Page 49 of Ready or Not

“Is it about Andrew?” I ask.

Bishop hums. “Not directly. Maybe the type of guys he works for, but no. That meeting was more about two groups teaming up. They’re not the type of organizations we want cozying up to one another.”

“The op Bishop headed back to finish up in Boston removed a lot of the mid-level guys and a couple of the ones right under the organization leaders.” Holt comes to kneel at the edge of the couch. “Things are pretty chaotic right now, from what we can tell. We need to get additional teams in place to clean up any stragglers. They’ll also scan the city to ensure the remaining Andretti brothers don’t successfully rebuild their army.”

My head shakes as I stare at Mercy’s dark eyes. “Can’t you send someone else?”

“He didn’t push us into agreeing to go.” Bishop leans over, kissing my cheek. “Holt and I volunteered. Mercy has to stay here to play his role with his family.”

“And I’m staying to back him up,” Cooper calls out from the kitchen.

“You’re both going?” I look between Bishop and Holt.

“This isn’t an active mission. It’s basically assigning new personnel to a job.” Holt leans over, nuzzling his nose to my cheek. “We just need to be there to assess who is going to be in charge once we leave.”

“I’ve spent the most time with the guys in Boston, so it makes sense that I would be there,” Bishop says, but he doesn’t sound happy about it. “There will be additional teams joining the roster, so Holt and I will determine which of those team leaders will run the show in our absence.”

“It won’t take us more than three days,” Holt adds helpfully.

“Three days?” I gasp. My forehead wrinkles. That’s how long Bishop was gone last time, since he had to stay an extra day. “I really don’t want you to go. Are your jobs always this demanding?” My arms cross over my chest, squishing my boobs as I pout.

I know what they’re doing is important, but my system is obsessed with the fact they could get hurt.

I need them here.

It’s safe.

The world outside isn’t.

It’s clear I’ve turned into the most spoiled omega in all of existence.

I’ve had urges to nest and stay safe at home for most of my pregnancy, but that wasn’t an option, so I fought through the discomfort. Now that we’re bonded, it’s almost an obsessive need to keep my eyes on them.

“They’ve had a wife for less than a week.” Cooper tosses himself down in the club chair on the other side of where Holt is kneeling. “You probably should give them a little time to adapt.”

I frown, glaring daggers at my baby daddy. The thought almost makes me snort.

Exhaling heavily, I focus on Mercy. “You’ll be with me?”

“I will.” He leans in, brushing a light tease of a kiss over my lips. “And they won’t be in danger.”

“What if I need you guys?” I ask, bouncing my gaze between Holt and Bishop. “I’m not due for a month, but it feels like it’s getting really close.”

Mercy palms my belly, giving me a soft smile. “Then, I’ll be the most amazing birthing partner you can dream of until they can make the drive back.”

“Shit,” Bishop mutters. “Maybe we should pass this off to someone else. It’s a five- or six-hour drive while hauling ass. I don’t like the idea that we could miss something important.”

“We’ve already been over this.” Holt stretches a hand over and rubs my tummy. “If we handle this now, it prevents the likelihood that we have to do it later.”

“And I’ll be here,” Cooper says, shoveling a bite of eggs into his mouth. “Patrick also mentioned the same thing my mom did. That, if you’re craving my scent, then there’s probably a reason for it…” He grimaces when he sees me with my eyes narrowed. “I’m just saying. She’s my kid too. I’ve already missed a lot. I’m not leaving your side until she’s born.”

My system shouldn’t light up at his words, but it really does soothe some part of me that wants to see him fight to be in her life. Okay, maybe fight is the wrong word. I do want to see him putting in effort, though.

“Three days.” I sigh. “It won’t turn into a week?”

“Not a chance, sweetheart.” Holt leans between Mercy and me and kisses me softly.

We pull back, and I turn to Bishop. He’s not happy about having to leave again, and he’s not doing a great job of blocking his feelings in the bond.