Page 27 of The Safest Place She Knows

Nohehl said,“So, it seems that the Omega Centre was aware of your existence andcondition and wanted to apply pressure. That goes against theircaretaking mandate and, considering your current condition, opensthem to a neglect suit. They have failed in their caretaking.”

The womansmirked. “She can’t afford to bring a lawsuit.”

Venka chuckled.“No, but we can. We are taking her for a full medical workup. Whenwe have a full care plan, we will send you a bill.”

The guardsstepped between Nohehl and his car.

Iris and hercollection stepped up and blocked them. Glamours dropped, and thedark elves were all there and staring at the collection crew. Irisgleamed like a full moon.

The tweens werestanding together and scowling at the bureaucrats.

The interlopersscrambled back into their vehicles and took off.

Tonlya asked,“Did you get it?”

“Yeah, Lya.I’ve got it.” Tamara was grim.

“Great. Thanks,everybody. We had better get out of here before my neighbours callthe police over a bunch of black guys standing in front of myhouse. They have already called them on me once for prostitutionafter I lost my keys to the house.”

Venka asked,“What?”

“Yes, accordingto them, I was loitering next to the road. I was waiting for thelocksmith.”

Nohehl laughed.“Right. Let’s get you to that appointment. They are waiting andwill be careful.”

Lya murmured,“Hooray! Put it on my tab.”

He chuckled andsettled her in the back seat of a very tall SUV. Venka got behindthe wheel, and Nohehl slid in next to her, holding her hand. Tamarawas in the front seat, and her expression was worried when shelooked back at Tonlya.

Lya wasexhausted and relieved to rest. Nohehl supported her, and shedropped off.

* * * *

Iris watched them driveoff and blinked away tears. “Oh, fuck. That was not what I thoughtwould happen.”

Oren huggedher. “I have seen that body condition before in homeless people whoare spending their money on pet care. Her own body ceased to matterif she could keep her sister in good condition.”

Iris shuddered.“Geez. I wonder who watched Tamara two months ago.”

Denel blinked.“Hey, that’s right. She was with one of her family friends. That’swhat she said anyway.”

Irisnodded.

“Where was shetwo months ago?”

“She was onthat Alpha versus Beta show. She was off somewhere in the world,risking her life for a charity and a small payday. We won’t know ifshe won until the show’s release.”

Ymer said, “Idoubt that she will have triumphed over alphas. She’s so frail, andmost omegas don’t have the instinct for that kind ofaggression.”

Iris looked athim. “Do you want to know how aggressive an omega can be? I will bedelighted to show you; just give me that knife and hold still.”

Brexel clearedhis throat. “I recall how aggressive you can be. You kept the boyssafe on a number of occasions when they were trying somethingdangerous. You didn’t hesitate.”

She smiledbrightly. “That is correct. I just needed motivation. If Tonlya ismotivated enough, she’s terrifying. She’s also very good with herhands.”

Bennet nodded.“Tamara said she used to fix cars.”

Iris smiled. “Irecall that. Two years ago, I mentioned that my car was runningrough while she was doing a fitting, and she left her stuff and dida diagnostic on my car without anything. She then reached into therunning engine, twisted something, and the rough idle just smoothedout. Then, we went inside and got back to the bustier.”

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