“Don’t,” Bird says, alarmed.
“You couldn’t run this hotel without me.” Icarus’ eyes flash.
“Maybe. But I could run it without your brother. Also, how would you ever get work again without a recommendation?Blacklisted?Do you want to risk whether I’m bluffing? This is why I don’t like working with Alphas; they think that they should be the leader just because they have a knot. My Head Alpha is the owner and she has put me in charge of making sure that the guest has a heat appropriate Omega, do you understand?”
“Then let them choose another HO but not Bird.”
“I’ll go,” Bird says, hurriedly. “I’m fine.”
Ellington’s gaze slides to me. “I wish that you would believe that I did my best…suffered…to speak up for you. But I understand that you don’t care about that. I just need you to know that I did try to explain to our Head Alpha thatyou,” he points at me, and I blanch, “are a housekeeper and not a HotelOmega. Tobegthat she keep it that way. But you made quite the impression in your little performance last night, and a pack in Room 234 have requested you.”
My blood runs cold.
“No,” I breathe.
I have been terrified of becoming a Hotel Omega.
Yet my heats haven’t come back yet after the birth. I thought that I would be safe.
Naïve.
Who are these guests in room 234? Anyone could have seen me singing and dancing last night.
I believed that it was a miracle being rescued by Immortal. Yet it was a curse because his celebrity has drawn the wrong type of attention.
“She’s not able to be a HO.” Icarus folds his arms, drawing himself to his full height to tower over Ellington. “I won’t allow you to take her. I’m calling your bluff.”
Ellington stands still for a long moment, considering the huge Alpha in front of him.
My heart is in my throat. I am trembling.
Then Ellington draws back his cane and hits it against Icarus’ ribs with athwackthat echoes sickeningly around the corridor.
“Shit,” I mutter.
Bird and I leap forward to stand either side of Icarus.
Icarus groans, holding his arm across his side, where I am certain at least one rib must be broken.
“Don’t mistake me for weak because I am an Omega.” Ellington raps the end of his cane on Icarus’ chest. “I refuse to allow any Alpha to intimidate me, apart frommyAlpha. I may live in her shadow but no one else’s. Yet I understand that this is new to Grace, and I have no wish that she messes this up and makes me look bad. So, let me explain. The Alpha who requested her isn’t in rut. He is merely looking for a companion for hismale Omega. Perhaps, you can take her to the room and settle her into her first HO assignment. If the guests complain, there will be serious consequences.”
CHAPTER TEN
Elevator, Omega Hotel
Nervously, I smooth down the front of the violet tailored shirt, which is too large for me. I had to borrow it from Bird, however, and I love that even laundered, it smells faintly of cookies. I hike up the black trousers, which are slipping down my hips.
The lettersHOthat are on the shirt pocket feel like a brand.
I take deep breaths, attempting to steady myself in the tiny elevator. I huddle next to the car operating panel, as slowly the buttons light up.
One, two, three…
The elevator is a modern one that Maya insisted was fitted, tearing out the old and replacing it with the new when she moved in. But it has been mocked up to look like an Art Deco elevator with walnut veneers, etched glass, and decorative bronze ironwork around it like a birdcage.
I have always hated traveling in these claustrophobic elevators. I press my nails into my palms. My chest is tight.
I am alone with Icarus. He is leaning against the elevator wall opposite me.
