Page 40 of The Omega Trials: Part Two

She stomps toward me, and I notice that her injuries from yesterday look a week old rather than just a day.

“But of course, to you, I’m always the villain. I get the shit beat out of me—which I don’t even blame you guys for, by the way, even though I probably should—and somehow, I’m still the bad guy?” She shoves her finger in my chest, and my muscles spasm with pain, making me jump back and clutch my heart.

“Sorry,” she huffs, only half apologetic.

I look at Bishop, and he just shrugs.Fuck me,I’m really gonna have to do this all on my own.

“Listen, I’m sorry you got hurt. I really am.” Her face flickers with surprise at my genuine tone. “And don’t think for a second that we aren’t going to make those preppy bitches pay for ever laying a hand on you, but right now, it’s not about them. It’s not even about me or him.” I point to myself then Bishop. “It’s about Ecker andyou.

“The Vigilance Trial nearly broke him, and then he thought he lost you again. God knows why, but that boy loves you—” Bishop growls in warning. I ignore him and continue, “He was ready to walk through fire to get you back, so then to find out that you were drinking Champagne while he was torturing himself over losing you . . . it was a big fucking slap in the face.”

She’s quiet but has a thoughtful look on her face, like she’s really taking in what I’m saying. Then she responds, “It wasn’t like that.”

“And I’m sure he knows that, but knowing something and feeling it are two very different things, Sin.” It’s Bishop who speaks now. “Especially with E. He’s faked his feelings, made a living making people feel things that weren’t real for so long, that sometimes he doesn’t know how to handle his genuine emotions.”

She tilts her head at him like she’s trying but failing to understand his meaning, so I simplify it. “Look, neither of us are saying you’re in the wrong, but you are the only one who can smooth this over because he’s hanging on by a thread, and you’re what he needs to hold on.”

“Okay.” She nods decisively then walks right past me and out of the room.

Bishop pulls on some pants while I trail behind her. She knocks on Ecker’s door.1

“What?” he says gruffly from the other side.

I quirk my lips at the fact that, like me, she doesn’t say anything, just opens the door. Before going in, she glances overher shoulder at me with a barely imperceptible nod. Somehow, I know she is telling me to follow her inside. My stomach rocks with uncertain feelings. Nerves, because is this a trick? Another Opulence situation where she just wants to torture me.

But also a surprise, small rush of joy, maybe even pride, because is she trusting me to have her back? My alpha nature is soothed by that prospect.

Ecker slides off the foot of his bed as if he were just sitting there, waiting, thinking,pining.He’s dressed in jeans and a tee, and his boots hit the ground with a soft thud. He runs a hand through his hair with a warning sigh.

“I think you should leave.” He levels Sinclair with a darkened stare. “I am not in a good place right now, and I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Ecker—” she begins.

“I’m warning you, Sinclair—”

“Just shut up and listen, would you?” She cuts him off and returns his determined gaze. Shereallyhates backing down. Maybe that’s a good thing for once.

He crosses his arms and lifts his brows for her to continue.

“I am sorry I scared you, and I’m sorry it felt like you lost me. But I never left you, you neverlostme, and if you need a reminder of that, then that’s what I’m here for.”

“A reminder of what?” He cocks his head, his gaze reading every inch of her face.

“That I’m yours, Ecker.” She steps up to him. I expect her to reach out for him—maybe slap him even, you never know with her—but instead, she lowers to her knees. “I never have and never will stop being yours.”

She clasps her hands behind her back, and his head lulls back. His jaw grinds as he looks down at her and his nostrils flare. The emotion between them is so palpable, I wouldn’t be surprised if it started sparking into visual form like fireworks.

I feel like a voyeur, but at the same time, I feel like they both need me here. Something,someone, outside of their bond to make sure their egos don’t get the best of them. To make sure that things move forward, not backward.

Quietly, I move to the corner of the room to sit in a reading chair. With Sinclair’s back to me, I watch Ecker tilt her chin up. He turns her head side to side as if inspecting a gift.

“So, you want to remind me that you’re mine?” His tone is even and restrained.

She nods, and he quickly clasps her chin, stilling her head. It’s a small dominating move, but knowing the rush of control and exhilaration it would give me makes heat slide down my spine.

“I think the best way for that to happen is for you to do everything I say.” His tone is curt, but I can hear the yearning seeping into it.

“Yes,” she breathes, and he narrows his eyes as if expecting something more. I’m not sure what it could be, but she must because she adds assuredly, “Yes, sir.”

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