Reaching back into the fridge, I settle on lemonade. There’s only a little missing from the top so, at most, only one set of lips has been on it.
“Anyway, I need my clutch so I can grab some stuff from the store. I don’t have much cash, but it’s enough.” I have almost a grand in savings. “Do you guys use banks?” Jude gives me a sexy grin that makes his clean-cut marine look turn bad boy.
“Which bank do you use?”
“S and N.” I tilt my head and frown. “What’s so funny?”
“Devin owns that one. And Union Trust.” My eyes bulge. Oh shit.
“How did you think we make money?”
“I hadn’t really thought of that.” His words start to sink in as I set the lemonade down. Glancing around the kitchen, it’s obvious the pack is wealthy. But … my mate owns banks? Never in a million years would I think the banks were owned by shifters. “That’s odd.”
They both grin at me. “How’s that odd?” I shrug. I suppose it’s not that abnormal, seeing as how the powerful are the ones who control wealth, aren’t they? And Devin is quite powerful. “Well, you don’t need to worry about money; Devin got you a card to use.”
“So what am I supposed to do here?” I fidget uncomfortably before crossing my arms and leaning against the counter. A small voice in my head whispers, “Be the Alpha’s baby maker.” The thought makes me shiver with delight, but at the same time, I long for more.
I barely know him. Yet I feel as if I know him more than anyone. I need far more time to get a grasp on this life before I can even think of bringing another into this world.
“Whatever you want.” A stinging sensation travels down my body and my heart slows. Whatever I want. It’s surreal. Tears prick at my eyes and I don’t even know why. Wiping them away, I try to compose myself. What the hell is wrong with me? Lev gets up from the table with a concerned look on his face. “You okay, Grace?”
I nod as he places a hand on my shoulder. “Yeah, I just … I just don’t know what to say.” I can do anything I want. I sit with those words for a beat. I can do whatever the hell I want to do.
I worked so damn hard at too many shit jobs just to escape my dad. I doubt he even cares that I’m gone. I’ll never have to work for a lazy asshole again and smile at pricks who come in just to complain to someone. I’ll never have to get up at the break of dawn because my irresponsible coworker has a hangover and can’t work their shift. I don’t have to worry about money. No shuffling payment dates around just so we can make it through the month. My grip tightens on the counter just to stay upright. I never really thought much about any of that. It was just something I had to do. Day in and day out. It was one more thing to survive. Everyone has to do it. And now I don’t. I can do anything, yet I have no idea what I should do. I don’t even know what I want to do. I don’t think I’ve ever dreamed beyond what I could reasonably attain.
Once, Lizzie and I talked about opening our own bookstore; we practically ran the place ourselves anyway. But it wasn’t anything that could be a reality. I knew better than to dream for something I’d never have. Hell, I’d just barely been able to escape the shit hand I’d been dealt. I absolutely loved my tiny apartment with Lizzie and making the best with what we had. Other than Lizzie, I had nothing. Nothing worth anything. Thank God I had her.
At least I knew who I was, though. I was the tough bitch with her shit together. I knew life would get better one day and that as long as Lizzie and I were together, we’d survive and make the best of every situation. But who am I now? Devin just bulldozed his way through my life and I don’t know what’s left in the rubble. I should be grateful; I am grateful. But other emotions rage through me. Surprisingly, fear is the overriding one. Am I just supposed to lie down for him and let him knock me up? Which brings me back to my scare this morning. I need birth control.
“I need to get some things.” I bite the inside of my cheek, making a mental list. The morning-after pill is listed at the very top. “I know Liz is going to want coffee. Do you have, like, a werewolf coffeehouse?” They grin again.
“You can order whatever you want and have it delivered.”
“What if I want to go out and go shopping?” I’m sure as hell not staying here like a prisoner. Even if it is a gilded cage.
“There are a few shopping malls a few towns over. Right now may not be the best time for you to go alone with everything going on.”
“What exactly is going on?” All I know is that this morning the werewolves talked to one another silently. And I sat beside Devin with him reassuring me that I would be told everything later.
“It’s a bit of a drive but if you want to get out of here, we can take you.”
“Way to dodge the question,” I retort.
Lev throws his hands up in defeat. “Just name someplace,” he suggests and his tone is nearly pleading. “We’ll take you.”
“What about the nearest coffeehouse?”
With an uncomfortable demeanor, he tells me, “Sorry, Grace, you’ll have to order it and have it delivered, but I can take you to one of the malls after?”
I nod. That’s not a bad option.
“Let’s order Lizzie’s coffee and head out so I can pick up some stuff. Which room is hers?”
As I ask the question, Vince strolls into the kitchen wearing sweats, no shirt, and has a belt draped around his neck. The buckle of it hits him in the chest a few times while he walks and a look of irritation crosses his face before he swings it over one shoulder.
“Yo, what’re you guys talking about?” He grins mischievously, heading to the fridge.
“Shopping trip.” Jude gives a clipped response.
“Ah, I think Veronica said she wanted to go out and get coffee.” My lips purse at the mention of Veronica.
“Do you like it when she calls you ‘pup?’” I blurt out but the question is riddled with my judgmental tone. Shit. If I could suck the words back in, I would. There’s no doubt in my mind the fact she’s a vampire has colored my opinion of her. And every detail of what she does. I immediately regret asking, but Vince doesn’t take offense. Thank God.
“Like it? I love it.” He smiles like a proud kid who just won a spelling bee and grabs a soda. Lev snorts a laugh and Jude chuckles.
“Seriously?”
“Yeah. I fucking love it when she calls me pup.”
“Isn’t it like … a little degrading?” I can’t help but to ask.
“What’s your favorite color?” A broad smile spreads across his face as he leans against the granite counters.
“What?”
“What’s your favorite color?” He repeats his question with strained humor.
“Purple.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why is it your favorite color?” A smug look crosses his face.
I nod as I pick up on the point he’s making. “There doesn’t have to be a reason.”
“Exactly.” He claps his hands loud in front of him.
“Don’t you feel disrespected, though?” His brow furrows and a small frown pulls his lips down. Maybe I pushed too far. Damn my stupid mouth. He finally shakes his head.