Page 128 of Traded

“Thanks.” He looks me up and down. “You’re not wearing that, right?”

For fucks’ sake.

I slam the door to my nest in his face without saying a word.

Liam scans me when I stumble out, navy dress and pumps in place. “Nice pearls.”

“Thanks.” I smile sweetly, fingering them. They’re replicas from a costume party. “I thought they added the right touch to the role.”

He’s clearly not sure whether I’m hiding a barb in there somewhere but doesn’t push it. I keep the smile on my face as Lauren and I set the large dining table we never use opposite the island with eight marble placemats.

“So,” Lauren murmurs as she sets a pristine white napkin down beside a plate. I didn’t know weownedlinen napkins. Or a dining set, truthfully. “Maybe we should talk?”

Maybe I should apologize. “I don’t think now is a great time.”

“Guess not.” She folds cutlery into the napkin, adjusting it. “Not when we have a royal visit.”

I bite the inside of my cheek. She sounds like she’s looking forward to this as much as I am.

“Right!” Liam calls. “They’re in the garage. I’ll head down and meet them.”

He points at me before stepping into the elevator. “Behave.”

“I resent that implication.” I fold my arms. “I’m the height of politeness.”

Even Jonas looks nervous as we wait. He plays with his hair in the hall mirror, moving a single strand around his forehead until all I want is to snip it off to see his reaction. Lauren and I watch like it’s a televised game.

She looks mildly nauseated.

When the elevator sounds, it’s a relief. The three of us form a weird sort of receiving line as Liam steps out, his face turned back toward the group that steps out after him.

The alpha that leads them is…huge. He drowns out even Liam’s bulk. His salt and pepper hair and goatee and tan suit does nothing to dampen the intimidation. “Hell of a trek to get up here. Couldn’t do that every time I wanted to step through my front door.”

The deep, booming words make me drop my eyes instinctively.

Jesus. The dominance falling off him is enough to make me want to hide away in my nest. Swallowing, I force my chin up as Liam introduces him to Jonas.

“Great to meet you, son.” His dad shakes Jonas’s hand, looking like he crushes it. “Heard a lot of good things. Seen ‘em on the ice, too. Good clean edges you’ve got there.”

“Thank you, sir. I appreciate it.” Jonas preens.

I wait for someone to introduce the two omegas that follow behind him, but nobody does. Liam draws his dad toward Lauren. “This is Lauren, my scent match.”

“Aren’t you a pretty little thing?” My lips twist in disgust, and I focus on keeping my face straight as he moves on to me without saying anything else. “And you must be Rosie. John Kessler.”

“Hi.” I stick out my hand, forcing a smile. “It’s great to finally meet you.”

He doesn’t take my hand. In fact, he observes it as if it’s a stinging insect, and I slowly pull it back. “Heard a lot about you, too.”

“Good things, naturally.” I laugh, but he doesn’t.

Or… not. John draws forward the omega closest to him, wrapping a bear paw around her hand. “This is Liam’s mother, Julia.”

Julia is a tall, slim omega with straight brown hair, Liam’s grey eyes and a tooth smile straight out of a toothpaste commercial. “Rosie! Lovely to meet you.”

At least she takes my hand. She scans my dress approvingly, and I straighten. “You too, Mrs. Kessler.”

“Oh, please.” She flutters her hand. “Call me Julia.”