Chapter Eighteen #2
“She’s used to the three of us. We didn’t warn her about the meeting, and I think she was worried you were her new owner.”
Geoffrey didn’t laugh, only tilting his head and staring harder at her. “No. I’m not in the market for a new omega, and even if I were, she’s too young for me.”
“When you wanted to come yourself, I’d wondered,” Kyle said.
“Like I said, I’ve done this for a very long time.
It’s rare in this area to get new scouts, especially ones who come so highly recommended.
During the actual auction, I’ll have duties to attend and won’t get the chance to really see her, to ask questions.
I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet a few like-minded individuals. ”
Trent fought the urge to snarl at the ‘like-minded’ comment. Even as the old doubts crept up, as he reconciled enjoying consensual submission with loathing forced servitude, he kept his face clear.
I am nothing like that asshole.
“Well, I get that. We’ve done enough of these to see the trash that usually show up, wanting to get a couple grand out of some used-up omega they already beat to hell.
” Daniel curled his lip up as though the idea of unprofessional scouts was the real embarrassment.
“Then again, that’s why ours sell the way they do.
That’s why we always have waiting lists of people.
I’m hoping for a similar turn-out here.”
Geoffrey nodded as he took a drink of the water. “From the response we’ve gotten so far, I believe you’ll have no problem finding buyers. I knew that from your reputation, but now, seeing her? Well, I believe you’ll do quite well.”
Trent fought the urge to touch Alison, to bare his teeth at the man for looking her way. He recalled the way he’d crashed after the last meeting and forced himself to stay quiet.
“Is there anything else you need to know?” Daniel asked. “Any concerns? As we explained before, we do not allow any testing of the merchandise, since we want them delivered to the auction in prime condition. Still, if you have any questions, we’re more than happy to answer.”
He looked her way. “Will she speak to me?”
Daniel eyes flashed, the rest of his face giving nothing away. “When given permission. We find omegas are better seen than heard. Go ahead, sweet. You may respond to whatever he’d like to know—honestly.”
Geoffrey leaned forward, his elbows coming to rest on his knees. “Look at me.” His tone left no room for denial, and Alison followed the direction. “You have lovely green eyes. I haven’t seen such eyes in a very long time.”
“Thank you, sir,” she whispered.
He reached out before Trent realized what he would do and grasped her chin.
Fuck.
For Alison’s part, she didn’t panic. Somehow, she kept calm, her eyes locked on Geoffrey’s, giving off that same submissive sense she had since he’d arrived.
“She’ll draw plenty of buyers,” Geoffrey said, voice soft as he turned her head. “I don’t think we’ve had someone like her before, at least not for a very long time.”
Trent wanted nothing more than to knock his hand away, but she hadn’t used her safe word, hadn’t shown a sign of needing him to step in. It meant doing so would be about him, and he wouldn’t risk the case—or her friend—over his jealousy.
Geoffrey narrowed his eyes, as if trying to figure her out.
After a moment, he shook his head and released her.
“Everything looks good. I don’t have any reason to believe there will be a problem.
Expect to be contacted on the day of the auction with the time and place.
Have her ready to go, because you’ll only have around two hours to arrive.
” He rose to his feet, and Trent did the same.
He could have stayed with Alison, but he wanted to make sure the son of a bitch left. He might not have been able to break his jaw right then, but at least he could make damn sure that he was gone.
They walked to the door, the bodyguards going along as well, flanking Geoffrey. At the door, he turned, moving his gaze past them as though he was still looking to catch a glimpse of Alison. “You know, maybe after this is all over, we could talk.”
“I thought this was the last auction for a while.” Daniel held the door open.
“It is. However, I have plenty of contacts who I believe are looking for what you can provide. While it is too dangerous to continue the way we have, perhaps the business doesn’t have to end entirely.
I could work as a middleman, connecting you with buyers, still taking a cut, and we remove much of the risk that an open auction has. ”
Daniel nodded, as though the idea had merit. “We’re just starting out in this area. We have long wait lists, usually, but I never turn down a good connection opportunity.”
“It’s rare I find people who understand omegas the way we do. The half-brained scouts we normally have see omegas as punching bags. I don’t care for it, but it’s reality. You? I believe you get it.”
“I’m in it for the money,” Daniel said, as though he didn’t want to commit to anything.
Geoffrey lifted an eyebrow. “Perhaps, but you can’t pretend you don’t see the truth.
Omegas need alphas to be happy. They need what we provide.
Without that structure in their lives, they fail to achieve anything worthwhile to society.
Sure, they might complain, they might fight it, but they’re like dogs who don’t want to be housebroken.
Once we force them, they’re happier for it.
” His gaze moved past the alphas, and there was something almost nostalgic there.
“I had a mate, many years ago. When I saw her in an auction, I knew she was for me. It was back at the start of the business.”
“What happened to her?” Trent questioned.
“She died. A fire broke out in our home and it claimed her life and that of my young daughter. Losing one’s mate leaves a wound, and it is one that has never healed.
Still, it taught me how much we need omegas, and how much they need us.
Not everyone understands what I do, why I do it, but I think back to my mate and I know I’m not wrong.
She might never have looked twice at me had I met her any other way, but because I forced her to accept me, to accept her role, she had many happy years in her proper place.
Omegas are a treasure, and all treasures worth anything should always be protected, no matter whether they want that or not. ”
The words hit Trent like a sledgehammer. Between his story about his mate and those haunting words, it all came together.
Geoffrey, the man running the slavery ring they were after, was Alison’s father.