Chapter 23 – Lacey
Chapter Twenty-Three
Lacey
“If you try to pat her down while my cum is still dripping out of her, I’ll slit your throat,” Callum says, smiling a little too widely.
My jaw falls as my eyes bug.
I turn to Cal, glaring. “For the record, if you ever say something like that again with an audience, it’s pretty much guaranteed. I will stab you.”
“Careful, Lace. You’re only succeeding in turning me on.
” Cal pulls his lower lip between his teeth, and those sexy little hoops catch in the light.
“I will deck your halls right here just to prove I can.” He winks, and my stomach flip-flops unnaturally.
“Although, I don’t think a single one of them has seen that kind of action in years. ”
“It’s not just your boss in the building,” the security guy says. “And her little comment didn’t help convince me she’s not a threat. She’s with you, after all.” The man speaks to Callum, ignoring me completely.
The other two security guards watch us warily. Maybe it’s just Cal they think is a threat. I’m not sure anyone looks at me and thinks I scream dangerous.
We made it into the warehouse with no problem. I was confused by how nice the waiting room we stepped into was compared to the exterior of the building, but we weren’t even inside for thirty seconds before a big wooden door popped open, and Callum guided me in.
There’s a freaking metal detector like you’d see in an airport or at the courthouse, three security guards, and no one else around.
It’s much warmer than outside, but I have no idea what’s happening or why it’s such a hassle just to see Wilder.
On the other side of the room, there’s an open pass-through that seems like it leads out into the warehouse.
If I hadn’t seen the outside of the building, I probably would think we were waiting to pass through security to get into an office building.
“Take a step back, Jim,” Grim growls, striding into the small security area. “The first one to touch Lacey gets a broken neck.” He walks through the metal detector, and it beeps.
Huh, I guess those things work both ways. Or maybe it doesn’t matter which direction you’re walking when you pass through?
“You know we have to treat everyone the same,” the man who must be Jim says. “We’re neutral. That’s why this works.”
“Hey, sweetheart.” Grim ignores Jim, coming to a stop in front of me.
He bends low, kissing my forehead.
My entire body lights up at the feeling. Knowing he’s not ashamed to claim me publicly is an incredible feeling. Realistically speaking, I’m not a ten—more like a six or seven. Most omegas have exaggerated curves, and they’re stunning.
I’m pretty.
People occasionally describe me as cute, but no one ever calls me a smoking-hot bombshell.
I’m a little on the plain side, and I’m mostly okay with that.
I would never say any of my thoughts aloud because it would come off like I’m searching for compliments, but I’m not.
I’m just not delusional. I don’t look a thing like the omega models that line the designation-specific magazine covers.
Grim slides around behind me. Planting his huge palm on my middle, he pulls my hair away from my neck with the other hand. Once it’s tucked over my shoulder, he tilts my jaw until his bondmark becomes visible to the three security team members.
“You see this? I suggest you take a good look.” He leans around my back, burying his face in my throat. His beard is soft, tickling my skin as he swipes his tongue over his claiming bite.
I fight the urge to laugh, which quickly turns into the need to squirm. Shit. I hope I’m not about to slip into another wave of heat. The last one came out of nowhere.
“This is my claiming bite,” Grim says. “It’s attached to my omega. You let her pass without trouble, or like I said, you and I will have a private conversation about where you went wrong.”
I’m pretty sure what he actually said was that he would break the neck of the first person who touched me, but I think he got his point across.
Callum steps closer, following a similar process to Grim as he pulls my hair over my shoulder, just on the opposite side.
Grim releases my jaw, and Callum twists my chin the other direction. It would be facing away from the security team, but Grim uses his hand on my stomach to guide me to turn enough that they can see the other claiming bite.
“You guys really wanna push your luck today?” Cal asks, chuckling ominously. “It’s not worth the trouble you’re making it out to be.”
Grim grunts while the team seems to be thinking it over.
He slides around my front, wraps his forearm under my ass, and lifts me.
With that, he turns around and strides through the metal detector without any of the men making a move to stop us.
It beeps again, almost tauntingly loud in the silence of the moment.
“That was me, not her, and you damn well know it,” Grim growls without looking back.
I’m not sure how invasive their pat downs are, but I wouldn’t have minded walking through the machine on my own and letting them scan me with the wand thingy.
It’s not that serious.
Also, it’s not like I have anything to hide, but I guess it’s the principle for them.
“Did you have a good time with Callum?” Grim asks, carrying me somewhere. I really have no idea where, since my back is toward wherever we’re headed.
“I did, right up until we robbed a store.” Okay, technically, I guess we burglarized the store, but I don’t know all the technical terms, so I’ll have to take Cal’s word for it.
“Jesus Christ,” the security guy mutters just loud enough for me to hear it. “Not a chance, Callum. You know the drill. I’m patting you down one way or another. I don’t trust your crazy ass not to have a bomb.”
“Well, you sure smell like you had fun.” Grim smiles, and it changes the entire structure of his face. He’s so damn handsome, and my feet tighten on his ass.
“I really did. Are you okay with Cal and me bonding?” I feel like I have to at least ask, but I don’t think he has any issue with it. What he’s projecting in the bond seems to indicate acceptance.
“I’m happy for both of you, but Wilder might take a few minutes to get on board.” He grimaces.
I’m a little worried about that too, but pack relationships are complicated. Sometimes the individual relationships progress at a similar pace, and sometimes they’re a little more spaced out.
