Page 17 of Omega in Hiding

“Six years.”

“Really?” I frown. “That’s a long time to take care of other people’s kids.”

He murmurs, “I guess.”

I glance at him, noticing his jaw is tense. “I’d think you’d be about ready to settle down soon, and have your own family.”

He avoids my gaze. “I suppose that’s probably true for most omegas in my position.”

“But not you?”

He says softly, “No. Not me.”

Curiosity nips at me. He’s giving me little snippets of info, but I need more. I don’t want to push him too hard to tell me stuff, but I worry if I don’t push at all, I won’t find out anything about him. “Why not you?”

He stops walking and faces me. “Why do you want to know?”

I’m taken off guard by how defensive he sounds. “I’m just curious.”

He studies me for a moment as if trying to figure out if I’m worthy of answering or not. Eventually, he says softly, “If you must know, I can’t have children of my own.”

Shocked at his statement, I frown. “No? Why not?” He looks like such a perfect specimen of an omega, his response is hard to believe.

“Because I’m defective,” he says bitterly, pain fluttering through his eyes.

I put my hand on his arm simply because the pain in his eyes bothers me. I’m not always the most empathetic person,but his pain does something to me. He tenses beneath my hand, but he doesn’t move away. “What do you mean you’re defective?”

“It’s kind of personal, Paolo.” His voice is hushed. “I’m not trying to be rude, it’s just really hard to talk about.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I wince, removing my hand from his arm. “I shouldn’t have asked. I apologize for butting my nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

He’s quiet so long, I don’t think he’s going to answer me. Then he swallows hard and rasps, “I… I was born with a birth defect that prevents me from becoming pregnant.” His voice wobbles and it’s obvious he’s feeling emotional. “And… the doctors say that even if I… Imiraculouslygot pregnant, I’d never be able to carry to term.”

“Shit, Connor.” His pain is so raw it’s impossible not to react.

His bottom lip quivers. “It’s heartbreaking, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I simply have to accept my fate. By taking care of other omega’s children, it helps a lot.”

“I understand. That makes perfect sense.” I don’t know that in his place that would be satisfying enough for me. But I don’t want to say anything that makes him feel worse about his situation.

His eyes are red rimmed and he gives a tearful laugh. “This is why I don’t talk about it. I get all emotional.”

He looks wilted and sad now. I feel horrible pushing him to talk. Without really thinking whether it’s appropriate or not, I put my arms around him. The need to comfort him is completely instinctive. Seeing how broken he is, I can’t help but try to comfort him purely as an alpha. “I’m so sorry, Paolo.”

He’s very stiff at first, but then he seems to relax into me. That just makes my heart ache more. The fact he’s willing to receive my comfort pleases me. He feels good in my arms. His omega scent fills my nose, and the heat of his lean body turns me on. But I know better than to let him know that. I’m hugging him because I want to soothe him. I don’t want to ruin the moment by being a horny, selfish alpha.

I rub his back. “It’s cruel that you’ve been dealt that hand.”

“Yeah.” He sniffs and pulls away, rubbing roughly at his eyes. “It sucks for sure. But… I… I have my kids that I take care of. They help fill the void, you know? I feel like they’re my own kids.” He’s talking brave, but the pain in his beautiful green eyes is hard to miss. It doesn’t take a genius to know that having his own children would be different from flitting in and out of the lives of children that can never truly be his.

“They’re lucky to have you in their lives,” I say softly. “I mean that, Connor.”

He gives me a grateful smile. “Thanks.” He grimaces and starts pushing the stroller again. “There are people out there with way worse problems. At least I love my job, right? Some people hate there’s.”

I nod, falling into step beside him. “Like me, for example.” I laugh gruffly. “I’d do anything not to have to work in my family’s syndicate.”

“You really have no interest in the family business?” He sounds skeptical.

“Not really. I enjoy the money and the fact that people give me respect simply because of my last name. But for me, the violence and potential danger that’s always a constant outweighs all of the perks.” I shrug. “Sure, I can get a table at atrendy restaurant anytime I want. But I could also be poisoned at that same restaurant because people hate my family.”

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