When my brothers said that this place was a dump, they weren’t kidding. As we get out of the truck, I’m horrified by the sight of the compound around me.
“Holy fuck,” Nova whispers, getting out and closing the truck door. She walks around to join me at my side as I stand there, taking everything in. Piles of trash are everywhere, an awful smell invades my nose, making me want to gag. It’s not until laughter catches my attention that I see a group of little kids running around, and my heart fucking shatters.
All of them are in dirty tattered clothes. Their hair and faces are smudged with caked on dirt. “Ian.” Nova looks up at me with concern.
“I know, baby.” I pull Nova into my arms, as if I can protect her from seeing what she’s already seen.
We spent the whole morning gathering things for the kids. We were not sure how many, age ranges, or genders, but we decided to start off small until we could assess the situation.
We decided on toys and cupcakes. I called Amy, one of the girls who works at my bakery to throw together a few dozen. At first, she told me there was no way she could do it on such short notice, but when I started throwing numbers around for what I’d pay her, she got it done.
“What are you doing here?” a voice I know all to fucking well asks, sending a shiver of unease down my spine.
Turning my head, I see stepmom dearest standing on the clubhouse porch. She looks just like she did when we left, only her hair isn’t that horrible red box dye that she used to use. The woman had an obsession with dying her hair red all becauseWill’s mother seemed to be our father’s favorite sweet butt baby mama.. She was the only one of our mothers who came back on occasion. Not to take care of her son, but to take whatever my father offered her. Sex, drugs, money.
“Julia,” I say in an all too peppy voice. “Horrible to see you again. I hope you're doing awful.”
Julia scowls, narrowing her eyes as Nova snorts in amusement at my side.
“Leave.” She lifts her chin. “You're not welcome here.”
“It’s a good thing I don’t give a fuck about what you think.” I grin.
“Leave.” She points towards the compound exit. “And take your little whore too,” she sneers over at Nova.
Nova snorts out a laugh. “What the fuck did I do?” Nova asks. “You sure are pleasant, aren't you?”
Anger fuels me as I take a step towards the bitch. “Don’t call my Omega a whore,” I spit.
“It’s okay.” Nova puts a hand on my chest, holding me back. “Her words don’t bother me.”
Julia sneers. “Where did you find this one?” She looks Nova up and down. “A strip club?”
Nova slowly steps towards Julia, crossing her arms. She stops a few feet before her and cocks her head to the side, eyeing up the other Omega. “Not quite,” Nova says. “Although I wish I were a stripper. They are some badass women. I just can’t work a pole to save my life. Nah. These men were so obsessed with me right from the start, they snatched me off the street and haven’t let me go since,” Nova laughs. “So, if you're trying to insult me like I’m some kind of desperate whore, it’s not gonna work.”
“They’re going to use you and toss you to the side,” Julia huffs. “They don’t do Omegas.”
“And how the fuck would you know?” I ask, brows furrowing. “You don’t know fuck all about our lives. We haven’t even seenyou in what, ten years? Stop talking shit, lady, you’re making yourself look stupid. I’m done with you. Where is Kane?”
Julia looks three seconds away from losing her shit. “He’s not here.”
“Really?” I snort. “Wanna explain why their MC’s bikes are here?”
“They’re our mens’. So just leave.”
“Lies.” I narrow my eyes.
I’m about to shove my way past into the clubhouse to go find him myself when I see a little girl step out in front of Nova.
I blink down at the little blond thing. “You’re pretty,” she says, looking up at Nova.
“Why, thank you,” Nova laughs, crouching down in front of her. “What’s your name?”
“Rica,” she answers, and my eyes widen. This is the little girl Nick and Will said was our little sister?
“Get away from her,” Julia hisses, grabbing Rica’s arm roughly. Rica cries out in pain, and Nova is in Julia's face in a flash.
“Let go of her,” Nova demands, voice low and dangerous. “Or I’ll fucking gut you like a fish.”
