“Needs work,” Laurent bites out.
River winks. “Thanks for the feedback, la mia rosa. You are the professional.”
“Excellent work with both the drugging and the message to Mr. Battle.”
“If you’re in this brilliant room, then it must have gone smoothly. You deserve a suite like this, bella. All that’s missing is flowers. I’ll bring some for you. You should be treated like a princess. Look at these drapes! How much must this chandelier cost? Wait, let me check out the bathroom.”
I smile, fondly. “Is it good?”
“Amazing,” River’s echoing voice replies. “Wow, it’s marble. There’s this huge fountain shower and claw-foot bath. I can’t wait to help you bathe in this.”
I blush, imagining River washing me.
Showering with him, while he fucks me, slow and deep.
Actually, I can’t wait to bathe Laurent, pampering him like he deserves.
River wanders back into the bedroom. He leaps onto the bed, making it bounce.
“Do you always wake up with this much energy?” Laurent asks. “Just asking because I’ll need to find a way to drink a morning coffee from now on to keep up with you.”
River grins. “Lion struggles with that about me too. He says that he’s exhausted just looking at me sometimes.”
River crawls toward me, stopping at the edge of the nest. He sits cross-legged.
I glance at Laurent, unsure whether he’s ready to tell River about Harbinger.
Yet I don’t keep secrets from River. I need Laurent to understand that.
“Ah, the classic reward muffin basket.” River begins to reach for the closest pastry. “Your sister is always getting these. It’s going to be the highlight of my life, when Allegra hears that you’re now the First Omega. Can I eat all her blueberry muffins? It’s my revenge for the times that she—”
“Harbinger’s my scent match,” Laurent says, casually.
River drops the muffin back into the basket. “Ah.”
“We would like him to become part of our pack, if he wants to,” I explain. “He saved our lives last night. But more than that, he was prepared to die for us.”
River leans forward, panicked. “Is he injured? Should I get my medical bag?”
“Harbinger is hurt, but Vinnie would never allow us back onto his estate to treat him. He was whipped earlier in the day. Then accepted a beating to protect us. He also took the blame for the guards being drugged.”
River sits back on his heels. “Do you have feelings for him?”
“We both do.”
River tries to smile, but I can see that it’s strained. “I’m so happy, bella. For all of you. You’re such strong Omegas that youdeserve strong Alphas like Fer and Harbinger. If they fight for you, then I’ll always want them to protect you in a way that I can’t. Once, there was a time that I was an heir too, you know?” I freeze, horrified. In my excitement, I’ve forgotten how painful this entire contest and plan must be for River. Yet he’s not shown any jealousy that I’ve achieved the position that he’s lost, only joy on my behalf. River is truly the kindest man. “I could have stood equal, shoulder to shoulder with you. Here in the Underworld, however, I’m only an orphan Companion, a Beta nurse, a man who rambles about flowers and…”
I cut him off with a growl.
River’s eyes widen, as I launch myself at him, toppling him backward. I lie on top of him, nuzzling him.
Laurent prowls after me, pinning River down by his shoulders.
Laurent’s hair sweeps over River’s cheeks, as Laurent nips kisses down his neck.
I’m not entirely sure if River is being mauled or loved on by us two Omegas.
River looks overwhelmed, shocked by our territorial display.