Page 27 of New Year with the Cartel

I wanted to pursue him, to tear the necklace from his dead body, but Gustall's shaking form pressed against my back held me in place. I turned to him, my anger warring with concern.

"We need to talk," I growled, pulling him closer. "About several things, and it's going to take a lot of time."

His hand rested over his stomach, no longer trying to hide the gesture. Finally, he was beginning to understand that doing that was pointless. "I can explain..."

"Yes," I agreed. "You will."

Chapter 15

Gustall

Fendwyr slammed the door of his office behind us, the sound making me flinch. I knew what was going to happen, and was afraid.

His rage was palpable, filling the room with dominant pheromones that made my omega instincts want to submit, to beg forgiveness. But I couldn't. Not about this. I would never forgive myself if it happened.

"How long?" He demanded, his voice deceptively calm. "How long have you known?"

"Six weeks," I admitted, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "I found out just after you told me about your dream and I remembered it was something that actually happened."

"Six weeks." He laughed, but there was no humor in it. I didn't think there was going to be, being honest with myself. "Six weeks of lies. Of watching you put yourself—and our child—in danger. And you talk about trust?"

"I trust you," I insisted, though his behavior was making me question everything. "I just—"

"You just what?" He moved closer, backing me against his desk. I couldn't impose myself, especially when he was this angry. "Just decided I didn't deserve to know about my own child? Just let me send you into dangerous tasks? Just—"

"Just needed time to figure out how to tell you!" I shouted back, surprising us both. I didn't think I had it in me, but maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised, considering how hard he was pushing me. "Look at you now! Look at how you're reacting! This is exactly why I waited! I can’t get any more stressed than I already am."

His eyes narrowed. "Because I care about your safety? About our child's safety?"

"Because you try to control everything! Because you—" I stopped, realizing I was shaking. "Because I knew nothing would change. You won't leave the cartel. You won't choose us over this life."

We hadn't talked much about that, but I knew what he thought. His mind was unchangeable; he wanted to remain the cartel boss he was, no matter what.

"Us?" His hand gripped my chin. "There is no 'us' separate from me, little omega. You're mine. This child is mine. And I protect what's mine. I always do. How many times do I have to tell you that?"

"Protect?" I pulled away. "Or possess?" There needed to be a proper distinction.

Something dark flashed in his eyes, but before he could respond, a knock interrupted us. "Boss? Rodriguez's men have been spotted..."

I sighed in relief. I thought there wasn't going to be an end to our heated argument.

"We're not done," Fendwyr growled before leaving, the door slamming again behind him.

No, I thought. We weren't done at all. I still had so much more to say, and he would hear it all.

Three days later, I sat in a small café twelve blocks from Fendwyr's territory, my heart pounding. He thought I was resting at home, monitored by his men—men I'd managed to slip away from using tricks I'd learned from watching other omegas in the compound.

"He hasn't changed at all, has he?"

I looked up at the man who'd just sat down across from me. Elias. Former omega of the Nightshade Wolves. It had taken days of careful questioning and secret messages to arrange this meeting. I thought he would never agree to it.

"Tell me," I said, not introducing myself or preparing for what was really important. I could tell he was happy with that. He also didn't want to spend any more time here than he had to.

He ran a hand through his graying hair, his expression heavy with regret. "How ridiculously possessive he can be. The way he says he's protecting you when really he's just keeping you trapped. Sound familiar?"

I nodded, one hand moving to my stomach. It sounded too familiar, I thought. It sent shivers down my entire body.

"I was pregnant too," he revealed, making my heart stop. Wait, what? I knew he was going to reveal something big, but I didn't think it was going to be of that magnitude. "That's when it got worse. He wouldn’t let me leave the compound. Monitored everything I ate and everyone I talked to. Said it was all for the baby’s safety, but of course, it was more than just that."

---