Page 36 of Why Cruise

“Aria?” Theo perked up and participated in the conversation for the first time.

I weighed my response carefully, knowing whatever I said would become tomorrow’s hot cruise gossip. “Aria is a remarkable woman. I was honored she chose to spend time with me.”

The omegas practically vibrated with excitement at this non-answer. Even Theo leaned forward slightly, though he tried to look casual about it. Something about his sudden interest made my skin itch.

“But you aren’t together anymore?” One of Rose’s friends pressed.

Together? That was sort of the point with paragons. They dated for dollars and didn’t join packs. “Sometimes things just run their natural course.” I kept my tone neutral, diplomatic. The kind of answer that would hopefully bore them all back into their own conversations.

It worked on everyone except Theo, who was still watching me with those thoughtful eyes. I found myself wanting to tell him the real story. All the stories. The ones I told no one, not even Daisy.

The brakes squeaked as the bus pulled to a rocking stop. Theo and I stood up to let the gaggle of omegas off first. He was warm behind me. Rose yanked me forward and off the bus, putting a sea of pretty women between us.

“Are you excited for Casino Night?” Rose wrapped herself around my arm, dragging me forward. “And the Auction? You’d fetch the highest bid at the auction for sure. I know my Charisma gown will look stunning against your tux. I didn’t get the chance to wear it at the Gala last month.”

I stopped dead. Rose, and all the others like her, they saw my money, my power, my intelligence, but they never saw me. I didn’t want that game right now.

“Rosemary,” I said brightly.

“Just Rose,” she batted her eyes at me.

“I have to fix something on Theo’s phone. Go on ahead, we’ll catch up.” I lied and gave her a gentle push forward. When she didn’t take another step, I bit back the urge to throw my aura around and make it a command. I gave her the look I gave my junior programmers that sent them running to the bathroom to cry.

I was already moving, ignoring her protests as I headed back to the bus. Theo was just stepping off, resignation written inevery line of his body. When he saw me, he picked his head up and beamed.

Theo

“Quick, say something smart about art.” Justice grabbed my phone and nudged me forward with his shoulder.

“What?”

“You can’t leave me alone with them. They are talking about designer dresses for Casino Night now, and I just can’t.”

“Did you know,” I said, pitching my voice to carry just enough, “that the architect specifically designed this building to represent the inherent duality of modern existence?”

Rose was staring daggers at me. Not going to lie, it scared me.

“Ah, duality.” Justice said as he pulled the door open and stepped back for me, and then more softly, “To the right. We’re ditching the tour.” His fingers were on my back, guiding me. I had to suppress a shiver.

This portion of the gallery was laid out so one room flowed into the other. The rooms were fairly small and lined with paintings.

Justice looked over his shoulder and blew out a breath that we weren’t being followed. “What is the inherent duality of modern existence?”

“I completely made that up,” I admitted. “I probably read it somewhere in reference to alpha and omega relationships.” Justice nodded and took on that ‘art gallery walk,’ a slow stroll with your eyes going everywhere. “Which always kind of pissed me off because betas exist. They’re the majority of the population.”

“Don’t I know it.”

He offered nothing else. I chewed on my lip, trying to come up with a topic of conversation. He looked at me sideways like he was nervous.

“It was a professional thing,” his voice was hesitant.

“What was?”

“Aria.”

I frowned, not understanding.

“She’s a paragon. Dating is her job.” He put his hands in his pockets and shrugged.

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