“Aren’t there rules for marking Omegas there, though? Moore had mentioned it.”
“I don’t know. We don’t get to know the rules Alphas have to play by.”
There was a rule, but it made a difference in who the Alpha was. The more elite one was, the fewer rulesone had to play by. It didn’t make it right. But that’s just how society was created and it kept going.
“Well, he can't get you now.” Adrian bumped his shoulder against Charlie’s lightly.
I didn’t catch my Omega’s reply, but whatever it was caused Adrian to wrap an arm around Charlie’s waist, pulling him closer.
They would be okay now, I was sure of it.
Slowly and quietly stepping away from the window, I headed back towards the office. I should be working, but the nagging feeling that Charlie was unsettled drew me closer to him.
I thought Moore had been crazy when he fell hard and fast for his own Omega, but I could see why now. I was falling for Charlie easier than I thought I would. He was likable, and his personality matched mine in every sense.
To me, if my sex drive didn’t wake up, I wouldn’t care. Because Charlie’s submission would be the sweetest thing ever, no matter what.
He was mine, and I planned to show him just that, one day at a time.
***
Leaning back in my office chair, I was more thankful than normal for the phone call that interrupted my work. I didn’t exactly want to be focusing on numbers right now. And a call from Silas was maybe better.
Just slightly, though. Because the topic wasn’t one I wanted to approach when it was so out of reach.
“….fine print says there are ways around it, but for this case, I really don’t think there is. I did some digging and found an old contract with your father’s name on it. The security for Lockswell’s online records needs some major updates. Anyways,” Silas took a deep breath, like he was preparing to tell me the worst news. In reality, that’s exactly what he was doing. “Your father specifically requested that you are not allowed to rent or purchase anyone that has the DNA you’d possibly share with.”
“Of course, he’d put that in, because he’s determined to ruin my life in any way possible,” I grumbled.
“He knew your heart, Vincent. Of course, he’s going to try to cover any costs he’d get from giving away your Omega siblings. A lot of Alphas do that, so it’s not all that surprising.”
“So you’re saying there’s nothing I can do to try to get my brother out of that place?”
I would do just about anything. No amount of money would stop me from trying. Micha didn’t deserve to be at that horrible place. Just seeing how Charlie was treated was bad enough.
“At this point, no. Micha would be considered a minor. No Alpha can rent him. In a couple of years, when he turns eighteen, then I can try a few things. But until then, I’m afraid that we’ll have to sit back and stay in the shadows.”
I figured that was the case, but I had to ask Silas to look into my brother. I knew he was there.
“Thank you.”
“That’s what friends do, Vincent. I’ll keep trying to find loopholes, because there is always at least one. If I find anything promising, you’ll be the first to know.”
It wasn’t the news I wanted, but it gave me more time to figure something out. I refused to leave my brother in that place for longer than he needed to be. Two to three years more, and I’d offer as much money as I could to save him from that sort of hell.
Silas made a bit more small talk, mainly asking how Charlie was doing. I answered, my thoughts more lost to things I couldn’t yet change.
As if he could feel the shift in me, Charlie eased the office door open. It wasn’t quite lunchtime, but I motioned him in anyway. I’d never turn him away.
I noticed the notebook first. It was pressed tight against his chest like it was armor.
He walked toward me slowly, each step deliberate, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to come closer.
I finished the phone call, setting the device down with care. Charlie didn’t speak. He just lowered himself to the floor, settling at my feet.
The notebook stayed closed. He didn’t write. Didn’t fidget. He just leaned into my leg, quiet and still. Like proximity was enough. Like being near me was safer than words.
I gave him a few minutes to either sort out his thoughts or calm down. Either way, I let him stay right where he wanted to be, the silence not stiff or thick between us.
