Page 49 of Secured By the Buyer

Awelcoming smile spreads over the smaller man’s face. “Milo, I’m so happy to finally meet you!”

I blink, surprised by Oliver’s friendly greeting.

But before Oliver moves toward me, a firm hand grips his shoulder, holding him back.

Caleb appraises me coolly. “Retract your claws, kitten.”

I force my fingers to relax at my sides as I take in the other Omega.

He’s not stunning like I expected for the husband of a billionaire. Rather plain, actually, with unremarkable features and straight black hair in need of a trim. The only thing of note is the nape guardaround his slender neck, with a thick silver ring hanging from it.

Dismay fills me. If this is what Liam is into, no amount of polishing my appearance will help me win.

Oliver’s happiness falters under my intense scrutiny, and he takes a small step back toward Caleb, reaching up to clutch at the Alpha’s hand. As he does, his sleeve slips downward, exposing the dark bruises circling his delicate wrist.

Anger flares white-hot in my chest, and my focus snaps back to Caleb. If he’s abusing this Omega… I consider the guns on the table.

Without a hint of shame, the Alpha lifts Oliver’s arm, putting the wound on full display. “This is consensual.”

I scoff in disbelief. My dad used to give excuses for my injuries, too, until I got old enough to make them up for myself.

“Don’t believe me?” Caleb presses his thumb into the mottled skin, and Oliver lets out a breathy whimper.

The Omega’s lashes flutter down, his face slackening in pure bliss.

In one swift motion, Caleb grips a fistful of Oliver’s hair and wrenches his head back. “Who do you belong to?”

“You, Alpha,” Oliver gasps out. “Only you.”

A familiar expression of raw possession contorts Caleb’s features, one I’ve seen on Liam’s face many nights, directed at me.

With a throaty growl, he bends and slings a euphoric Oliver over his broad shoulders. “Start the training while we’re gone.”

Then he’s striding away, the slender Omega bouncing with each long stride, leaving a trail of sweet pheromones in their wake.

Oliver giggles and waves. “We’ll catch up later.”

Mouth agape and cheeks burning with embarrassment, I turn to watch them go.

Jade yells after them. “Thank you for not fucking right in front of us!”

Caleb flips him off without looking back before disappearing through the door, Oliver holding onto his belt. The heavy steel slams shut with a resounding clang.

Jade turns to me, a smirk twisting his lips. “So, they’re likethat.Rumor says they have chains on the bed, and Oliver has a toy collection. They’re obsessed with each other.”

I have to give it to Jade. He’s better at playing the board than I first took him for, and I now wonder if he’s been throwing our chess games to suss out how Ithink. He knew telling me not to worry about Oliver would do no good, and offering to introduce us would have sent me running in the opposite direction.

He maneuvered me into this meeting with the skill of a master.

“It’s not Oliver’s intentions I have to worry about.” I join Jade at the shooting bench, running a finger over the cool metal of a pistol. “It’s whether Liam’s moved on.”

My free hand drifts up to touch my hair, the vivid red strands sliding between my fingers. For the first time, I consider coloring it, but black would turn me into a ghost.

Deep down, I know Liam finds me attractive. He’s told me as much, murmured words of praise against my skin every time we’re together. And he claims his flirting was meaningless, so there’s no reason to be jealous. Unless he just said that to soothe my jealousy.

My hands curl into fists, short nails biting into my palms. I hate being this self-conscious. This unsure. It’s not who I am. Growing up, I rarely thought about my future. When I did, it was always the same bleak picture - me, alone in some dingy apartment, still living paycheck to paycheck.Stealing food while dodging my dad’s debts and fists.

It’s hard to trust that this, being here with Liam, is real. That he wants me when he could have anyone.

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