Secured by the Buyer (Taken by His Alpha #3)

Chapter 14

14

I take a seat in the high wing-back chair in the library and accept the herbal tea Leo offers. The fine china cup, delicate enough to break if I hold it wrong, probably costs a fortune or is a family heirloom.

Leo gives me an apologetic smile as he waddles back across the room toward the teapot. “Sorry for my earlier outburst. These hormones have been making me so emotional.”

My attention drops to his swollen belly, trying not to stare too long. The last thing I want is to set off another bout of tears.

Leo tries to pour himself a cup of tea, only to have Nolan attempt to do it for him. A sharp slap on the hand and a scolding from Leo puts an end to his fussing, though, and Nolan steps back to hover over his pregnant husband.

I shift uneasily in my chair. “Really, I should go find Liam.”

Leo waves a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry, Oliver has him distracted.”

A sour ball forms in my stomach at the mention of the other Omega’s name, remembering how Liam had wanted to steal him away from Caleb.

What kind of irresistible beauty could sway all three brothers?

As I focus on stirring my tea with the tiny spoon, the sound of footsteps draws my attention.

Jade saunters in, a mischievous grin plastered on his face as he holds aloft a tray of sandwiches. “Look what I stole from Mom. Nicked them right out from under her nose.”

Over the last few days, Liam has given me a basic education on the Rockford family, so I know Nolan is one of his cousins. And Jade already told me he’s the son of their housekeeper, who everyone fears. I have yet to meet the formidable woman, but the meals she sends up to our suite are to die for.

“Gimme!” Leo makes a move to grab them all for himself.

“Sharing is caring, Leo.” Jade lifts it out of reach .

Leo pouts and settles onto the settee that faces my chair.

Jade holds the tray out to me. “On the left, we have peanut butter and spicy pickle sandwiches, and on the right, we have plain turkey and cheddar.”

The sour knot in my stomach prevents me from considering a bite. “I had some snacks earlier with the stylist.”

Jade grins at me. “Your appearance is much improved since our first meeting.”

“Thanks.” My fingers curl tighter around the delicate teacup in my hands.

This isn’t how I expected my glow-up to go.

Jade nudges Nolan out of the way, plopping down beside Leo on the couch and passing the smaller man the entire tray of sandwiches. The easy way they interact makes it obvious they’re close, and it’s clear Nolan only has eyes for his husband.

It leaves me as the third wheel in this intimate family gathering. I should have stayed where Liam left me. Then I wouldn’t be experiencing all these feelings.

Small talk fills the space, words I barely register as my mind races, fueled by frustration and anxiety. If this is going to be my life from now on, I might go crazy. I wasn’t made for tea times and finger foods .

Jade’s voice breaks through my swirling thoughts. “How are you settling in, Milo?”

Leo jumps on the topic with excitement. “Tell us all about your whirlwind romance with Liam.”

Confused, my mouth opens before Nolan catches my attention and shakes his head with a scowl. While everyone else may know the truth behind my arrival, they kept Leo in the dark.

Does he not know what the family business is? Or do they worry about how his pregnancy affects his emotions so much? His stomach is so big. Is he one more bawl away from popping out that baby?

“Well…” I begin, searching for a response to satisfy Leo without revealing the whole story. “Liam and I bumped into each other by accident, and then we met again later at an auction.”

Nolan’s expression darkens, while Jade grabs a sandwich, taking a bite as he leans back, clearly interested to hear how I’ll spin this.

Leo bounces with excitement, making Nolan grab his teacup before it spills. “What kind of auction?”

“It was for a date,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Liam spent way too much to ensure no one else won me, and we’ve been inseparable since.”

Leo sighs, twisting to look up at his husband, who wipes the scowl off his face. “Isn’t that romantic?” he coos, filling me with guilt for lying. “It must have been love at first sight.”

His cherubic face scrunches as he glares up at Nolan. “Your brothers better not try the same stunt with Milo that they did with me.”

Curiosity piqued, I ask, “What did they pull with you?”

“The whole family gathered and tried to buy me off,” Leo says, his displeasure clear. “They only offered me fifty thousand.”

