“Let me guess, because of her monster tits?” Gabe ponders seriously.
I crack up laughing. “Exactly. The show is flopping badly in the ratings, and Gemma is one way of getting ratings to soar again.”
“Is she really that full on? She comes across larger than life,” Noah says, because Gemma is straight up insane. She’s a mix of blazing confidence, a vulgar loudmouth coupled with the wit of a stand-up comedian, and the best plastic tits ever inserted in a woman.
“Gem’s a… gem.” I laugh, pulling my knees up. “Definitely an acquired taste, but I like her. Plus, we’re making lots of money together, which is a good incentive on the days she drops into one of her moods.”
“And what happened with Broken Cube?” Lincoln asks, handing me a drink.
“That’s going to be a shit show. I know it already, but I should be fine. They’re jumping over to RMI to be managed by Frank, who is a walking, talking asshole. My lawyers are ready for all the fun and games. It’s just a bit sad because it’s the end of an era for us. But I’m good.” I shut down the conversation before it can start really. The night doesn’t need me getting morose over things I can’t fix. “And then I have a scheduled call with Bailey but I can flick her off easily.”
“And speaking of Bailey, does anyone else know you’re an omega?” Valak asks.
“Bailey does not know the full extent of my omega genetics,” I offer simply.
There’s a moment of surprised silence before Valak asks, “Why?”
“For the same reason no one else does. Being an omega is one thing, being a natural born omega is an entirely different thing. It’s too dangerous. I’ve seen what people do to each other, so surely you can see that I wouldn’t risk her like that? If someone knew, they could use her to…”
“Dove, it’s okay,” Lincoln offers, my outburst making him come over.
“I know. It’s hard lying to Bailey, but it’s necessary. Now that she’s got a pack, maybe I can tell her, but if there’s a chance of anything happening to her, I’d rather not.”
“Agreed. Except you need to amend your statement, Len, you’ve got a pack too now. We will go fucking crazy if something happens to you. It’s not just about Bailey or anyone else anymore; it is about you! Back to the OG question, who else?”
“You four, and the now dead Doctor Regalo, are the only people that know definitively. Oh, and Gus knows I’m an omega, but not a pure one.”
“And who is Gus? Some dude I have to take out of the equation? Because I will, you know that, Len.”
Valak turns and stares at Gabriel, trying to get him to stop talking, but it’s Gabe. And he hisses defensively at his brother. “Shut up, Val, I’m talking to Len, not you.”
“Gus?” Lincoln asks, barely stopping himself from barking out his question. And when I turn to face him, he’s wearing a similar look to Gabe. Who knew Lincoln MacGregor had a jealous streak.
“No one to get jealous over. But he is an ex.” I smile softly at him, trying to placate him because Gus really is so far in the past it’s not funny.
“And…” Gabe fishes impatiently for more. “Tall, ugly? Please put me out of my misery.”
I laugh. And pick up a bottle cap to chuck it at Gabe’s gorgeous head. “Gus is a part of Broken Cube.”
His mouth falls open in horror. “You were going to hook up with him that night?”
“Oh my god, I just said he was an ex.”
But Gabe just points to his head, talking a million miles an hour. “Big green guy living in my head right now, Len. I really want to set fire to his house.”
“You are such a dork. He’s engaged to Tilley, the beta supermodel. They are deliriously happy together.”
“So? She’s nothing compared to you. He’s going to realise that and then come back and try and make a play for you.” Gabe drops his head into his hands, mumbling dramatically, peeking at me from the side. “I’ll die lonely, with a broken heart. My cock will never rise again; he’ll be as sad as I am.”
I lean over the table, and cup his cheek. “You know you’re certifiably crazy, right?”
He sighs, this big, gigantic sigh that I hear, and feel. And while his words might be all playful, he’s got vulnerability in his eyes again. It’s a good reminder we’ve all been hurt before—shit we might all get hurt again. Gabe snags my retreating hand, perking up and changing track once again. “Hey, Len, without being a dick or anything…”
“Well, let’s see what you say before you say you’re not being a dick,” Valak fires up, the flatness of his personality back after my earlier groping.
When I swing around to face Gabriel fully, he looks super serious. Again.
“What?” I say suddenly worried.
