Chapter Three
A soft-spoken nurse woke her for breakfast. “Miss Bander, you need to eat.”
The bed hummed under her, and she sat up before she was awake. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep that long. How did I sleep that long?”
“Dr. Aquilar gave you a mild sedative. He said you were stressed and needed sleep.”
“Yeah. He’s clever.” She settled as the tray was pushed in front of her, and she looked at the depressingly healthy food.
She ate the salad and entre and drank her juice. She looked at the nurse, who was taking her vitals. “What are the chances of coffee?”
“I will get you some after you finish everything on your tray.”
Dex sighed. “I do not live as an omega. I live like someone with a normal job. I need coffee, and I will take this pole for a walk with my butt to the wind if I have to in order to find it.”
The nurse paused. “Understood. What is your day job?”
“I wrangle the pointe shoes for the Aquilar Ballet.”
“Oh. Oh boy. That is why he is clucking around you like a mother hen.”
“They call me the shoe doctor. I can extend the life of a pointe shoe by about thirty percent. It saves the ballet thousands.”
“Oh. That’s cool. My niece is taking classes right now.”
“Has she toured the ballet yet?”
“Yeah. She was so excited. She even mentioned seeing where the shoes become jewels.”
“That’s my department.”
The nurse smiled. “I will go look for that coffee.”
Tosh knocked and wandered in with two coffees in his hand. “Morning, Dex. You look well-rested.”
“You look disgustingly perky. Is one of those coffees for me?”
“Depends. Will you retract your disgusting comment?”
“Fine, you are gorgeous. Studly. A man among men.”
He laughed and handed the coffee over. She grinned, sipped, and sighed happily.
The nurse giggled. “Are you her alpha?”
“No, I am a co-worker.”
“He’s in the troupe and flips the ballerinas around for a living.”
The nurse looked him over and nodded. “Do you dance, Miss Bander?”
“I can, but I don’t. Practicing is still fun though.”
Tosh blinked. “You dance?”
“Not at your level, but I used to. Me and Vincent used to partner a lot.”
The nurse asked, “Who’s Vincent?”
“My brother. Older by one year. He just got a pack of his own the night all of this kicked off.”
Tosh said, “Have you heard from him?”
“He was heading for a heat, so I think we aren’t going to hear from him for a few days.”
Tosh nodded. “Right. What happens when you have one?”
“I don’t. I see it coming, and I neutralize it. I haven’t ever had one.”
Tosh stared at her. “That’s what Dr. A said, but I couldn’t believe it. Why wouldn’t you?”
“Ask my father, but I think his comment would be that only male omegas are proper omegas.”
He stared. “You are joking.”
“I am not. I don’t think he outright molested my brothers, but I think it was a narrow thing.
The fact that we are taller than his family didn’t hurt.
Even omegas can defend themselves. That’s why he took to beating the hell out of me.
He needed to express his frustration.” She grimaced. “Apparently.”
The nurse took her tray and said, “Call if you need anything.”
“Sure. Thank you.” Dex waited until she was gone, flipped back the bedding, and grabbed the pole.
Tosh said, “Where are you going?”
“Bathroom. I have been out for about seventeen hours. I have to pee.” She eased to her feet and slowly started moving.
“Do you need a hand?”
“Nope. The meds are working. But thank you.”
He still walked with her, and when she had to figure out how to get up off the toilet seat, he entered the small space, helped her up, and steadied her at the sink while she washed her hands. She muttered, “I have never been in a hospital with a bidet before.”
He smiled. “That is for some of the gyno issues that omegas with alphas experience.”
She looked at him in the mirror. “Oh.”
“That is the reason for the special floor. Groups that have an omega need extra privacy. Your hair is fading really fast.”
She chuckled weakly. “I usually dye it every three days. It hates holding the colour, but it was still better than the company thinking I was angling for Etienne. My hair changed right around the time that Dr. Aquilar tried to get me and Etienne together.”
“And he put his foot down and insulted you, so you kept dying your hair.”
“I kept dying it to stop my dad from getting upset. He hated anything that made me stand out, and this hair definitely does it.”
Tosh guided her back to bed and carefully lifted her into place again. “Comfortable?”
“I have nine holes in my torso. I feel like I have been stabbed in a very nice hotel.”
Etienne’s voice came from the corner. “That is pretty much what happened, though Dad will take umbrage at the word stabbed.”
She looked over where he had set up a desk and had a computer. “You are here again?”
He smiled. “Yes. My mother has ordered me to remain here until you are safe.”
“Oh, geez. I will lie for you. You can go.”
