36. The Other Omega #2
Lauren grabs the tray of asparagus with jerking movements that send some of them sliding off the end, her hiss low enough to avoid them overhearing. “What a fucking asshole.”
We share a look of complete agreement.
“Sooner we eat, sooner he can go.” I grab the potatoes and nod my head. “Gird your loins.”
It only gets worse when I slide into my seat. “Everyone help yourselves. Hope you enjoy.”
“This looks great, Rosie.” Liam beams at me down the table. “She’s put a lot of effort into tonight.”
“Everything looks delicious.” Julia leans forward. “Practically professional.”
I mentally thank the catering company who delivered in discreet boxes for me to warm up. “Oh, yeah. I spent all day cooking, like a good omega should.”
A foot connects with my leg beneath the table. Jonas frowns when I look over to him. “Have you got a cramp, baby?”
There’s still no sign of Carter.
John sits back, clicking his fingers, and Erin uncurls herself from her seat. We watch in horrified silence as she loads his plate and then Julia’s before she settles back in her seat.
John cuts off some of his lamb and slides it onto her plate. A few asparagus spears. Two potatoes. He tops it off with a dribble of jus from the boat that’s just offensive.
Two fucking potatoes.
We’re omegas. Our diet is ninety per cent comfort carbs. I can feel Liam’s stare boring into the side of my face.
“Here.” I almost launch myself over the table, yanking her plate away. “Let me help you with that. No need for politeness with family.”
“That’s enough for Erin,” John says sharply. “Too much rich food isn’t good for her.”
“I don’t think an extra potato will break her.” I add a few more spoonfuls. Erin doesn’t look up as I slide her plate back in front of her. “Here you go.”
“I see it now,” John says after a few minutes of awkward, silent eating. The lamb settles uncomfortably in my stomach, and I end up pushing it around my plate. He points his fork in my direction. “Liam said you were a firecracker.”
“I consider that a compliment.” I don’t look at Liam, focusing on thinly slicing a potato. “Although I doubt you meant it as one.”
“Hell of a mouth.” John laughs—a loud, booming guffaw, and I look up. He’s smiling, but there’s a glint in his eyes that I recognize. Studying it, I try to work out where I’ve seen it before. “Where I come from, we fix that with soap.”
My hand tightens around my fork.
“Uh…” Jonas looks confused. “Soap, sir?”
“That’s enough,” Liam says quietly. “Mom, tell me about the club.”
But John Kessler leans forward, that gleam darkening. “Bit of soap in that mouth would soon clean it out. That’s how they learn, son. Spare the rod, spoil the omega. Gotta go hard, or they’ll push every button you have until your authority’s in ruins.”
He sits back, satisfied with my silence. “Not in my house.”
“I suspect that what happens in your house would be of great interest to the NOC.” Lauren sets down her knife and fork with a clang against her plate. “There’s a name for your kind of discipline, and it doesn’t belong in any decent home.”
“Now, listen here—”
“I don’t think I will.” Lauren pushes her chair back and tosses her napkin on her still-full plate. “Excuse me. I can’t sit here and listen to this shit for another minute.”
Liam reaches for her hand as she passes, but she slaps it away. A door slams a few moments later. Erin and Julia don’t move, their eyes lowered.
“Well,” John says, clicking his tongue. “I see now. Quite the behavioral issue you have on your hands, son. I thought the other one was the problem. Disappointing.”
I inhale slowly. Liam’s voice is pleading. “We have some things to work out. I told you. We’re making progress.”
Making progress.
I pick up my glass of wine and refill it, keeping my words light. “I’m about to be a really big fucking problem, John. Sorry about that.”
He stares at me. “Actually, scratch that. I’m not even a little bit sorry.”
“Rosie,” Liam snaps sharply. “Sorry, everyone—"
“Is this what you want?” I ask him abruptly. I gesture to a silent Erin. “A fucking ghost? No offense, Erin. You seem like a sweetheart. But your alpha is a fucking abusive asshole.”
Liam’s chair tips back as he pushes to his feet. “I think this is getting out of hand.”
“You think I’m getting out of hand, you mean.” I tilt my wine glass to his father in a silent toast. “Got any soap handy, John? We can make this a group activity.”
Liam’s dad looks at his son. All of us do. And all I see is a coward who shrivels under his father’s disapproval. “You going to let her talk to me like that, son? Or you?”
He turns to Jonas.
I turn as well. “Yeah, Jonas. Anything you’d like to say? Feel free to use single syllable words. I know they’re easier for you.”
Jonas looks between the two of us, flustered. “Rosie… Look, sit down, will you? You’re not helping here.”
I was braced for disappointment. But it still fucking hurts. His jaw tightens, but he holds my gaze. “Seriously, sit the fuck down.”
“Look at you,” I say softly. “A real little mini-Kessler in the making.”
“We’re leaving.” John gets to his feet. Julia and Erin stand swiftly, as if they’re only echoes of him and not individual people. “I thought this pack was in hand, but this was a mistake.”
“A fucking big one.” I stand as well, bracing myself as he stares me down. “Now get the fuck out of my apartment. Don’t let the elevator doors hit you in the ass on the way out.”
“Such a mouthy little omega.” He shoves Erin aside as he moves around the table, and I force myself not to shrink back as he approaches me. “A good beating would sort you out.”
I hold his gaze as my nails dig into the palms of my hands. “Erin, you’re welcome to stay. I can get you help. You don’t have to go back with them.”
I turn my face from the seething alpha several inches from my face. Erin is watching me, and her expression breaks my fucking heart. “Please. Don’t go back with him.”
John’s face twists. “You interfering little bitch—”
His huge arm swings back. I brace for the hit—