Chapter Eighteen
Ifrown down at the soldiers as I watch them train. I haven’t been able to shake myself out of my mood since I watched Cal drive off with Val two nights ago.
How fucking fitting; Cal and Val.
I have no doubt that that motherfucker would love that both of their nicknames match in some way. He would get the biggest kick out of teasing us with it too.
He would also be getting a kick out of the fact that since that night that he has still clearly not left her apartment since taking her home.
Both Vic and I have called and messeged the fucker. The only response either of us receives is a short and sweet With our girl.
Vic has been on the edge since receiving the text. I have been in a similar state. It’s been difficult trying to hold back the raw need that crawls through me every waking moment.
I need to see her.
This going a week without so much as seeing that beautiful face is grating at my nerves.
Everyone has been able to see just how unsettled I have been. Ledger has given me a wide berth, something I don’t blame him for.
I know that the only solution would be to see her.
My phone vibrating has me pulling my phone out with a huff. My mood instantly brightens as a photo of Valentina sleeping on Cal’s chest pops up on my phone.
I save the photo, crop the bits of my pack brother that are visible before saving it as my screensaver.
A smile quirks my lips as I keep looking at the photo.
God, she is just so fucking beautiful. It's impossible to understand how this woman has been able to awaken feelings in me that I thought I would never be able to feel again.
That with a single look and a quick smile, I have been hooked since that day in the park.
She is perfection and mystery all mixed up into one delectable Beta.
I tuck my phone away as shouts come from the mat in front of me. My frown reappears as I call the match and invite the next soldiers onto the mat.
It's the last round before I need to send them off to the gym. Keeping our soldiers fit is an important part of our regiment. We need them alert and ready for anything we throw at them.
Since our son's Omega was taken a few years ago, we partnered with the Omega Protection Agency. Normally, we would have stayed clear from something so deeply connected to the government but since both of our goals aligned, we decided to help them in some of their particularly difficult cases.
Jaiden, one of the Alphas that was undercover in Kennedy’s case walks in through the side door. He nods in greeting to Ledger who hardly acknowledges him.
Even though Jaiden wasn’t directly involved in what happened to Kennedy, he still holds some kind of grudge against him. Understandable, considering I murdered every person connected to the group that murdered Gwen.
Jaiden nods as he comes to stand beside me. “Olis. Morning.”
I grunt and nod, not giving him anything further. He doesn’t expect it either as he continues.
“I have a new case for you to look into. An Alpha has been going around the state murdering Omegas.”
I turn to Jaiden, the Alpha finally getting my attention.
“Why wouldn’t the cops be dealing with this one?” I question.
“They are dealing with it but they have called us in on this one. They don’t think this is just some random killer. They think that this is targeted.”
I nod and he continues, “Each of the Omega’s has distinctive features. Each is raped, bound and gagged before they are strangled to death.”
I sigh, shaking my head. Of course this is some kind of vengeful fucking Alpha. Surely this dickhead was turned down at some point and now he feels as though it's his right to take what he wants.
Fuck, when is it not like that. We see the same thing time and time again. Each case only seems to make me angrier and angrier.
“Send Conall through everything we need to know and we will look into it.”
Jaiden nods and shakes my hand before he says his goodbyes.
Once the final fight is finished, I send Ledger off with this group to the gym before I head to the offices in search of Vic.
Even if I didn’t know the warehouse like the back of my hand, Vic’s office would be easy to find. The deep grumble of his voice as he growls out orders into his phone is a dead giveaway.
He is just sitting down with a sigh as I walk into the room. He removes his glasses and swipes a hand over his face before replacing them.
“Seen what that pesky little shit sent us?” I ask as I take a seat in front of the desk.
Vic finally looks up at me. Dark circles rim his eyes as he shakes his head and picks up his phone again.
“No, I only just … that motherfucker!” Vic shouts, shooting up from his chair.
Slamming his hands on the table, he pins me with a look.
“I’m fucking sick of waiting around while our brother gets to spend all the time with our girl. Are you coming?”
I am already out of my chair and walking back towards the door before he is even finished.
“My car or yours?”
We pull up in front of Val’s apartment ten minutes later.
There will be numerous speeding fines that Conall will have to erase from the system but that is that last thing on either of our minds.
Makes sense that something petty like that would be the punishment that Vic dolls out for stealing our girl away for the last few nights.
It's hard to not hate every single facet of the rundown building. I despise the idea of this being all that Valentina was able to afford. That she had to lower herself to rent this place just so she can put a roof over her daughter's head.
The moment she is mine, she will be taking up residence in our home. I already have bedrooms for both her and Amity picked out and ready for them to move into.
The thought of her being just down the hall from us settles something inside of me, almost more so than being able to actually see her.
I just want her safe.
Safe and away for creeps like this Alpha that is going around and killing Omegas. I guess that is at least one small thing that I don’t have to worry about. Our girl is a Beta.
It doesn't surprise me that Vic knows just which apartment is our girls. His stalker tendencies are elite.
Knocking on the door, we only have to wait a few moments before a bleary eyed Valley is opening the door. She rubs a hand over her face but pauses when she sees us. Her eyes blow wide as she just stares at us in shock.
