“I think it would be good for you to get to know Ronan and Teal. For us all to spend time together. That would make me awholerwhole person.” Niall chuckled.
“You don’t think that would be weird?”
“Absolutely not. Then you can see for yourself that what I have with them differs from what we share.”
“And it would make you happy?” Jax carded his fingers through Niall's hair.
“Yes.”
“Done.”
Jax wasn’t sure spending time with the McGinns would help him gain any clarity, but there was nothing like the rush he got from making his boyfriend smile. For that, he would do anything.
Chapter Fourteen
Ronan
Dale stared at Ronan with beady eyes.
“You know, we were living just fine in the beta neighborhoods until my older brother died and Sorcha came to live with us. We had to move someplace else. The little omega disrupted our lives, so why shouldn’t he have to earn his keep?”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t ask him to help you.” Ronan tried very hard not to shout. He’d caught Dale by chance in their driveway and decided to speak with him about Sorcha. The conversation had gone downhill immediately. “But you are responsible for his health. Omegas need to have their heats!”
Ronan felt sick to his stomach that the man cared so little for his nephew. Lots of betas lived in the beta neighborhoods—there was an entire movement around beta pride—but those betas weren’t usually hostile toward other genders. They typically lived there because they wanted to escape the hoopla that came with heats and breeding.
Ronan could understand how Dale and Abe’s lives had been upended by having to move. But Sorcha hadn’t asked for his parents to perish, and Dale was his only family.
His blood boiled, but Ronan didn’t think yelling would help. He tried a different approach. “Look, Teal has done a lot of research on heat services because of his case. I’m sure he could recommend a reputable one for Sorcha.”
Dale spat on the ground. “Oh, I’ll just bet your husband knows all about which heat services to use. Everyone knows about the great Teal McGinn and the upcoming High Court tribunal.”
Ronan ignored the beta’s mocking tone and focused only on the substance of his words. “Great. So you know Teal can put you in touch with—”
“What’s it to you, anyway?”
“Huh?”
“Why are you coming over here, telling me how to deal with my own kin? I know you’re our landlord and all, but last time I checked, just because we’re your tenants don’t give you the right to mess in our personal lives.”
Ronan took a deep breath. “I’m not trying to overstep. But Sorcha is our neighbor too. And Teal and I care about him, especially since we had to take him to the hospital. We can’t just sit by and watch while you neglect him.”
Dale’s face soured. “Those are strong words. We’ve given him suppressants. Legal ones that we got from a doctor.”
Ronan recalled their visit to the hospital and the horrible Dr. Braswell. “Well, just because a doctor will prescribe it doesn’t make it right. Not all doctors are good at treating omegas, or act in their best interests.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s really your business. You have your own omega to worry about, a right lofty one.” He spat again. “Seems like handling omegas isn’t exactly your specialty, considering the way your husband struts around.”
“Watch it,” Ronan snarled. “I came over here intending to be civil, but if you say one more derogatory thing about Teal, you and I are going to have problems. And you won’t be questioning the way I handle things when you’re on the ground.”
“You threatening me?”
“Nope. Just having a friendly conversation with my tenant. A friendly conversation I hope you take very, very seriously.”
Dale hmphed. “I’ll take it under advisement. But so you know, Abe and I have been thinking about moving out, so I’m not sure how much I care about what you have to say. Best you mind your own business.”
The man’s eyes narrowed. Not wanting to make the situation worse, Ronan turned and walked back to his unit, contemplating Dale’s words. If the betas moved, he and Teal might never see Sorcha again.
At the thought, the little omega’s blueberry jasmine scent manifested in his brain. His nostrils flared. They couldn’t take Sorcha away. Ronan needed to protect him.
