Page 91 of Where the Current Takes Him
Beau spared his father a brief glance, but did not dissect the reply too closely. Loriun let out a small exhale of relief. There was no escaping Ashford. Not as long as Ileana lived. And, even if her passing would tear Beau apart, some tiny, malicious part of Loriun would be grateful that he could at last shield his mate from the hateful man who created him.
He did not know Ashford’s true intentions for foisting his son off on a Mer Alpha, but Loriun knew in his gut that it was no mere campaign ploy. In fact, it seemed that Ashford had managed to run a successful campaign without using his Omega son as a stepladder.
The election was mere days away, and the polls showed Ashford leagues ahead of his opponents. There was little question of his reelection, leading Loriun to wonder why the man had pretended to be concerned about his campaign when he’d sold his son to a wealthy CEO.
Loriun was dreading the day he’d learn the answer.
“Apologies, Ileana,” he said, tightening his arm around Beau. “But we have an appointment with Beau’s doctor in a few hours, so we will have to depart soon.”
“Of course, Beau’s health comes first.” Ileana looked up at them. “May I keep this?”
“It’s a gift,Mamá,” Beau said quietly. “All yours.”
“Thank you,mijo,” she said, extending her arms for one last hug. Beau leaned down awkwardly, and squeezed his mother. “We’ll visit again soon.”
Loriun moved to accept an embrace.
“Only come if you feel up to it,mijo.” She touched her son’s belly one last time. “It’s almost time. You don’t want to go into labor on a speed boat, trust me.”
Beau chuckled. “Don’t worry, I’ve heard the story enough times. I’ve been thoroughly warned.”
“We will see you soon, Ileana.” After a second, Loriun added, “And Ashford.”
“ByeMamá,bye Dad.”
“Take care of yourself,mijo.”
“Good to see you, Beaumont,” Ashford said. His voice lacked its usual flair. It was unnerving to see him so human.
Beau shook his head at the sound of his full name and left the room with his mate.
As they walked slowly back to the car, Loriun asked, “What story was your mother talking about?”
Beau huffed a laugh. “When she was pregnant with me, she decided to go on a speedboat with my dad, just around the coast, and she went into labor in the middle of the ocean.”
“Turys’asi nuonumsh,what happened?”
“My dad hauled ass to the nearest hospital and had the ambulance meet him at the dock. She had me like ten minutes after they got her to labor and delivery.”
“That is terrifying. Why did you allow me to put you on a boat today?”
“You know why.” Beau nudged Loriun with his elbow. “Plus Dr. Enas cleared it last week.”
“That was last week.”
“Well, I feel fine, and we’re going straight to the clinic after this, so relax.”
“You say that as if it is possible.”
Beau rolled his eyes.
Chapter 37
Beau
Flora, the human nurse at Poseidon Omega Clinic, pressed her ultrasound wand into Beau’s stomach. He and Loriun had gotten very acquainted with the woman over the past eight months. She was an Omega too, but had moved to the Mermades on a work program. Working in an Omega clinic hadn’t exactly been the best for her dating life, and Loriun had made it a personal mission to find a good Alpha for the nurse.
“Are yousureyou don’t want to know?” Flora asked for possibly the hundredth time.