“Cal said I would be staying here with him, so I’ll talk to him,” I say, pulling my hand up to cradle Grim’s jaw. “I don’t think it would have been a big deal if they did pat me down or whatever, but you coming to my rescue was super hot.”
He chuckles. “This place is neutral ground. The only people who are allowed to be armed are Wilder and anyone on his team. They only fuck with Callum because they know what he’s like.
They won’t actually take his weapons, though.
Basically, they needed to make sure you weren’t smuggling anything in for a rival family.
No one will mess with you again now that they know you belong to us. ”
Well, that probably shouldn’t send a shiver down my spine, but it sure does.
I love that he can pick me up and tote me around with no problem, and I’m relieved to see he seems to be doing better since we bonded. He’s speaking in longer sentences, and he’s less aggressive… Well, kinda.
I’m choosing to be optimistic, and his mental clarity seems like a great sign.
Hopefully this is just the beginning, and he’ll get progressively better the longer our connection exists.
Grim and I come to a stop in an open area of the warehouse with a ceiling that must reach twenty feet high…or more. I’m not great with heights, but it makes Grim seem tiny.
I twist around to check out the space. There’s a small seating area with a fake plant, a few club chairs, and a love seat. The wall opposite us is white with three black doors placed equal distances apart.
“Those are the conference rooms. I texted Wilder when I saw you pop up on the cameras. He should be out any minute.” Grim carries me over to the love seat and sits down with me on his lap.
Since I’m facing him, I’m able to see the wall with the doors over his shoulder.
“Tell me what happened with you and Callum.”
My eyes meet his dark gaze, and my brain helpfully replays sexy little flashes of my time with Cal in the dressing room.
Bringing my hands to his jaw, I run my fingers through his beard.
I have no idea why it settles my system so much, but I love being able to cradle his face while teasing my fingers through the soft hair.
It’s like my emotional support beard, which just so happens to be attached to my emotional support human.
Grim soothes me in a way that’s hard to explain, but for the first time in my life, I feel truly safe with another person. Like, no matter what happens, it’ll be okay, because Grim will protect me.
I’m starting to trust Cal and Wilder in the same ways.
I just think I’ll always have a special connection with Grim from all our sessions at the clinic.
I had to put my trust in him pretty quickly, and with his size, that could have been a questionable choice, but he’s always treated me with the utmost respect.
“Are you still thinking about it?” Grim asks with humor lining his tone. It draws me out of my thoughts, and I get myself together.
“I think I had a heat spike, maybe?” I grimace, and my shoulders bounce. “I’m pretty sure that’s what happened. One second, I was fine. A little itchy and annoyed, but the next?” A whoosh leaves my lips. “It was crazy. It came out of nowhere. I was so hot, then the cramps started. It was a lot.”
“Callum took good care of you, though,” he says, tilting my chin until he can see the bite. “He’ll be a good partner. He might pretend not to give a shit about anyone or anything, but he notices everything. He’ll attune himself to your needs.”
I’m just about to assure Grim that he’s also going to be a good mate when the middle door on the wall behind the couch opens.
A stunning woman with long, wavy dark hair, light hazel eyes, and curves for days stumbles out the doorway. She’s in a silky black dress, red-bottom heels, and a dark gray overcoat. She’s only kept from face-planting by someone’s hands landing on her hips.
“Jesus, Ness,” Wilder says, catching her and pulling her up as he follows her out the door. As soon as she’s standing on her own, he releases her.
My eyes narrow, and I’m surprised I don’t hiss like an angry cat. The woman is unfamiliar to me, and I hated seeing Wilder touch her, even if it was only for a split second to keep her from falling.
Okay.
It could be that my instincts are out of control after that heat spike I had, or maybe I’m an asshole. I actually would have preferred to see her fall than to have to witness Wilder touching her.
Jesus.
I’ve always heard omegas are territorial when it comes to their chosen alphas, but I never expected it to be this extreme.
The woman spins around, patting Wilder’s cheek. “Always such a gentleman. Thanks, Wilder.”
“Okay, it’s time for you to take your hands off my alpha.” I scramble off Grim’s lap.
Where is Callum when I need to borrow a knife?
That lady wouldn’t be able to cradle Wilder’s cheek if I sliced off both hands…
Whoa.
Yeah, I might be losing it a little bit.
I make it to the edge of the love seat before Grim stands and grabs my hips.
“That’s Vanessa Chapman. She’s here because Wilder is negotiating her marriage contract.” Grim pats my stomach and releases me. “To someone other than him, if that needs clarifying.”
Wilder pulls her hand from his face and frowns. “Next time we have an appointment, bring your ass in sober or don’t bother showing up at all.” He shakes his head and strides across the room, his face softening as his eyes meet mine. “Hey, beautiful. It’s good to see your face. I missed you.”
Two unknown men stream out of the open door once Wilder is no longer blocking it, but I’m more distracted by Wilder.
Based on what Grim said, he doesn’t know Callum and I bonded.
“I missed you too,” I admit as Vanessa argues with the men in hushed whispers.
“Callum and I need to run out and handle something,” Grim says from behind me. “Why don’t we get Lacey settled in your office?”
My face wrinkles.
Annoyance comes first, mostly because I don’t like the thought of being left out, but that’s silly. I really don’t want to know every detail of what they’re doing. It’ll only make me worry.