Page 40 of Claimed By the Boss

My steps slow as I near my apartment complex.

Maybe I was a little too preemptive when I ran away from Nolan’s townhouse. I hadn’t been thinking clearly after the fifth negative pregnancy test. Grief and disappointment drove me out the door and to the nearest bus stop before I was conscious of what I was doing.

Nolan had mentioned the Omega Outreach Program. Is there a chance they could help me? I’m older than the Omegas they usually take in, but it’s worth a shot.

I reach into my pocket to pull out my cell phone, only to find it dead. Since Nolan saved me from selling myself and took me to his family house, I haven’t felt a need to check it.

Okay, new plan. Get to my apartment, charge my phone, then look up the information for the Omega Outreach Program and see if they can save me. Or at least give me a reprieve from this nightmare.

God, I hope Nolan isn’t angry when he returns home and finds the bathroom of negative tests and the hastily scrawled note absolving him of any further obligation and wishing him happiness with Jade.

That might have been a little snide, but it tells him I know about his lover, and there’s no longer a need for pretense. We’re two men who had some fun and now we’re going back to our regular lives. Which doesn’t include each other.

The ache in my chest threatens to swallow me, and I stop at the stairs, clutching the rusty railing for support. When did breathing become so hard?

A hand grips my arm. “Leo, are you okay?”

With a frightened shout, I whip around.

“Whoa, there. Didn’t mean to startle you.” Mr. Bugrov raises his hands. “You looked like you were having a panic attack.”

“No, I’m fine.” I will my racing heart to slow. “Just a little out of breath from the walk.”

“No Mr. Rockford today?” He gives me an ingratiating smile. “I was hoping to thank him personally for my visit to Velvet Oasis.”

“I’ll pass along your message.” With a nod, I head up the stairs.

Mr. Bugrov trails after me. “If you’d told me you were friends with someone like Mr. Rockford, I would have given you a nicer room.”

“Can we discuss this another time, Mr. Bugrov?” At the sound of his footsteps behind me, I glance back. “I’m in a bit of a hurry right now?—”

“In a hurry to go where, Leo?”

Fear ices my veins as I turn to see Gino walking down from my apartment floor.

The bag falls from my shoulder, and I back down a step. “Gino, what are you doing here?”

His mean eyes fix on me. “A little birdy told me it looked like you were planning to fly the coop before you paid me back.”

Mr. Bugrov grabs hold of my arm. “Sorry, kid. It’s nothing personal.”

With a shout, I shove him hard against the side of the railing, and he releases me as he flails to catch his balance.

Spinning, I race down the stairs.

Gino’s footsteps pound after me. “Where are you running off to, Leo? I just want to talk!”

My heartbeat thunders in my ears as I reach the sidewalk. I glance back to see how much of a lead I have on Gino when strong arms wrap around me from behind.

The scent of stale cigarettes and alcohol fill my nose, familiar and stomach churning. “Not so fast, Leo.”

As my feet leave the ground, I kick my feet. “No, Tony! Let me go!”

“No can do.” Gino joins us, his face flushed. “You’re suddenly worth a lot more money to us.”

Shouting, I swing my foot into his gut.

He grunts, and anger twists his features. A slap cracks against my cheek, and pain explodes in my head.

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