“I mean it.” Maya narrows her eyes. “If they request their bathtub to be filled with goat’s milk, their suite to be decorated with only star shaped balloons, or call reception at midnight for ten HOs at once, then you will make sure that it happens.”
Just for a moment my mind short-circuits at the image of Immortal naked in a milk bath, holding a star shaped balloon.
Icarus looks like he’s trying hard not to imagine that as well.
Dad keeps his arm around my shoulders but he glances eagerly at Icarus, even if he flinched at the mention of HOs. “Where is Bird?”
Icarus doesn’t meet his eye. “An Alpha went into rut this morning. He selected Bird from the… He chose Bird.”
Fuck, I didn’t know that.
Dread coils in my guts. “Can we summon a doctor to be on hand? Bird is suffering from pheromone imbalance. He’s not been given enough breaks and he’s exhausted. I’m worried.”
“What?” Dad says, sharply. His eyes blaze as he glares at Maya. “You didn’t tell me. Why is he being worked until he’sill? You promised me that he wouldn’t be treated worse than the other staff. You said that if Jelani and I didn’t make a fuss and behaved, then?—”
“Are you backtalking me, you little bitch?” Maya snarls.
I cringe, but Dad marches up to her.
He was always protective of all three of us kids equally. He never remembered to protect himself.
Now that I have Zoe though, I understand.
“Get him back to his room and call a doctor,” Dad demands like he’s the Alpha in the room.
I recognize the protective dad energy. It’s from a parent who is attempting to care for their sick or injured kid and nothing to do with dynamic. It has made him forget who he is talking to.
Icarus angles his body, subtly blocking Maya if she were to lash out at Dad.
Maya is staring at Dad in shock. “Did you just give me an order, Omega? It seems that I made a mistake by giving you your Christmas present early. And let me be clear. A guest needs that HO right now, and a guest’s needs always come first. If a HO is too used up to meet them, then he can be sold to the Omega Institute in the New Year.”
No…
I make a choked sound in my throat, at the same time that Dad’s eyes widen like he’s only just aware how far over the line he has just gone.
He blanches.
Then he rushes around Icarus attempting to grasp Maya’s hand. “Please, I’m sorry, Alpha. I was just being a stupid little Omega. You know that I can be over emotional. I was worried about my son?—”
“He’s notyourson,” Maya growls, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Zoe whimpers. “He’s that breeder’s.”
“He’s still my son,” Dad replies, softly. “I raised him. I love him. It’s breaking my heart to be separated from both my kids. And he’s your son too. I will do anything…”
“Yes,” Maya’s smile attempts to be sweet but fails, “you will.”
I shudder, when Maya grabs Dad by the elbow and drags him out of the door.
I feel wrecked, staring where Dad had been with my daughter still in my arms.
“Why don’t you tellmea story?” Icarus says through gritted teeth. “How about starting with the one about the Omega safe cracker and the daring hotel heist?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Staff Garden, Omega Hotel
The afternoon sun reflects off the snow, which blankets the small, courtyard staff garden. I squint against its brightness, trailing after Zoe and crunching over the snow, as she enthusiastically toddles along the edges of the tiny sensory garden.
My mind is filled with plans for a daring heist headed by an Omega.
