Time didn’t start moving again until the two front doors of the limoswung open. Two dark-suited men, both on the shorter and slimmer side, exited. The passenger Beta held something black, and about the size of a binder. The driver remained on his side of the limo after shutting his door. Fishing a phone from his jacket and dialing, he then pressed the phone to his ear and spoke to whomever he’d called for a moment before hanging up and beginning his approach. His companion followed, keeping slightly behind.
“Can you please verify your identity?” The driver asked Catalina after stopping a few feet away from her.
“Catalina Cook, PR manager for Eros’s client Oblivion Haze.”
“Wonderful. We do it old school on this end. Nothing like real ink on real paper. The last hand off must be filed with the business ethics committee, and they still aren’t on board with digital signatures.” The driver reached behind him expectantly; the passenger handed over what I could now see was a storage clipboard.
Flipping it open, the front Beta pulled out two sheets of paper. He clipped the pages to the front, pulled an ink pen from the chest pocket of his jacket, and then turned the clipboard around for Cat. He didn’t give it to her, instead stepping forward so he was close enough for her to reach. She took the pen from him, quickly signing highlighted areas.
“Since you are the official client representative, we don’t need anyone else to sign. However, we do require that the actual client inspect the product before we leave. Once they have, you’ll find the final approval document in an email from headquarters. Has that come through?” He made quick work of slipping the finished paperwork back into the storage compartment and handing the clipboard back to the other product agent. Slipping the pen back into his jacket, he stood at attention, hands behind his back, waiting for Cat’s reply.
She was looking at her tablet, nodding slowly as she read over something. “Yes, it’s here. What is this section about verifying any flaws on arrival? Is there something we should be concerned about with the girl?”
Cat’s words floated back to us, and I felt more than saw the way my three band mates instantly tensed. I flicked a look at them all. Dixon’s anxiety was more obvious as he stretched to his full height and pushedout his chest, hands balling into fists. Mac and Tray better controlled themselves, though the latter took a step forward like he’d jump the gun and go grab Tessa from the limo. He’d probably get the cat too. He was so weirdly obsessed with the idea of having a resident pet.
“No, the product is in perfect physical condition. The wording is standard for all deliveries. The Eros Institute urges their clients to complete a thorough head to toe inspection. They also should have reminded you that there is a thirty-day exchange guarantee if the Omega proves to be less than satisfactory.” The driver betrayed zero emotion in his tone. This was all business to him. I bristled at the thought of someone so perfectly scent-matching with an Omega and then returning them for some reason.Who the fuck would do that?
“Okay, great. What happens now?” Catalina pressed the top of her tablet, blackening the screen, and tucked the digital pen into the case’s slot.
“We’ll retrieve the product.”
Both Betas turned around and returned to the limo. My heart raced as one of them opened the wide back door. The insides of the vehicle were thrust in shadows. No matter how hard I squinted, I couldn’t see anything inside.
“Fuck, my heart is racing,” Dixon growled beside me. “Feels like it’s going to burst from my fucking chest.”
“Greeting our fated mate with an alien-style chest explosion would be quite the impression,” Tray joked, but even his voice cracked with nerves.
Even rational Mac crossed his arms and turned away for a moment, trying to collect himself. It had been a long time since they were all so vulnerable that I could read them like open books. Their feelings radiated off them, colliding together as their scents mingled into one fragrant cloud of need. My own body responded, adding notes of smoke and bourbon. Our bond had been like this earlier in our music career. People who came to our shows would get lightheaded from the intensity of our joint scent as we dominated the stage. Back then, we didn’t keep anything from one another. As fame had fueled bad behavior, we’d become lessunified. I mean, we’d get stupidly drunk together and put ourselves into situations that threatened our lives, but we hadn’t emotionally stayed close knit. Not like that. Yes, we were still brothers. That would never change. It couldn’t change. I missed how they used to be an extension of myself though. I wanted that again. It’s why we all had been resolute in finding one mate.
“Is she even in there?” Dixon’s low voice was thunder, the precursor to the storm that I knew was building inside.
“Of course she is,” I countered, though doubt was creeping.
My faith was rewarded a heartbeat later.
A shimmering vision that could only be Tessa slowly emerged from the belly of the limo. The closest Beta reached for her when she got tangled in an overly long cape. She took his hand for support as she worked to free her feet from the material. I hated seeing him touch even that small part of her, but my anger burned out when I saw he was now wearing gloves. I wondered if that was required for handling the ‘product’. My mind stuttered on the word, and I vowed to never think of her in that way again. Once she was inside the mansion, once she was here forever, she’d never be made to feel like merchandise.
Beside me, Dixon’s breathing had quickened.
The glittering material billowed around Tessa now that she stood next to the limo. Her upper face was shielded by the hood. The Betas stood to each side, seeming to gesture for her to begin her journey forward. My gaze widened with surprise when I saw her shake her head stubbornly and point behind her, indicating something inside the vehicle. She crossed her arms, mouth moving and chin tilting defiantly when the two men didn’t do what she wanted.
“Aren’t Omegas supposed to be… submissive?” This from Tray. He didn’t sound apprehensive but instead intrigued.
“Pretty sure The Eros Institute implied as much. Part of the perfect package.” Mac answered him. “I’m beginning to think this girl has a mind of her own.” He added that when Tessa dramatically turned her back on us and faced the limo, still refusing to move.
In amazement, I watched as she got her way. The Beta with theclipboard opened his door, put it on the seat, and then entered the rear of the limo. Moments later, he emerged holding a strange, egg-shaped bag. Satisfied, Tessa, with statuesque grace, whirled back around, fingers clutching the sides of the cloak in such a way that it caught wind and floated like wings. The driver had something else out of the limo now that he expanded open until four wheels contacted the driveway and he could fold out a handle. The other Beta placed the weird bag atop it, clicking it into place. As soon as the contraption was ready, Tessa began walking. After a few paces, she looked over her shoulder to make sure the Betas were behind her.
“Is that a pup stroller?” Mac was facing the scene again, eyes clamped on our approaching Omega.
“Damn, you’re right,” I breathed out.
“It’s for her cat!” Tray crowed, face brightening. “I almost bought something like it.”
“If you bought anything else from that pet store, Tray, you’d have kept their bills paid for at least a year.” Catalina fussed at him. She was still waiting at the bottom of the left steps.
Tessa stopped walking. She was still a couple yards away. Her fingers were clutching the cape, knuckles white. I watched intently as she sucked in her lower lip and bit it. The product delivery agents stopped just in front of her. The driver turned and addressed her directly.
“Please finish your approach, engage with the client’s representative, and follow her instructions.”