“Going to let us in, dolce ciliegra?” Vic questions and all but pushes Valley out of the road as he steps into the apartment without waiting for said invitation.
Unlike my pack brother, I wait until my girl looks back at me.
“You can come in,” she mutters, her tone mixed with shock and sleep.
I smile at her as I step inside but come to a quick stop as I lean in, pressing a kiss to her forehead, “Good morning, sweetheart.”
Her breath hitches as I continue inside and take in my surroundings.
Valley’s apartment is just as small and barren as I thought it was going to be. It seems that she only picked the necessities versus styling her house as her own. It's simple and it works but it still makes a part of my chest ache.
The sound of pattering feet coming down the hallway has me turning. The spitting image of Valley turns the corner but stops as she sees both Vic and I in the hallway.
“Oh no! I’m going to catch a firefly!” Cal shouts, appearing from behind her. The little girl squeals as he grabs her, lifting, spinning and tickling her.
Both of them laugh together as he sets her down. Eventually he straightens like he is about to speak to Val but pauses when he sees the two of us standing with her.
A sheepish look appears on his face, bringing a hand up to ruffle his unkept hair, clearly having not long got out of bed. Judging by the lack of pillows and blankets on the couch; Valley’s bed.
“Ah, hey guys. Um, Amity, these are my pack-brothers Vic and Olis.”
Amity nods, grabbing ahold of Conall’s pants leg and attempts to hide behind the Alpha’s leg.
It’s blatantly obvious that in the days he has been absent, he has been here developing something further not only with our girl but also with her daughter.
I can’t stop the pang of jealousy that shoots through me. It's a foreign feeling, especially when it is aimed at someone that I consider a brother.
But here we are.
Valley steps up into us, breaking the now awkward tension in the room. “Ah, do you guys want a coffee?”
I nod and so does both Vic and Conall.
“How do you like it?”
“One sugar and milk please,” I reply just as Vic replies, “Black.”
Val turns a disgusted look Vic’s way. “Why am I not surprised that you take your coffee that way?”
He just shrugs his shoulders and turns, making himself familiar with what little there is in here. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had cameras that he was secretly stashing to keep a closer eye on our girl.
“Bitter like his soul,” Conall murmurs, eliciting a chuckle from our girl. The sound is like music to my ears.
“I don’t want coffee, Mommy,” a little voice grumbles. I turn to see Amity walk over to the bench separating the kitchen and the lounge room.
Valley chuckles again, opening the fridge and pulling out a juice box. Amity giggles and wriggles in her seat, patiently waiting for her version of liquid gold.
A smile turns the corners of my lips, unable to deny just how adorable she is.
Once our coffees are set out before us, Valley leans against the counter behind her, crossing her arms and pinning both Vic and I with a suspicious look.
“So, what brings you both to my home? I feel like this is overstepping the boss and employee work relationship.”
Vic scoffs, setting down his mug, “I think that was well and truly thrown out the window when you allowed one of your bosses to stay here for the last two nights and sleep in your bed, dolce ciligera.”
Valley’s eyes narrow. “What I do in my house is none of your business, Victor.”
I cringe at the use of Vic’s name. He hates anyone using it after our father’s overuse of it following demands as him and Conall were growing up. It's the same reason why Cal also prefers his nickname. Except he is much less anal about it.
To my surprise, he doesn’t bark at her like I expected him to. Instead he just leans forward, his arms resting on the bench.
“The truth of why I am here is because I wanted to see you. A week without seeing your face would have been a catastrophe.”
There is a slight tinge to her cheeks but she doesn't completely let go of the grumpy cat persona she is leaning on for obvious support.
“You having a school boy crush is no excuse for you to just barge into my apartment. Especially not when my daughter is here.”
He shrugs his shoulders and straightens. “Fine, if you won’t allow us to barge into your home, then pack a bag.”
Valley’s head tilts and she frowns in confusion, pulling her bottom lip into her mouth. A growl escapes my chest unwillingly as my eyes remain locked on that spot.
Cal chuckles from behind me, slapping a hand on my shoulder. I don’t jolt or push him off, even as he leans against me.
“You biting your lip like that is Olis’ Hail Mary, Little Devil,” he snickers before he adds, “Keep tempting him like that and you will be getting more than you bargained for.”
Immediately she lets go of her lip, aiming a not so innocent look at me. Little devil is right. Valentina knows exactly what she is doing.
She turns back to Vic after the small distraction. “What do you mean ‘pack a bag’?"
Vic rolls his eyes. “Exactly those words. Pack your bags. Both you and Amity will come stay at our place for the week.”
“Sleepover! Mommy, we get to go have a sleepover!”
Shooting up from her place on the couch, Amity races into what I assume is her room. Each of us remains silent as we wait for the little one to return. In a flurry, she comes barreling back out of her room, a bag stuffed with what I am assuming are clothes and her pillow tucked under her arm.
I chuckle, stepping around the bench and into her space, “I think Squirt has spoken, Valley.”
She sighs, collapsing further into the bench. Reaching a hand up, I brush some stray hair behind her ear.
“Come on, sweetheart. What's the worst that could happen?”
She rolls her eyes, straightening, but there is a resigned look on her face.
“Famous last words, Olis.”