Page 6 of Worth Fighting For

Without realizing it, he was holding his breath as the boat came to a stop right before them. Both Omegas held guns, but they hadn’t raised them to point them at anyone. “My name is Coleson. We believe we saw you trying to flag us down. Do you need our assistance?”

The profound relief that filled him sent the breath he’d been holding whooshing out of his body, leaving him lightheaded. “We do,” he called out, refusing to wince when his voice sounded desperate. If it got them out of there, he didn’t care one bit what he sounded like.

Fennec took one step forward. “We were being held prisoner by a group of Alphas not too far from here.” He pointed to Renzo. “Our doctor, who was also being held, freed us and killed those guarding us, but there is still a group of Alphas who are currently away selling other Omegas. We do not know where to go or how to get away from them once they return. I know this is a lot to ask, but we’re hoping for a ride to somewhere safe so they won’t be able to find us.”

Was it completely wrong to lust after someone he hadn’t spoken to but a few words, much less even touched? Yet, hard as he tried to deny the connection he felt, Renzo wasn’t able to refute–even if it was only to himself–how much he desired the Omega before him.

Even as he thought it, Renzo knew it to be true. Yet… the need to jump into the water and wade to Coleson, who was standing on that damned boat as if he was in complete control of everything around him-which for all Renzo knew, he might–and assure the Omega he was the one who would determine if they would ever… What? Be together?

Even as he thought it, Renzo shook it from his mind. Coleson had barely even looked at him and when he had, it had been with contempt in his eyes. Why in the fuck would Renzo ever imagine them being together?

With no ability to come up with a reason, he forced himself to concentrate on what was happening.

“How do we know you’re telling us the truth?” It pained Renzo, but Coleson’s question wasn’t unfounded. If it had been him in their shoes, especially after everything he’d witnessed since being kidnapped, he would have demanded the same answers.

And why the hell was he willing to just trust Coleson? As an Alpha, he felt he was the responsible for those he’d…rescued? No. Okay… Maybe… Technically. But… No. Not really. He might have been the one to kill those holding them prisoner, but if it hadn’t been for those that had been freed helping him, there was no way Renzo would have managed to kill all the guards, much less get them to the river.

The need to reassure Coleson was profound. “I know, as an Alpha, there is no reason to trust our word. And if you are too afraid to bring me aboard, I get it and won’t ask you to. But I hope you will consider allowing all the Omegas here to board your ship and take them to safety.”

It was a lot to ask, and he’d doubted he would make it to safety if he stayed behind, but it was a risk he was willing to take after everything the Omegas with him had endured. “Several need medical attention, but we haven’t dared to stop during our escape.”

There was a beat of silence, but when Coleson lowered his too stiff shoulders a fraction, Renzo knew these men would help. When Coleson looked over at the other Omega standing next him, they each dipped their head slightly as if giving their okay to help.

“Fine, you may all come aboard, but we are heading further west to some trading posts and we ask, in exchange for taking you to a safe place, that you help to keep us and this ship safe while we conduct business.” Coleson’s request was reasonable, and it was in their best interest to help in order to keep them all safe.

“We have plenty of guns,” he gestured to the Omegas that were on the shore with him. Then he called out to those who had been hiding. “It’s okay to come out, Arwel.”

Even though he and the others made their way out of the trees, Arwel kept a wary eye on Coleson and the other Omega. “Who else is on that ship?” Arwel called out to Coleson.

Coleson gestured to someone, and an Alpha came out of what he assumed was the bridge. “This is Lowen. He’s here to help protect us as well as make the deal with whoever we meet at the various ports.”

When no one else came out, nor did Coleson say anything else, Arwel demanded, “Who else is there? There’s no way you honestly expect us to believe it’s just you three when there are Alpha camps up and down this river.”

Coleson glanced at the other Omega, who shrugged as if he had no clue what Arwel was talking about. “I told you, other than when I got captured, this was as far east as I’ve ever been.”

“You were taken by Alphas?” Arwel practically shouted. “Then how did you get free?”

The Omega pointed at Lowen. “Lowen here and his Omega rescued me and about a hundred others at one port on the Mississippi. It’s why we’re looking to trade on the Missouri since he now has a price on his head.”

“We live in a town that Coleson and his friends are making into a sanctuary for Omegas,” Lowen said proudly. “My Omega, Ford, would be with us but he’s pregnant, and we didn’t think it would be safe for him. Plus, he’s currently having morning sickness and being on a boat would probably make that worse.”

He couldn’t explain it, but Renzo instantly like the Alpha. More importantly, he felt he could trust him. All of them, really. For the first time since he’d been kidnapped and taken to this hellhole, he was beginning to think there was a light at the end of the tunnel for all of them.

CHAPTER 5

Coleson wasn’t certain why, but he thought he could trust the Alpha doctor. He also believed their story about how they’d escaped. What he wasn’t certain about was whether he should trust his own instincts or not.

But as he watched the man treat the hurt Omegas with nothing but a gentle hand and kindness, he decided he was going to give the man a chance to prove he wasn’t like the other Alpha assholes they’d encountered way too often. After all, he’d put his faith in Lowen and he ended up saving them all with job opportunities and food for the whole town. Not that they had many living there yet, but he hadn’t had to do it.

Heading back to the bridge, he found Lowen there with Gulliver going over maps, while one Omega that had recently come aboard steered. “Driton, right?” Coleson asked.

The Omega grinned and nodded. “Good memory. There were a lot of us that came onboard.”

True, but Coleson had a fairly good memory for names. “Have you ever piloted a ship before?”

That earned him an even bigger smile. “Nope, but Lowen said I was a natural.” Then he leaned closer and whispered loud enough they all could hear him. “Actually, he put us in the middle of the river and said so long as I kept us there, I shouldn’t run us aground.”

Having had to take a turn or two at the wheel, he knew that was true. Plus, Lowen would never endanger them unnecessarily. “Since this is our working ship, I would appreciate you keeping us afloat,” Coleson said with a chuckle before heading over to see if he could help Lowen and Gulliver.

---