Chapter 35
Vincent
Neither Omega realized I was listening. Cracking the window nearest them had taken no effort at all.
From behind the curtain, I was invisible, just another shadow in the room.
Honestly, I was surprised they hadn’t heard the soft creak when I slid the window open, not long after they slipped out the back door. But they were too caught up in each other.
And that made it easier to listen.
I knew Charlie wasn’t happy with me or the current change of events. It was written in every step he took. It was in the way his lips drew down and the light dimmed from his eyes.
As I listened from behind the curtain, the signs were obvious, long before Charlie caught on. I should’ve seen it coming. Should’ve expected it.
My Omega was jealous. Agitated, even.
It wouldn’t have taken much to settle him. A few quiet words from me, and the storm would’ve passed.
But I didn’t move. I stayed hidden and let it play out.
Charlie had to learn on his own about many things, and it was the perfect time to start. He had to learn that he had a place here, and that he wouldn’t be replaced because he messed up.
When Adrian egged him on, I was surprised about the movement as much as the Omega had been.
Charlie had moved fast, pinning Adrian against the porch stairs. One hand over the Omega’s mouth, preventing whatever Adrian was saying from being instantly cut off. I was just about to move before my Omega made a disgusting noise, wiping his hand on the front of Adrian’s chest.
I could only imagine what happened. I almost laughed, but somehow was able to contain any noise that wanted to escape.
I watched, intrigued, as Charlie shuffled back to where he had been sitting before. “Sorry.”
“I’m not.” Adrian lifted his head high, like he was proud of himself for getting through Charlie.
“You have the mindset of being at Lockswell. And although it’ll stick around for the rest of your life, it’s not the same here.
Rules and obedience can be changed. Feeling something for your Alpha is normal.
It’s also okay to fail. Because you will.
I have. Many times. And Moore has been here to pick me up each time.
Just like your Alpha will be there to lend you a hand too. ”
“He is mine.” Charlie’s voice still held an edge to it. But it caused me to smile. I found it slightly flattering that he found the situation the way he did.
There was absolutely no reason for him to be jealous of anyone. I only wanted him, now that I had a taste of what life could be like with him.
Charlie was the perfect Omega, the perfect submissive. And once he found his footing in life, he’d shine brighter than any star ever could.
“I won’t flirt with him, so don’t get your panties in a twist.” Adrian rolled his eyes, then shifted as a yawn forced its way out of his mouth. “But I can flirt with you.”
“Uh…no thanks. That didn’t go over well when you tried that stunt at Lockswell, you know. I paid the price while you went off and had a fun time with an Alpha.”
“You think I had fun with that client?” He didn’t give Charlie time to answer. “I didn’t. I hated every second of it. I was put into room number five.”
Was there a difference in the rooms there? I thought they were pretty much all the same. But maybe there was more to the entire compound than I first thought.
“I don’t want to go back to that.” Charlie sighed, like doing that would possibly kill him. Given, it nearly did.
“Do you know who the last one was?”
“Kinda. He rented me weekly. It was just never….that bad. He was never gentle, but never got that….”
“Rough?”
“Yeah.” He took a deep breath. “I think he wanted to kill me. If he couldn’t have me, no one could.”
“Aren’t there rules for marking Omegas there, though? Moore had mentioned it.”
“I don’t know. We don’t get to know the rules Alphas have to play by.”
There was a rule, but it made a difference in who the Alpha was. The more elite one was, the fewer rules one had to play by. It didn’t make it right. But that’s just how society was created and it kept going.
“Well, he can't get you now.” Adrian bumped his shoulder against Charlie’s lightly.
I didn’t catch my Omega’s reply, but whatever it was caused Adrian to wrap an arm around Charlie’s waist, pulling him closer.
They would be okay now, I was sure of it.
Slowly and quietly stepping away from the window, I headed back towards the office. I should be working, but the nagging feeling that Charlie was unsettled drew me closer to him.
I thought Moore had been crazy when he fell hard and fast for his own Omega, but I could see why now. I was falling for Charlie easier than I thought I would. He was likable, and his personality matched mine in every sense.
To me, if my sex drive didn’t wake up, I wouldn’t care. Because Charlie’s submission would be the sweetest thing ever, no matter what.
He was mine, and I planned to show him just that, one day at a time.
***
Leaning back in my office chair, I was more thankful than normal for the phone call that interrupted my work. I didn’t exactly want to be focusing on numbers right now. And a call from Silas was maybe better.
Just slightly, though. Because the topic wasn’t one I wanted to approach when it was so out of reach.
“….fine print says there are ways around it, but for this case, I really don’t think there is.
I did some digging and found an old contract with your father’s name on it.
The security for Lockswell’s online records needs some major updates.
Anyways,” Silas took a deep breath, like he was preparing to tell me the worst news.
In reality, that’s exactly what he was doing.
“Your father specifically requested that you are not allowed to rent or purchase anyone that has the DNA you’d possibly share with. ”
“Of course, he’d put that in, because he’s determined to ruin my life in any way possible,” I grumbled.
“He knew your heart, Vincent. Of course, he’s going to try to cover any costs he’d get from giving away your Omega siblings. A lot of Alphas do that, so it’s not all that surprising.”
“So you’re saying there’s nothing I can do to try to get my brother out of that place?”
