I don’t feel as feral as I do around Cillian and Finn. When their scent wraps around me, it’s like I lose my brain cells. It’s nice to just flirt with a man while still feeling like I have control over my actions.
I lead the way up the stairs to the bar and direct him to sit at the table that overlooks the stage.
“Hey, Glade. Can I get a whiskey neat, please?”
The serious Omega gives me a nod and pours the drink before sliding it over to me. I touch her fingers, and build up the courage to ask what I’ve wanted to do for days.
“Can I stop by and play with Lucy later?” I ask her softly and she cracks a smile. I can’t help it, I’m obsessed with cats, and hers is so beautiful and sweet.
“You can play with her whenever, she seems to really love you,” Glade replies. I give her a smile before carrying the drink over to where Declan is sitting.
“So, Cillian’s your boss?” I ask.
He snorts and tilts his head. “Something like that. I’d call us more business partners. But I suppose in the grand scheme of things, he is higher ranking than me.”
“And he sent you to spy on me?”
He barks out a laugh and takes a heavy sip of his drink.
“If you mean to make sure you’re safe when you decide to leave this place, then yes. You should know it’s not a safe town to be walking around by yourself.”
My cheeks heat, and I drink some of my cocktail to take some of the sting away. The music is loud enough for the dancer on stage but not too loud to where you can’t have a conversation comfortably.
“Playing things safe all the time can get a little boring, don’t you think?” I ask, and he arches an eyebrow at me.
“Aye. But you don’t know who might want to snatch up a pretty little Omega like yourself. Las Vegas is one of the hot spots in the US for trafficking.”
I swallow and nod, completely ignoring that he called me pretty. “Is anywhere truly safe, though? There will always be people who have nefarious plans looking to prey on the most vulnerable. Why should I have to live my life in spun wool because of the risks that others pose against me?”
“Never claimed it was fair, blondie. You’re just important enough to have someone like me to have your back and make sure nothing like that happens.”
I don’t know how to respond to that, because the feelings I’m having right now are beyond complicated. I have this inner need for Cillian that I can’t describe, and yet, while I sit across from this Beta, I just feel like a girl on a normal date. And I like it way more than I’d ever admit to him.
It’s what I always wanted. Before my pàpa died, I wanted to go out and date to find the pack that fit my needs based on our interests and chemistry. I’m not sure if I’ll ever get that chance now, but somehow this seems like the next best thing.
“So, you said before you work in mitigation. What does that have to do with importing?”
“Don’t you hate when your delivery is late? My job is to make sure things are on time, and promises are kept.”
“Yet, you have time to make sure I don’t get abducted on a simple trip to the pharmacy.”
“Ah, see mitigation. Making sure you don’t get abducted. Quite good at my job, I’d say.”
I smile and shake my head at his antics. Though there are still heavy tones of want and need building up in me without the suppressants, I’m able to tone them down. I don’t want my horny Omega needs to get in the way of the fun I’m having right now.
“Do you like working here?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I’ve only been with Cillian since I started, but the girls are nice. It’s also nice to feel safe. I mostly just like that everything seems like my choice. For most of my life, almost every choice that should have been mine was made by someone else. Here, I get to choose everything. I don’t know how long I want to be here, but it’s been eye-opening to see what it’s like to have freedom.”
He looks away and takes a drink of his whiskey before putting it down. He pulls out his phone and curses.
“I have to go, but I can come back tomorrow.”
“I’d like that,” I say, and I truly mean it. Declan is good company.
He stands up and kisses the side of my head, which makes me blush embarrassingly hard. He gives me a wicked grin before turning away and strolling out of the club.
As soon as he leaves, my body is hounding me for release. So I leave the club and head to my apartment, where I take my third shower of the day.
