Chapter 59
fifty-nine
Finn
hey, At, we’re almost home so get Violet dressed.
Atlas?
Alpha??
Daddy???
“You know,” Gideon gripes, huffing under his breath. “When you mentioned a ‘big courting gift,’ this is not what I had in mind. Couldn’t we have just, like, gone to Cartier?”
I shrug a shoulder, unable to help my goofy grin. He’ll learn soon enough. “What can I say?” I reply. “Our girl has very singular tastes.”
Ryker nods, effortlessly hefting the last of our empty boxes into his arms. He starts to turn toward the back of the manor, where we keep our recycling, but pauses beside Gideon. Hesitating. “Here,” he finally says. “Let me carry those for you.”
Gid blinks in shock, then snaps forward, placing his smaller pile of cardboard on top of Ryker’s. “Uh, thanks, Ry.”
The big guy gives another gruff bob of his chin and trudges off. I chuckle as I shake my head. “Will wonders never cease?”
Gideon flashes his own smile. “Not as long as Violet’s around, apparently.”
A wince creases my face as I palm the back of my neck. This should be settled by now, damn it.
Ordinarily, when an omega’s heat starts, and they have mates, it’s all very simple. Bites, claims, bonds, boom. Done. Locked down forever.
I used to find that notion terrifying. Now, I can’t breathe when I consider the alternative.
I know my little firefly, though. She’d never do anything she thinks might hurt someone she loves—possibly not even during her heat haze.
Gideon must be thinking along the same lines. He surveys our yard, absorbing our hard work with a grim air. “I’ve tried to talk to her a million times,” he rasps. “I’ve begged her not to worry about me.”
My smile turns sad. “Yeah. But then she wouldn’t be Violet.”
Affection softens his features. “That’s true.” He glances over his shoulder, scanning the manor’s second floor. With the sun below the horizon and twilight fading, it’s easy to see which rooms have lights on. The Omega Suite and Violet’s room are dark, but the study looks occupied.
He nods at it. “Would you go get her? I don’t want to intrude on this moment for them.”
Part of me marvels at his ease—he’s really happy about the two of them finally having sex—while the other part wants to glower. “So you’re sending me?!”
Gid smirks. “Naturally.”
I shove his arm. “Fuck you, pipsqueak.”
He barks a laugh. “You wish, jackass.”
Ryker comes stomping back over. “Someone needs to hurry,” he husks. “Before it’s too dark for her to see everything.”
I roll my eyes with put-on annoyance. “Fine. But you guys should get things started. Make sure the view is right when I carry her out.”
They agree, and I jog into the house. Maximus and Pascal are both hanging around the kitchen, looking distinctly indignant about the fact that their food bowls are still empty. I pause to pour their kibble, figuring Violet and Atlas have probably been too busy to come downstairs.
My instincts prove true. I find them in the study, naked and curled around one another. At first, I think they’re both asleep, but then Violet’s eyes flutter open. Her whole face brightens when she sees me—and my fucking heart melts.
Goddamn it. I am so in love with her.
The omega casts her other alpha a wry look. “I think I wore him out.”
Pride floods my chest. “That’s my girl. You do that thing with your hips that I taught you?”
Her freckled cheeks flush as she snorts a giggle. “Finn!”
I wag my eyebrows. “Not every alpha can handle that level of mind-blowing perfection, honey. You have to be careful with the old man. Did you show him all the heat prep we’ve been doing, at least?”
Violet’s been a surprisingly eager pupil when it comes to ass play. I know Gideon’s helped prep her, too, but I’m still planning to take all the credit. Naturally.
My mate turns shy, casting me a small smile. “Not yet.”
Fuck, she’s so sweet. Everything inside me warms and softens. “The guys are waiting for us outside, if you’re ready for your present.”
Weeks ago, the mention of a gift from me would have given her anxiety. Now, Violet perks up, beaming. “Really? So soon?”
If her honeysuckle perfume is any indication, it’s nearly too late. The scent is sweeter and richer than ever before, lined with a gorgeous floral depth that zings straight into my veins. Her cheeks are flushed, as well, despite the goosebumps on her arms.
I try to hide my concern, bending to pluck her discarded dress off the floor while she nudges Atlas. He rubs his eyes, clearly surprised he fell asleep.
“Oh. Finn,” he gruffs. “Hello.”
I nearly snort at him. “Gid is downstairs. He didn’t want to intrude, but we have a time-sensitive present for Violet.”
I know the whole thing was my idea, but now I’m nervous. What if it’s too much? Too big?
Our omega brushes a kiss on Atlas’s cheek and stretches on top of him. He squeezes her ass, tenderly smoothing her loose hair back from her face. Their gazes connect. A glowing current snaps between them.
“Get dressed for Daddy, baby girl.”
Violet’s perfume thickens. The mind-melting sweetness, combined with the demure way she nods and says, “Yes, Daddy,” have me hard enough to drive nails.
Hot damn. Her heat is going to be fun.
Violet must sense my excitement because her expression turns teasing. She delicately picks her way across the boxes stacked on the floor, quirking a brow as she holds out her hand. I pass her dress over, but shamelessly pocket her panties.
“Rogue,” she giggles, pulling on the daisy-patterned sundress. “Why do I have the feeling you’re up to no good tonight?”
Atlas chuckles. “Because you’re very intelligent, darling.”
Violet flushes at his praise, then laughs when I cast him a glower. She smooths out her dress and steps closer, nuzzling my chest as I pull her into my arms. Her skin feels warm, but not too hot. Still, part of me buzzes with anxiety.
Will she like this? Is it enough to convince her how much we want her bonds? The depth of Gideon’s acceptance?
Atlas finishes pulling on his sweats and drifts closer, meeting my gaze over Violet’s head. His eyes are full of the same questions, along with a steady sort of resolve.
We won’t know until we try.