Page 85 of Generation Omega: Revealed

My voice is so cold it’s barely recognizable. “Why did he save you?”

“Because he didn’t think I deserved to die.”

I laugh darkly. “Wow, my future fuck buddy and I have something in common.”

Ethan winces again.

I’m officially a wrecking ball to the person I love most. I’m hurting him more than bullets and bruises, more than a deadly poison. Even worse, I’m breaking the promise I made to myself when Ethan became my best friend and then lost his father. “I’m going to go.”

“Don’t you dare hang up. I’m just trying to understand. Gideon didn’t hurt you and the professor is a douche, but they would both die for you.” His eyes widen as some agonizing truth locks into place. “This is about your parents, isn’t it?”

I don’t respond—I can’t. I don’t even know this person I’m staring at, as ice fills my veins. My Ethan would never…

“Tillie, no matter what you do, these men can’t leave you. They can’t hurt you. They’re probably losing their minds because you’re upset. You can scream. You can rage. They won’t betray you. They will never stop caring about you and supporting you. Whatever bothers you, they will deal with it.”

Ethan pauses to draw a breath before dropping a bomb that’s always been in his arsenal—only before today, he never would have dreamed of using it. “They won’t ever treat you like your parents did. They will never make you feel undeserving of all the love and care you always deserved. They’ll never neglect you or make you feel small. They aren’t just any posse—they’reyourposse. And I don’t think you’re going to lose yourself. I think you’re going to become the person you were always meant to be.”

Hateful words shove their way out of me. “I love you, Ethan, but you can take your shiny outlook and shove it up the assassin’s ass. I’ve got to go.”

“Tillie…”

I end the call and I instantly regret it, but more than that, I regret every single minute of my entire life. I’m up and moving a second later, searching the closet for my clothes and getting dressed, my black boots back where they belong. I don’t know how I’ll make it to the elevator without my alpha wardens realizing—with this traitorous heart tracker connecting us—but I have to try.

As I get ready, I’m forced to wonder whether the omegas of the past were caught or whether they surrendered to get free of the omega legacy’s cage. There’s no consent here, or did I consent just by believing that the world could be a better place? For wishing a hero would show up and fix things, rather than working harder to make this broken world less awful?

Ethan’s trying to call me back, but I don’t answer, and just as I’m about to move toward the stairs, I realize the way is already blocked by a furious alpha.

CHAPTER39

TILLIE

Gideon’s stature has never seemed as dangerous as it does right now. His gaze is hard. His hands are clenched into fists. Fury is in control as he glares at me, instantly taking in my clothes and my intentions.

“Tillie,” he says tightly.

“Gideon,” I return, just as pinched.

“Oh, baby girl,” he growls with a ruthless edge, “we clearly have a lot to discuss, but not now. We have to go. They know we’re in the city, and they’re locking it down. We’ve got to get out before the net closes.” He glances at the phone still on the bed, its ringer silenced as Ethan calls again. “Kazimir will get Ethan out, but it’s not going to be easy.”

Gideon takes a step toward me, and terror propels me to back away from him.

He stops, shock flashing in his fierce brown eyes. “Baby girl, you never need to fear me. I admit, I’m feeling some serious alpha rage right now. The thought of someone hurting you… or you moving beyond my ability to protect you—this is some next-level alpha angst. But I will never hurt you. I can’t. You’re mine.”

Gideon cautiously steps closer, and I force myself not to move. He’s just so huge and barely in control, but I manage to hold my position until he reaches me.

He drops to his knees before me. “I know you’re dealing with so much—more than anyone should—but we’re a team now. That means, if you need to run from this, I’ll run with you. If you need me to drop Thatcher from the balcony, that’s what I’ll do. You want Kazimir dead—I’m your assassin. We can hide forever, if that’s what you want. I’ve got skills, money, an island, and a willingness to leave my life behind and never look back.”

Gideon’s tension hits me in waves. “But I’d rather you kill me than go where I can’t follow. The idea of it…” He shudders. “… you being out there, hunted, harmed, alone…unprotected.” His eyes shimmer as his emotions almost overwhelm him. “Don’t do that to me or to yourself. We’re a team—you and me. Don’t destroy us unless you’re absolutely certain that I’m what you’re actually running from.”

I sniffle as I lean toward him, but before we touch, Thatcher’s voice blares through the penthouse.

“They’re in the building! We’ve got to gonow!”

I expect Gideon to move, to grab me and run, but he doesn’t. He waits, his gaze telling the truest story I’ve ever witnessed. I’m suddenly discovering the real man who lives inside the shell of a hot, loveable celebrity. This man is asking me to believe in him—nothing else. Just him and his good intentions.

I can’t speak because I’ve lost faith in the power of words, but I don’t have to use my voice to give my consent. That’s what Gideon wants—what he needs from me. This man doesn’t want to take from me, abuse me, or control me. He wants to build a life with me, one that will change the world.

I don’t have to believe it’s possible, or that it should even be my fate, to lean into him and allow him to hold me.

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