Chapter 5
Revea
Istare at my brother’s text, asking how everything’s going. I’ve left him on read since last night, not quite sure how to say, ‘It’s going great. Only problem is, I think my omega wants to shag them. How’s work?’
That evening, after I almost barked the brothers into eating, they tried to escort me to my car. Nuh-uh, no way I’m allowing myself to scent them, because I know that’ll be it—my omega won’t stop. And these are my brother’s colleagues.
No doubt his friends.
Luciano has been amazing. After five days, he already knows all the staff by name. He chats with them easily, remembering things about their lives, making them laugh and feel safe.
Then there’s his twin brother, Valentin.
It’s now his fourth day. I wasn’t sure he’d come back, but he has.
And although he looks like a chunky, pissed-off Doberman waiting for a chance to bite, the omegas stare up at him with wide eyes while murmuring a good morning, which he answers with a gruff nod.
But I’ve seen the way he watches over them, and so do they. The way he picks up things they’ve dropped, how he stands a little closer to an omega when he knows they need a grounding presence.
They feel safer because of them and… so do I.
Will I admit that to my brother? No.
Maybe.
Well, definitely not right now. So I reply with an ‘All good’ and hope he’ll leave it for a few more days. I’ve no doubt he’s in contact with Luc and Val anyway.
Shit. When did I start calling them that? It’s what they call each other, and I guess I’ve kinda joined in; it just feels natural. They have long names, that’s why. Obviously.
I’m grabbing a bottle of water and some food from the fridge when a hip bumps into mine.
“Third sink’s been fixed.” I shut the door, frowning at Joshua, who holds a devilish smirk.
“Since when are you a plumber?”
The omega’s smirk stretches into a grin. “My pack likes to roleplay sometimes, but normally my alphas are the plumbers, and I’m the lonely house omega who can’t afford—”
“Oh my god, Josh. Stop.”
He chuckles as I add three pre-wrapped baguettes onto a wooden tray.
“I’m glad you had a good honeymoon, but I really do not want the details.” I unscrew the water bottle. “Thanks for fixing the sink, I’ll pay you for it.”
“Wasn’t me, babe,” he says.
I arch a brow as I take a sip.
“It was those alphas of yours.”
I splutter on my swallow. “What? That’s not their job. Please don’t tell me you asked them.”
“Nope, all the sinks were full. I was about to take my client over but saw there wasn’t any space. The one with the nice smile asked about the leak, and then the sexy, angry twin joined in. Took everyone a while to finish their washes while we watched…”
“You’re newly bonded, you should have more restraint,” I murmur as I throw some fruit onto the tray.
“I hardly looked, but the girls…” He lets out a low whistle.
I shake my head, popping a grape into my mouth. “Where are they now?”
“The alphas? Last I saw, the reception lobby. Why, you taking that to them?” He nods at the tray.
I scowl. “No, this is for me.”
“That’s a whole lotta food for one omega…”
“Oh, shut up, Joshua. Your two o’clock is here.”
His light laughter follows me as I walk away.
Maybe I have stacked too much food onto the tray, but that’s fine, I’ll keep it in my office fridge. Means I won’t be accosted by Josh again.
When I round the corner, I put on a professional smile for the waiting clients and spot the alpha brothers by the revolving doors.
My lips slowly drop as I take them in, their faces downwards. Luc is smiling slightly, Val looks like he’s paying attention to something, then he shifts to the side.
Oh.
They’re talking to someone.
A beautiful omega in skin-tight workout gear, her copper hair glinting as she stares up at them with big doe eyes and fluttering lashes. Her hand reaches out to touch one of Val’s tattoos, the black outlined swallow trapped inside a heart on his bulging bicep, and—
“Alphas, a word.” The words fall out, and a hush descends upon the once loud waiting room.
Their eyes snap to mine, but I keep walking, carefully taking each step to my office with calm, steady footwork, like the omega in me isn’t practically growling at the gorgeous redhead with the slender, tight body.
When I reach the top step, I slam the door open, then drop the tray of food onto the coffee table with a loud clunk. Rather than sit, I lean against my desk, eyes locked on my office entrance as I wait for them to step in.
The second they do, I strike. “You fixed my sink.”
They exchange a look, Luc’s eyes wide, Val’s narrowed.
Then back to me.
Without looking away, Val closes the door behind them. But rather than take the sofa, they step a few feet closer, hands clasped behind their backs as if standing to attention.
My chin juts up as I try to ignore my racing heart.
“Are we in trouble?” Luc asks, mouth twitching.
I quirk a brow. “Why would you think that?”
He huffs out a laugh, shooting a sideways glance at his brother, who hasn’t taken his eyes off me.
“Because you just called us like dogs to heel,” Val says, tone completely flat.
Which is how the bubbling anger inside me suddenly feels. Flat.
My lips part in a gasp.
“What?” My voice has lost the sharp bitterness it seemed to be holding. “I didn’t mean to… Is that what it sounded like?”
I replay it in my head, the tone, the words.
Alphas, a word.
And in front of clients?
My gaze drops to the floor, searching it. “Shit. I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said it like that.”
I don’t know why I said it at all.
I was coming to find them, but why? What was I going to say before my omega surged up? My eyes catch the tray of food.
