Chase made a face, probably considering what to confess, then turned with a grin.“One of the apartments is full of boxes of books I’ve collected over the years.I’m as much of a book nut as your papa.I can’t even bear to unpack them, because I haven’t finished the library I plan to build.”
“I have to see that.”
The twinkle in his eyes hinted that Chase was enjoying himself.“I already mentioned Pip, so…last one.There is no omega on this planet that I love or respect more than my mother,” he said, not looking away even after he spoke those special, quiet words.“She was forced to let a beta nanny raise my older siblings, but my mother intended for me to be the last and raised me herself.My father is useless at family stuff, which meant she was my only influence growing up.Later, she had medical issues and ended up having Zack, so I took care of her after he was born.I learned so much from her struggle.Most of all, I learned the right way to treat omegas.My father didn’t have the first clue, but when I find my omega, I’ll do it right.”
Lucky’s breath caught in his throat, making words impossible.He had a feeling that Chase had already far exceeded his goal.In that moment, he saw who Chase was, could be, and would be in the future…and he was beautiful.
Chapter Four
Two days later: Thursday
Ford
Ross sent him a text first thing in the morning to say his tech would be ready by six.All Ford had to do was fill in his time between now and then.
The first thing on his list was to get that money off Lincoln.Sitting in his truck outside the west exit of campus, Ford sent a text asking Lincoln to meet him at the gates.It was already eleven in the morning and he didn’t want to spend all day hanging around campus where he might be seen.
The little shit replied right away.
I’m off campus.B there in 1 hr.
20 minutes or the price triples!
Ford cursed, then grabbed the vial he’d stashed in the console.It wouldn’t take twenty minutes, but he couldn’t twiddle his thumbs until Lincoln got his ass in gear.
He got out of the truck, walked through the entrance gates and approached Professor Milliner’s lecture hall, on the west of campus.The classroom was empty, the halls full, allowing Ford to slip through the crowd into the room and shut the door behind him.
Professor Milliner spun to face the door, a frown of concern forming.“Please tell me you’re not here for work.”
Ford dug his hands into his pocket for the vial.“I need people to think I’m a TA or advanced student.If you see me on campus, I’d appreciate you turning a blind eye.”
Professor Milliner took a step closer.“I heard you passed your night classes.Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”Ford liked that the professor cared.“I gotcha this as incentive for the favour.”He handed over the vial, not surprised Professor Milliner looked confused.
“Is this??”
“Don’t drop it.I only got one,” he admitted, laughing at his shock.“You always done right by me.I weren’t going nowhere and I for sure wouldn’t be here, if you weren’t good to me.”
Professor Milliner carefully enclosed the vial in his grip.“How did you get this?”
“I got a friend.”
The professor shook his head.“You know what this will do for?”
“This is a personal favour and I’d appreciate if you didn’t tell anyone where you got that.One dose is a lifetime cure, I hear.”He took another step before the professor could grab him or start crying.
The professor clutched the vial close to his heart.“Anything you need.If it’s within my power, I will help you.”
Ford brushed his thumb under his nose.“What if I wanna bury a body?”
Staring at the vial, he laughed.“I’ll bring a shovel.”
“I might take you up on that, Prof.”He grabbed the door handle and left, laughing at how a tiny vial could change one man’s life.
* * * *
Leaning against the driver’s door of his car, Ford scowled at Lincoln, who sauntered over with Lucky three steps behind.He grabbed Lincoln’s arm and turned away before Lucky could look up from his phone.“Why the fuck you bringing him with you?”
