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

Chapter 18

18

T he emerald-green jumpsuit clings to my body as I light the candles on the dinner table, their glow dancing across the place settings I arranged.

The front door opens, and my heart skips a beat. I turn to greet Liam, a smile on my face even as nerves flutter in my stomach.

He shuts the door, appreciation lighting his face as he spots me.

“Well, don’t you look beautiful tonight, princess,” he says in that deep voice that never fails to make me shiver.

When he steps forward to pull me into an embrace, I slip to the side, fussing with the napkins to avoid looking at him. “Go wash up before dinner gets cold.”

The weight of his eyes lingers for a long moment. “I’ll be right back.”

His footsteps retreat down the hall as I fidget with the silverware, straightening forks and knives that are already straight. I triple-checked the proper etiquette online, but I still feel out of my depth, needing everything to be perfect.

The sound of running water filters in from the bathroom, followed by the wardrobe opening and shutting. When Liam returns, he wears a soft sweater and pressed slacks that complement my outfit.

As he walks toward me, the lights catch in the red strands of his hair. The sight floods me with memories of all the times he stroked my cheek and murmured about the redheaded babies we’d make.

Tears threaten, and I blink them back.

“Have a seat.” I gesture to his chair, my voice tight with false cheer.

I can do this. I can give him the nice, normal dinner he deserves without falling apart. I have to.

As Liam settles at the table, his eyes bore into me, but I keep mine fixed on the dish covers as I lift them with a flourish, releasing wisps of savory steam.

“How was your day, princess?” he asks, the tender affection behind the words threatening to crumble my composure.

I slide a heaping portion of roasted chicken onto his plate, a brittle smile plastered on my face. “Played chess with Leo. Then Jade showed me how to shoot.”

“That so?” Liam watches as I pile on side dishes. “Did you enjoy it?”

I shrug, moving mechanically to serve myself. “Different from what I expected. Caleb thinks I show promise, though.”

Liam reaches out to catch me around the waist, but I twist out of his grasp, heart hammering. “How was your visit with the doctor today?”

“Got my stitches out. Scar should fade to almost nothing.” My fingers tremble as I set down the serving spoon. I can feel the question that’s coming, the one I’m dreading most.

“And the pregnancy test?”

I beeline for the wine chilling in its bucket. Hoisting the bottle, I paste on a dazzling grin and turn to face him. “We’re not pregnant. Dodged a bullet, huh? I mean, it’s way too soon for us to be starting a family…”

The words keep tumbling out, a desperate attempt to fill the sudden, yawning silence.

“We weren’t really ready. It wouldn’t have been right, what with how it started,” I continue to babble while my grip becomes increasingly unsteady.

My hand spasms as I pour, and blush-toned wine splashes all over the pristine tablecloth.

“Shit.” I grab for a napkin.

Liam takes the bottle from me, setting it aside, then snags my wrist and draws me down onto his lap.

I twist away, ducking my head to avoid his too-knowing gaze.

“Hey, don’t do that.” Liam cups my chin, his touch gentle but firm as he turns my face toward his.

With those beloved brown eyes so soft and understanding on me, my vision blurs, and my bottom lip quivers.

“I didn’t really want a baby,” I lie through the tears welling up faster than I can blink them back. “The timing was all off.”

“It’s okay to be sad about it,” Liam tells me, his thumb wiping away the first tear to spill down my cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with having mixed feelings.”

I shake my head, stubborn to the last. “It’s too soon. It wasn’t…wasn’t supposed to happen like that.”

“I know, princess.” His arms enfold me, warm and infinitely tender. “I know.”

My face crumples, and I collapse against him, burying my face in the crook of his neck as the sobs wrench free. Wrapped in my Alpha’s embrace, I let the grief pour out of me for a loss I never expected to feel.

“I wanted it,” I rasp between shuddering breaths, the truth tearing itself out of my very soul. “I wanted a family with you.”

Rubbing my back, Liam rocks me until the tears dry, then he continues to hold me.

The days drag by in a dull, gray blur.

I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to ignore the hollow ache inside. It’s stupid to grieve a baby that never existed, but the loss is like a physical pain.

A soft knock comes from the door. “Milo? It’s Leo. I brought you some lunch.”

I don’t answer. After a moment, the door cracks open, and Leo peeks his head in. His blond hair falls over his forehead as he leans down to take in my miserable state.

“Oh, honey.” He waddles over to perch on the edge of the mattress, the cushion dipping under his weight. “I’m so sorry you’re hurting like this. ”

He sets a tray of food on the nightstand.

I turn my face away, blinking back hot tears. “I’ll be fine. It’s dumb to be this upset.”

“It’s not dumb at all.” His hand rests on my leg. “You have every right to grieve. This is a real loss.”

I swallow hard. Leo means well, but his kindness is too much. I need to wallow a bit more before I can face the world again.

