Page 64 of The Omega Verse

Jett jams the tip of his board in the sand and unzips the top of his wetsuit. Like everything he does, it’s a world-class performance, and I don’t miss the way Finn stares at the hottest frontman in the world as he strips to the waist. “Are you here to pitch your company, Mr Visser?”

Finn raises a brow. “You know who I am?”

“I’m pretty sure Mike has your face hanging in his locker,” Jett retorts, but his eyes are hard as he stares at the other alpha. Sometimes I get so caught up in the dazzling star standing in front of me, I forget that Jett is a fairly dominant alpha in his own right. “But are you here for business or pleasure?”

“Both,” Finn says, giving River a polite nod. He’s not stupid enough to ogle an omega in front of his alpha companions, but that just makes the way he looks at Cass piss me off more. “I’m here about the break-in.” His intense gaze locks on Cass’ face. “I’m sorry you went through that.”

Cass murmurs her thanks, but I’m frowning. “Why did Rollo kick it up to you?” When I reached out to one of the guys who works for his security firm – after he poached Rollo from my unit – I never expected him to inform his boss. “I appreciate the interest, but I can’t see how it warrants a personal visit.”

“Well, that’s what I want to determine. I’ve read the police report, but I’d like to know if you have any theories.”

“The police think it was just a random break-in, but I’ve started to wonder if it’s something more.” Cass casts River an apologetic look. “We’ve recently had some trouble with a woman named Celine Quint.”

“I’ve heard of her,” Finn replies with an unimpressed nod. “Do you think she would’ve done it out of pettiness, or something else?”

Cass fidgets, and I feel a tendril of unease in the bond. “I didn’t have anything of value, but I don’t think she likes me getting too close to the guys.”

That earns her sharp looks from the others, but Finn just nods and sets his beer aside. “Leave it with me. And if you don’t mind me changing the subject, I’d also like to give you an update on Bloom Haven.” Cass stiffens against me and a growl rumbles up my throat, but Finn just holds up a placating hand. “I can just send you the report if you don’t want to hear the details now.”

“No, I want to hear it,” Cass replies, sitting up straight. “I’m just surprised you know about it.”

“It’s been on my radar for a while. But I’ve turned up the heat recently, and I want you to know I’ve taken care of both Donahue and the Wallace Pack who ran the grooming operation. They’re out of business, and the kids they were holding are safe.” His gaze flicks my way before it settles back on my mate. “Is that why you changed your name, Cass? To keep them from tracking you?”

While Cass nods, something that always puzzled me clicks into place. “You fast-tracked her new ID, didn’t you?”

Finn shrugs, like it’s no big deal. “Rollo processed it, but all identity change goes through me.”

I seriously doubt it. The guy’s a control freak, but he’s running a billion-dollar business with massive government contracts all over the world. But I can’t really call him on it when my mate is looking at him like he just walked on water. “Thanks, Mr Visser,” she says, the relief evident in her voice. “It means a lot to know they’re out of business.”

“No problem, Cass. I have a special interest in omega safety, so this is a great outcome for me, too.” He finally looks away from her to the rockstars gathered on my deck. “I hear you’re headed over east for the Hall of Fame. Congratulations. It’s usually a tight event, but I’d suggest you bring some of my team along, just in case.”

Jett’s lip lifts in a hint of a sneer. “We already have security, thanks.”

“Mm.” Finn gets to his feet and shoves his hands in his pockets as he looks off through the dark. “Should I say hi to them on my way past? Since they didn’t clock me coming in, I mean…”

“Good point,” Jett mutters under his breath, but just heads inside to get changed, River on his heels.

I nod at Kobi and Silva, then follow Finn around the side of the house. When we’re out of earshot, he turns to face me. The civilian face – what I think of as his civilised face – slides away and I can see the thing that lives under his skin staring back at me. I stiffen, because even all my training can’t stop such a visceral reaction, but he just sighs and puts a hand on my arm. “You should be taking some time off, brother. New mates need their privacy, and I can feel how tight you’ve got your beast wrapped.”

I snort out a half-laugh. “With all due respect, Finn, I’ll unwind now you’re leaving.”

A small smirk touches his severe face. “Guess that’s fair. I think we’re probably feeding off each other a bit.”

I nod, because I’ve seen it plenty in the field. Two alphas, their mates in close proximity, and it all comes bubbling to the surface. But when he turns away, I stop him. “Finn, I want to be really clear here. Whatever interest you have in my mate, it ends here. You’ve helped her out, but that’s as far as it goes. We’ve never had a problem before, and I’m grateful for that. But if you go near Cass without me, I won’t hold back.”

“Brother, I’d expect nothing less. But my interest in her is because you claimed her.”

“And?” I hold him in place with every inch of my alpha authority. “Don’t bullshit me. I can tell there’s more.”

“And…” he sighs, then finally relents. “I have a personal project that I thought she might be able to help me with. You realise she’s a switch?” I don’t confirm or deny it, but he just nods. “Silva Sterling, too, based on what I could sense between them. Well, I’m looking into that. There’s fuck-all information about their triggers, their genetics, or their potential, and so I’m doing my part for the scientific community. Interviewing switches, getting them to share their stories, so we can understand it better.”

“She won’t let you turn her into a lab rat.” It goes without saying that it’ll happen over my dead body.

“Which is why I didn’t bring it up. They put the kids in those grooming clinics through some real shit, so it’s no wonder she avoids doctors.” A growl slips from my chest, but he just pats my arm. “She’s lucky to have you, Tom. One might even say it’s fate that brought you together.”

He disappears without another word, and I huff out a sigh as I head back. Jesus Christ, Finn ‘the Vise’ Visser, waxing lyrical about fate under a full moon.

I can see the guys grabbing plates and sides from the kitchen, but Cass and Silva are waiting for me on the edge of the deck, their arms wrapped around each other. And fate or not, that’s a sight I’ll never grow tired of seeing.

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