Playing You (Omega's Luck #3) - Claire Cullen Page 0,67

I thought he’d forgotten about me, but he won’t forget me now.” Christian Night scared him in some deep, primal way. He didn’t understand what it was, he just knew how he felt.

As they arrived home, Brendan jumped out of the car and came around to help him out. When they stepped inside the house, he found himself engulfed in a tight hug.

“I will never, ever let him hurt you, ever again.”

Riley gripped Brendan’s shirt tightly, burying his face against the alpha’s chest. “He scares me, Brendan. Really, really scares me. And I don’t know why.”

Brendan gently tugged him back and nudged his chin up until he could cup Riley’s face in his hands, holding his gaze.

“He’s a predator. He has a reputation for it, in business. And a reputation as a player… but I wonder if it goes deeper than that?” The alpha shook his head, giving Riley his full attention again. “The important thing is that you’re home and safe, and he is far away.”

“But he knows us. He knows…”

“He doesn’t know a thing about us. And he may have money, but I’ve got friends in the city’s police department. All the wealth in the world can’t buy him what that gets us.”

Riley gave in to the alpha’s insistent comfort. He let himself be carried to bed, lovingly undressed, and tucked under the covers. Brendan got in next to him, and Riley cuddled against the alpha, his bump pressed safely between them. He fell asleep with the alpha’s fingers stroking through his hair.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Brendan pulled in every favor he was owed, put every spare minute into investigating, and gave over a handful of late nights to stakeouts.

“You’re going out again?”

Riley hovered in the doorway, watching him dress.

“Yeah. Got a case to crack.”

Riley frowned, clearly not buying it.

“Which case?”

“You’re supposed to be resting, not working.” He crossed the room and pressed a kiss to Riley’s forehead.

“Don’t treat me like an idiot,” the omega grumbled. “I’m pregnant, not infirm.”

“Harper and William are coming over to keep you company until I get back,” he deflected.

He went to head out, only for Riley to pull him back.

“You are being careful, aren’t you? With whatever you’re doing?”

Riley asked the question pointedly, and Brendan knew he’d guessed what he was really up to.

“I’m being careful. I promise I won’t do anything stupid.”

“You could stay home, let this go.”

Brendan took Riley’s hand in his and kissed the back of it. “We both know I can’t. Don’t wait up, okay? William has promised to hang around until I’m home.”

Riley looked like he wanted to protest further. Instead, he grabbed Brendan’s hands and pressed them to his stomach.

“Be safe. Come home to us.”

“Always.”

He met William and Harper on the way out, both of them shooting him concerned looks. William even followed him to his car.

“I know what you’re doing is important to you, but…”

“It’s almost done, William. I just need a bit more time.”

“Are you sure you’re not losing sight of your priority here?”

“You didn’t see the fear in Riley’s eyes, William. He shouldn’t have to live under that cloud.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing.”

“So do I.”

He drove across the city, parking down the street from where Christian’s driver was waiting. When Christian had been his target previously, it had been for a very narrow purpose. Brendan hadn’t had reason to look too deeply into the rest of the alpha’s affairs. But Christian targeting Riley a second time meant the gloves were off. Brendan wouldn’t stop until he could bury him, metaphorically speaking. He had connected a lot of puzzle pieces but not enough to act on.

Christian stepped out of his townhouse twenty minutes later, and Brendan sat up. This was early for the alpha. He usually didn’t head out for the night until after nine p.m. unless it was for dinner. Something else was happening tonight.

He followed Christian’s car, trying to work out where they were going. Or who it was they were meeting. They turned into a street known for its clubs and bars, but Brendan suspected Christian wasn’t just out for a drink. Sure enough, the car stopped in the middle of the road. Christian got out and crossed to a nondescript door, knocking and entering a moment later. Brendan kept driving, watching in his mirror as the alpha disappeared inside.

Brendan’s job brought him to all sorts of places, and it just so happened that he knew exactly where that door led—an exclusive, private club, favored by businessmen and criminals alike. Brendan could