Page 44 of Wild Omega

“Can you remember a number?” The fact I’m doing this without even questioning myself proves how strong the attraction between us burns.

She nods. “I can remember anything I’m told.”

I give her the pin and make her recite it back, which she does without fault. “Any place worth their salt will let you type that into the EFTPOS, but maybe stick to bigger stores. Now, if you’re looking for an acting manager, I just so happen to know the best one in the country.”

I pause, remembering Ricky has a client. “Oh, but he already manages someone, so you’ll have to convince him to take you on as well. She’s a bitch, though, so he might jump at it.” I grab her face in both hands. “But don’t break his heart, all right? He’s a good guy.”

She nods meekly, but I know a fiery diva simmers under those sparkling eyes. She’s simply lying in wait for the right moment to devour me. My stomach lurches. How can I even be thinking about having any kind of relationship with an omega? I’m not ready for that. My mouth feels unusually wet as I dial my best friend.

Rickon picks up on the second ring.

“Hey, Rickon?”

“Callisto? Is something wrong?” His voice sounds muffled, like he was sleeping, which can’t be right because it’s midmorning. Maybe he’s just loaded under a pile of costumes.

The image makes me smile. “All good. I literally ran into someone special and she’s looking for a manager. But I have to be in court like right now. Could you meet her and hook her up with someone you know?” I flash Red a wink and she nods back, watching me like a hawk.

“Sure, I’m free. Where do I meet her?” He sounds less lively than usual, and I furrow my brow while trying to detect what’s wrong.

“Umm, how about the MoonMugs in Third Avenue, down from the courthouse?”

“Sure. Will you come by after court?”

I shake my head but only Red can see me. “This one could take a couple of days, so no, don’t wait for me. But, hey, Ricky, are you okay?”

A definite sigh comes down the line. “Yeah, Callisto, nothing to worry about. I’ll be there in thirty minutes.” He hangs up on me.

I blink at my phone once, and then register the time winking at me from the top of the screen. Shit! I shove the omega off and scramble to my feet. “Did you hear that?” When she nods, I offer her my hand to get to her feet. Pointing down the road, I say, “Two blocks that way, opposite side of the road. Sorry I have to run. Um, I’ll call Rickon to check you guys connected.”

The words roll naturally off my tongue, but it’s much harder to make my feet move away from her. Feels like plowing through molasses, like my body’s rejecting the idea of walking away from her. Like I should cancel my entire life and just—go with her.

And that terrifies me. I have to stay in control.

I don’t like the calculating look forming in her narrowed eyes, but any moment now the judge will start my case, and I need to be there for the opening comments. Once this case is won, I can focus on those bastard omega dealers who need to be behind bars, pronto.

I can’t take responsibility for an omega.

“Look,” I say, the words feeling thin and shaky. “What I said before about keeping me, it was a joke. It feels like we have a spark, but, um, I’m not looking for an omega, or a relationship.” For a moment it feels like invisible hands close around my throat, chilly and sickening, but I shake it off. Probably just a gust of winter wind.

Focus is what I do best, and I can’t allow any disruptions. “I’m sorry.”

The woman stands silently, staring at me, her expression unreadable.

On impulse I plant a hasty kiss on her cheek before swiping my bag of files off the grass and running up the stairs without a backward glance. Pain squeezes my heart, and for a moment the fear of a heart attack washes through me, but then I enter the building and it’s gone.

I don’t have time for an omega.

Chapter nineteen

Red

I stand frozen in place, staring at Callisto as he walks away. His wide shoulders, snug inside the tailored suit jacket, sway back and forth as he jogs up the stairs and disappears into the cavernous doors of the old building, leaving me huddling on the puddle of grass.

He left. He’s sorry.

Huh?

My pulse flutters weakly. For agonizing year after agonizing year, the only thing sustaining me in that trafficking hellhole was imagining the first meeting with my alphas. In all the scenarios I ever pictured, never in a million years could I have dreamed one would turn their back on me. It stings more than I can put into words. But the worst part is the hum inside my brain comes back in full force the moment Callisto moves out of sight.

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