Page 113 of Claiming Their Omega

“Oh, I’m sure they are. I’d bet my bottom dollar.”

“They know they’re not popular,” Easton adds. “It’s part of why they haven’t been able to succeed so far in competing with us. They don’t exactly make friends wherever they go. But they’ve come close to beating us on things a few times—equipment we wanted, land we needed, business partnerships with suppliers or distributors—and the reason they failed was because the people involved chose to go with us instead.”

“Even if the McAllisters offered them more money,” Hendrix explains, “the people involved felt that they would be better treated by working with us.”

“If they can make it sound like that’s not the case,” I say slowly, putting it together, “then they can finally beat you and get some deals or land you need.”

Cade nods grimly.

“That’s bullshit!” I jump to my feet, filled with rage. “You can’t take this lying down!”

“Oh, trust me, wildcard, we won’t,” Jesse says. He stops pacing to glare, although I know he’s not actually glaring at me. He’s just pissed. All the Alphas are. “We’re going to take care of this, don’t you worry.”

“You’re going to have to hold me back if we run into them at the auction,” I snap. “I’m liable to give them not just a piece of my mind, but a piece of my fists!”

I don’t know what damage I could actually do when I’m half the size of the McAllisters, but I’d sure give it my best shot.

Jesse shakes his head. “No, Grace.”

“I’m not going to actually get into a big fight,” I protest.

“No, I mean that you’re not going to the auction at all.”

“What? I was doing all this studying!” I was really excited for this auction! I wanted to learn and participate as much as I could.

“It’s for your safety.” Jesse’s tone is gentle, but firm.

“Those three wanted you, and they hate that we won’t let them have you. And they know deep down you’d say no if they asked,” Hendrix says. “We’re not going to let you be put in harm’s way.”

“They know how much we care about you,” Easton adds softly. “They could hurt you—make you twist an ankle, scare you, hell even hit you—just to get to us. We won’t let you be collateral damage.”

Damn it. I’m still upset that I’m going to be left behind, but I can’t keep arguing in the face of their concern. And they do really sound worried about me. I don’t want to be used as a pawn for the McAllisters to hurt them. I won’t let myself be used to make this whole rivalry worse, not when I was the reason there’s even a rivalry in the first place.

Ugh, this whole thing is such a mess.

I sit down slowly on the couch. Hendrix puts his arm around me. “I can feel how sad you are.”

“I just really love learning about the ranch and helping you guys. I was excited to go.”

“We’re sorry you can’t. You know you can always—come back and visit next year,” Jesse stutters out.

I swallow, thinking again about my life in New York. This time next year I’ll be back there, working at my old job again… or that’s what I’ve told myself this entire time. Now, I don’t know. I don’t actually want to think about it.

“All right. I’ll stay here.” I look at all of them in turn. “But you have to promise me not to do anything stupid.”

I look each of them in the eye until each man promises not to. But I can see the anger in their eyes.

I can’t help but worry.

Chapter 41

Grace

The auction is several hours away, so the men have to set out early when the time comes. They tell me I don’t have to get up, but I insist on it, so that I can say goodbye.

I make sure they’ve got everything they need. It’s so weird to have them going out while leaving me alone on the ranch. If it weren’t for the circumstances, I’d actually be pretty honored, to know that they trust me to run things and take care of the chores while they’re gone.

I say goodbye to Jesse last. After I kiss him goodbye, he murmurs, “I’ll miss you too.”

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