Fearing the don would engage me again, I took a step back. “Excuse me, will you. I need to go to the powder room.”
Powder room, as if this was an old-time movie or something. But I was forbidden to say bathroom at these events, something I learned via a broken rib.
Mark had told me to go nowhere, but staying felt riskier. That don already had me in trouble. I’d be back before Mark returned. His few minutes stretched out into much longer.
I reminded myself this was safer, with each step I took. I’d find out how true that was soon enough. Maybe it would be better to be caught. If he beat me until I met the Goddess, at least he wouldn’t be there.
I wove through the crowds, stopped in the bathroom for a minute in case I was being watched, and quickly snuck back out again. I didn’t need anybody following me but also didn’t want to waste my few minutes of freedom with a toilet.
A short walk later, I stepped out onto one of the balconies, one tucked away by the servants’ entrance, so rarely used.
The cooler air hit my face. I could breathe, at least for a moment.
Less than a minute later, three men emerged from inside. In tuxedos, but not bespoke. Possibly even rentals. They looked good and could blend in, but not completely.
Being cornered by Mafia wannabes had happened to me before. Sometimes they were actively trying to garner my support—for whatever they thought it might be worth. Others were attempting to show Mark they could get to his weakness with ease.Ha!As if he cared about me. If anything, someone killing me would give him reason to wage war and conquer another family’s territory.
These alphas were different. Calm fell over me. I wasn’t scared of them or what Mark might do. For the first time since I moved into this house, I felt safe.
Chapter Eight
Lyon
Her scent hit me, pushed toward us by the cool night air. She turned on the balcony to face us, and I inhaled deeply, taking in as much as I could while we had the chance. It might be our last if we blew this.
I pushed my hands into my pockets to stop myself from reaching out to her. Cash was right. We had to be patient and take our time.
Not something I was good at when I was determined.
And Goddess help me, I was determined to make this woman ours, despite all the signals to leave her alone.
“Hello. I’m Cash.”
Our omega instantly blushed almost as red as the satin gown covering her from throat to toe. High neck, long sleeves, only her face and hands revealed. “My name is Isabella.”
She looked at me and I choked on my own name. “I’m Lyon.”
“And I’m York. It’s very nice to meet you, Isabella.”
“You as well. Enjoying the party?” The line sounded rehearsed. Something she asked every guest. Strangers.
“Not really. We actually just came for you,” Cash said, surprising me with his bluntness. But I appreciated it. We needed to find things out quickly.
“For me?” Her vanilla-and-honey scent kicked up. It was pinned down by so many other things, vying for first place. Her emotions. Her pain. But mostly, fear. My bear knew she wasn’t afraid of us.
“Are you safe here, Isabella? We saw you earlier and got a sense that you might be in danger.”
Our omega scoffed. “Danger? In my own home? No. I am not.”
Her lies tasted like sour apples on my tongue.
“Your husband seemed unkind. I didn’t like the way he spoke to you. You can tell us the truth. Are you safe here? Do you want to leave him?” York spoke to her softly.
This time, she backed up but only one step. Her spine straightened but if I wasn’t mistaken, the movement brought her pain. Under all that red, shiny fabric, was she hurt? Bruised? Worse? “I’m a perfectly happy omega. My husband…” She shook her head and smiled. Another practiced move like the question about us having a good time. I wondered if most of her life was practiced, like she was wearing a mask all the time. How exhausting for anyone but especially for an omega. “I appreciate the concern but I’m not falling for this. I’ve been at it too long.”
She turned toward the yard a bit and gripped the railing with more force than necessary for balance. We’d struck a nerve.
Did her husband test her like this before? Sending people to ask if she was okay?
