Page 29 of Omega's Refuge

I thought about us confronting the other two men and my skin crawled. “No, I don’t want to go anywhere near either of them right now. I’m not ready to face them. I’d be tempted to murder them.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

I picked up my second shot and I threw it back. I choked a little as the bitter liquid dribbled down my throat, but didn’t care. I needed something to make me forget. Steve’s betrayal was impossible to fathom. Of all the shitty things he’d ever done, this was by far the worst.

“I know it doesn’t feel like it right now, Tanner, but it’s going to be okay.” Rex’s voice was reassuring.

I touched the bite on my throat distractedly. “I don’t understand why he put either of us through any of this. If he just wanted to be free why did he give me his bite? Why did he come back?”

“You’re probably a hard omega to let go of.” Rex’s gaze glittered. “I’d bet a million bucks he’ll regret this decision.”

I didn’t respond, instead staring at the table top.

“He’ll probably come crawling back, Tanner. What are you going to do if he does?”

“He’d better notdare,” I growled, grabbing my beer.

“You’re angry now, but in time, you’ll start missing him and that rage will fade. You need to think about what you’ll do and say when he comes back.”

“If it’s all the same to you, Rex, I don’t want to think at all right now.” I took a gulp of my beer, trying to ignore the pain in my chest.

“Fair enough.” He gave a melancholy smile and picked up his beer. “Do what you need to do, Tanner. I’ll get you back to the ranch safe.”

Chapter Five

True to his word, Rex dragged my drunken ass back to the ranch. It was late afternoon by the time we got back, and I was so drunk I couldn’t walk very well without Rex’s help.

Unfortunately, as we left the truck and started for my cabin, Mrs. Rodwell came out of the main house and intercepted us. She gave Rex a stern look, and then turned a kinder eye to me.

“I understand Mr. Turlington has left us early?” she asked politely.

“Yes.” I nodded, which was a huge mistake because everything began to spin. Rex had his arm around my shoulders to help prop me up, and when I leaned into him more so I didn’t fall, his arm tightened, but he said nothing.

“Mr. Turlington paid in advance, but we don’t give refunds for people just changing their minds. I made Mr. Turlington aware of that policy when I spoke with him yesterday morning. Of course, if he’d had any legitimate complaints, like bad food or service, I’d have made an exception,” she said. “But he just didn’t like the ranch life, and I’m afraid we can’t refund for something like that. He knew he was coming to a dude ranch, after all.”

“Oh, yeah, you guys didn’t do anything wrong,” I mumbled.

She narrowed her eyes. “Will you also be leaving, or will you be staying? I only ask for housekeeping reasons.”

“I told him he should stay,” Rex said. “Maybe you can help convince him to stay too.”

Mrs. Rodwell gave Rex a disapproving look. “Rex, whether Mr. Smyth decides to stay the whole time or not is his decision, not ours.”

He looked down at his boots. “Yes, Ma’am.”

I didn’t like how harsh she sounded when she talked to Rex, so I mumbled, “Rex was just trying to help because I’m confused right now.”

Mrs. Rodwell flicked her gaze between the two of us. “Still, the decision is yours, Mr. Smyth. It’s not our place to try and sway you one way or another.”

“I didn’t mind him weighing in,” I muttered.

Rex gave me a grateful smile, but then quickly squashed it when Mrs. Rodwell glanced at him.

“Can I think about my decision?” I met her shrewd gaze. “I’m pretty tired and I could use a nap.” I had little doubt she knew I was toasted. I probably smelled like a distillery. “If that’s okay with you.”

“Of course. Your cabin has already been cleaned for the day, and as I said, your vacation is paid for. You go on ahead and rest, and figure out what you want to do. There’s no rush.”

“Thank you.”

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