by Shea Balik
Soren didn’t answer as he pulled out his phone and started barking orders for a full forensic unit to come to the hospital. Then he hung up and called more people, demanding they get their asses to the hospital if they still wanted to be cops.
Cillian handed Jamal a glove. Once it was on, he gladly turned the card over to their head of security. Ever since that first time an Alpha had beat the crap out of him for fun in middle school, Cillian hadn’t considered himself someone who scared easily. He was wrong.
He was almost frozen in fear. Only the determination that no one see him that way stopped him from crumbling to the ground. No. That wouldn’t hide him. What Cillian wanted to do was buy a ticket for the first plane out of the states and never look back.
“I’m sorry, Cillian,” Jamal said as he put an arm around Cillian’s shoulders and led him from the throng of people now staring at them. When they were in Dr. Jacob’s office, Jamal sat him down on the only chair in the tiny room and shut the door.
“Look,” Jamal said. “This isn’t going to be easy on you. But we will stick by you through all of this.”
Then Jamal took out his own phone and started typing.
“Will the stalker really shoot me?” Cillian wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to know the answer, but that part of him that had learned to stand up for himself refused to back down from finding out.
The door flung open. Soren stood there looking like a warrior ready to do battle. “Not if I have anything to say about it. Now get your stuff. You’re coming home with me where I can protect you.”
Cillian blinked up at the man. Then he glanced over at Jamal who was grinning like an idiot. A second later Shale was standing just behind Soren with the same grin on his face, except he was also laughing.
“You know, as much as I hate this stalker, she has done a good job marrying off each Omega,” Shale said as he tilted back his head and laughed even harder. “Don’t get me wrong, I hope the bitch gets locked up for the rest of her miserable life, but I owe her for forcing Ronan and me together.”
Then he slapped Soren on the shoulder and added, “And it appears we have our next couple.”
Cillian jumped up to his feet. “No fucking way. I’m not interested in some Neanderthal who thinks he can order everyone around.”
Except…
Was it wrong that he was hard just thinking about sleeping under the same roof as Soren?
CHAPTER 4
Soren wasn’t sure if he was angry with being called a Neanderthal or Cillian’s declaration about not wanting him.
Liar.
Frowning, Soren had no clue how to react to that thought. How could he care about an Omega he’d literally just met? It made no sense. For all he knew Cillian was an asshole, which would explain why he’d called Soren a Neanderthal. He was probably some spoiled brat used to getting his way.
“Look, brat.” Great, now Soren had resorted to name calling. He really needed to get himself under control. He was the Chief of Police for goodness sake, not some petulant kid. If only he didn’t feel the need to stomp his foot and pout, Soren might have believed that.
“I don’t know what pedestal you think you’re on that I would even want you but get over yourself. There is a stalker after you, who has killed one person we know of, shot two others, and stabbed someone…”
“Technically, we think the accomplice stabbed me,” Shale pointed out. “But the chief has a point,” Shale told Cillian. “Whoever this stalker is, clearly is unhinged and getting worse.”
Cillian crossed his arms over his chest. “I can take care of myself. It’s not like I’m completely defenseless.”
Soren had to force himself not to roll his eyes. “Really? Because this stalker’s accomplice was shot from two hundred yards away. No one even knew the stalker was there.”
The slight tan Cillian had drained from his face and he turned almost ghostly white, causing the tattoo on his neck to stand out in stark contrast. As much as Soren wanted to wrap Cillian in his arms and reassure him that Soren would keep him safe, he was sure Cillian wouldn’t appreciate it. Anyone who got the entire front of his neck tattooed wouldn’t want to be coddled in front of others.
But the fear in those dark brown eyes made it hard to keep still. “I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but your home isn’t safe. This stalker has always known where the Omegas lived. You need to stay with someone where the stalker wouldn’t expect you to be.” If there was a pleading tone in his voice, Soren figured that was to be expected, since he was the reason this stalker hadn’t been caught already.
If only he’d paid more attention to the men under his command instead of the never-ending paperwork. Hell, if he’d just bothered to talk to some of the men, he might have realized the rampant bigotry in his precinct.
It made sense that he’d want to keep the next victim safe.
Liar.
Soren sighed at that stupid voice that called him on his bullshit. He wasn’t entirely sure why, but there was something about Cillian that made him want to stick him in a bulletproof box where no one could harm him.
But the wary look in Cillian’s eyes told Soren he would need to tread carefully, or he’d likely send the man running for the hills. “Look, my home has plenty of bedrooms and a security system that I designed. No one will be able to get near you.”
“You just said the stalker shot someone from two hundred yards away,” Cillian pointed out. “How is a security system going to stop that?”
Soren grinned. “Because I have bulletproof windows. Being the Chief of Police does have its perks.”
No way was Soren going to admit the real reason why those windows had been installed. His family history was just that, history. The last thing Soren needed was for those skeletons to come out of the closet.
“If you’d rather, you can come stay with us,” Shale offered. “Although, I have to warn you, E.J. is teething, and most nights screaming his head off.”
That Shale could say that with a fond smile, as if he actually loved that his son was keeping him up at night, stunned Soren. He’d never really thought too much about having kids. With his family’s past, he’d figured it would be safer to not do the whole family thing.
