Omega’s Refuge (Rambling Cow Dude Ranch #1)

Chapter Eighteen

I stared at Steve, feeling as if the wind had been knocked out of me. Rex stiffened behind me, but he didn’t say a word. Once the shock wore off, I wanted to wipe Steve’s snide smile off his face with my fist, but I restrained myself.

“You have nothing to say?” Steve shook his head, looking smug. “Were you just not going to tell me, T?”

I shook myself, finally finding my voice. “I didn’t think you needed to know.”

“You didn’t think I needed to know about my own kid?” he rasped.

Struggling to calm my nerves, I responded, “That’s right. You made it clear you had no interest in settling down. You told me that on the phone the day you left me at the ranch.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “You can’t hold me to anything I said on that phone call.” He scowled. “I was upset and emotional. I have no idea what I said to you that day.”

I gave him a disgusted look. “Well, your words are burned into my brain. You said you’d lied about being ready to settle down with me. You said you weren’t ready for that or kids.”

“Those were just angry words of frustration, T.” He gripped my arm. “I’m here now and we’re going to be a family, just like we planned. ”

I moved away from his touch, stomach churning. “No.”

He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean ‘no?’ That’s my kid. You can’t just keep me away.”

Anger bubbled inside of me. “You have no interest in this baby. You just want to use the pregnancy to get control over me again. It’s not happening, so just go. We both know you have zero desire to raise a kid, with me or anyone else.”

“You’re wrong,” he said softly. “I’ve missed you, Tanner. I’ve been lost without you.”

I stiffened, feeling frustrated. He was toying with my emotions, just like he’d always done. I needed to be strong and ignore the guilt I felt at rejecting him. I was happy with Rex. I didn’t want to go back with Steve. “You’re just being territorial. This isn’t a game. This baby is real and I need an alpha I can depend on.” I glanced back and met Rex’s gaze. “Rex is that alpha.”

Rex’s jaw tensed, and he gave a sharp nod.

“Oh, really?” hissed Steve. “And you think I’m just going to let that stand? The baby is mine . I have parental rights. If you try and keep me away, I’ll take this to court.”

“Great, then we’ll see you in court.” Rex’s voice was gravelly when he finally spoke. “You abandoned your omega and there were plenty of witnesses who saw you do it too. No court is going to force Tanner to raise a child with you. ”

Steve’s face darkened with anger. “Maybe they won’t make Tanner come back to me, but that kid is mine and I have rights. I’ll sue for custody. Tanner is unemployed. I’m pretty sure the court will prefer the kid lives with me since I have a steady job.”

Fear and anger jolted through me at his threat. “Why would you waste time and money fighting me in court, when we both know you don’t give a shit about this baby? This is pure spite.”

“No. It’s the right thing to do.” He gave Rex a cold glance. “I’ll happily fight to get my family back where they belong. Erasing my bite didn’t erase my alpha rights.”

I felt sick to my stomach at his words. He wasn’t wrong. The courts leaned heavily toward the rights of the alpha in situations like these. I didn’t yet have a job, and the courts would absolutely give custody to Steve over me. Then what? He’d have control of our child, but no idea how to take care of it? There was no scenario I could imagine where suddenly Steve was father material.

“You’re seriously saying you want full custody of this baby?” Rex’s voice was hard.

“Yes,” Steve hissed. “Of course I do. It’s my offspring.”

Rex gave a scathing laugh. “Do you have any idea the amount of time and care a baby requires? You couldn’t even handle a vacation on a dude ranch because it was too hard on you, but you think you have what it takes to raise a baby on your own?”

Steve curled his lips. “I won’t be on my own. If you think Tanner won’t come with that kid, you’re naive, Rex.”

I felt sick staring into Steve’s eyes. He knew that it would be impossible for me to stay away from the child. Every omega instinct in me would scream for me to be with the baby. It wouldn’t matter how much I cared about Rex, if Steve won custody, I’d be driven to be where my child was.

