Page 152 of Fallen Omega

“Yes.” She looks up, eyes big and soft and shining. “You are a beautiful man, Reaper.”

“Liz, I don’t need compliments or sentiments. We’re part of a unit. You’re working out your place.”

A funny expression comes over her, but all she says is, “I’m not sure if I actually belong.”

“You do, if you want to.”

“But Dante?—”

“He’s got his ways. But he values honesty and loyalty. And he gives it, too.” The fight between Dante and Knight comes to my mind. “Look past how he says shit to the words. And don’t think you’re anything cheap or however you might put it. You’re not. It’s okay to want us equally. We all bring something to the table that works. Take that if you’re to take anything.” My monthly word limit’s running out so I say, “Let’s go.”

The strip club’s a sad place, and Eastman’s easy to spot. Sheer panic hits his face when our eyes lock. But the idiot relaxes when he sees I’m not alone.

I motion for him to come over which he does. “I need the money.”

“I…I have most.”

“I’ll take that,” I say.

“It’s in the back. Come with me.”

I can’t leave Lizette here. Without looking over at Flo, I know I can entrust her with such a weight. But if something happened to Liz, I’d have to take her out, and I like Flo. This isn’t her fight.

It’s not Liz’s either.

But then again, she’s ours.

I know the way omegas are viewed. Weak, protected. Fucking coddled.

She deserves the protection, not the rest. She wasn’t, I suspect, brought up for the rest. It’s just that Roth, which I’ll call him for now, didn’t expect to die.

And he was a cautious man.

There are questions, one I haven’t got the answer to, ones I should have, but those can wait.

My idea of protection is to be eyes open and aware.

Staying with me is the safest of all options.

Eastman looks over his shoulder. “I said come on. I’ll take you.”

We’ve been standing here for a few seconds. My thoughts are lightning speed, but I flicker a glance at him and he stops speaking. And then I glance at Liz.

I don’t know if she can read me, my blank face is the only one I use. “Stay with me,” I mutter.

It’s a trap, but she’s safe with me.

Anyone’s safe with me. Right up until I decide they’re not.

She nods, half reaches for me, and stops. I turn back to Eastman. “Lead the way.”

We follow him through the bar and past a bouncer, into the girl’s changing rooms. There are only two girls on the stage, showing their stuff, and they must be middle shift. No one else has arrived. He goes to the black duffle on a table near the door markedexit.

He unzips the top. “Damn, I must have brought the wrong bag.”

Before I can stop her, Liz darts out, and takes it. “I’ll carry it for you, so I don’t feel so useless. Do you know where…where…” She frowns, looking puzzled, at him then at me. “Is it a surprise for me, baby bear?”

The man sputters and the corner of my mouth lifts. “Yeah, honey pot. It is,” I tell her.

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