Chapter 20
“Something’s wrong,” I said, my hand gripping my chest where I felt Dani’s panic rising. “She’s freaking out.”
Cy was already rushing for his keys while Griff shut off the oven and popped the batter into the fridge. He’d been trying to make dessert as a surprise for our omega after book club, but I had a feeling she needed us now.
I’d never been so happy this town was tiny in my life. We were across town in mere minutes, the flashing of lights in the dark making my blood run cold.
“What the fuck?” Griff growled as he threw the car in park.
The car hadn’t even stopped before Cy and I were tearing out of it and rushing toward Dani. I barely had to look for her… I could feel exactly where she was.
“Dani, what happened?” I asked as I pulled her into my arms. My omega melted into me, a choked sound escaping before she buried her face in my chest.
“Henry,” Griff growled, storming past us.
“Stop, son,” the sheriff started but it took Cy running after Griff and physically holding him back just as the deputy was shoving a bloody and bruised Henry into the back of their car. His scowl was almost manic, unhinged as he smiled through the bloody nose.
“What the hell happened?” I asked again.
“He was watching through the windows,” Dani said. Her voice was strange, almost detached.
“Get her home,” Taryn said, giving her friend a hug.
The rumble of a motorcycle cut off whatever she was going to say next, a tattooed alpha pulling up to the curb.
“Ash,” Taryn called, waving him over. She didn’t need to, he saw her the same way I found Dani earlier, making a beeline right for her and pulling her into his arms.
“I’m sorry,” Dani told him.
Ash’s eyes hardened. “Don’t apologize for that creep’s actions. You didn’t ask for this and none of it is your fault.”
His attention shifted from my omega to me, offering a nod. “I’m Ash. The two pulling up any minute are Holt and Mathias. We’re Taryn’s pack. I’m guessing you’re Dani’s hot shot pack?”
His voice was teasing but he was sizing me up, as if weighing if we were good enough for her. I didn’t react, simply waited for him to finish.
Griff and Cy walked up, each extending a hand.
“Cy,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”
“Ash,” Taryn’s alpha supplied, then shook Griff’s hand. “And you’re Griff. You guys need help taking care of this?”
“You sound like you’re in the mafia now,” Taryn snorted.
“I’ve got a security team coming out to put cameras and a system in the shop,” Griff said. He’d been on the phone with them before he started baking. “Just be vigilant. I don’t think this is the last we’re going to see of him.”
“I think he snapped,” Bea said as she walked up. “He’s raving in the back of that car. Look.”
We all glanced over to see his mouth moving like crazy as he pressed himself against the glass. It was like something out of a horror movie.
How the mighty had fallen.
“Crazy how all he had to do was not be a dick and none of this would have been an issue,” Cy said, shaking his head in disgust. “It’s not hard to not creep on women or let jealousy take you out.”
“Some people are born crazy,” Ash said. “I’d like to hear the details on this security system, though, if you don’t mind.”
Griff nodded, walking off with him as another car pulled up. An alpha in flannel and a cowboy hat and a beta that looked downright wholesome compared to the other two, stepped out.
Taryn was quickly pulled into their own hugs and once overs, making sure she was unscathed before they looked at the other omegas. It was nice to see a pack as protective over her friends.
It wasn’t realistic for us to be with her at all times, and knowing they were in her corner made it feel less terrifying to leave her behind.
“Holt, Mathias,” Taryn said, pointing to each of them. “This is Jackson and Cy. Griff is with Ash going over security.”
“Let me see if I can help,” Mathias said as he walked off with a wave to us.
Standing there was a bit awkward. Everyone was ready to go home. Bea was the first to give in, making sure the book club members had their things and locking the doors. The girls agreed to clean up the mess tomorrow.
Griff was shaking as bad as Dani as he walked back out, eyes darting to Henry. Though his were filled with fury.
The sheriff was fussing over the old women, and honestly, I just wanted to know the details of what happened before we arrived.
Why was Henry bloody?
How did he get this close?
Fuck, we failed her.
“We’ve got what we need for now. You guys can go, we’ll be in touch tomorrow,” the sheriff said, handing the girls his business card before climbing in the squad car.
Henry was in for a long night. Good. I hoped it was awful.
“Let’s go, sweets,” I urged, leading her toward our car. Griff hadn’t said much, and honestly Cy hadn’t, either.
Tonight was a blinding example of just how far Henry was willing to go to ruin our lives.
I could still hear him screaming about the ‘golden boy’ and I didn’t like to think just how far he was willing to go. Would he ever truly be satisfied?
Dani was eerily quiet on the drive back. She was still shaking slightly and her hand was clinging so hard to mine that my fingers were going numb.
“You’re safe. We’re here for you,” I reassured her, kissing her temple and wishing I could chase away this fear.
I just hoped the cops had enough on him to keep him. Maybe it would shake him up enough to leave us alone.