“So that’s your plan?” Rex asked softly. “To emotionally blackmail Tanner into being with you? Do you not see how pathetic that is?”

Steve shrugged. “There’s nothing pathetic about fighting for what is rightfully mine.”

“I don’t want to be with you,” I said harshly. “I’m flat out telling you I don’t want you, Steve. I want to be with Rex. I want to raise this child with Rex.”

Rex nodded. “Exactly. That’s the right thing for Tanner and the child.”

Steve scoffed. “I know what’s best for Tanner. I’ve known him a hell of a lot longer than you, cowboy.” Steve curled his lip. “Once that kid is born and in my custody, Tanner will follow. You need to get that through your lunkhead. But I’m happy to skip a big court battle. It’ll be easier on all of us if Tanner just agrees to come back to me now. There’s no need to go to court if Tanner will just do what’s right.”

“I claimed Tanner,” Rex growled. “I’m his alpha now.”

Steve scowled. “Be that as it may, the baby isn’t yours, and I’m going to get custody.”

I let out an angry growl and Rex put his hands on my arms in a steadying gesture. “Tanner is going to have a job very soon,” Rex said. “But even if he didn’t have employment, I do, and I’m his alpha now. So long as Tanner and the child have stable living conditions, the court could easily rule in our favor.”

Steve laughed. “Could. They could rule in your favor, but we both know they’ll probably take my side.”

“Not if I share how you’ve behaved,” I said gruffly. “I know the names of some of the omegas you cheated with. If I can prove you were a horrible alpha, the courts will rule in my favor.”

“Yeah, and your bad behavior isn’t a thing of the past either,” Rex snapped. “The court won’t be impressed to hear about you abandoning your pregnant omega to run off with Tony.”

“Exactly,” I muttered. “Mrs. Rodwell and everyone on that ranch saw what you did. I’m sure they’ll testify on our behalf.”

Steve’s laugh was malicious. “You think Mrs. Rodwell is going to be on your side?” He gave another unpleasant guffaw. “Who do you think it was who told me you were pregnant, T?”

“What?” I frowned.

“That’s right. Mrs. Rodwell was also the reason I knew you were here at the apartment.” His laugh was mocking. “That lady doesn’t want you on her ranch. She wants you out of Rex’s life. She said as much to me on the phone.”

I stared at him in disbelief and Rex went very still.

After a few tense moments, Rex cleared his throat. “You’re saying Mrs. Rodwell told you about the baby, and that we’d be here at the apartment today?” Rex’s voice was like sandpaper.

“That’s right.” Steve’s expression was smug. “She’s very old school. She thinks the baby should be with its father. She doesn’t approve of Tanner jumping from alpha to alpha. Especially when he’s pregnant.”

“I didn’t jump from alpha to alpha. You left me . And none of this is even Mrs. Rodwell’s business,” I muttered, anger buzzing through me. “Who the hell is she to butt into this?”

Steve lifted one shoulder. “Wake up, T. She’s a prime example of what you’ll be up against, if you’re foolish enough to let this go to court.”

“You can’t force me to be with you.” I clenched my fists, not sure what to do. If he sued for custody, I wasn’t confident I’d win. None of what he’d said about the courts favoring him over me had been wrong. He wasn’t rolling in money, but he was better off than me financially.

“I don’t want to have to force you.” Steve wrinkled his brow. “I don’t believe you’ve fallen out of love with me. You’re just hurt and confused right now. I can forgive you for turning to Rex, so long as you come back to me.”

“Steve.” My voice wobbled. “Why are you doing this? You don’t really want to settle down. Is your ego really so huge you can’t just let me be happy?”

“I want you happy.” He gave Rex a surly glance. “But I want that to be with me, not him .” When his gaze returned to me, it softened. “I know I fucked up, like I said before, but it’s not too late. Do the right thing, T. Let’s keep this out of court.”

