“I sort of do,” Piper replies, stiffly.
“I know.” Dad is weeping. I’m shaken. “Yet you still do this. You’re so brave. Your parents would be incredibly proud of you.”
Piper wriggles out of Dad’s hold.
He looks haunted as he stares at Dad. “Did you know them?”
Fuck, he sounds like he could shatter if Dad says no.
Relief floods through me, when Dad nods. Yet fear too because what is he going to say? What ghosts will he disturb?
“They were Ryan’s childhood friends.” Dad’s eyes are glassy. “They were as in love, as we were. I lost contact with them for a while, but they were at Ryan’s funeral. It was a few years later that they offered me a way out. I didn’t know the details, but it was obvious that they were running some kind of unit to help abused Omegas. I wouldn’t leave Maya to start with. For the first few years, I insisted that unless they could work out a way for all the kids to be protected and escape with me, and Jelani too, then I wouldn’t escape. They had just told me secretly a couple of months earlier that I needed to be patient because they were close to working on a way to free all of us, even Ellington if he would go, when Maya announced at dinner that they had been…”
“Executed.” Piper’s jaw clenches.
“Every day since, I have worried about what happened to the Wolf kids. Your Dad would show me photos of you three, you know? I even begged Maya, the week after the news, whether we could adopt you. She thought that I was being a hysterical, softhearted Omega. She told me that my charity attempt was misguided because she may have adopted thepretty Omegasif they hadn’t been marked as Rejs. But now, look at you,my son-in-law. I understand if you blame me and don’t want to see me as your dad.”
Piper furrows his brow. “Why would I? You were their friend, the first that I’ve met. My parents helped loads of people. I understand them more than I used to because I’m impulsive too and a risk taker, but mostly, I can’t live in this world with the knowledge that I’m ignoring the suffering of other Omegas. I can’t just…” He gestures around at the luxurious lobby. “…live in this kind of bubble and not help everyone who needs it.” Then he looks shy in a way that’s rare for him. “I’d love to call you dad.”
“Hey, what about me?” Zero demands. “Can I also call you daddy?”
“Try it and see what happens,” Dad replies, using his warning voice that I remember well from every time that I pushed too far with my rule breaking.
Both Hatton and I immediately duck our heads.
Zero better not try and be a brat around my dad.
Lionzio grins like he’s enjoying the show.
Zero salutes. “Noted, mate.”
Suddenly, Dad looks concerned, grabbing Piper before he can sway to the side.
My alarm spikes at the unfocused look in Piper’s eyes.
Dad immediately lays the back of his hand on Piper’s forehead.
His expression becomes grim. “You’re burning up. Is your heat meant to be today? Why didn’t you tell any of us? I assure you that from now on, your health is going to be a higher priority. I will make sure of it.”
He is in full Dad mode.
“Your heat?” I gasp.
Piper bites his lip, struggling to get out the words. “I’m not due yet. Gracie’s extreme heat must have pulled me into one early.”
“And the gifts just keep coming.” Icarus stands up, flashing his canines. There is a hungry gleam in his eyes. “I have a surprise for you.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Omega Chamber, Omega Hotel
Naked, I roll around in my new nest. I purr in delight. Next to me, Piper is just as naked and purring equally as hard.
“I think that they like your surprise.” Lionzio studies Piper and me with a smile.
Icarus rests his hand on Lionzio’s shoulder. “Oursurprise. You worked just as hard to make sure this Omega Chamber would be ready in time.”
They are both stripped down to only their trousers, standing at the side of the huge, circular bed, which is covered in washable but soft fabric, as well as a mountain of sensory cushions that are velvet or fluffy.