“I’m really sorry.” I move away from my desk, but I don’t look up as I point. “That’s for you, to say thanks for fixing the sink. I’m just gonna go apologise—”
“Revea.”
I ignore Luc and keep heading towards the door. “No, don’t. I can’t look at either of you right now. I’m so embarrassed. I need to go apologise to the clients—”
“Omega.” That one word has my gaze snapping up to Val’s. He’s in front of me, blocking the door, intense hazel eyes locked with mine as he steps closer.
I step back.
“Relax, Revea,” Luc purrs from somewhere behind. “It’s fine.”
“No, no, it isn’t.” I shake my head. “I’ve just embarrassed myself in front of all those clients! It takes years to build a clientele in this business, and now they’ll think I’m some raging, power-hungry omega who speaks to people like… that!”
“I didn’t mind.” Luc’s voice is softer, closer. “Did you, Val?”
Our eyes are still locked, and although his expression is calm, his gaze seems to hold a fire.
He shakes his head.
“I appreciate you both trying to make me feel better, but technically, you’re my employees, and the way I spoke to you just then made it sound like… like…”
“A claiming,” Val’s hazel eyes darken as he utters it.
He’s been steadily moving closer, I hadn’t even realised, not until my back hits something hard and warm.
Luc’s chest.
“What?” I half laugh, half scoff.
But Val isn’t laughing. There’s no flicker of amusement on his face.
“Erm, no. That’s not… I didn’t mean it like…” I trail off in a murmur.
Because that’s exactly what it sounded like, as if I was letting every person in the room know they were my alphas.
“Or.” Luc’s voice is right beside my ear, so deep and raspy I feel the rumble of his chest sink into my spine. “You saw us talking to that omega, and you wanted to make a point.”
I turn sharply to face him. “That’s not it at all,” I say, offended and shocked, but also completely taken aback because that does make sense, and there’s no way I’ll admit it.
“Really?” He smirks, but there’s a teasing tilt there, a wicked glint in those chocolate brown eyes that edges onto inappropriate. “Because that’s what it sounded like. That’s what it felt like.” He steps closer. “And then this.”
He tilts his head to the tray of food.
I move back until I can’t anymore because Val’s chest is now warm against my shoulders.
“You brought us food, omega?” Val’s deep voice rumbles by my ear, beneath my skin. “You claim us in public, bring us food, then deny it?”
When he tsks, the sound is so strangely erotic, disapproving yet full of heat, that the quietest, softest, unstoppable whine falls past my lips.
The brothers groan, their chests rumbling on a barely restrained growl that I feel everywhere.
This is my fault. I started it—no, my omega started it. Now it’s getting dangerous.
“Listen, I get how it sounded, and how this…” I nod to the food. “…looks. My omega seems to be a little… protective.”
This time, they let their growls burst free. A smooth rumble of heated approval. I swallow.
“But,” I say, trying to keep the rasp from my voice, “I really don’t think this is appropriate. You work with my brother, you’re his friends—”
“We don’t work with him,” Val interrupts.
I frown, glancing over my shoulder at him. “Yes, you do. He told me you’ve done loads of jobs together.”
“We have,” Luc simply adds. “But as his bosses.”
For a second, my mind fills with static.
“What?” My head snaps back to Luc. “You’re his bosses? He works for you?”
He nods.
I stare at him.
“Why… Why would you do this for him?” I almost whisper, eyes closing as guilt gnaws at my stomach. “No. This can’t happen. We can’t… I can’t… Rue loves his job. I can’t be the reason he loses it…”
“Revea.” Val’s even closer, fingers catching the edge of my hips. “Look at us.”
I shake my head.
Luc laughs softly. “Come on, Ve. Let us explain.”
Slowly, I open my eyes. The twins are now on either side of me, towering, our bodies too close.
“When your brother asked for a security detail, we had no available agents. We still don’t,” Val explains, tone low, so naturally soothing. “He showed us the CCTV footage, told us a little about you, and Luc offered to step in.”
The back of Luc’s hand brushes down my arm. “Then I dragged this one in as soon as he came home from a stint in the Middle East.”
My mouth parts. “You made your brother come deal with traumatised omegas on his first day back?”
“That was my choice,” Val answers. “I wanted to meet you.”
His gaze doesn’t leave mine when he says it. Not teasing like Luc’s, not amused. Just steady, intent, his alpha right there.
Oh no. My omega is rolling over in absolute delight at those few small words. This alpha has been away for a month, with no home comforts, and the first day back, he decides to come here.
Because he wanted to meet me.
The room goes quiet.
“That… that is…” I swallow, telling my omega to calm the fuck down.
But Luc’s breath brushes my neck, riling her right back up. “We might be Rue’s bosses, but technically, you’re ours.” His nose skims my pulse as Val’s fingers trace my ribs. “So if there’s anything you want…” His lips catch my throat. My eyes slip shut. “…or need—”
There’s a knock at my door, and two snarling alphas respond.
Val’s hand closes around my waist, pulling me behind him while Luc steps forward, shoulders squared towards the door.
“Stop!” I whisper sharply, finally slipping away from them as the door opens.
The snarling stops.
“Hey, Re. Just thought I’d come and… oh.” Rue’s gaze bounces from me to the brothers and back. “Bad timing?”