Chapter 21 #2
My mouth drops open in horror as all the Rockfords turn toward me. “I’m not pregnant.”
“Not that you’d know yet,” Gabriel mutters into his coffee cup, drawing a glare from Sebastian.
Leo elbows his husband. “Not everything is baby-related. I meant stress affects appetite, and now is not the time to skip meals.”
Phoenix pipes up from his perch on Damien’s lap. “Leo believes in first breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, lunch, linner… Damien says he’s going to need to reinforce the furniture soon.”
“I said no such thing, troublemaker.” Damien tickles Phoenix before he turns to Leo. “You’re radiant, sweetheart.”
“Of course, he is.” Phoenix nestles against his Alpha’s chest.
Envy twists in my chest at their easy affection, or maybe it’s longing for that kind of unquestioned belonging.
“How did you sleep?” The question comes from Ezra, his focus keen as he studies me.
“Fine,” I answer automatically.
Ezra tilts his head. “Really? In a strange house, after learning someone’s been watching your most private moments? That’s remarkable resilience.”
Saint growls low in his throat, the sound vibrating from where he sits two chairs down from me. “Back off.”
“It’s only a question,” Ezra reproaches with increased interest. “Do you need anything? Books, entertainment? Access to secure internet?”
The last question catches my attention. “Do you have secure internet?”
A small smile plays at Ezra’s lips. “Several networks. Isolated. Untraceable. I understand you might have particular requirements in that area.”
Saint growls again, louder this time.
Gabriel, leaning a hip on the sideboard with a coffee cup in hand, smirks. “Down, boy. Ezra’s just being hospitable in his own way.”
I want to ask for a laptop more than I want to eat. My fingers itch to map their networks, to do something useful that isn’t crying into expensive sheets.
Sebastian’s hand finds my knee under the table, his pheromones rising to offer comfort. “You don’t have to answer any questions you don’t want to.”
I place my hand over his, grateful for the connection. “It’s okay. I just… Wasn’t expecting…”
“The third degree?” Sebastian glares at his cousins and brothers. “Welcome to breakfast with the Rockfords.”
My focus shifts to the far end of the table, where Jade picks at his food in silence. His shoulders hunch inward, posture defensive as he scans the exits. He appears as out of place as we do.
“Just fucking eat,” Saint mutters, rising to shovel food onto my plate, “so we can get out of the spotlight.”
Obediently, I fork a bite of eggs into my mouth. They’re creamy, seasoned with herbs I can’t identify, and nothing resembling the rubbery eggs I cook for myself.
The conversation shifts around me. Milo and Leo discuss Leo’s job doing data entry, which surprises me.
I wouldn’t have thought the sweet-looking Omega would be working, and certainly not in such a boring job.
Don’t the mates of billionaires spend their time supporting charities or hanging out at the country club?
Phoenix whispers into Damien’s ear, and the Alpha chokes on his coffee. A few minutes later, the two sneak from the room. Leo guides Nolan’s hand away from adding more food to his already full plate with gentle patience.
It’s overwhelming, not only the food and the setting, but the sheer abundance of everything. Warmth. Connection. The easy way they all occupy the same space, even when they’re bickering. The casual displays of affection. The shared history that flows beneath their words.
“You okay?” Sebastian asks, his thumb tracing small circles on my knee.
Not trusting my voice, I nod. There’s no way I can explain how I’m drowning in the contrast between my life and this, between my loneliness and their togetherness, between my fear and their security.
“Micah,” Milo calls from across the table, cutting through my thoughts. “If you need clothes or anything else, just let me know. I can have it delivered by this afternoon. You, too, Saint. Don’t hesitate to abuse the Rockford coffers.”
“Milo,” Leo scolds.
Milo pats his hand. “Not everyone enjoys your level of frugality, sweetheart. And there should be some advantage for being thrown in with these sharks.”
“I… thank you.” The offer catches me off guard. “That’s very kind.”
Milo lifts one eyebrow. “It’s practical. You can’t wear the same clothes for however long it takes to find this stalker.” His gaze softens. “Besides, you’re wearing Sebastian’s Mark. You’re family.”
Family. The word ripples through me. Is that what I am now? Part of this strange, powerful clan? It’s only one Mark, though. Sebastian could still change his mind before my next Heat. Or the Heat after. Three Marks leaves a lot of time for things to fall apart.
“Don’t look so terrified,” Ezra comments, amused now. “It’s not a life sentence. Though Sebastian might hope otherwise.”
Sebastian’s fingers tighten on my knee. “Ezra.”
“What?” Ezra spreads his hands. “Just stating facts.”
Leo leans closer, or as close as his beach ball of a belly will allow. “So, Micah, you’re in the entertainment field? Do you enjoy the work?”
