Not a button." Cove frowns.
Finn laughs as Killian drops off a plate of already cut up pancakes in front of her.
I blink rapidly. This morning is absolutely not like the other mornings I've had. Everyone is relatively calm, no one is hysterically crying, and I'm not about to pull out my hair.
"Bottle, mummy?" Finn asks, giving me a strange look. His reddish-blond eyebrows raise in question.
"Yes, sorry," I say, swallowing thickly.
I've got to get myself together. This is a vacation from reality, not something I can let myself get used to.
I head over grabbing a clean bottle from the dish rack.
Mixing her bottle quickly, I head to the rack to check about a cup for Cove.
Glancing back to the table, I see she's already got a small plastic cup in front of her.
"No allergies?" Killian asks. "Should have asked before I cooked."
"Only pineapple," I say, shaking my head to try to get hold of myself. "But she won't eat it, so no worries. She remembers how it made her sick."
"No pineapple." Killian nods. "Gave her plain whole milk. That alright?"
"Yes, thank you."
I head back to Finn who is cooing down at Lily.
"I'll feed her. Eat with the button," Finn says, grinning.
It's a crazy handsome smile.
A shiver runs down my spine. He's incredibly warm and open. His energy just feels good.
You're a terrible judge of character. I remind myself. Most omegas have stellar instincts when it comes to sensing threats. Just not me.
I can't get caught up in the ease of the morning. Omegas always have to keep our guard up. When we don't… I swallow around the rocks that have suddenly manifested in my throat.
I shake my head to banish those thoughts and force my focus back on the room.
"I don't mind. I'm used to it," I say, setting the bottle down to grab Lily.
"Eat," Killian barks, placing a plate down at the table in front of me.
A jolt goes through my system. I scramble into the chair. My head tilts and I stare open mouthed at Killian.
What the hell was that about?
When alphas bark, betas and omegas feel the strong urge to act. It's that firm tone that forces compliance.
"Christ, not everyone is used to your brutish demeanor," Finn says, rolling his eyes at Killian. "He's always like this, don't let him scare you."
"Don't bark at my mommy," Cove says, jabbing a finger at Killian.
Killian's head is bowed low as it shakes. He's actually blushing under that brown beard. He has long dark brown hair almost to his shoulders and dark eyes that are currently squeezed shut like he can't believe he did that. His skin is a warm deep tan, but the pink still shows on his cheeks.
"Sorry," he grumbles. He stares directly into my eyes as he says it. I give him a nod to let him know all is forgiven.
"'S okay," Cove says. She's chewing a mouth full of pancake. "Don't do it again."
"Got put right in his place by the tiny miss." Finn laughs. "Today is my favorite of all the days," he says wistfully. He rocks Lily gently in his arm. Scooping up the bottle, he pops it in Lily's mouth. She gobbles greedily.
"I can make you something else…" Killian offers, scratching at his beard. "Eggs?"
"No, this is great. Thank you," I say, grabbing my fork to dig in.
"You like it?" Cove asks, tipping her head to study my face.
"I love it," I say, grinning. "Anything I don't have to cook is my favorite."
"Mine too," Finn says, grinning. "Might I get a plate? Or am I on the starvation diet?"
"Shit. Sorry," Killian mumbles. He spins around to get Finn a plate. Turning back to me he frowns. "Sorry, I'll try to clean up the language."
"It's fine," I say, grabbing Cove's cup and taking a drink.
Jeremy and his teammates were the absolute worst. They've said way more questionable things in front of Cove. Though, I do appreciate the effort.
"Get Riley a drink," Finn says.
"On it.” Killian quickly fills a glass with apple juice and sets it in front of me.
"No coffee?" I peek around for the machine.
Killian frowns over his shoulder, but nods. He heads over to the pot pouring some into a mug. He sets it in front of me with the half gallon of milk. A few seconds later he drops off the sugar.
"No creamer," Killian says. His voice is deep and scratchy. It matches him perfectly. It's very rare to see a guy as big as Jeremy, but Killian is every bit as large as my ex.
I give him a soft, appreciative smile.
"No worries, I'm not picky," I say, pouring milk into my cup.
I frown at the mug. He gave me the world's tiniest cup of coffee… It's a baby cup. Oh the mug is massive, but it's only filled half full.
Beggars can't be choosers. Isn't that the saying?
Killian drops a plate in front of Finn and sets one down for himself. His is filled with sliced fruit and plain pancakes.
Killian is probably 6'4" or 6'5" and he's eating fruit for breakfast? I almost laugh. It's totally at odds with his appearance. He's gruff and rough around the edges. His nose is a smidgen too big and his jaw a little too strong, but there's something very sexy about him as a whole.
I'm not a small girl. I'm five eight flat footed and even before I had the girls I carried extra pounds. I've always found big guys attractive. Feeling petite is unusual for me. Compared to Killian? He'd make me feel like a Barbie doll. That's a damn impressive feat.
"I can has a strawberry?" Cove asks, eyeing Killian's plate.
"Can I have a strawberry?" I say, glancing around to see if I can find the fruit.
"Can I has a strawberry?" Cove asks, fluttering her lashes at Killian.
This child. Far too much personality for such a small body.
Killian grins. He drops a couple on the edge of her plate.
"Don't stain your jammies. Lean over your plate when you bite into it," Finn says, lifting Lily to his shoulder.
"Oh no, don't burp her," I say, scrambling up from the table. "Is there a dish rag or something?"
Finn chuckles. "Second drawer down." He nods over to the cabinets. I grab one out and bring it back.
"Toss it on me," Finn says, smirking.
My fingertips brush over his bare shoulder as I position the rag. His natural scent is incredible. It’s citrusy, but has spicy manly tones that I don’t know how to describe. My nostrils flare as I clench my thighs together. Omegas are especially sensitive to the scents of compatible alphas.
Shit. This isn't good at all. Biting my lip, I slide around the table and back into my seat.
I'd give just about anything to be a beta at times like these.
Being affected by compatible scents is embarrassing as hell.
It's not like I can hide it. Killian and Finn are both alphas.
Alphas pick up an omegas arousal or interest with almost no effort.
They won't have to even breathe deeply to catch my pheromones.
Focusing back on my coffee, I pull the cup to my mouth for a quick sip. Gobbling the last few bites of pancake, I try to ignore the tension in the room.
Hell. What must these guys think of me? I'm a single mom of two kids under four years old and I'm over here reacting to their alpha scents.
The omega thirst trap is real. Catching a whiff of Finn's scent has my body majorly over reacting. It's mortifying. My face heats as I clear mine and Cove's plates.
"Leave them in the sink," Killian rumbles. "I'll handle them when I'm done."
I don't argue. I grab Cove's hand and collect Lily from a smirking Finn before bolting straight out of their general vicinity.
What a freaking nightmare.