Page 20 of Deep Fake

“I…I think so.”

I was not. Still shaking. Voice ragged. Not breathing well.

“Come here, Malone.”

One second, I was trying to hold myself together in front of this pillar of a man, and the next, I was wrapped up in his warmth. His strong arms wrapped around me, and I melted into his embrace, resting my face against his warm chest. I listened to his steady heartbeat and took in his scent, letting the whole experience blanket me in safety.

“I was so scared. What if it was him? If he came here and—”

Riglan spoke into my hair, the heat of his breath against my scalp. “Let’s not take a chance. I want you to come stay with me until we figure this out. If he knows where you live, if he comes back. I won’t be able to live with myself if something happens to you.”

Oh. That admittance was…surprising.

I forced myself to look up at him. Worry lines had deepened in his forehead. “Go to your house?”

“Yes. I mean, if you’re okay with that.” His arms were still firmly around me. “Unless you have a friend or someone else you’d rather stay with, but you can’t stay here.”

“No. No, there’s no one else I’d rather go with.”

He exhaled and I swore I saw a hint of a smile. “Good. It would make me feel better if you were with me. I’ll wait while you pack a bag. I want to take a look around the place anyway.”

I hesitated to say okay because that would mean him letting me go. His eyes dipped to my lips, and I held my breath for a second, hoping he would close the distance and give me what I wanted.

He reached out with one hand and brushed a lock of hair from my face. I soaked in this moment, hoping it would never end, or if it had to, at least progress into something more. “Pack up, omega. I’ll be here.”

“Okay.”

I tore myself from his hold and began grabbing things and stuffing them into the same duffle I’d brought my laptop and phone in earlier. We didn’t know how long this would last, so I packed a variety of clothes, making sure to grab my toiletries and personal items as well.

Only took a few minutes. It was weird that everything I needed in life was contained in one small bag. When a person was in trouble, surviving was the most important.

Chapter Sixteen

Malone

By the time we arrived at Rig’s house, the events of the night had descended on me, and I was a quivering mess.

“Come inside and we’ll get you warm.” He came over to open my door since I was making no move to do so myself. “Oh, look at that.” Rig put his arm around my shoulders and turned me to face the other way. The sun was rising, making the sky look like a watercolor masterpiece of lavender and rose pink.

“So beautiful,” I said, letting the morning claim some of my worry and fear. I was here now, with Rig, and he would never let anything happen to me.

But when I looked over, he was not looking at the stunning sunrise. His eyes were on me. “Inside with you, omega. Tea and breakfast and a movie to take our minds off everything.”

It was the second time that night or morning he had called me omega. I loved it when he called me by my name, but there was something about an alpha calling you omega that caused all kinds of reactions in my body.

Something had changed between us. Strangers to partners in solving this crime and now, the gentle whispers of something more.

I wanted him. More than I’d wanted anyone in a long time. To learn everything about him. Have him whisper all the secrets he told no one. Wake up to the dimples in his chin and make it my sacred duty to make them appear as much as possible.

“That sounds amazing. Thank you.”

That stopped him in his tracks. “No need to thank me.”

There were about a million reasons for gratitude, but I would figure out a way somehow.

Once inside, he made us a simple breakfast of avocado toast and two cups of tea. Chamomile. Rig said we could both use the calm after the wild night.

I was hoping to have an even wilder night tonight. With him.