I freeze again, my fork scraping the china. I knew everyone was aware of my job, but I didn’t expect to be confronted about it over French toast.
“Mind your own business,” Saint snarls. “There’s nothing wrong with what Micah does.”
“Don’t speak to my mate in that tone,” Nolan snarls right back.
“I’m sorry,” Leo says, waving his hands to calm both Alphas. “That was rude of me. I’ve just always thought those who choose the entertainment field must have so much confidence. Jade worked as a stripper in Nolan’s club for a while. He’s a fantastic dancer.”
Jade’s head lifts, his blue eyes a vibrant contrast to his black hair. “Thanks, sweetie. That’s kind of you.”
“It’s not kindness,” Leo insists and turns back to me. “I was a server at the club, so I got to watch him perform a lot. He made a killing.”
I stare at Leo in shock. “You worked at a strip club?”
I can’t wrap my head around this beautiful angel in such a dirty place.
“Yes, for rent money.” He reaches out to grasp his mate’s hand, stopping him from adding another scoop of eggs to Leo’s plate in the process. “That’s where I met Nolan. It was love at first sight for me.”
“For me, too, sweet boy.” Nolan leans over to kiss his mate’s soft cheek.
“I worked at a gas station and as a cleaner at a casino before I met Liam,” Milo adds, his perfect lips curving into a smirk. “So don’t feel too out of place. The Rockfords have a taste for us blue-collar Omegas. We’ve just had more time than you to acclimate to the riches.”
“Some of us acclimate better than others,” Gabriel mutters.
“Don’t try to shame me for my sparkles.” Milo strokes the diamond collar around his slender throat. “Liam loves it when I dress up.”
Nolan leans closer to Leo. “I could buy you—”
“No.” Leo shakes a finger at him. “Absolutely not.”
Milo grins at me. “See? Get your diamonds, if that’s what you want.”
“I think this one would prefer a new motherboard,” Ezra counters. “Go for a complete system overhaul.”
“Shush, both of you,” Leo scolds.
I take another bite of food, then another, my appetite returning as the tension inside me settles. For all their wealth and power, the Rockfords are just people. Complicated, connected people who, for my Alpha’s sake, have decided to include me in their circle.
Sebastian leans in, his lips brushing my ear. “We can leave whenever you want.”
I shake my head. “It’s okay. This is… nice.”
I exchange a glance with Saint, who appears as bewildered by the Rockfords as I feel. Neither of us has ever known a home where people cared about each other. That was a fairy tale not meant for the likes of us.
The Rockfords are a cast of perfect princes, scooping up unfortunate Omegas and showering them in wealth.
It’s all too good to be true.
I turn to face Leo again. “To answer your question, yes, I enjoy working in the entertainment field.”
The pregnant Omega leans forward. “How did you get your start?”
I laugh. “It’s not hard. The first camera I used was pretty crappy, if I’m being honest, but it’s what I could afford. Then all I had to do was sign up for an account and get to work. The viewers found me all on their own.”
“Why camming instead of a job as a back-room boy at a club?” Leo smacks his husband’s hand away from his plate again. “They bring in a lot of money.”
“Well, for one, I wasn’t sure my fake ID would pass closer inspection,” I say dryly.
“But also, I enjoy orgasms, but not so much people in real life. Camming allowed me independence, physical distance, and the choice of who I took private sessions with. It doesn’t pay as well, since I don’t offer more of the kinkier things big spenders are into, but it gives me freedom. ”
Leo clasps his hands together. “And that’s how you met Sebastian.” He tips his head up toward his Alpha. “Isn’t it beautiful?”
Nolan smooths a hand over Leo’s blond hair. “Sure is.”
Gabriel snorts. “You think anything to do with people hooking up is beautiful.”
Leo blinks guilelessly at him. “Isn’t it?”
Disarmed either by Leo’s romanticism or Nolan’s glare, Gabriel nods and returns to his sausages.
Damien and Phoenix sneak back in, looking rumpled and satiated as they resume their seat at the table.
Jade wipes his mouth with a cloth napkin and leans back in his chair. “Now that all the pleasantries are over, can we get to the business of planning how to kill this Travis asshole?”
“So stabby these days,” Ezra murmurs.
Jade glares at him. “Don’t you have an Omega to chase down?”
Ezra raises an eyebrow. “The fun of cat and mouse is setting the trap. He’ll get tired of running and be home soon enough.”
Gabriel claps his hands together. “I, for one, agree with Jade. We haven’t buried a body in, what? A month?”
Milo fiddles with his silver butter knife. “Six weeks.”
Okay, maybe not princes. The Rockfords aren’t saviors in white. They’re villains, just better dressed than the ones I’m used to.