49. Rickon
Chapter forty-nine
Rickon
Callisto comes home just as we’re sitting down for dinner, so I jump up and serve out an extra bowl.
“Hello,” he says, dropping his black laptop bag on the side table and unwrapping a scarf from around his neck.
I whistle softly. “Well, look who the cat dragged in before midnight.”
He coughs a laugh and looks across at Red. She lifts one hand in greeting.
“Damn you!” Ozzie screeches from her shoulder, bobbing his head enthusiastically.
“Blessed by the parrot. Now my day is complete,” Callisto remarks dryly, walking over to scratch the green bird’s head. I think it might be a ploy to stand close to Red, because his eyes fix hungrily on her. Trust my best friend to screw up something as important as a pack.
But I’m done mourning what could’ve been.
Red’s finished a week of table reads, and already the cast are impressed with her. Between riding lessons, script reads, voice coaching, and setting Red up with life basics like her own bank account and a wardrobe, we haven’t had time to miss the wayward lawyer. Even my nicely settled parrot is more a part of our lives than Callisto these days.
“Enough of that, you rascal,” I say, swooping between them to grab Ozzie. I deposit him into his cage so we can eat without him sticking his beak into our chili con carne, and get the blanket I use as a night covering.
The parrot promptly curses at me, but then tilts his head and recites “alpha” in an attempt at Red’s sweet voice.
Red snorts into her hands.
“Go to sleep,” I order, flicking the blanket over his cage. “You’d think he’s heard nothing but swearing his whole life,” I mutter as I slide in at the dinner table.
“And alpha ,” Red adds slyly, lingering on the word in a way that gets my blood pumping.
We share a smile, and then Red recites her mutilated prayer over the food. I grin as we dig in, tearing apart my homemade gluten-free flatbreads to dip into the chili.
“Good!” Red says, toasting me with a triangle while she smiles.
My heart beats double. She’s so beautiful. I’m still in awe of the fact she’s mine and I get to share a house with her.
I don’t realize I’m staring until Red rests her chin on her hand and stares back at me, making the heat spread from my heart to my face.
Callisto clears his throat and slides an envelope across the table. “This finally came. Took long enough.”
“For me?” Red asks, her eyes lighting up.
When Callisto nods, she lurches across the table, snatches it up, and tears the envelope right through the middle. The letter inside flops weakly to the table in two parts.
“Oops,” she says, eyes widening.
I rub my mouth to hide a smile. She’s such a fascinating person. Everything’s so new for her, she can’t even open a letter the normal way, and yet she has the most out-of-this world depth of knowledge she applies whenever she gets into character. Like maybe she’s such a good actress that she forgot the basics of her real self.
The truth is, she borrows from various movie characters more than even she realizes. I’m glad it’s gotten her through the tough situations, stuff that nobody else would know how to get through, but I also hope that as she experiences more, she can feel safe being herself.
“It’s fine,” Callisto reassures her. “The card is the only important part.” He leans across the table to push one half of the ripped letter toward her.
Red picks it up, revealing an Alphescas Honor Platinum debit card. The omega peels it off the paper and then uses her nail to remove the sticky blobs. I dig into my food, wondering if I should tell her that particular bank only serves the top one percent of wealthy citizens; you have to have a personal referral from an existing client to even open an account.
“Ooh, pretty!” Red croons, holding it up to the light. The dark purple card with silver embossing has a textured design that makes it look like fabric. Although it’s Callisto’s account, the card name reads Red Jones , which means he’s listed her as an official card holder.
Something I could never give her. I couldn’t even buy a cute ankle bracelet I saw the other day. That damn Sorentito dress stripped me of all my savings, not to mention my reputation, and I’ve gone through the rest getting Red set up with clothing plus groceries for the household.
I’m not usually one to put tough things off, but just the thought of confessing everything to Hannah makes my innards squirm. She’s sent me an email demanding an explanation, and I haven’t answered yet.
Callisto sweeps the envelope pieces out of the way. “I know you’ll be making your own money soon, but I still want you to use this to get what you need. Change the nest upstairs or make your room more homey.”
Red goes still, spoon halfway to her mouth. She seems really sensitive to the topic of nests, another thing that makes her unique.
Callisto shrugs. “Change the décor down here if you want. I’m not attached to anything.”
“Thank you,” she murmurs.
I chew on a spoonful of chili, letting the heat prickle across my tongue. Is Callisto trying to buy back his omega? I don’t think she even realizes how strange it is for a non-pack alpha to hand her access to his bank account.
The frustrating part is I can’t say a word, because without him homing and financing us, we wouldn’t have made it this far. I’m in the process of getting out of my lease on the old apartment, but since I lost my savings for a place of my own, thanks to Lyra and her bloody dress, I’m broke for the time being.
Callisto or Aunt Lexi would help me in a heartbeat if I asked, but I don’t ask. Callisto already went guarantor on my applications to be Red’s alpha, since the Omega Center required proof of financial stability. And I’m living in his damn house.
Am I too proud to ask for more, or would that mean wherever Red and I moved wouldn’t feel like ours? Or am I hanging on to a stupid wish that Red might take Callisto in and fulfil a lifelong dream for me?
That’s not fair to her.
Callisto taps his bowl’s rim. “It’s delicious,” he says, dragging me out of my muddled thought.
“Thanks,” I mutter, my traitorous heart fluttering madly from his compliment.
We eat, sharing small, unimportant tidbits from our days. It’s easy to talk about how well Red’s adjusting to both acting and lessons.