He gave her a wry look. “You know I am your boss, right?”
Dex winced. “I was hoping you had forgotten.”
Tosh blinked. “Wait. You own the company?”
“I own the building and the infrastructure and the support staff. The artists are on their own.” He sighed and got up. He walked over to her, and she cringed when he reached out for her head.
Images of her dad grabbing her hair and slamming her head into the wall flashed through her.
Etienne and her dad shared a body type, but Etienne was considerably larger. If he got mad, she would be dead in seconds.
He paused. “Why do I smell fear?”
She swallowed. “Reasons? I can call your mom for you and get you off the hook.”
He looked at his hand and her and made a fist.
She tried to get away from him by going through the wall.
Shock went through his expression. “You think I am going to hit you.”
“You are mad. You don’t want to be here. You don’t want to be around me. It isn’t really looking good for my survival odds.”
Tosh spoke, saying, “This attack isn’t a one-off.”
“Nope. This celebrates twelve years of careful beating and threats.” She looked at Tosh.
Etienne asked softly, “Why aren’t you afraid of him?”
Tosh smiled. “Different body type. I am not the same silhouette as her father. You both have a solid shape.”
Etienne sighed. “What am I supposed to do with that?”
Dex blinked. “Why would you want to do anything?
“Because something in me tells me that you are the one for me. I am not easy, but I am faithful to the woman I have chosen.”
“At the time,” Dex murmured.
He paused. “Right. You have seen me with a few.”
She shrugged. “Children always like the costumes. It’s the shiny stuff.”
He stared at her and then snickered. “That was to the point.”
“If I am snarky, you are relaxed, and that is much safer for me.”
He nodded and looked at Tosh. “Can you bring her over to me if I am sitting in the chair?”
Dex backed against the pillows. “What’s going on?”
Tosh smiled as Etienne went to remove his suit jacket, and he rolled up his cuffs.
He sat in the huge, comfortable chair, and Tosh carefully lifted her and got her to hold the pole.
He walked her over to Etienne and settled her on his lap.
She couldn’t help it. Lighting crackled over her skin, and his eyes went wide.
She looked down at her hands. “Oops. Sorry.”
He was chuckling. “Oh, that explains so much. How long have you had lightning?”
“Um...” She counted on her fingers. “Seven years.”
“So, when you and I met.”
“More or less. Yes.”
He pressed his head against hers. “I have thunder.”
Tosh smiled. “I have wind.”
Dex piped, “Everyone knows that. Worst kept secret at the ballet.”
Tosh ruffled her hair. “Funny lady.”
Etienne sat still with his arms on the chair. He spoke calmly. “Now, lean against me.”
“Why are we doing this?”
“Because my mother has reminded me that she is never wrong.”
She swallowed. “How is Estelle?”
He chuckled. “She’s well.”
“So, why are we doing this?”
“Building trust.”
“Why?” she whispered to her hands.
“Because I happen to be the man who wants to make sure you are safe.”
Tosh added. “He’s one of two.”
Etienne snorted.
Dex muttered, “Tosh, shouldn’t you be frolicking at practice?”
“The entire company is worried for you. I am the ambassador so that you can get back to normal and get healthy. I am also in charge of keeping an eye on you when you get back to the shop.”
Etienne slowly moved his arms to wrap loosely around her. “I am here to keep you safe, and I have already contacted the lawyer my father recommended to get to work on the power of attorney.”
“Oh. Right. I am just used to it by now.”
“What excuse did he give for getting the POA?”
“I kept having to go to the hospital. It was thought I was drug seeking, even if I was just getting wound care. I never took anything stronger than over-the-counter painkillers. So, I was put under the POA to keep me from spending money on drugs. So, he transferred the title of the house and drains my account regularly to keep me from doing anything... like getting away.”
“So, a forensic accountant is also needed.” He moved slowly and got his phone, typing with his thumb. He set his phone down. “There. That is beginning as well.”
She frowned. “So you are staking a claim?”
“Yes.”
Tosh agreed. “Yes.”
“Unexpected.” She bit her lip.
A soft knock and Dr. Oriel was there. She took in the scene, and Dex blushed.
“Hello, Dex. I have the results of your bloodwork. Who are these gentlemen?”
“Um, this is Etienne Aquilar, and that is Tosh Denzar.”
“Do you want them to hear the results?”
“They are just going to nag it out of me.” Dex looked at her. “Have a seat, and go ahead.”
Dr. Oriel smiled. “Right. Well, everything is fine. The problem is that you haven’t been allowed to complete puberty.”
Tosh said, “Are you sure?”