Page 133 of Your Wild Omega

I tilt my head, studying her as she slowly nods. Red refuses to allow her past to define her. I can’t say if testifying is the right step for her emotionally, but I am certain she won’t be a hostage to her fears forever. And I’ll be at my beautiful omega’s side for that journey, however long it takes.

Chapter forty-nine

Callisto

I fidget the business card between my fingers, alternating between rereading the company name and staring into the distance.Steve’s Car Sales. Money front for the group my dad contracted to keep Simon and Lector at bay—a plan that backfired on him.

More important, engaging their services could cost a man his life. Or his career.

My hands itch, as if the gravity associated with the decision leaks out via the skin contact, so I set the card down and flex my fists.

I’ve been a lawyer long enough to know when I have a watertight case and when I’m on shaky ground, and this one’s shot down before I’ve even begun. I’ve worked harder than ever, leaving no stone unturned, interviewed every witness, and still gotten nowhere substantial. It’s like Ray has a genie covering his tracks.

We found a smattering of evidence to try Ray for the more heinous crimes, including testimony from nurses and doctors at the OCB about things Red mentioned, and traces of his DNA in the nest. But nothing conclusive.

Not only that, but I’m facing the most aggressive defense counsel on the planet. I flip open a folder containing a list of Antonio’s recent cases. Big criminal lawsuits which stopped the entire world. I even went as far as finding out his going rate, which only pissed me off more, because I know Ray’s paying for his services with Red’s blood money.

Antonio Pike is the king of getting criminals off the hook, and my hook isn’t even barbed.

If Red testified, it would be a different story, but now, the only question that remains is how far am I willing to go for the omega I rejected? I can’t help stewing on thewhat ifscenarios. What if I hadn’t rejected her that day? What if I’d admitted my mistake before Zack came into the picture?

But I know better than anyone that I can’t return to the past.

“Get a grip, Calli,” I mutter under my breath.

An alarm chimes on my phone, and I shove the business card into my pocket before silencing the noise. Time to get my tattoo expanded.

Juan greets me with his customary enthusiasm as I walk into the ink parlor. “Right on time, alpha,” he calls, waving me over. “I know time is money, so let’s get started.” He leads me into the back where he has the equipment wrapped in plastic film and the chair reclined.

The artist shows me his completed design, and I whistle as I admire his drawings of the almonds and macadamias.

“No mistaking those for anything else, right?” he quips.

We share a grin, and then I sign the tattoo agreement and strip my shirt while he prints off the transfer to lay the design on my arm.

Excited goosebumps run down my spine as I glance at the temporary markings merging into my existing tat. Since this one sits lower on my arm, I can see the shape easier without a mirror, and a small pang pinches in my chest as I stare at the beautiful design. Perfect for reflection. My dad’s death wasn’t my fault, but this painful moment was all my doing.

I settle into the chair, taking a few moments to find the most comfortable position since we’ll be here for hours.

“That’s a sad expression,” Juan says quietly as he opens the sealed cartridges and needles in front of me. “Are you going to tell me what this clock means?”

I rest my free arm over my eyes and sigh. Juan’s a safe bet, and it’s not like I have time to see a therapist. Maybe I would’ve booked in with Dr Leanne, but that’s a conflict of interest now.

I wait until the first needle punches into my skin, the pricking pain lancing my conscience. “I rejected my scent-matched omega,” I admit quietly.

To his credit, Juan doesn’t flinch. “Tell me,” he says quietly, focused on his work.

“I was on my way to court, and she just appeared before me. Next moment, this red-haired angel straddled me on the ground.” A grin ticks at my lips. It’s a meeting fitting of the fiery, unpredictable omega.

“Why’d you turn her away?”

I snort. “Thought I was too busy for an omega. Tried to justify it as a decision for her sake, you know? Like, she’d be lonely because I didn’t have time to take her on dates. Ended up fucking shattering her heart instead.”

Juan cocks his head from side to side, fingers digging into my arm to hold it still. “And what about that sweet little alpha who shadowed you everywhere in school?”

I blink back tears. “Ricky?”

He hums in agreement.

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