His grin lessened and he crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you not excited?” he asked.
“We don’t know what you found,” Leighton said dryly. “You’re going to have to enlighten us before we can get excited.”
“The person who told the police that you’d dark bonded an omega. I found some other shit too, but it’s irrelevant.”
“Wouldn’t it have been my brother who told?” I asked. “He’s the only one who knew.”
He hadn’t known who Leighton was, but he had venues to get information like that. Tobias was resourceful. I didn’t know how much was truth and how much was taunts, but he said he was the one who’d set up my arranged mating.
“He wasn’t about to go to the police himself. They don’t want anyone to know who you are, because as soon as others know Kiara Connolly exists, they’re far less likely to be the ones to get to you first.”
My nose crinkled. “Should I have told the Omega Safety Division who I am?”
“Of course not,” Dash said.
“I’m confused.”
“Get to the point, Dash,” Leighton said. “Why is this guy important?”
He blinked. “He’s not. Who’s coming with me to beat the shit out of him?”
Mercury groaned, standing up and walking over to Dash. He grabbed his arm, manhandling him until he was down on the couch beside Leighton. “Sit the fuck down. You need to eat something substantial, and we’re not beating anyone up.”
Dash growled but stayed put. “Of course we are! He torpedoed Leighton’s professional reputation and put Kiara through a traumatic experience. He deserves it.”
“Do not move from this spot,” Mercury commanded.
Despite Dash being the pack lead, he huffed and listened to the command like a scolded child. Mercury vanished through the French doors into the kitchen.
“Thank you for the thought,” I said hesitantly, reaching around Leighton and putting my palm on Dash’s knee. “Beating him up isn’t necessary.”
His grumbles immediately turned to something akin to purrs. Leaning forward, his hand came down over mine and he peered around Leighton with a grin. “Are you sure? You’re a violent little thing. I thought you’d want to help.”
Ambrose and Leighton let out twin growls.
“I…” Trailing off, I shrugged. “Maybe, but it’s probably better if we don’t let me near people with a knife.”
“Definitely better,” Mercury muttered, appearing with a plate of food. He shoved it at Dash. “Eat. If you pass out from lack of sustenance, I have to deal with that and it’s not my idea of a good time.”
Keeping one hand on mine, he used his other to shovel food into his mouth. I should have pulled my palm from his skin, because I was no longer thanking or comforting him. I let it stay, relishing the warmth that spread through me at the touch.
Leighton didn’t seem to mind me touching the other alpha either, so I pushed out all my worries and just… enjoyed.
TWENTY-EIGHT
LEIGHTON
There were two things that I desperately needed to do before the sun set in the sky tonight.
One, I had to tell Kiara about my mother’s blackmail and her threat. I’d have to admit that I wasn’t quite sure how to fix it. Then, without telling her how, I had to reassure her that she would never be going back to her family.
Two, I had to return the ten missed calls from my concerned younger brother and his pack, who had seen me get arrested on the news last night.
Like the coward I was, I opted into the easier task first.
My brother’s phone rang only once before he answered. “Leighton? Why the heck didn’t you call me?” He was breathless.
“I’m calling you now,” I said dryly. “I was a little busy last night.”
