Page 53 of The Omega’s Nest

“I’ll get you a new one,” Leo says with authority once we’re on the beach.

I grin over at him. The smell of the ocean crashes in front of me, colliding with the offshore wind and mingling with Leo’s scent. I don’t think I’ve ever felt like this before—the kind of happiness that’s too big for that word.

After more than three years in hell, here I am in my jocks with the sand beneath my bare toes, my alpha’s come trailing down my thighs and said alpha huddling close beside me, determined to get me whatever I need, whatever I want. I’ve landed in heaven.

“Even with a lefthander and a shitty board, I’m gonna kick your ass,” I tell him and wink.

Leo’s answering laugh catches on the wind and swirls around me.

I break into a run, the water splashing around my feet. Flinging the board ahead of me, I land on it and start to paddle out. Leo’s beside me, keeping pace, and when I turn to beam at him, he’s already watching me back, his smile and scent as familiar to me as the ocean under my board.

Chapter 20

Leo

My phone is ringing when Addie and I get back inside. We surfed until the wind died and the waves got too small for it, then sat on our boards enjoying the water until I had to call it. I hated to do it, but we’ve got to keep moving. We’ll stay on the coast—there’s no way I’m not finding a place for Addie to surf every single day. The joy flooding the bond once he took that first wave was so enormous, I’m almost jealous. Fortunately, Addie’s happiness is my happiness, so I can deal with my envy of seawater.

I’m still dripping, but I power walk over to the phone anyway. Alicia’s name flashes on the screen. Fuck.

I steel my nerves and pick up.

“Hello?”

“Leonard,” she says with irritation. “I’ve been calling all morning.”

“Oh, sorry. I’ve umm, been surfing.” Well, it’s true. I just won’t mention my surfing companion. I look over my shoulder—Addie’s coming in, a towel over his shoulders, eyebrows raised in question. “Lawyer,” I mouth at him. He frowns and worry pulses down the bond.

“Well, I’m glad you’re feeling relaxed enough for that,” Alicia says in a bemused tone. “The reason I’m calling—”

“I didn’t do anything,” I blurt out. Jesus, what’s wrong with me? Do I want to get implicated in this? What is it they say about most criminals? Just let them talk, they’ll hang themselves. Now I know why.

“Okay,” she says slowly. “I’m glad to hear that, but you do realise you have attorney-client privilege if you did do something.”

Before I can reply, she continues. “But in this case, I’d rather not know what you clearly did do.”

“Oh,” I say, my voice small. So, she knows. Fuck, fuck, fuck. I meet Addie’s eyes and gesture frantically with my head at the bedroom and hope he understands—pack everything, we’ve got to move right now. His eyes widen, but he disappears into the bedroom.

“I was just calling to tell you the DA has dropped the charges.”

“What?” I squeak in a very manly fashion. I clear my throat and try again. “What?”

“That’s all I was told, but I assume the owner of the brothel has pressured the offended party to let this go. I don’t know who owns that place. I did look into it, but it’s a silent investor and I think that’s working in your favour. Well, being a brothel is working in your favour—they’re not going to want the attention. So, charges have been dropped. I don’t know what this means for your omega, but my legal advice is to let it go and get on with your life because an establishment like that will only be provoked so far.”

I would growl, except Addie comes back out of the bedroom, my backpack slung over his shoulder, my hoodie and jeans back on—swimming on his much smaller frame—his expression determined.

Addie looks different to when I last saw him, a hardness about him that wasn’t there before. It makes a part of me sad, to think that what he’s had to endure has changed a fundamental part of him—the light, happy-go-lucky part of him diminished by the reality of that world. But another part me of is so proud. He’s got armour now, a toughness about him that means he can protect himself. He’ll never have to, that’s my job, but I can’t help the pride that swells in me knowing he didn’t let that place break him. Instead, it made him stronger.

“Umm, okay?” I say and curse myself for making it a question. Alicia doesn’t know I murdered the alpha and a murder charge could be following me any day now. And if said omega wasn’t standing in front of me, I’d be growling and losing my shit at her.

She doesn’t say anything. Geez, I might as well tell her at this point—I suck so bad at this.

“Well, then,” she finally says. “I suppose my personal advice isn’t needed. The arrest will go on your record, and it’ll be up to the brass to decide how to deal with that, but given the charges have been dropped, I believe it will just be a reprimand. I’ve contacted your CO and he’ll be in touch.”

“Okay, thank you,” I say, because I’m not sure what else to say. My feelings are mixed—I’m not going to prison, and there’s no need to be on the run anymore. Except this means I have to report back on Monday, since we’re stationed at Fort Sanguis for three months for training. After that, I’ll deploy for six months. I’ll have to leave Addie.

“My pleasure, Airman Hale. And give my best to your omega.” She hangs up. I’m stunned into silence.

“What is it?” Addie asks, anxiety spiking in his scent.