Page 9 of His Captor

“Then it sounds like you’re all set,” Ari said, then chuckled. “You’re gonna have so much fun.”

I grinned from ear to ear. “I know,” I said, tugging at the collar of my button-up work shirt.

I hadn’t bothered changing out of business clothes, but that was part of the fantasy. I just wished my shirt wasn’t so tight and ill-suited for the warmer weather of Port Lucia.

“I really need this one to unwind,” I went on. “Dad and Papa have been riding my ass lately, putting all sorts of pressure on me because I’m not turning into the sort of sweet, compliant omega son Simon is. They hate having a weirdo rebel omega in the family.”

“Don’t say that,” Ari consoled me from the other end of the call. “I’m sure your parents are proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished.”

I barked a laugh. “They’d’ve been prouder if one of their kids had turned out to be an alpha. Two omegas and two betas just embarrass them, especially Dad.”

Ari sighed. “Well, some parents are just like that. I can’t imagine being that way, though. I don’t care if Gwen shows signs of being an alpha or a beta or whatever as she gets older, and it makes no difference to me if this new one is a boy or a girl, omega, alpha, or alien. I’ll love them with my whole heart, and Samson will, too.”

I smiled at Ari’s outpouring of fatherly affection. After all he’d been through, he was the perfect papa, and this second child he and Samson were about to have would be second of a lot more kids.

I liked kids and maybe wanted to have some someday. Maybe. I’d be a terrible papa, though. I was far too selfish andhorny most of the time. Besides, I wanted to have a career, much to my parents’ disgust. I was absolutely one of those ambitious, working omegas who cringed at the idea of staying home and raising a family.

But that wasn’t something I’d have to worry about anytime soon.

“Well, I need to go,” I told Ari, looking at my watch again. “It’s almost go time, and I need to call Simon first to check in.”

“Does he know about this fantasy?” Ari asked, surprised.

I laughed loudly. “Simon? No. Well, sort of. He knows what extra-curricular activities I prefer.” I paused. “I keep trying to get him to sign up for the Dark Fantasies Club.”

“Really?” Ari sounded shocked. “Simon is so mild-mannered and sweet.”

“I know,” I said, standing again and pacing the room while tugging at my shirt to give my body some air. The AC in the room must have been on the fritz or something. “But can’t you just imagine? He would be some kinky alpha’s dream playmate.”

Ari laughed. “I can’t tell if that’s an unhealthy obsession with your brother’s sex life or just you being a sweet, caring brother.”

“It’s the sweet, caring brother thing,” I said, grinning at my reflection in the hotel mirror. “I just want my brother to be happy and to get laid well.”

“Alright, then you’d better call him,” Ari laughed. “I’ll check in with you in about twelve hours to see how the fantasy is going.”

We said goodbye, and without pause, I dialed Simon’s number.

“Hello?” Simon answered, immediately sounding anxious. “Hayden?”

“Hey, Simon,” I said, deliberately sounding as calm and casual as possible. “I just wanted to check in with you to let youknow the conference is over and I’ll be out of touch for a day or two.”

Simon sighed on the other end of the call. “Be careful,” he said. I could practically see him frowning. “I guess it’s too much to ask for you to stay out of trouble.”

“Everything is fine,” I told him in a soothing voice. “If you get worried about me, call Ari and talk to him.”

“Alright,” Simon said quietly. I could practically see him biting his lip and furrowing his brow.

I was about to say goodbye and end the call when Simon went on with, “Dad and Papa are irritated that you’re staying in Port Lucia so long. They’re hosting a party this weekend, and they wanted you to be there. Apparently, they have an alpha they want to introduce you to.”

“Oh, God,why?” I sighed.

“Because he’s from a society family,” Simon said. “You know how Dad and Papa are always trying to reach up in the world.”

“Why don’t they introduce you to this alpha?” I asked.

“Apparently, I’m not his type,” Simon sighed.

“Well, chin up,” I said. “I’ll be back on Monday night. Dad and Papa can attempt to use me for their social climbing then.”

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