Rex’s stayed quiet, but his frustration radiated off of him in waves. All he could really do was watch everything unfold. While he was my alpha, he couldn’t force me to do what he wanted—any more than Steve could.

I gritted my teeth. “You’re not listening. I don’t want to be with you anymore. I can’t trust you. I want to raise my child with Rex. He’s stable and he’d never pull the crap you pulled.”

“You’re making a huge mistake.” Steve’s voice was harsh.

“I don’t think I am. ”

Rex hand once more settled on the small of my back. “If we have to fight to keep the baby away from you, then we will. But if you’re smart, you’ll realize suing for custody, when you’re not mature enough to raise a kid, is foolish.”

“I don’t need a lecture from you,” Steve hissed, his dark eyes pinned on Rex. “You know nothing.”

“I know you need to grow up,” Rex muttered.

“Yeah? Come out here and say that.” Steve narrowed his eyes, taking a step back. “I’d love to smash your face in, asshole.”

“Try it,” Rex rumbled.

“Asshole.” Steve lunged forward.

I pushed against his chest, grating, “Knock it off.” I stepped out onto the stoop where Steve was to keep him from getting to Rex. “You’re making a fool of yourself, Steve. Just calm down.”

“Am I just supposed to stand here and let him steal my family?” screeched Steve. “I don’t think so. Not if I have anything to say about it.”

Rex followed me out onto the small porch. “I can’t steal something you never had.” His shoulders were bunched as if he was ready for Steve to throw a punch.

“I would have it if it wasn’t for you.” Steve clenched his fists, glaring at Rex. “You’ve ruined everything.”

“By letting Tanner know he has options?” Rex scowled .

“In my opinion,” Steve rumbled, “he doesn’t have options. His place is with me. I’m the child’s father.”

“No, his place is with a stable alpha,” snapped Rex. “Not a cheating jerk like you.”

“Oh, yeah?” Steve’s eyes bulged.

I was worried he’d take a swing at Rex, so I stepped closer to him. “Please, Steve, just calm down. Getting angry about this stuff isn’t going to fix anything.”

“Go inside,” Steve snarled. “Rex and I will settle this like alphas should.”

Frustration shot through me. “You’re seriously going to fight over me? This isn’t high school, Steve. Come on. Calm the hell down.”

Steve’s angry gaze slide to mine. “Come back to my place with me and I’ll calm down. We can talk. We need to talk, T, without this asshole butting in constantly.”

Stomach churning, I shook my head. “I don’t want to go to your place. I just want to get my stuff and get back to the ranch. You and I don’t have a future, Steve. Please, I’m begging you, just accept that and move on.”

“And what about my kid?” He jabbed his thumb against his chest. “You think you can just cut me out of the picture?”

I swallowed hard. “If… if you really want to be a part of the child’s life, then you can be. I’m not opposed to that.” That was the last thing I wa nted, but it was his child and I just needed him to calm down.

“That’s big of you,” Steve said sarcastically. “Meanwhile, this asshole would be around my kid and my omega day and night. I don’t think so, T. I’m not going to just roll over.” He grabbed hold of my wrist. “You’re coming with me.”

Shocked he’d taken hold of me, I tried to wrench my arm free. “Steve, have you lost your mind?” He’d always been a hot head, but things had never gotten physical between us.

“Hey, what are you doing?” growled Rex, stepping forward. “Get your hands off him, now .”

“Fuck off, cowboy, he’s mine not yours.” Steve struggled to get control of me as I wrestled in his grip. “Stop fighting me, T.”

“No,” I rasped breathlessly. “I’m not going anywhere with you. You’ve gone off the rails, Steve. Jesus. Let me go or I’ll call the cops.” As I finished speaking, I yanked my arm hard and managed to get free of Steve’s grip.

Unfortunately, during the struggle with Steve, I’d unintentionally inched closer to the stairs. When Steve let go of me suddenly, I lost my balance and with a yelp, toppled down the stairs.