“Well, I don’t think that will be an issue.” I stir my tea. “Not after Liam paid one-hundred and eighty-five thousand for me.”

Jade chokes on his sandwich.

Leo passes him a napkin and grins at me. “I hope it was for a worthy cause.”

Before I’m forced to make up an answer, Liam’s voice sounds from the entrance to the library. “Has anyone seen Milo?”

I stand from the chair and turn toward him. “Right here, darling .”

His gaze sweeps over me, heating my skin in a way I would have craved earlier, but now only serves to fuel my irritation.

He steps farther into the room. “When I went to check how you were doing, the room was empty. I got worried.”

My hand tightens around the delicate teacup, but my words come out sugar-sweet. “You must not have been too worried. Did you enjoy your little distraction with your brother’s husband, my Alpha ?”

Into the silence that follows, Jade whispers, “Oh shit, Liam, you better run. Murder kitten is back, and he has a spoon.”

Ignoring Jade’s comment, my attention remains fixed on Liam.

Either the man enjoys being stabbed, or he underestimates my displeasure, because he comes farther into the room. “Did you get anxious when you didn’t find me right away, princess?”

“What’s to be anxious about?” I bristle at the implication, disliking how close he hit to home. “I’ve lived my entire life without you.”

“How long has that life been, exactly?” Jade chimes in.

“Shut up, Jade,” Liam snaps, taking another step toward me.

The teacup rattles in my hand, hot liquid sloshing over the sides. I don’t like this sting of vulnerability, but outside forces shoved me and Liam together. He’s doing the honorable thing, but if his heart wants someone else …

Then I’ll claw my way inside. I’ve never been altruistic. There will be no stepping aside so he can be with another.

Liam stops with an arm’s width still between us, his face softening. “I’m not abandoning you, princess.”

“If you’re my Alpha, you shouldn’t be mooning over some other Omega,” I snap. “Unless that was all lip service?”

Liam inches into striking distance. “Didn’t I say you’re the sweetest Omega I’ve ever met?”

“You did,” I admit, my suspicion wavering.

Gently, Liam wraps his hand around the teacup, removing it from my hold. “If we hadn’t both been at work, I would’ve swept you off your feet right then. You’re all I’ve thought about since you fell into my arms.”

A gagging sound from behind us breaks the tension, and I half-turn to catch Jade snapping his mouth closed.

Leo shushes him. “Leave them alone. It’s romantic.”

Liam ignores their commentary as he sets the cup on a side table before turning back to me, taking in my new outfit again. “Look at how lovely you are. Did you pick this out with me in mind? ”

A blush creeps up my cheeks as I duck my head. “Maybe.”

Closing the remaining distance between us, Liam cups the back of my bare neck. “You’re damn near irresistible, princess. I’ll give you whatever you want, so don’t doubt me, okay?”

“Okay.” I reach out to hook my fingers in his belt, the leather warm to the touch as I pull him closer with a sweet smile. “Then I want you to fuck me, or the next thing I order will be a dildo so I can do it myself.”

The sound of Jade’s cackling pierces the air, almost falling off the couch as he clutches his sides.

Nolan shakes his head. “You can take the cat out of the alley, but you can’t take the alley out of the cat.”

Leo glares at Liam and rubs his huge belly. “Penetrative sex won’t jeopardize any potential babies, so stop being a neglectful Alpha.”

When everyone turns to the angelic man in horror, he huffs. “Oh, grow up. The Mark is obvious from here.”

“All right, that’s enough family time.” Liam clasps my hand, drawing me out of the library.

“Call me if you need help with the shopping!” Jade calls after us. “I have the names of some custom stores!”

“That won’t be necessary,” Liam growls as he leads me to the elevator. “I understand now why Nolan and Caleb both moved out after getting married. There’s no peace in this house.”

Despite feeling like an outsider, I smile. I’ve never been around a family who cares about each other the way the Rockfords do. “I like it here, though. Even if you don’t have horses.”

“I’ll buy you a damn horse.” The doors slide open, and Liam drags me inside, punching the button for the third story before backing me against the wall. “But you’re going to be too sore to ride it. You have no idea how much I’ve been holding back.”

On my tiptoes, my arms circle his neck. “Show me.”