Marcus, my brother, must have been running his mouth about me while he was playing at Ryan’s bar. In the wrong hands, my work would be very dangerous. Fuck.
Being the younger, more responsible brother isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
“While that’s not necessary,” Hollis stresses, “I’m sure they would appreciate a donation of whatever you feel comfortable with. You’re an omega, Kevin. This city has its advantages over others. Please use them. There have been a lot of long hours logged to make them available. As someone who tends to do this, don’t make your life harder for yourself, okay?”
Hollis has a pack that adores her. I’m not sure how she could possibly make her life more difficult for herself. I was at her office once when one of them stopped by to bring her fresh flowers from their garden.
It’s nice to have people who do things for you just because they thought you’d enjoy it. I’m over here tying myself up in knots, worried about letting a certain alpha in due to his job as a career criminal. Sure, the sex was amazing, but would he want to use me for what my brain can do?
What I know can be easily weaponized. Coding can create all kinds of programs that could change how criminals operate. I don’t want to be used.
Fiddling with a piece of paper that I need to throw away, I blow out a breath.
“Yeah, I get it, Hollis. Thanks for everything. What’s the name of that heat spa?” I ask. “It feels odd that they’d call it that when there will definitely be happy endings.”
Hollis huffs out a low laugh, making me smirk. “I guess that’s true. It’s called The Rose Heat Spa. Everything is very above board, and there are also amenities for before and after your heat,” she explains. “It’s worth a shot, Kevin. There’s no expectation for anything more than spending time together for your heat, and then you part ways afterward. They also have the option for you to take a pill that’ll suppress any kind of attachment you may make, but you said you’re allergic to suppressants, right?”
“I am,” I admit. “It makes things difficult.”
“It’s just a little pivot,” she says. “Tell them that when you check in, and it shouldn’t be an issue. Bond bites are not allowed during your time there unless there’s extenuating circumstances, so you will be safe every step of the way.”
“Okay,” I breathe. “I can handle all of that.”
“Perfect. Look, Kevin. Navigating what you want in this world as an omega isn’t easy,” she says. Even though she’s a little younger than me, she does a solid impression of the older sister I never had. “Give yourself some grace, okay?”
“Thanks, Hollis. For everything,” I murmur, standing. “I’ll see you around.”
Hanging up, I pull up the information for The Rose Heat Spa and begin filling out their contact information as I head to my bedroom. I guess I’m done with my workout, because now I’ve found a side quest that I need to complete.
They want a lot of information, but that’s not a problem. I’m healthy, I always have sex with a condom, or at least I have until Mr. Sexy as Sin Sullivan. Ugh, I need to get him out of my head. I know I’m taking a leap of faith that I’ll be able to have a heat without him. My one saving grace is that they aren’t regular.
We’re from different worlds, and I don’t think I can survive in his, scent match or not.
One month later
April
MORGAN
Glaring at my reflection that’s finally clear of bruising andstretching my back to ensure that I no longer have any pain, I blow out a breath.
I’ve been actively trying to avoid Cian, but it’s become exceptionally difficult in the last month. Everywhere I look, he’s there. I’ve caught glimpses of him with a young woman in her twenties, and there’s always a light in his gaze and a smile on his lips. I’m not sure who she is to him, and I can’t ask anyone because that would be bad for my health.
I haven’t gone to a single establishment that Corbin Murphy owns, and yet Cian is diversifying his haunts. Last night, I almost ran into him at a charity event my cousin asked me to attend with him. I thought Cian was going to singe a hole through my body with his glare when he caught a glimpse at me.
The real kicker? My cock gets rock hard every time I catch his scent or see him. It’s as if my libido has zero survival skills and wants to put me into an early grave. I would leave Minneapolis entirely again, but my business is here.
I’m a lawyer for very important people in this city, and I can’t afford to leave. Well maybe I could, however, it would put a crimp in my lifestyle. My cousin caught sight of Cian and the way he was looking at me and told me that we should just hate fuck to get over whatever is happening.
That would be too easy, though, right?
I don’t think fucking it out will help.
If anything, the idea gives me heartburn. Cian truly hates me, and I don’t blame him. I knew that Nancy was married, who her husband was, and didn’t give a shit. She told me that it was a marriage of convenience, and that he couldn’t satisfy her.
I should have looked more into things. However, she was pretty and fucked like a porn star. I kept telling myself that I should end the affair. I simply didn’t due to laziness and having to leave town. I decided it was out of sight, out of mind, and that was a mistake on my part.
She’s dead now, and that could have easily have been me. I never once drew any of my weapons while he was busy making me into a decorative smear on the concrete, nor did I do more than defend myself.