“Tomorrow we need to go get a restraining order. All of us,” Cy said. “We’ll get more details on what’s happening. For tonight, I think it’s best if we stay together.”
There wasn’t a single protest from Dani. She let us park in front of our place and lead her inside. She sniffed the air but didn’t question. I dropped to my knees, carefully helping her out of her shoes then standing to take her jacket.
We nestled her in the corner of the couch, covering her in plush blankets. Griff grabbed a plate of cookies and mugs of cocoa while Cy gathered a few of our shirts, making a makeshift nest on the couch.
I glanced at the others, desperate for someone to help me fix this. It wasn’t often I felt so lost and out of control.
It was my job to help her, to keep her safe and happy, and she was sitting here, lost and silent.
“Gorgeous, talk to us,” Griff pleaded. Her big, moss green eyes finally focused, then filled with tears. A heartbreaking whimper escaped before she broke down.
All we could do was hold her tight and promise her that we’d fix this… even if we didn’t know how.
When I woke up, Dani's head was still snuggled on my chest. She was warm and soft, the feel of her against me bringing a smile to my face.
I was glad that she felt safe in my arms… but mine weren't the only ones on her.
Griff was on her other side, so that meant that Cy was the one poking me in the ass.
"Dude, can you roll over?" I asked, turning my head away from Dani.
"Jealous much?" he laughed before he rolled over and climbed out of bed.
"No," I snorted. “Don’t be a dick.”
"I am," Dani said, her voice sleepy and adorable. I turned back to see a smirk on her face as she blinked open her eyes.
"Next time you can sleep on the other side of Griff," I told Cy.
"Shit no, he'd push me to the floor," he laughed. It was funny how one single night sharing a bed like this and we were all in a better mood. There might just be something to this whole pack dynamic.
"Damn straight," Griff added, his grip tightening on Dani. “What I’m hearing is we need a bigger bed.”
“I like that idea,” Dani agreed before letting out a sigh. “Back to reality again when all I want to do is hide under the covers.”
"Are you still coming to the game or do we need to tell Coach that we need to skip it?" I asked gently. If we sat this one out they needed notice.
My question had her raising her head and looking at me. "What? Miss your game? No, you can't let the fans down. You three are the heart of the team."
"But you are our heart. We can't and won't leave you," I tried to assure her. “Not after what happened. Especially not until we know for sure if he’s released.”
"I'm fine, I promise. Taryn's pack is going to be at the store all day and the cameras are being installed.
I won't be the reason that the fans are upset you aren't there.
Plus, I'll be in the VIP for the game tonight, right?
Last night shook me up but I'll be alright.” She looked like she meant every word.
Then her smile widened. “I thought about hiring Dolly and Pearl as some extra muscle, though. Man, can they swing a purse.”
She laughed so hard she cried at the mental image.
“Too bad we didn’t already have the cameras. That shit would have gone viral.”
"That might be a good idea," Cy agreed, eyes dancing with amusement as he looked down at our omega. "I saw what they did to Henry and I'm a little scared of them."
"Yeah, me, too," I joked. “Never piss off an old lady like Dolly. I have a feeling she’d hold a grudge.”
Dani's chest rumbled with laughter and it was the sweetest thing I'd heard in days. It was amazing to hear her laugh even after everything that had happened. Our omega was incredible.
"Well, I'm going to get a purse and have them help me fill it. I never thought a purse could be a weapon but those two changed my mind," she told us. “A little extra protection never hurt.”
"I'll buy that purse," I promised, not even joking now.
"Anything to keep you safe," Griff added, just as serious. We couldn’t reasonably be around her at all hours of the day. Honestly, she’d kill us if we tried.
"What time is it?" Dani asked, changing the subject.
"Eager to get rid of us already?" Griff asked as he rolled over to grab his phone.
"What? No. But you have a full day and I need to get to the shop. I still have to clean up from bookclub and put the new releases out," she answered, looking at me now since the others had moved away.
Her eyes were bright and open, the bond echoing her cozy mood. Having her full attention was incredible, like the rest of the world suddenly became background noise.
"Yeah, you're right, but I don't want to leave you," I confessed, running a hand over her cheek. She leaned into the touch with a happy sigh.
"Damn adulting, it ruins everything," she said before leaning up to kiss me.
As much as I wanted to pull her on top of me, I had to resist. She was right about being an adult. Our day was packed.
"You tease," I told her when she pulled away.
"You're one to talk. You weren't the only one being poked all night," she laughed before she crawled over Griff, briefly pausing on top of him to kiss him as well. Fuck if that wasn't hot.
Cy was dressed when he came back into the room. "Dani, want me to come with you next door while you get dressed?"
"Yes, please," she answered, taking his hand.
I watched them leave before I got out of bed. I needed a cold shower and to get ready for the day.