Nefarious intentions?I wouldn’t go that far. I would’ve let her go. After I proved my point. Eventually. Probably.
“Bad boy?” I wrinkle my nose. Hopefully that isn’t the nickname that sticks.
“Well, playboy wasn’t right, but you do have the face of someone that could break the hearts of many…” She tilts her head, and I don’t know why I feel so exposed as her eyes wander over my full face. “So I went with bad boy, but that implies other things. Maybe heartthrob works better?” She winks, smirking playfully.
“I’ve never broken any hearts, played anyone, or been the object of desire, Dream. You’ll have to keep looking.” I step closer to her, shrugging. “And I blacked out. The last thing I remember is Declan’s office, and then following you for the last three blocks.”
It’s surprisingly easy to tell her the truth. Not sure why, but I like the way it feels. Even if I don’t trust her. The mistrust isn’t her fault. The last time I trusted an Omega, I ended up in more danger than I ever was sleeping behind dumpsters. It feels nice to pretend, though.
“Do you black out often?” she asks, frowning when I nod. I don’t enjoy others’ pity, but she looks less like she’s feeling sorry for me and more like she’s trying to solve the mystery of my mind. As if I’m a puzzle, and she’s ready to put me together, piece by piece.
Humpty Dumpty might be a more fitting nickname, but I’m not mentioning that. The thought makes me snort, though.
“Where's Beau?” I ask to change the subject, not wanting to talk about my mental state right now. Or ever. Tatum already forces more out of me than others ever have, and that's more than I want to share with anyone.
I already know where Beau is. I don’t have to ask, but Dream takes the bait, her frown clearing as she sighs heavily, looking defeated.
“We don’t know. After you left the club, we tried to help him calm down, but he ran out pretty soon after. Last update I got from Declan, he hadn’t called anyone back yet.” She nibbles her lip, dropping her gaze to her hands as she shifts on her feet. She’s worried about him, a feeling she’ll have to get used to if she’s going to help.
Worry, fear, sadness, anger…
She should walk away and never look back. That would be best for her. It would spare her the pain.
“I know where he lives.”
I shouldn’t have said that. Should’ve left it up to Beau to reach out again… But if I don’t save Beau, who will?
Dream’s honest hazel eyes light up, and she looks ready to rush through his front door like a wrecking ball of sunshineand energy. She seems like the kind of Omega that is going to get me killed. The kind of Omega that Alphas would run into a burning building for. She’s like Beau in that regard. Those two should never be allowed to be alone together. They’ll kick off the apocalypse.
“Really? Want to go with me to check on him?” She looks so hopeful, and the sight tightens my chest.
Don’t look at me with those needy, beautiful eyes, damn it.
“No.” I shake my head. “I don’t know how to feel, but…” I trail off. I’m quiet for a long moment, and Dream steps closer to me until our feet almost touch. “His dad used me as a punishment. Getting close to someone is dangerous. A risk. Especially Beau.” I shake my head, a cold darkness slipping over my skin, making me shiver.
“What happened to you wasn’t fair. I’m so sorry, Apollo,” she says gently.
I don’t know what to say or do. Tatum said something similar after I was saved. I still don’t know how I’m supposed to handle an apology from someone who didn’t cause my suffering. Dream isn’t responsible, so why is she sorry?
“I don’t know how much you heard before you blacked out, but Beau came to the club for help. He wanted to find you, but he also needs help to escape his father. I’m guessing that means he doesn’t have a lot of power or any control over what his father does. To him, or to anyone else. That doesn’t make what happened to you okay.”
The look in her eyes, pure understanding, catches me by surprise. I don’t see pity, just care.
“Beau is an Omega living as a Beta. Suppressing his instincts, hiding them from the entire world, and living in fear every day, if what he says about his dad is true. And I believe him.” Dream frowns, sadness washing over her pretty face. “I can’t imagine how hard this must have been for you, but I don’t think thatmeans it was easy for Beau. Two things can be true, and his suffering doesn’t make yours disappear.”
“Six years is a long time, Dream.” I cross my arms over my chest. I don’t want to get defensive with her, but it’s a reflex at this point. Protect myself. Push her way.
Stay safe. Stay low. Hide…
Fuck, there’s that creeping darkness that threatens to take over, coming back for more of me.
“It’s okay, Apollo. You don’t have to talk about this.” She reaches her hand out but stops herself before she touches my arm. Those three inches of distance between us feel like a void, and I hate it.
I lean forward into her touch. I want to feel her skin against mine. I want the comfort she’s freely offering.
That’s new.
I stare into her eyes as her hand connects with my bicep. It feels so good. Not just to be touched, but to be touched whenIwant it. The intensity of the connection is more than I can handle. I need a distraction.