Thankfully, he understands. With a final sympathetic pat, he rises. “Jade and Oliver said they’d stop by in a couple of hours. We’re all here for you, okay? Whenever you’re ready.”

I manage a nod.

Once he leaves, I curl into myself, hugging my knees to my chest.

The bedroom door opens again sometime later.

I keep my eyes shut, feigning sleep, but I’d recognize Liam’s presence anywhere.

The bed shifts as he sits down behind me and strokes my hair. “I know you’re awake, princess.”

I heave a sigh and roll over to face him. “I thought if I stayed still long enough, the world might forget I exist. ”

“Never.” He traces the curve of my cheek. “Want to watch something with me tonight? You can pick the movie and let me hold you.”

“Bribery, huh?” I catch his hand, bringing it to my lips. “You have a deal.”

“You got it.” He leans down to brush a kiss on my forehead. “Anything for you.”

That night, we curl up together on the sofa, a bowl of popcorn cradled in my lap as an action movie plays. Liam’s arms enfold me, his solid heat seeping into my back.

Here, I’m safe.

Like I’ve found my home.

When my eyelids droop, he scoops me up and carries me to bed. I pull his big body around me, cocooning myself in his warmth.

For the first time in days, I drift off easily, surrounded by love.

Watery sunlight filters through the curtains when I emerge on the fourth day, wrung out, but with the haze lifted. Liam had left earlier, and I’m determined to stop wallowing.

I take my time in the shower, letting the hot spray beat down on my shoulders and back until I turn red all over.

When I dress, real clothes feel almost foreign after so long spent in rumpled pajamas. I rake a comb through my hair, leaving it hanging free down my back.

Restless energy buzzes under my skin as I ride the elevator down to the main floor. I need to move, to do something other than lie around drowning in my misery.

My feet take me toward the library on autopilot. It’s become a favorite retreat, but when I push open the heavy wooden doors, the room is dark and empty.

Figures.

As I debate heading down to the gun range in search of Jade, the sound of raised voices catches my attention from a room at the end of the hall.

Curiosity piqued, I make my way closer, footsteps silent in my slippers.

The door sits ajar, and I pause outside, straining to hear the conversation within.

“We’re not getting anywhere with locating Bugrov or Tony,” a deep voice grumbles, frustration clear in the words. “Every day that passes means it’s less likely we’ll stop them before the next shipment of slaves gets auctioned off. ”

Uneasiness fills me. I know all too well the horrors those poor souls face.

“We’ve put Omegas on the street to lure them out, but none of the bait has been taken,” another man chimes in, one I recognize as Damien.

My stomach tightens. They’ve been using Omegas as bait? Putting innocent lives at risk, hoping to draw out those monsters? And it still hasn’t worked.

Which means Bugrov and Tony are being extra cautious… or they’ve moved on to new hunting grounds.

Before I can second-guess myself, I push open the door and step into what I realize must be the banquet hall with its huge table and sideboards. “Use me as bait.”

Nine Rockford Alphas swivel in my direction, and Jade’s jaw drops in surprise.

Liam rises from his chair. “Milo? What are you doing down here? Let’s get you back upstairs.”

But Aaiden, the eldest Rockford, holds up a hand to stop him. “Explain what you mean, Milo.”

I swallow hard but lift my chin. “The tracker you took out of my arm. Do you still have it?”

When Liam opens his mouth, Caleb cuts in, “Yes, we do.”

Liam spins to face his brother. “Shut up, Caleb! ”

I keep my attention on Aaiden. “Reinsert it. Drop me off in my old neighborhood and call in a missing pet. Someone will either try to pick me up or take me out. Whichever happens, you’ll have your lead.”

“No.” Liam’s jaw sets, the muscle ticking. “We can put the chip in a different Omega. It doesn’t have to be you, Milo.”

I shake my head, meeting him head-on. “They’ll know it’s a fake. I’m too…distinctive.”

The words taste bitter on my tongue, a reminder of the way the auctioneer had extolled my unique appearance.

Caleb leans forward, elbows on the table, a hint of admiration in his expression. “It’s a good plan. The kid’s got guts.”

Aaiden nods, his face indecipherable. “I agree. It could work.”

Liam’s chair clatters to the floor as he surges to his feet.

“We’re not doing this!” he roars, the veins in his neck standing out. The scent of his anger, his fear, floods the room, making me want to bare my throat in submission.

Pulse racing, I stand my ground. “If you don’t own me, then I get to make this choice for myself.”

Something flashes in Liam’s eyes, too quick for me to catch. With an angry shout, his fist slams into the table, rattling water glasses, but he doesn’t tell me no. Turning on his heel, he storms out, the door slamming shut behind him.

The room falls quiet in his wake, and I take a shaky breath. My stomach churns with a mix of terror and exhilaration.

For once, I’m not a pawn. I’m making my own choices, dangerous as they may be.

And that, more than anything, feels like freedom.

I pick up Liam’s chair and sit facing the others. “Let’s talk strategy.”