Page 11 of All Packed Up

The big guy most certainly looked it. With his little pock mark scars, he did look like he’d been through hell and came out the other side.

Shifting his attention away, he checked his phone to track the delivery. “Breakfast should be here in a bit. Won’t take long. Coffee?”

“Yes please,” she replied.

Nic fixed her a cup, doctored it with sugar and creamer as she called it out to him, and passed her the mug. It slid across the bar with a scrape, and he tried to catch her attention.

Nic leveled with her, capturing her stormy gaze and holding onto it like a raft in choppy waters. Appropriate, because he felt like he was about to break the calmness.

He just hoped he could survive the storm that came after.

“So, Wendy, you’re welcome to stay here for as long as you need. Cat included. But I have questions.”

Even though he was staring at her, even though there was no shift in her features, he watched her gaze harden.

His stomach turned in denial. “I don’t need details. I just need to know if someone’s going to come knocking on my door looking for you.” And if I need to lie.

The last words didn’t leave his lips.

She swallowed a sip of coffee and glanced down at the table, breaking their stare.

“I should be far enough away,” she said quietly.

No, there were no bruises that he could see. But some wounds weren’t just skin deep. “Is it your family? Or your pack? Someone else?”

Nic hadn’t fought in a while, but he could still throw a punch, though he was sure age was catching up. He probably couldn’t take a hit like he used to. But he’d try if he had to.

“It’s… They…” Wendy huffed out a frustrated sigh. “It’s a pack, but it shouldn’t matter. I’ll know if they get closer, and I’ll move on.”

Because of the bond? Heart in his throat, Nic tried to remain calm and collected. “They can’t get access to the building, they’ll never know you’re here.”

“They’ll smell me,” she argued.

“From the third floor?”

Wendy didn’t answer.

“I can run interference with candles and shit.” His nose wrinkled at just the thought. “They wouldn’t be able to smell you all the way from the bottom floor.” Right?

Unless she was in the middle of her heat.

What would he do if a whole pack of alphas knocked on his door and demanded their omega back? He couldn’t fight off a whole pack.

He watched the battle as it was fought behind her eyes. “Fine. Thank you.”

Nic dipped his head. “Of course.”

So... it was official. He was helping an omega hide from her pack.

But for how long?

And what would he do if they found her?

Chapter 4

NIC

“So… you’ll need all of that?” Nic asked. He was poised over Wendy’s shoulder as she added the last few things to her list with a swirl of pretty cursive.