Page 50 of Traded

Chapter sixteen

Polar Bear Signals

Hands slide into the hot water covered with bubbles, covering mine and squeezing gently. “We have a dishwasher.”

Even those mild words sting like a rebuke. I press forward, my stomach uncomfortably tight against the edge of the counter. “I want to do them myself. Helps me think.”

And avoid the unfolding scenario in the living room. Liam turns me carefully, tugging my hands away from the dishes. His lips press into mine.

“I’m sorry.” He breathes his apology into my parted lips. “Seriously, Ro.”

I don’t move until he pulls away. My throat tightens. “What for?”

He hesitates. “It had to be done. But I hated it, Rosie. I don’t want to see you unhappy.”

It didn’t stop him, though. I screamed and cried and begged, and he didn’t stop it. Lauren needed it, but what I needed didn’t matter. “Seems like there’s a lot of that heading my way.”

I try to turn away, but he cages me in, careful not to touch me. My hackles rise. “Going for round two?”

Liam flinches back at my barbed tone. “You knew this was going to be hard.”

My lips firm. “Carter should have been here.”

He wouldn’t have let it happen. Not like that. Liam takes in my face, the small lines in the corner of his eyes tightening. “He said he told you about his shoulder.”

“Yeah.” And I’d wanted to talk to Liam about it, but the anger and hurt is gathered in my throat, choking off my words. I fight to pull them free. “What do we do?”

He presses his forehead to mine. “Wekeep the pack going, Ro. Carter needs to focus on this season, and his physio. That means you and I are going to focus on home. If you run to him every time there’s a problem, he’s going to tear himself apart trying to fix everything.”

I stiffen. “I don’t do that.”

Imightdo that. Liam plays with my hair, tugging some loose as he winds his fingers around it. It makes it easier to watch his face, when he’s not looking at me. There’s a small furrow between his eyes. “It was you and him for a long time. I know that must be hard to shake off. But we’re a pack, Rosie. This is a good time for us to learn to lean on each other. Carter isn’t your only alpha, baby.”

“I know that,” I whisper. But guilt flickers in my chest.

There’s an undercurrent in his voice that I can’t place. “I want you to come to me while we’re getting through this. Not him. Can you do that?”

I chew at my lip, glancing at the hall. But there’s no sign of Carter, no light above the elevator entrance signaling he’s on his way up.

“Like I said.” Liam nudges my face back to him. “He’s not your only alpha. You have to talk to me.”

He waits for my response.

“You…” I swallow. “You held me down. I was begging you, and you didn’t do anything.”

He winces. Nods. “And what would have happened if I’d let you go?”

Nothing good. His brows raise at the look on my face. “I hated doing that. But it’s done. You and I both know that Laurenneededto do that. That was a hard step, and it’s already over with. Isn’t it better to have it behind you than waiting for the moment it has to happen?”

“I don’t know,” I hedge.

“But Ido.” He pulls me into him, clearly testing my reaction. His sigh is relieved when I lean my cheek against his chest. “This is exactly what I’m saying, Ro. Your instincts are all over the place right now, and that’s not your fault. You can’t control them, baby. I’m your alpha. That means you trust me to do what’s best for you, and I will. I’ll keep this pack together, even when it’s hard. I’m not going to hold back if it means dragging out pain for you.”

His hand works through my hair. “Tell me you understand.”

I can see the couch from here. Jonas and Lauren are sitting on it. A few inches separate them, but his hand is resting near hers. Both of them are clearly trying not to watch us. Jonas turns his head and tries to smile, but it falters.

Lauren looks like she’s trying to burn a hole in whatever film they picked. Her hands are clenched.