I would do just about anything. No amount of money would stop me from trying. Micha didn’t deserve to be at that horrible place. Just seeing how Charlie was treated was bad enough.
“At this point, no. Micha would be considered a minor. No Alpha can rent him. In a couple of years, when he turns eighteen, then I can try a few things. But until then, I’m afraid that we’ll have to sit back and stay in the shadows.”
I figured that was the case, but I had to ask Silas to look into my brother. I knew he was there.
“Thank you.”
“That’s what friends do, Vincent. I’ll keep trying to find loopholes, because there is always at least one. If I find anything promising, you’ll be the first to know.”
It wasn’t the news I wanted, but it gave me more time to figure something out. I refused to leave my brother in that place for longer than he needed to be. Two to three years more, and I’d offer as much money as I could to save him from that sort of hell.
Silas made a bit more small talk, mainly asking how Charlie was doing. I answered, my thoughts more lost to things I couldn’t yet change.
As if he could feel the shift in me, Charlie eased the office door open. It wasn’t quite lunchtime, but I motioned him in anyway. I’d never turn him away.
I noticed the notebook first. It was pressed tight against his chest like it was armor.
He walked toward me slowly, each step deliberate, like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to come closer.
I finished the phone call, setting the device down with care. Charlie didn’t speak. He just lowered himself to the floor, settling at my feet.
The notebook stayed closed. He didn’t write. Didn’t fidget. He just leaned into my leg, quiet and still. Like proximity was enough. Like being near me was safer than words.
I gave him a few minutes to either sort out his thoughts or calm down. Either way, I let him stay right where he wanted to be, the silence not stiff or thick between us.
“Where’d Adrian go?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
Like all the times before, my hand found his hand, and gently running my fingers through the strands was like second nature.
“He went to take a nap.” Charlie leaned more into my touch.
I wasn’t surprised by the Omega needing a nap. From what Moore said, the boy had been up well before five o'clock this morning. He had been bouncing around nonstop since he woke up. Charlie probably could use one too.
“I know it’s not lunch time yet, but you said I could sit at your feet whenever I wanted and write.”
I did say that, but he hadn’t yet opened the notebook.
Before I could say anything, he went on. “I think I messed up, though. I was rude to Adrian and I shouldn’t have been.”
“Why were you rude?” I knew the answer, but was curious to hear what he said.
“I didn’t like the idea of him being here.
I wanted it to just be the two of us. I wanted to sit right here, all day long, and serve you.
But Adrian showed up, way too awake, and I didn’t get my time with you.
I may have been grumpy about it and everything else.
” His words were spoken almost too quickly, as if he didn’t speak them they weren’t going to be said.
“Did you make up?”
“Yeah. And he’s not mad. But he should be. I’m never rude, Sir. I swear.” He turned enough to give me a sincere look.
“There’s been a lot of change for you recently.” I didn’t remove my hand from his hair.
“Adrian said the same thing.” He huffed, like it was against the rules for me to agree with another Omega.
“He’s a smart friend. I should have told you last night when I heard from Moore, so you could have been more prepared.”
“Then I’d have just spent the entire night mad at you instead.” Somehow, Charlie scooted even closer to me. “I was jealous.”
“Understandable. But no one can take your spot in this house. I like you too much to let that happen.”
“So you haven’t shared a bed with him?” He dropped his gaze to the floor.
“Absolutely not. You are the only one I’ll want that way, when the time comes.
Adrian is a friend. Nothing more.” I paused, letting the words reach his mind.
“I want you, Charlie. Not just in my bed, but as my partner. I can see us working great together, once we both find our footing. But next time, I’ll be sure to let you know of any changes sooner than the moment they show up, if I can. ”
“I’m sorry I’m so….” He trailed off, not able to find whatever word he was searching for.
“You’re you. I don’t want anything different. It’s okay that you aren’t a fan of quick changes. I can work with that.”
“You shouldn’t, Sir. I’m the Omega. It’s my job-“
I stopped him right there. I placed my hand on his cheek, letting my palm cup his face and thumb on his lips.
“First off, we are a team now. We will both have to make sacrifices. Me telling you the day or night before a change is something I can do, to make you feel safer here. I want this place to be your home. Now, I’m not saying that surprises won’t pop up, because they will.
But things in my control will be shared with you beforehand.
So don’t get that idea stuck in your mind that you’re just an Omega who is to cater to my needs and schedule alone.
You’ve already made it clear that structure is a big part of your life, and I want to keep that for you. ”
“Thank you, Sir.” Charlie’s eyes slowly filled with a tiny bit of hope and acceptance. It was better than anything I’d seen of him before. I hoped – no, I knew, that in time, that hope would grow. He would see that it’s okay to feel emotions and have thoughts.
Being an Omega didn’t define him any longer. Being Omega was just blood, nothing more than that. He was a human with a beating heart.
“Now,” I shifted, already knowing the answer that Charlie would give. “You were brave to share with me. What kind of reward would you like to have?”
Charlie opened and closed his mouth, not expecting that question. Finally, after a full minute, he answered.
“I really like holding you, Sir.” His eyes pinned to my crotch, like he couldn’t help himself.
“Go ahead, then.”
At my words, he inched closer and unzipped my slacks. I didn’t have to shuffle them down, the opening gave him more than enough space to wrap his warm mouth around me.