Page 8 of Worth Fighting For

“That’s true,” Gulliver admitted. He pointed to Lowen. “He and his Omega got me out of there.”

Westland didn’t even hesitate to stick out his hand to Lowen. “Thank you for doing the right thing,” Westland told him as he shook Lowen’s hand. “I’ve never thought it right how some Alphas think it’s okay to sell Omegas.” Then he leaned in a little closer, as if trying not to be overheard by others. “They should be cared for, not treated like some sort of possession.”

Coleson couldn’t be positive, but he thought Westland could be trusted. If nothing else, he sounded like he meant what he was saying. Hopefully, that meant good things for them, as he seemed to have a lot of parts inside his store. It wasn’t much, not like the ones in Indianapolis where Coleson had grown up but since Gulliver had mentioned people didn’t really live there, he imagined no one wanted to leave their valuables to be stolen so they kept what they sold to what they could easily bring with them.

Then Westland once again pulled Gulliver into his arms. “I’m so sorry you’d had to endure that.”

Gulliver hugged him back before pulling away. “Thanks.” Clearly not wanting to talk about it any longer, he changed the subject. “We’re needing parts. I was hoping you might either have them or know of someone who does.”

Westland gestured for them to enter his shop. “I have quite a few parts. Tell me what you need and I’ll find what I can.”

Lowen handed over the clipboard with their list, and Westland started sorting through what he had. “That should just about do it,” he said when he had a stack for them to take back to the ship. “The only thing I don’t have are the solar panels. But I know who will. Why don’t you three take this pile back to your ship and I’ll meet you there when I find them.”

An hour later, they had everything stored down below and were waiting on deck for Westland to appear. It wasn’t long before Westland and two other Alphas approached, carrying far more materials for the solar panels than they’d even asked for.

“Hope you don’t mind, but Oxley and Raman offered to help me bring your panels.” Coleson wasn’t entirely certain it was a good idea to let them board, but he also didn’t have a valid reason to stop them from doing so when they were just trying to help.

“Don’t worry,” Renzo whispered next to him. “We’ll watch them and the dock to make certain no one tries anything.”

What in the hell was wrong with him? Instead of being annoyed the big, bad Alpha was taking charge, he was… relieved. Then again, it was difficult to be upset with Renzo when he was clearly including the other Omegas on deck with him to keep a vigilant eye on the newcomers.

Instead of thanking him, which he’d had to catch in his throat before he’d said the words, he gave the Alpha a nod that he’d heard him. When they had brought the other supplies on board, they’d had the Omegas down below hide to prepare for Westland’s delivery of the solar material. But three Alphas might easily realize there were more Omegas onboard.

Not willing to risk it, Coleson stepped to one of the Alphas and held out his arms to take the rolled up supplies off his hands. “Thanks, why don’t I take this load and the two of you can follow me to the hold.”

When none of them objected, some of the tension eased from his body. Although he would remain on high alert. The last thing they needed was to have one of the three surprise them with an attack. Coleson didn’t even mind that Renzo followed them with his gun at the ready, as if the Alpha were determined to be the one to protect him.

Once things were loaded and Oxley and Raman were back on the dock, Westland gave Gulliver a hug. “I hope to see you again one day. But know, this place had really gone downhill since the last time you were here.”

Then he chuckled lightly and shook his head when Gulliver raised an eyebrow at him, mocking him. “Okay, okay,” Westland said. “It was always an iffy place to be, but trust me, it’s a lot worse. Watch yourselves when you leave. With all these Omegas onboard, I wouldn’t put it past one, if not several, of these Alpha assholes to come after you.”

“And what about you?” Coleson demanded more than asked. He didn’t get an evil vibe with Westland, but he also wasn’t about to just let him think they wouldn’t be watching for him too.

There was a sadness in his gray eyes as Westland sighed and dropped his shoulders. “Honestly? I can’t answer that. Have I done things I wished I hadn’t? Absolutely. But I also don’t believe Omegas should be treated like property. One day, I hope to prove that to you.”

Even though he was answering Coleson, he was looking directly at Gulliver. His gaze silently pleading that he believe the Alpha.

Gulliver placed a hand on Westland’s arm and gave him a tiny smile. “I know, Wes. Take care of yourself.”

Less than ten minutes later, they were pulling from the dock and on their way home. They’d done the one thing they’d barely dared to hope for, to find everything they’d needed at the first port. They just needed that luck to hold out as they made it toward their home that no one would come after them.

CHAPTER 6

Never in his life had Renzo tried so hard to get someone to like him. Nor was he entirely certain why he felt the need to do so. Yet, there he was, once again, attempting to get Coleson to talk to him.

“Need another pair of eyes?” he asked as he strode up to where the prickly Omega stood at the stern gazing through a pair of binoculars to give them time to plan if anyone had followed them.

“Why?” Coleson snapped. “Because you’re an Alpha, so you automatically can do everything better than some lowly Omega?”

“Ouch.” Renzo rubbed his chest as if he’d just been punched. “I know Omegas haven’t been treated fairly, but believe it or not, that isn’t who I am.” He might not have always been the greatest when it came to interactions with others, but he hadn’t gone out of his way to demean anyone either.

When Coleson didn’t respond, Renzo let out a long breath and tried to center himself. “Do you think it might be possible to actually get to know me before grouping me as an Alpha who would mistreat you? You seem to respect Lowen. Maybe you could give me the same chance.”

That got Coleson to lower the binoculars and turn his head toward Renzo. Assessing eyes scanned his for several long moments, yet nearly not long enough, as he was certain he could get lost in those blue depths.

“I can’t make any promises, but I will try not to make any judgments until you prove me right.” The binoculars were once more raised, basically ending the conversation.

It wasn’t exactly a win, but Coleson hadn’t shut him down completely. And seriously? Why did he care? He planned to go back east as soon as possible and would most likely never see Coleson again.

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