The problem with that was he’d been spending quite a bit of time around these men who were all happily married. To the point of sappy. But it was the way they looked at their children that had awed Soren. It was as if their kids were the light of their lives. He hated to admit it, but Soren was a bit jealous.
Ignoring that emotion now, Soren tried again with Cillian. He didn’t like the thought of anyone else protecting the man. “I promise, you’ll be safe at my house. The stalker isn’t going to think to look for you at the Chief of Police’s house.”
There was a long pause of silence. Then, much to Soren’s relief, Cillian nodded. “That’s probably true. Are you sure I wouldn’t be getting in the way?”
Soren instantly shook his head. He was still unsure why he was so determined Cillian come home with him, but he wasn’t about to discourage the man now. “I swear. My house is big enough that we could both live there and not even see each other for days.” Not that Soren would allow that to happen.
“I’m going to need to go home and pack a few things.” Even though Cillian was right, Soren wasn’t so sure that was a good idea.
“We can’t risk the stalker watching your house and following us home.” Soren feared Cillian was about to tell him to just forget the whole thing.
“Jamal and I can do that,” Shale thankfully offered. “Just tell me what you need. Since you aren’t working until tonight, Soren can come by the hospital later today and pick up your things.”
“But I don’t have any pajamas, or my toothbrush,” Cillian protested since he clearly slept during the day if he worked nights.
“I have toothbrushes,” Soren assured him. “And you can wear something of mine to sleep in.” Damn if the thought of Cillian in Soren’s clothes didn’t make his cock ha
rd as nails. If he weren’t careful, someone would be bound to notice the bulge in his pants.
Cillian didn’t exactly look pleased, but he didn’t argue, which Soren took as a good thing. “Fine,” Cillian said. “But I still have about another thirty minutes of paperwork to do before we can leave.”
Soren didn’t have a problem with that. “I’d like to go see Gal and find out if there’s any word about Levan, anyway.”
Cillian strode past him to the front desk where there was now a forensic team as well as three officers taking statements from everyone in the ER. It was chaotic to say the least. More importantly, the area where Cillian had been working was overrun with the forensic team as they meticulously searched for clues as to who might have left the flowers.
“Why don’t you work in Brace’s office,” Jamal offered, knowing his husband wouldn’t mind.
Still not looking happy, Cillian picked up the laptop he’d been working on and headed back to the cramped little space they’d just left.
Not sure he liked the idea of Cillian being so far removed from the main flow of people, Soren debated if he should stay and watch over him. A hand touched his arm, nearly startling him as Soren hadn’t been aware of anyone but Cillian.
Jamal was smirking at him. “Shale and I will watch over him until you get back. Then we’ll go pick up his stuff and bring it back here.”
“Thanks.” It might not make any sense why Soren was so protective of Cillian, but it was also impossible to deny.
“I don’t need a babysitter,” Cillian said through clenched teeth. “I told you already, I can take care of myself.”
Shale rolled his eyes and shook his head as if Cillian were crazy. “That’s what I thought, and you’ve seen my skills with a knife. Then I got stabbed and nearly lost my baby. Take my advice, be grateful for someone watching your back. You’re gonna need it now that the stalker is after you.”
It killed Soren to see the shudder of Cillian’s body at those ominous words. His arms physically ached to hold the feisty man who was too stubborn for his own good.
When Cillian finally nodded his consent and headed into Brace’s office, Soren went in search of Gal. He found him in the surgical suite’s waiting room pacing back and forth with long angry strides.
“Have you heard any news?” Soren asked.
Gal didn’t even slow down as he recited the list of victims from the night before. “Aloysius died at the scene with a slit throat. Rhett died at Mercy with a nicked aorta they couldn’t repair in time. Joel, thankfully, only suffered some bruised ribs and a concussion. Clement is in the ICU because he lost a lot of blood from several stab wounds as well as broken ribs that punctured his lung. Both Clement and Joel are at Mercy.”
If possible, Gal’s pacing became angrier, as if he were taking out his frustration on the floor with heavy footsteps. “Clay, Jett, and Link are in stable condition here at Hart’s with injuries that weren’t life threatening. Foster and Hans are out of surgery with a good chance but will be in the ICU just in case.”
Soren hated to hear that his men were so gravely injured, but he also knew he needed to hear all of it. Maybe then he’d get his head out of his ass and start leading the station instead of bowing down to the mayor and city council by jumping through hoops to deal with all the red tape they’d piled on him.
“Pascal, Elio, and Kenso are also out of surgery but in critical condition. The doctors think Pascal has about a 50/50 shot of making it, but Elio and Kenso, they doubt will make it through the day. And Casper and Lev…” Gal stopped. Not just speaking but pacing as he crumpled into a nearby chair.
Soren hated seeing the strong Alpha so grief stricken. He had realized Gal had feelings for Levan when they’d worked the last stalker case, but for some reason hadn’t acted on them. Why? Soren had no clue, for it was equally apparent Levan was attracted to Gal.
“Casper and Levan are still in surgery,” Gal finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “They haven’t told me anything. Why can’t they just let me know that he’s still alive?”