Callisto sets his spoon down when he’s halfway done. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something, Red.” He dabs a napkin elegantly over his mouth, the motion drawing our gazes. “As you know, I’m prosecuting the cases related to the illegal hub where you came from, but we’re missing some key evidence. And by evidence, I mean the testimony of the most affected omega.”
He pulls something out of his breast pocket and sets it on the table. Golden oil sloshes inside the finger-sized glass vial.
Red spasms and her hand clenches around the butter knife beside her plate.
Her tone grows cold as she says, “I’m done with that place.” She leans over and uses the knife tip to scoot the vial back toward Callisto. “You have all the evidence you need right there.”
Callisto shakes his head. “It’s not enough. None of the omegas had their haze stolen or even attempted to leave the facility, so we can’t charge anyone with the higher degree crimes.” He studies her. “But you did, didn’t you? Did you escape?”
Red’s lips silently form around a curse. “What’s your most painful memory, Calli?” she asks, ladening his nickname with disgust.
He shrugs, shifting uncomfortably.
“Probably his father’s death,” I murmur and his annoyed gaze flicks to me.
Red stabs the knife in his direction. “So painful, I’m guessing, you don’t even want to name it. So, how about I take you out to meet a journalist, and we record every moment of grief, how you felt as he lay in the hospital, or when he was suddenly yanked out of reach forever. And then, after you relive it, we smear that all over the news.” She stabs her knife down onto her side plate.
“I’m not saying it’s easy.” Callisto shakes his head, sending dark hair swishing across his brow. “I know it’s painful. But I need to put these criminals behind bars, Red. You don’t want them walking free, right?”
“Oh!” She laughs bitterly, brightening in a faked way. “Then, for kicks, how about we haul you up in front of the doctors who tended your dad, make you face them. Imagine someone murdered him, huh? Could you look the guy in the eye while recounting the story?” Anger radiates off her, accompanied with a charred flavor in her rising omega scent.
Callisto’s mouth draws tight. “I’m only asking for a statement, Red. I didn’t ask you to testify publicly.”
Her lips curl back. “But you were thinking it.”
He hisses with frustration. “I’m sorry you went through all that, I really am. But you’re safe now. It’s just a few words to write down, and then it’ll be over.”
“Just a few words?” Red freezes, agony rippling in her shocked gaze.
A painful throb clutches around my chest. She’s suffered so much, even just thinking about it is too difficult. I reach over and rest my hand on Red’s fist, which is curled up as tight as my heart. “You’re out of line, Calli,” I murmur. “Don’t push her.” He’s relentless when it comes to cases, but this isn’t right. I’m as angry as he is when I think of people hurting Red, and I want justice too. But not when it’s at Red’s expense. And I can’t trust his motives are completely pure.
Callisto narrows his eyes and crosses his arms over his chest. “So, I’m supposed to let the fuckers walk free? Out of jail on good behavior in eight to ten months?” Irritation steams in his cold gaze.
A shudder runs through Red. “Trust me, you don’t want that testimony, Mr Wren . That Red is a different person, and you won’t like her.”
He snorts. “It’s not about that. Are you on a forgiveness kick or something? Let bygones be bygones?” Callist picks up the glass vial, holding it up so the light turns it a glimmering gold. “Forty-two vials, Red, and that’s just the ones on my desk. Well, forty, now. And you want me not to pursue max charges for these assholes? What if they reoffend? Because I guarantee they will. Do you want that on your conscience?”
She stands suddenly, thrusting her chair back so hard it falls. “Don’t you dare put this on me,” my omega hisses between clenched teeth. She drags down her shirt, revealing the line of scarring just above her collarbone. “I was their haze cow, and I fucking felt every single one of those needles for ten years, so don’t you dare to presume what I do and don’t want. Just words? You have no idea what you’re asking for. I’m not fucking going there. And the next time you ask me will be the last you ever see me!”
My throat constricts. I’ve run my fingers across those ripples on her skin so many times, and my brain knew what those marks were, but to have her confirm it with her own mouth breaks my heart all over again.
“Thanks for the meal, alpha.” She turns and marches upstairs, and a moment later I hear the shower running.
I stand, my eyes locked on her half-finished meal. “This is a new low, even for you,” I tell Callisto coldly. I’ve always known he can be a manipulative asshole, but this time I can’t turn a blind eye.
Callisto spreads his hands. “This is my job, Ricky! She’s the key to this entire case.”
“Oh, and therefore your precious win-streak?” I snap back.
Callisto rises, his face darkening as he points upstairs. “Everyone seems to have lost sight of the fact I’m trying to get justice for her .”
“At what cost? She ran away from the Omega Center of all places. Her psych barely released her the second time around. She can’t even open a fucking letter normally.” I grab the pieces of envelope and throw them at him, making them flutter wildly in different directions. “And you want to shove a bottle of haze in her face during dinnertime and drag her down memory lane and guilt her into doing what you want? We all want justice, probably Red most of all, but if she says she can’t do it, fucking listen.”
He stares at the ruined paper, jaw twitching, his alpha scent rising. I don’t give a rat’s ass if he’s pissed; I’m far, far angrier.
“What matters is Red’s life, Calli. The one she’s clinging to with all her strength. And it’s a fucking miracle she’s walking around on her own two feet and getting on with living, so watch your damn mouth.”
I pivot on my heel and thump up the stairs, wanting to cry and punch something all at the same time. I know it’s his nature, but I wish he’d stop seeing case numbers and start seeing people .
Red comes first.
She’s right to take his money and not him. Callisto doesn’t deserve her. But why does that realization hurt so fucking much?