No more late-night visits to other omegas under his employ. No moreanyoneelse.
Gabriel would be Garrison’s, and Garrison would be Gabriel’s, and they would behappy.
Given enough time, Adrian would come to like Garrison, too, Gabriel knew. It didn’t matter what Adrian thought of him now—when he saw how Garrison made him happy, he would come around. If that happened, Gabriel could show Adrian and Sterling how a real relationship between an alpha and an omega was supposed to work, and then maybe they could all get along. No one would have to hurt anymore. It was the happily ever after Gabriel had always wanted, and now that The White Lotus was no more, it was within his grasp. Garrison would come to his senses, Sir would leave, and Adrian would finallyunderstand.
The future would beperfect—but only if Gabriel had the courage to step into the living room and treat Sir like Sir wanted to be treated. He’d have to be brave for just a little while longer. For Garrison, it wasn’t muchtoask.
Faith in his plan renewed, Gabriel left Lilian’s doorway and went to join the others in thelivingroom.
He coulddothis.
He woulddothis.
Forhim.
7
Cedric
“This isn’t going to work.”Adrian stood in front of the couch, his arms crossed. He glared through Cedric at Sterling, who stood by Cedric’s shoulder. “I know that he needs help, and I know that traditional therapy isn’t getting him there, but… but this? Sterling, I love you, but you areinsane.”
“Cedric is a professional,Adrian.”
“And I could call myself a professional Dom, too, if I decided to charge you to ride on my dick when we play.” Adrian’s lips were tight with anger, but he kept his voice level. No matter how respectful his tone, the words stung, and Cedric refused to let them pass him by withoutcomment.
“I understand that you’re under a lot of stress right now, and that Gabriel is your younger brother, but what he decides to do with his life is none of your business.” Adrian’s wrath turned on Cedric, but Cedric didn’t let it intimidate him. No matter how much Adrian wanted to shelter his brother, he couldn’t keep Gabriel under his thumb forever. “I was invited here to meet an omega who might be interested in my services. Whether or not you think you think my profession is valid doesn’tchangethat.”
“You don’t understand who Gabriel is,” Adrian hissed back. “You don’t understand the pain he’s gone through, or the burdens he’sshouldering.”
Cedric didn’t flinch. “But I will, so long as he gives me thechance.”
Before the conversation could grow any more charged, Sterling stepped between them. “I vetted him before the interview, Adrian. I understand your concern, but I promise you, you’re worrying for nothing. Cedric is a professional who’s spent his career specializing in omega services. He understands omega needs better than any other man outthere.”
“And the counselors at Stonecrest know omegas, too, and look how well that turned out.” Adrian shook his head. “I know that he needs help, but we need to think of something else. We can’t leave him with…” Adrian’s gaze flicked to Cedric, and hetrailedoff.
“With me?” Cedric askedsoftly.
There was noresponse.
It wasn’t Cedric’s place to assure Adrian that he was the right man for the job. The best course of action for Gabriel’s care wasn’t up for him to decide, but he’d been asked to take this job, and he would not let his competence be thrown into question. The more he listened, the more he understood that Gabriel wasn’t like his typical clients. The pain in his eyes and the fear in his posture led Cedric to believe that he was damaged, and to hear he’d spent time at Stonecrest confirmed it. Omegas who went through rehabilitation considered themselves lesser, and while Cedric wasn’t sure he could change Gabriel’s mindset, he was certain that he could inflate his self-confidence and guide him to a headspace where growth was possible. “I know that I’m not a mental health professional, and I understand that you’re concerned for Gabriel’s wellbeing while under my care.” Cedric looked between Adrian and Sterling, reading their body language. Adrian was on edge, as always—it looked like time didn’t change everything—but Sterling’s posture was loose and open. He was the one who’d invited Cedric here, after all. It was natural that he’d be receptive to what Cedric had to say. “Now that I understand the situation a little better, I understand your concerns… but I want you to know that I’m not blowing smoke up your ass when I tell you that Iwanttodothis.”
“Why?” Adrian’s eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward. He was slender and lithe, almost twink-like, but his personality made him seem bigger than he was. “We haven’t spoken since our senior year in high school. You don’t owe my family any debt, and it’s not like we’re friends. We hung around in the same group of people, that’s all. So why is this so important to you? You’re looking to use him, aren’t you? To make him into some kind of…” Adrian ended the thought prematurely and shook his head in disgust. “There’s got to be something that’s made you agree to this, and I want to know whatitis.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Cedric watched Sterling. Adrian was, he assumed, Sterling’s partner, and Cedric didn’t want to push too hard or upset either of them. “I just want to help him,that’sall.”
“Bullshit!” Adrian raised his voice, then glanced toward Sterling and the baby in his arms and shook his head. When he spoke next, it was with low-simmering rage. “People don’t just help people like that. Not… not when it comes to a situation like this. You want Gabriel on your own because you see an opportunity. I want you to tell me exactly what it is you’replanning.”
“If you want to know, I’ll tell you.” Cedric had nothing to hide. He dug his hands into his pockets and relaxed his shoulders. “What I plan for Gabriel is simple.Submission.”
“That’s it?” Adrian crossed his arms and stood a little taller, as if by doing so, he could intimidate Cedric into telling the truth. “That’s all you havetosay?”
“What more do I need to say?” Cedric allowed himself to smile. He kept the things he said simple and understated, but he hoped that Adrian would see the intent behind his words. “I’m not here to hurt him. Sterling hired me to do a job, and I take what I do seriously. This is my career, and Sterling has the power to make me or break me. I’m not going to throw away everything I’ve worked so hard for so I can screw the Lowefamilyover.”
Adrian didn’t look convinced. “I don’tbelieveyou.”
“Then you’re welcome to watch.” Cedric shrugged. “I don’t care what kind of check-ins you want to arrange, or what kind of scenarios you want me to satisfy, as long as I’m able to do my job and do it well. For the next few months, as long as Gabriel consents to it,Iwill be the only one caring for Gabriel, and he will listen to my word.That’sall.”
“I do consent,” a tiny voice said from the hall. Cedric looked over his shoulder to find Gabriel leaning against the wall, one ankle crossed over the other. His head was bowed, and the golden-brown hair that crowned his head fell in front of his lowered eyes. “I want to gowithSir.”
