Page 39 of Claimed Omega

“So, what do you need to know about Axel?” Amy asked, her voice clipped and businesslike as she shut the door. “I don’t really see him much, you know.”

I knew I had to quickly get the information I needed before her patience ran out.

“I want to know anything about him.” I tried to keep my voice calm and steady. “Like, where’s his family? Is he married? Kids? Anything that he cares about.”

“Why do you need to know that?” Amy frowned, her expression tight.

I sighed heavily. “I can’t tell you,” I said, shaking my head. “But it’s important and means my safety.”

She walked over to the window, glancing out.

“I heard there was a big attack on the leader of the Matteis family, and Don is dead. They say he was murdered.” She turned to stare at me, one eyebrow arching upward, her eyes piercing into me. “Do you have anything to do with that?”

My heart raced, and my palms were sweaty as I felt the weight of her question on my shoulders. The air in the room grew thick and heavy, and I suffocated from its intensity. A sliver of panic came over me to just get the hell out of there, especially under the scrutiny of her gaze boring into me, waiting for my response. The pressure was almost too much to bear.

My mouth opened with an excuse, but the explanation stuck to my throat. So, I went a different route.

“Why do you have loyalty to your family after they dumped you at the Institute? I remember you crying that they never visited or called you or even sent you a damn birthday card.”

“God, fine.” Amy’s eyes rolled up, and she sighed. “Don’t remind me. I’ll tell you what I know because I don’t owe my family any allegiance. You think once I was back, they’d welcome me, but nope. They treat me like a leper in my own home since I haven’t come into my Omega. My father said he would be an embarrassment if I didn’t change. So, fuck them.” Amy’s eyes glistened with unshed tears as she spoke. “I hate being part of this family. They don’t care about me. All they care about is their damn reputation. I’ve tried to fit in, tried to be like them, but it’s not in me.” She took a deep breath and composed herself before continuing.

“Axel, he’s my cousin. He’s always been a loose cannon and always bullied me growing up, but he’s family, so everyone is told to protect him. But I don’t care anymore. He’s married and has a mistress he meets at a local hotel where he’s paying for her to live. The guy thinks no one knows, but I once heard my father tell my mom in confidence that he’s her sugar daddy.”

As I listened to Amy’s words, my heart beat faster with excitement. This could be the break we needed to get something over him and save our asses.

“Thank you, Amy,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You don’t know how much this means to me. I promise I won’t tell anyone I heard this from you.”

Amy’s expression softened. “Just be careful,” she warned.

Amy’s voice trembled as she spoke, and my heart clenched for her, yet she was in a better position than most Omegas. She wasn’t on the streets, and if she didn’t change, she’d be better off because her parents wouldn’t give her to anyone. Despite her bristling personality, I knew she was hiding hurt and trying to be brave… like the rest of us.

“Any chance you know which hotel he meets her at?” I asked.

Amy paused for a moment before answering, her voice quieter.

“It’s the Luxe Hotel, I once heard my father say. He meets her every Thursday night. I know she has blue hair. My mother confided in me that the woman was an Omega, but her Alpha died, and now she’s getting by, from what I’ve heard. But please don’t tell anyone I told you. I don’t want to get in trouble.”

“I won’t. I promise you with my life.” I felt a twinge of guilt for putting her in this position, but we needed to find something against Axel to save ourselves. Our time was running out fast. “I won’t tell anyone. Thank you, Amy. You’ve been a great help.”

She grinned tightly, then went to the door, opening it. “You should go now.”

“Thanks, Amy.” Relief washed over me. “It means a lot.” I hugged her. Even if she stiffened against me, I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.

“Just be careful, okay?” We broke apart. “Axel isn’t someone you want to mess with.”

I know all too well what an asshole he was.

We talked for a few more minutes, catching up on old times, reminiscing about our childhood, and about where the other girls at the Institute were. As much as I enjoyed talking to her, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness and regret for her.

As I left Amy’s mansion, a sense of gratitude enveloped me. Despite everything that had happened between us, she still helped me. It was a small glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark and dangerous world.

Thirteen

SHADOW

From the back seat of the car, I glanced at Trinity, who sat next to me, staring out the window as we drove down the highway. She kept fidgeting with her fingers, folding them over one another in her lap. Since we left Amy’s place, she’d become distant.

Viper kept glancing back at her from the front passenger seat, then at me with his brow furrowed, imploring me to do something about her silence. Aspen wasn’t much better, watching her every few moments through the rearview mirror as he drove.

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