Or first Omega assassin.
Right now, her Uncle Ollie is getting in some quality priceless crayon art time with her, while Icarus holds this meeting.
Unexpectedly, Lashonda looks serious. “Ms. Fields told me something else as well. We need to be more careful about Zoe. Now that she’s growing older and more independent and lively, it’s becoming harder to keep her quiet. It’s also hard to care for her between us, even with Icarus’ amazing routines and schedules. The problem is that your asshole stepmom insists you work full time without days off but won’t let you keep Zoe with you.”
Anxiety crawls under my skin. “I know. Why are you saying this? The hotel has a strict no children under eleven rule. Maya made it clear to me that having a baby, in her words,bawling, stinking, or pukingaround the guests would be terrible for the hotel’s reputation. She told me that…”
My throat closes up. I can’t finish the sentence.
She said that if Zoe disturbed the guests, then she would sell us both to the Omega Institute to be auctioned to another pack.
Lashonda rubs my shoulder. “It’s just that drunken celebrity chef, you know, the narcissist who screams at everyone?”
“Isn’t that every celebrity chef?”
“Anyway, he went down to housekeeping when Ms. Fields was looking after Zoe, to demand extra pillows and shit, ratherthan calling reception. He only didn’t notice the baby because he was so pissed.”
Trembling, I wrap my arms around myself, wishing that Icarus was here.
I desperately need to be wrapped in his pheromones.
I didn’t know it but I could have been sent away yesterday.I could have lost my family and friends for good.
Lost Bird.
Lost Icarus.
Lost my Alpha.
It shocks me how hard this thought hits me.
I have been living with the feeling ever since I was rejected by the Alcotts that this hotel was no longer my permanent but only temporary home. At any moment, it could be ripped away from me.
When I was a baby, however, Dad had been happily married to the true owner of this hotel, a male Alpha, before the Alpha died of a heart attack.
Dad told me when I was a teenager that he had imagined them always raising me together here, then training whoever I matched with in the business, in order that they could hand the hotel on to us.
This is a family business, only now I spend every day terrified that I will be sent away from it forever.
When I see Icarus striding through the Betas toward the front of the garage, my shoulders slump with relief.
He looks coolly professional with his black glasses and smart suit.
No one would know that just this morning I had my hand down his pants, making him writhe like an Omega in heat.
When I blush, he catches my eye and quirks his brow at me.
I drop my gaze to his crotch just for a moment.
Then Icarus’ cheeks tint pink.
He compensates by clicking his fingers at Michah and Chris as he passes the Ferrari. “Off.”
Michah casually salutes Icarus, before jumping off the Ferrari (not before deliberately getting in a final kick). Then he holds out his hand and gently helps Chris to slip off the bonnet.
Icarus nods to the only Beta who isn’t taking advantage of this unusual break from work to catch up with friends from different departments. “Ms. Fields.”
Ms. Fields curtsies. “Mr. Sinner.”
