Page 76 of One Wild Omega

Fitz shook his head. “He said he wasn’t coming to search through the ruins. But I found some stuff in an old vault. Not a lot, but they look untouched. I was going to take them over to Tanner.”

A soft smile spread on Quinn’s lips. “How’s he doing?”

“Not great. He kicked me out.”

“So you’ll return bearing gifts. Smart.” Quinn’s smile grew. “Bellamy told me about your conversation the other day. I’m quite interested in seeing what happens next.”

Heat flooded his face. “Yeah, I bet.”

“My brother’s a tough one. But he’s a romantic at heart, even if he claims he isn’t and tells you to stop.Don’tstop. No matter what.”

Fitz wasn’t sure if Quinn actually wanted him to win Tanner’s heart or was simply happy he had another omega to focus on other than Bellamy. Either way, he could potentially use Quinn McCreary’s help down the road, but he wasn’t going too in depth with his personal business, especially with a stranger listening in.

“By the way, this is Bob. Our insurance adjuster.” He turned toward the man. “Is it okay that he’s rooting around in the remnants?”

“Sure, it won’t cause any more damage than what’s already occurred.”

“I’m just going to get these into my car.” He nodded to Bob as he passed.

Luckily, the back of his pickup was nearly empty and he had strapping to hold everything inside. He leaned the paintings against one side before turning back for more. Fitz made the trek eight more times, carrying as much as he could with each pass. By the end of it, the cargo bed, and the passenger side and whole backseat of the cab, was packed—but he’d gotten it all. Everything was strapped in and ready for transport.

He paused, exhausted, and gazed at the collective mass. A familiar face looked out from the canvas nearest him. Fitz undid the strap and pulled the painting out to get a better look. The hair color was off and there was the nameRichardpainted in block letters across the front of the t-shirt the man was wearing, but he was quite sure it was supposed to be him.

A smile crossed his lips as he stared at it.

And then a pang of guilt hit him. During one of their arguments, he’d called Tanner’s art shitty. He hadn’t meant it. The anger he usually felt around Tanner came out in the ugliest way, and it really had that day.

His smile faded, and Fitz realized he was in serious danger of losing his omega.

If he hadn’t lost the man already.

* * * *

That evening…

“Hey… can I bring you anything? Something to eat? Something to drink?”

Tanner turned his gaze away from the street below toward Raimy, who’d asked that same question a few minutes before, it seemed. And a few minutes before that. An hour before that… he turned back to the view of the street, where he watched the world march by from his window seat.

“I’m fine.”

Raimy walked closer and wrapped both arms around him. “I know you’re not fine.”

Tanner loved Raimy with everything in him, but he sincerely wanted to be left alone. “No… I’m not fine, but I’m also not hungry. Not thirsty. I’m notanything.”

Raimy rose to his full height. “I just want to help.”

“I know you do. And I appreciate it… but I don’t need a babysitter. I just want to be alone and be sad. I’m allowed to be sad, right?”

“You are,” Raimy murmured. “Fuck, Tan. Your brother didn’t want you to be alone. But I don’t know what to say. What to do. I feel helpless here. I just want to make things better.”

“Raimy… go home. I’ll be fine.” Even as he said the words, Tanner wasn’t sure he would be fine.

Raimy eyed him, all big-brotherly as usual. “Fine. But I’m coming by tomorrow morning to check in on you.”

“Okay,” Tanner said.

Before Raimy could leave, a knock came to the door.

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