Clearly Gal was talking about Levan. Sitting down next to him, Soren sighed, wishing like hell he knew how to console the man.
“I’m sorry Levan was hurt. I was told he saved many of the recruits from being killed.” Soren wasn’t sure that was exactly comforting, but it was all he had.
Gal’s lips twitched for just a moment as if he were trying to smile through the tears. “I’ve been teaching him self-defense. He’s getting really good, too. Those Alphas were sporting bruises of their own when I got there.”
Thankfully, the door opened as the Alphas married to the stalker’s Omega victims came in. Knowing Gal was in better hands than his, Soren left to find Cillian as he suddenly felt the need to put his body between the Omega and any danger.
CHAPTER 5
Still bristling that no one seemed to believe he could take care of himself, Cillian considered turning his car around and going home. But then he’d remember Shale’s words.
Cillian had witnessed Shale’s amazing knife skills after one of the Alpha nurses had tried to rape Cillian. Not that Cillian hadn’t already taken care of the problem, but Shale had made sure the guy wouldn’t be a nuisance to Cillian or the hospital again.
If someone that talented with weapons had been stabbed anyway, it would be insanity not to take the threat of the stalker seriously. If that meant swallowing his damn pride and accepting help from the caveman he was following home then…
Oh, who was he kidding? Yeah, maybe he was willing to sleep at the man’s house so the stalker wouldn’t easily find Cillian, but there was no way he was going to let that Neanderthal beat his chest like some ape and demand Cillian stand back while the big, strong Alpha protects him.
He just wasn’t built that way. From the first time he’d been beaten up in school, Cillian had done everything within his power to make sure it never happened again. It had taken several years, but with practice and determination, he’d been able to take down even the biggest of bullies.
Cillian might be an Omega but that didn’t mean he couldn’t stand up for himself. Flashes of the previous night came to him. That had been what those Omegas had been doing. They had joined the police force to protect the people of Hartland and what did they get for their trouble?
Letting out a long breath, Cillian was starting to have doubts. If soon to be cops hadn’t been able to defend themselves, what chance did he have? Then again, he had no idea how long they’d been training. For all he knew, it had been their first week.
And what good would it do him to have the Alpha that let them down protect him? Soren clearly hadn’t cared enough to take care of his own people. Why should Cillian expect any better treatment?
By the time they pulled through a private gate, Cillian was incensed. Too distracted with his thoughts, he hadn’t even noticed the house looked more like a mansion when they pulled into the long driveway, or the fact that Soren had opened two of ten garage doors.
As if on autopilot, Cillian pulled into the second one, got out of his car and slammed the door. Stalking over to Soren, Cillian was determined to tell the Neanderthal what he thought of the man’s protection.
“Just so we’re clear, I may have agreed to stay in your house in case the stalker knows where I live, but I don’t need you to keep me safe. I’m perfectly capable of doing that on my own.” His anger only rose when Soren gave him an indulgent smile, like Cillian was some sort of child having a temper tantrum.
What an ass.
“Unless you have a way to stop bullets, I’m not sure how you think you can protect yourself from the stalker.” Soren’s logic wasn’t helping.
But Cillian also wasn’t done. “Unless you’ve got superpowers, you won’t be able to stop them either.”
Take that.
“And another thing.” Now that Cillian was on a roll, he wasn’t about to stop there. “I heard Gal say you were the one who let those men get hurt because you didn’t pr
otect them. What makes you think I’d trust you to watch over me?”
Soren took a step closer to Cillian and got in his face. “I’m trying to make the station safer and inclusive, but that’s hard to do when the previous chief was a bigot and encouraged it in his men.”
The sexy as sin man was only inches from him and damn if Cillian didn’t want to close the distance and feel those firm lips on his own. Stop thinking about his lips. What is wrong with me?
“Did I screw up?” Soren continued as if he had no clue of the thoughts going through Cillian’s mind. “Yes. But I barely have enough cops to patrol Hartland as it is and most of them are just as bigoted as the men who attacked those Omegas. I’m trying to make it better, but it’s going to take time.”
Cillian barely understood a word Soren was saying as he continued to imagine being pinned up against Soren’s truck while the man had his way with him. His stupid scrubs did nothing to hide his ever-growing erection. It was a good thing those gorgeous grey eyes weren’t looking down.
“But you, I not only can, but I will keep you safe. Got it?” Those grey eyes turned stormy as if he dared Cillian to deny his words.
He might have done just that if Cillian hadn’t been thinking about what it would feel like to be fucked by the man.
Stop thinking about that.
But no matter how many times he said that to himself, Cillian couldn’t seem to stop. It was like he was driven by lust.
Lust?
Soren’s nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply. His pupils dilated as he took in Cillian’s scent.
Fuck. I’m in heat.
Somehow, between dealing with the influx of Omegas who had been beaten and finding out he was the stalker’s next victim, Cillian had completely forgotten he’d taken off the next several days because it was his time of the month. How could he have been so stupid?
“You need to go into the house, find a bedroom and lock the door.” Soren’s voice was strained as if he was forcing himself not to take advantage of the situation.
