Chapter Twenty-Two ABBIE #3
“What’s going on?” I look between the alphas, but Pitt is already pulling out his phone. “Is this part of the trafficking ring?”
“The biggest one yet,” Ark confirms as he moves to his dresser and grabs a pair of jeans and a tee. “It’s a new contact, though, so we need to be extra cautious.”
I look around the room. “When you say we… Are you all going?”
“Pitt and I’ll go,” Ark says, stepping into his boots. “Bluff will stay here with you and Wings.”
I frown at Ark. “Sounds like you could use every available pair of hands.” When he glares back at me, I roll my eyes. “I meant Bluff. It’s not like you’re clearing out the whole clubhouse, are you? Wings and I can help Patch in the medical center. We’re not going to be on our own.”
Ark still looks skeptical, but Bluff shrugs. “Put me where you need me, brother. You know our mates can look after themselves.”
Warmth floods my chest at the pride in Bluff’s gaze, and I leap off the bed, walking straight into his arms. He hums with satisfaction as I stand on my tiptoes, winding my arms around his neck.
Based on the strangled sounds from the other guys, I’m pretty sure I’m flashing quite a bit of cheek as Bluff envelopes me in a ravenous kiss.
“Well, fuck,” Pitt groans from behind me. “Now every time I look at Ark’s back I’m gonna pop a boner.”
The final headcount for tomorrow’s raid is still up in the air when Wings and I stroll into the gym after dinner.
Ark has been locked away in his office for most of the day, and I’m feeling a little neglected.
Which is ridiculous, since I have three claiming bites on my throat and Wings’ soul stitched to mine, but I’ve given myself a twenty-four-hour pass to be ridiculous.
A heat, three bondings, and a dangerous criminal raid is a lot for any omega to deal with, let alone one who has the emotional armor of an armadillo.
“We’ve come to brush up on our defensive skills,” I tell Pitt as he saunters towards us, a beaming smile on his face.
“Sparring or bag?”
“I thought Wings and I could do a little wrestling, if you feel up to coaching us.”
Pitt’s gaze licks over both of us. “Hell, yeah. But I think we should take this into the private room.”
I laugh at the jaunty spring in his step as he leads us to a back area with rubber mats on the floor. “We really are here to train, you know.”
“It’s not you who needs the privacy, sweetheart,” Pitt informs me with another searing glance. “I thought wearing Ark’s cut was hot until I saw you in those little bike shorts.”
We train for a while, Pitt nodding approvingly at my grapples and joint locks.
The main goal of Shorin-Ryu is to disarm an attack while still being able to block and counter in an instant.
It emphasizes the use of the body's weight to unbalance an opponent, so Pitt helps me work on some stand-to-ground maneuvers. It gives me a chance to make the most of my speed and agility, while Wings proves he’s no slouch at leg sweeps and body drop takedowns.
I can feel their admiring eyes as I practice some of Pitt’s wrestling moves, a light sheen of sweat covering my body.
It feels so good to be working through my practice forms again, putting my muscles to use in a way that makes me feel stronger and more in control.
So much of my biology is about submission, it’s exhilarating to prove that my mind is in charge, even when I’m surrounded by two hot-eyed mates.
We inevitably end in a pile on the training mat, my head in Wings’ lap and Pitt curled around us like a protective wall. I’ve been noticing the little glances they give each other, and it’s ignited a happy itch under my skin.
“Dinner was fun,” Wings muses, running his fingers through my hair. “Are you okay with all the attention?”
“Everyone’s been really cool about it,” I reply, even though I didn’t look much further than Tricks, Lyla, and Glory when I unveiled my newest claiming bite.
They were all ecstatic, and there’s still a warm glow in my chest from their reaction.
“But I think it’s time we give our other omega a bit of attention, don’t you? ”
Wings laughs, but there’s a hint of color on his cheeks. “I’m a long way from being neglected, if that’s what you mean.” He feathers his fingers over my smirking lips. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
Which is typical Wings, but from the way Pitt is watching him, I’m pretty sure he’s got some ideas about how we can make our omega happy in his own right.
The conversation turns to tomorrow night’s raid and I feel a quiver of unease in my belly as Pitt sketches out the logistics.
I know the guys have been doing this for a while, but it’s still hard to think about them in danger.
“You’re not bulletproof, okay?” I remind Pitt as I give his cut a little jerk. “Whatever happens, you stay safe.”
“We’re not gonna take any chances,” Pitt promises, leaning down to kiss my lips. “Our top priority is getting back to you in one piece.”
I put on my best scowl. “Right, because if you don’t, Wings and I will be waiting here to kick your ass.”
“Two on one?” Pitt asks, cocking a sleek brow.
I pull Wings to his feet, wrapping my arms around him and shooting our alpha a wink. “Just the way you like it.”