Page 41 of A Snowy Escape

We could always get to know each other once we bonded…

Well, shit.

I’ve definitely slipped into the obsessive side of being an alpha.

Chapter Thirteen

Abby

Luka is charming. He carries the conversation, which is a good thing. I felt more like I was pursuing Lawson the days we were snowed in together, but with Luka, it feels like he’s the one trying to engage with me.

“Well, I bet you’re tired,” he says as the movie comes to an end. “It’s probably time I head home. Do you want me to take Echo out before I leave?”

“Oh, it’s okay. I can do it.”

He leans over, grabbing my sleeve. “You’re already in your jammies. I don’t want any of the assholes leaving the bar to give you trouble. I don’t mind.”

“I appreciate it,” I say, smiling. “The restaurant was closed the first few nights I was here. I didn’t realize I’d be running out to let Echo pee while people were leaving the building.” I shake my head. “I’m not complaining. That sounded so ungrateful, and I didn’t mean it to. I appreciate having a place to stay.”

“Don’t stress, Abby,” he says, standing from the couch. “I got what you meant. I know what it’s like. I’ve stayed here regularly. Any time I left before the bar closed, noise filtered up from downstairs.”

“Yeah, but the bedroom is above the restaurant, so it’s not too bad, usually.” I smile as Echo climbs off the sofa from where she was curled on Luka’s other side.

I still have no idea how she made room for herself between him and the arm of the couch, but I get it.

I, too, would love to be curled up on a sexy alpha’s lap.

“Sometimes a loud car or truck will start after we’ve gone to bed,” I say. “She barks when that happens, but overall, I’ve mostly learned to tune out the noise, which is crazy when we’ve only been here a week.”

“Still, you never answer the door to anyone you aren’t expecting,” Luka says, leaning down to pat Echo’s blocky head. “I don’t care if they scream bloody murder while begging for help. You stay safely locked inside the apartment and call 911. I’m sure Echo could mess someone up if necessary, but it’s not worth the risk.”

“That’s a good point.”

I’ve been lucky so far.

No one has given me any trouble when I was coming or going or bringing Echo out for a walk, but I have made it a point of waiting until no one is around before I come upstairs.

I think, no matter where I was, I’d always be a little anxious.

Omegas do best when we have alphas at our sides. Now I just have to figure out how to get these three specific alphas to stop dawdling and get to courting me.

* * *

I’m just getting into my jacket the next morning when there’s a knock at the door.

My mind flies back to what Luka said last night. While it was good advice, it’s also early enough that no one should be at Maxwell’s.

Echo barks, and I shush her, waving a hand, like that might more effectively shut her up.

Shockingly, it doesn’t help.

I step over, preparing to check the peephole, but freeze.

Oh, God.

There’s no way Tommy found me…

Right?