Page 48 of Omega's Secret Guardian

“Are you all right?” the cashier asked.

Linus looked over and winced. “Ah... I didn’t mention it before, but you still have some blood under your nose.”

“It’s strawberry jam,” Storm said cheerfully.

No one believed him.

“Here,” Linus said as he handed the box over. “I have gauze and tape back home.”

They got back into the Jeep. This time, Storm was prepared for the intensity of Linus’ scents. He cradled the splints to his chest and stole peeks at his omega, relaxing into his seat.

“How are you feeling?” Linus asked at a stoplight.

Storm shrugged. “Pretty good, actually.”

“Good?” Linus frowned.

“Just a dull ache now. I would tell you about some of the nastier wounds I’ve received, but I don’t want to ruin your appetite.”

“I hate that you were hurt.” Linus scowled.

Another shrug. “Sometimes, it’s impossible to get better at something without sacrificing something else. I learned to fight on the streets, you know. Took a lot of hits. I was a mess when I first started, but I got good at it.”

Linus glanced at Storm’s tattooed arms. “When you were eighteen?”

“No, earlier than that. Fifteen.”

“Fifteen!” Linus yelped. “And your parents let you?”

“No.” Storm gave a bittersweet smile. Not that Linus saw it since he was driving. “They told me not to. I ran away from home.”

“Is that... why you say you messed up with your parents?”

“Yeah. That started it.”

Linus sighed heavily. “Oh, Storm.”

“I don’t want you to feel sorry for me.” Storm frowned.

“I just... wish things had been better for you.”

Storm thought about it. “If I hadn’t run away, if I had never joined a gang, I would never have learned how to fight. And I wouldn’t be here, with the skills and resources to protect you.”

“You joined a gang?!” Linus glanced at him, horrified.

“Yeah. I was restless. I wanted to do something with my life. The gang’s not here, though. Different state. I’m no longer associated with them.”

“Why not?”

“Found something better.”

“What did you find?” Linus asked curiously.

Storm grinned. “Maybe someday I’ll tell you.”

He rubbed his chest, over an unmarked patch of skin right above his heart.

Maybe someday,Storm thought.

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