Filed To Story: A Claim of Fortune Book PDF Free by Jaymin Eve
That statement was powerful, and it went a long way in reassuring me that he wasn’t just making an effort because there was no other choice.
“I’m not ashamed of who I am,” I told him. “I did what I needed to survive. Though…” I pulled a face. “…would it have been too much to ask that the rest of you weren’t like the top fucking tier of alphas.”
Finley flashed me dimples and a semi-smug grin. “If we’re exceptional, then you have to admit you are as well. You’d never be a scent match otherwise.”
I snorted. “Maybe the goddess knew that no one else could handle your arrogant asses and massive egos.”
That kicked his smile up another notch. “You know that none of us care about success in the way of making money or having fancy titles. We care about loyalty and passion and showing up for each other. In that regard, you’re more than our equal.”
And now I was dead.
“We might have to switch your group chat name back to Care Bear,” I murmured, only half kidding.
Finley closed his eyes briefly, before he shrugged. “You know what, if it comes from you, then I’ll accept it. But if Kellan does it, I’ll be forced to hurt him.”
Kellan got threatened almost every time he was in the group chat, so I doubted Finley’s words would deter him.
Our conversation switched to hockey for the rest of the journey, and we arrived home to find everyone waiting for us in the dining room. When I settled into my chair beside Hunter, I was filled with contentment from my bonds. Today with Finley had been a positive step forward in healing our quintet, and it had already seeped through to the others.
Kellan leaned over to press a kiss to my lips, his nose gently grazing my cheek as he breathed me in. “I can feel your happiness, pretty mate,” he said. “Next time, I’ll be the one taking you on a date.”
Finley, who hadn’t reached his chair yet, rolled his eyes at his brother. “It was therapy, you fucking moron. Our pretty mate will know when we go on a date, don’t you worry.”
My insides tightened as my stomach flip-flopped and my wolf howled.
Kellan gawked at Finley, his mouth open, while Hunter and Slade leaned back in their chairs, the former wearing a satisfied stare as he swirled his whiskey and murmured, “All in its own time.”
For the first time, I believed that our entitled alpha had known how this would work out all along.
No wonder he was such a smug bastard.
EMME
That night, after Hunter and Kellan wore me out by edging me closer to the art of double penetration-we weren’t there yet, but we were so deliciously close-I fell into an exhausted sleep. Only to find myself startling awake not even two hours later.
The tendrils of a dream I couldn’t remember coated my skin, and my body tingled as if energy or magic had caressed it. By the time I shook off the strange sensation, I knew I wouldn’t be falling asleep for a while, and not wanting to wake the alphas, I slid out from between them.
Snatching one of their shirts from the floor, I headed for the kitchen in search of a snack-I might not have been baking much lately, but Florence’s cookies were to die for, and a loaded chocolate chip sounded like the key to shedding the last of my dream.
The house was dark and quiet, and while I loved the sounds of my pack, the silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Not when this place always felt like home.
My first real home.
As I passed through the front entryway, I caught a familiar clang from the garage. Without giving myself time to consider the consequences of my actions, I switched directions and hurried down the stairs. Low lights illuminate the vehicles, and I stopped to give my new bike a gentle caress. “Soon, sweet girl,” I crooned, my gaze lingering on all her pink and black curves. “And this time I’ll keep you safe.”
Goddess, let that not be an empty promise.
“One day I hope you look at me the way you look at that bike.” Finley’s deep rumble washed over my back, and I spun to find him propped against a pillar.
He wore his overalls, and had a few grease stains dirtying up his gorgeous face. His hat was on backwards to hold his hair in place, a style which should be classified as a weapon against females everywhere. “It’s a look of love,” he finished.
Sweet fucking mercy. My voice turned playful even as my legs went weak. “Letting me help you fix up your car is a great way to build a look of love, don’t you think?”
I’d offered once before, and it hadn’t gone over so well. This time though, when Finley’s gaze lingered on my bare legs, tracing up to the hem of the shirt that fell to mid-thigh, his expression was heavy with desire. “I thought you’d never ask, darlin’. Come on. Let’s bring this old girl back to life.”
This was the third time he’d called me darlin’, and in that low drawl of his rumbly bear it was as powerful as his backwards cap. Basically, I was screwed when it came to resisting Finley Thornton.
He held out a hand, and I barely hesitated before sliding my palm against his. When he tightened his grip, my body tightened with it. As positive as I was that standing here, almost naked and emotionally vulnerable was a bad idea, it was too late to turn back now.
Finley led me to the section of garage he used to rebuild his cars. His Ford still occupied the first bay, but in the second sat the car he’d gifted me for my birthday.
A broad smile ripped across my face. “She’s here,” I said. “And while I love her just as she is, with a few repairs she’ll be spectacular.”
“I haven’t touched her,” Finley assured me. “I’ve been waiting for you. Want to take a closer look?”
“Do dragons fly and cause mass hysteria?” I huffed, pressing my hand to my chest.
He rumbled out a laugh and led me around his Ford. He never let go of my hand, not even as he detailed the issues we faced with the Bronco, and what he had in mind to return her to her former glory.
“So, what do you think? Ready to get started on bringing her back to life?”
He stared at me, and I nodded. “Listening to you talk about cars reminds me of the few happy memories in my past.” I wanted to share this piece of myself after he’d shared so much in therapy. “And I’m so fucking excited to do this with you. Where should we start? Tell me what you need me to do?”