“We’re on call for you. Even if you need us to stand outside and keep the idiots away from the door.”

I smirked. “Thanks.”

He walked me up the steps, and Addison saw me coming. “Just the girl I wanted to see!” She threw her arms around me in a fierce hug, painting the air around us with the sweet fragrance of bubblegum. “I’m glad you’re still putting up with the pack, and that room is a fucking masterpiece, if I do say so myself.”

“It’s done? Already? That feels impossible.”

She grinned. “I only work with the best. It might still smell like paint for a bit, but the windows are open, so it’s only a matter of time before it airs out.”

“You’re a miracle worker.”

“I know.”

“What’s happening here?”

She glanced over at the two men–betas by their scents–working on both sides of the front door. “New security. A thumbprint lock, like Ben told me you have at your house. They’re having me look into gates and fences too.”

My stomach twisted and leapt at once. “Really?”

“Yes. And honestly, it’s something they should have done a while ago, regardless of the press hounding you. It’s not like they’re inconspicuous. They’re just cocky and have gotten lucky not to have someone figure out where they live and come try to trade something for a tattoo, if you know what I mean.”

I laughed. Given the way every single member of the pack looked, I was kind of shocked it hadn’t happened yet.

“How did you get rid of the press so they didn’t run over you into the house?”

She grinned. “I threatened to cut every one of their dicks off with a circular saw. Turns out I had one handy.”

“Oh my god.”

Even Wes laughed. “If you ever decide to change careers, Addison, let me know. We could use you.”

“Noted.”

I looked at the mechanics installing the lock, and all I felt was relief. I hadn’t even asked them to up their security, they just did it. But this, and the fence, it was so much. It was an internal battle, loving every second and every gesture they made for me. And yet I was so aware of the cost, and I was just one person.

What if it was all for nothing?

I closed my eyes, trying to banish the voice from my head. It didn’t work.

“If you’re thinking it’s too much, it’s not,” Addison said. “They’re not here, so I can talk about them however I want, and I get the big sister privileges over Ben, even if he is an Alpha.”

“Remind me to come get embarrassing stories from you when I need ammo.”