Page 19 of Lying Lainey

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lashed out at you like that. You didn’t know there was anyone, making it doubly my fault because I did. If this changes our ability to work together and you don’t show up to work tomorrow, I’ll understand. Should that be your choice, I’ll do everything in my power to get you another job. However, if there’s a chance you might be willing to let me prove I’m not this kind of despicable boss or man, I would be eternally grateful. Either choice you make, I will respect your decision.”

When I didn’t answer or turn around, the sound of the door opening and closing told me he left. My hands started to shake, and it had nothing to do with my anger or the way my heart ached hearing he had someone already. Sweat broke out over my whole body as I crumpled to the floor, my legs unable to hold me up.

“No,” I whispered. “This can’t be happening. I refuse to let myself go into heat.”

Hot tears burned down my cheeks as I crawled my way to the bathroom like a pathetic fool. Turning the knobs of the tub on, I got the temperature I wanted and slumped against the cool porcelain surface.

Tomorrow. I just had to make it until tomorrow. Wadsworth would have the drugs, and I would be in the clear.

Stripping out of my sweats, I left on my underwear as I rolled myself into the freezing tub of water. The shock to my system was just what I needed to clear my head and look at this problem with a somewhat clear mind. My skin was so hot I was honestly surprised the water didn’t steam and bubble off it. Taking the time to wash my face, I sat in the tub until my teeth started to chatter and my skin felt normal, if a little chilled. Feeling more in control, I got out and drained the tub, knowing I needed to have a little chat with myself.

Standing at the sink, I stared deep into my eyes. As I did, I mentally went through every reason why I’d chosen to live my life as a Beta. At the top of the list was the simple fact that I could do anything with my life. There was nothing holding me back from entering any establishment I wanted to, going completely unnoticed. No Alphas were stalking me, trying to check if I had any bond marks on my body to see if I was available or not. I was allowed to purchase things like a car or home without being asked if I had my Alpha’s approval. People didn’t hound me about when I was going to have kids or why I didn’t already.

Life as a Beta was simpler. End of story.

There was nothing about being an Omega that I couldn’t have as a Beta, but the same couldn’t be said for the opposite. Besides, the only person you can ever rely on is yourself. Did I let my emotions and biology get the better of me tonight? Yes. Was I going to allow that to stop me from finishing this job and getting the Syndicate off my back? Absolutely the fuck not.

“Listen up,” I told myself sternly. “You’re going to dry off, eat your fucking pasta, watch a damn show, and look at the information you were given today. These men are your targets… nothing more, you hear me? They are not scent matches. Betas don’t have those, so you better get it the fuck together and do the goddamn job.”

With one more searching look, I shoved away from the mirror that was revealing far too much and got dressed. I purposely left the soaking-wet underwear on to keep my damn pussy on ice, as it had done quite enough already. The bitch was in time-out.

Two months.

The code was to be completed and delivered to Cyclone Software in two months. I’d done long cons before, but not when it was around three Alphas who happened to also be scent matches so close to a heat. There was no way I’d be able to get around this unless I took some time off from work, but they’d need to know why. Everyone knows you don’t pull shit like that when you’ve just started a job. It makes you look bad, and I don’t have any of the resources that I line up for dealing with my needs during a heat.

I was so distracted by this information I didn’t notice Wadsworth handing something to me until he let out a shrill whistle.

“What the fuck,” I snapped, glaring at his stupid mask and sunglass-covered face.

“Take the fucking thing. They said it was important,” he grumbled and gave the rectangular case a toss, forcing me to lean forward to catch it.

I unzipped the protective case and found the normal single injection for altering my scent, but instead of something similar for the suppressant, I found a vial and four needles. A note was tucked under it all so I slipped it out.

Use 10cc of the medication, injecting it in the area between your pubic bone and belly button. If any issues should arise, please reach out to the medical staff we have programmed into your phone.

“You have to be shitting me,” I muttered as I picked up the glass vial with no label or marking on it whatsoever. “They really expect me to just inject myself with this stuff, no questions asked? Yeah, well, I choose life. Thank you very much.”

Putting the vial back, I removed the injection pen and tugged down the left side of my slacks so I could inject it into my hip. It was the easiest one to know if it was working or if I managed to get the injection deep enough because that motherfucker burned. While this medication was also not on the up and up, I knew who made it and what was in it for me to research the ingredients. The lab also had people who’d been using it and shared with them any and all side effects they might have had. That was a far cry from an anonymous note with instructions on it.

Zipping the case back up, I dropped it into the leather tote I was using for a purse today. It was going to be a long day, and I planned to be prepared with snacks, an alternative pair of shoes, and a spare dress because I was wearing white. I would love to have a study done of the number of times someone spills on average, then compare it to the days you wear a crisp white shirt. My money was on the white-shirt day being worse than usual since you’re far more worried about your actions that it backfires.

Wadsworth pulled up at Enigma, not uttering a single word since tossing me the medication. When I went to open the door, it remained locked, and there was no button for me to press to unlock it. “Is there a reason you’re not letting me out?”

“You have to take the other medication,” he answered. “I was told you couldn’t leave this vehicle unless you took both.”

I was so shocked I merely stared at him with a look of incredulity. “What are you supposed to do if I don’t?”

“You will not exit this car without having taken it,” he repeated.

“Meaning you’ll climb back here and do it yourself if I don’t,” I translated.

He just removed his sunglasses and looked at me with an expression that told me I would find zero sympathy from him. “Wow… what the fuck do they have on you that you would go so far to make sure their orders are followed?”

“Let’s hope you never find out,” he responded. “Now take the medication and use this moment as an indication you need to fear the UOS a little more than you do. They are not an organization to fuck with.”

Left with an impossible situation where I was on the losing side of all options was not a fun place to be. Either I took the medication, and it did who the fuck knows what to me, or I refused, and Wadsworth did it for them. Let’s say I managed to get away, make a run for it, then the whole world would know who I was, including Trent. No matter how I looked at it, I had no choice.

Grabbing the case out of my purse, I uncapped a syringe, lifted the vial, and poked through the rubber seal. Drawing out the proper dose, I freed the needle and made sure there were no bubbles before injecting it right where they instructed. The needle was so thin I didn’t feel the injection, but if I thought the burn from the scent drug was bad, this was worse. It was almost as if I’d just shot liquid fire under my skin. Leaning my head back, I closed my eyes and waited for the pain to settle.