Page 49 of The Hitman's Omega Priest
“Yeah.” Kensley had gotten that sense a few times while exploring the open air market. “I do sometimes wonder what they really know, versus what we’re projecting. Because you’re right. We don’t have marks or special features that scream omega male or alpha female. We have to be aroused for anything to be obviously different.”
“Yeah.” Malori grunted, eyes narrowing at nothing in particular—except maybe his own past. “I met this girl, another junkie named Hannah. We were sweet on each other, and one night while high we had sex.”
Kensley nodded, annoyed at his jolt of surprise. Being omega male and having a self-lubricating asshole did not automatically make him gay or interested in men at all. The same way being alpha female didn’t mean a woman was only attracted to other women. But the way traditional ideas of sex and gender got twisted up in the omega and alpha designations were why the most conservative societies urged alphas and omegas to enter religious orders. To keep them tucked away from “civilized” people.
“So, you like women?” Kensley asked. No sense in being coy about the topic when their reproductive parts were all tangled up in their identities and their current predicament.
“I’ve had consensual sex with women, and for a while, I thought I was in love with Hannah. She introduced me to a small group of people, her family, as she called them. My new family for a while. We protected each other, and I thought she’d keep my secret.” He seemed to debate adding more details, and Kensley didn’t push. The pain was all over Malori’s face. “Anyway, I ended up here. Forced detox was hell. And even though I’d admired men from afar, I’d never…” Malori’s face crumpled but he didn’t cry.
Kensley could easily fill in the rest of that sentence.I’d never had consensual sex with a man.“I’m sorry.”
Malori shrugged one shoulder. “It doesn’t matter. If being here doesn’t kill me, if by some miracle your brother does find us, I don’t want to have sex ever again. Not with anyone. I just want to be left alone.”
Speaking about their future rescue was a good start. Maybe Kensley’s positive attitude was rubbing off on Malori. He hoped so. “If you want a solitary life someplace quiet, we’ll make sure that happens.”
“Thank you.” The words sounded more dismissive than anything else, but Malori had been living in hell these last few years. A far more violating, degrading hell than the one Kensley had existed in at the abbey. Kensley’s life had been stifling and boring, but he’d freely given his body to Bishop. Malori had been violated dozens, maybe hundreds of times.
Their conversation fizzled after that. Malori focused on the television, expression bland, barely reacting to the program. Now that he had more room to move around and wasn’t chained in place, Kensley began pacing the perimeter of the living space and both of their bedrooms. Over and over. He walked untilhe broke a slight sweat and was breathing harder. He needed to exercise, to be prepared for anything. Sitting on his ass and moping wouldn’t help them.
Muscles warmed from his exertion, Kensley gulped water from the bathroom sink, and then returned to the couch. As soon as his ass hit the cushion, something buzzed. Malori sat up straight, feet hitting the floor, his face going nearly white. Kensley stood back up, attention on the front door, hackles rising.
Someone was here.
THIRTEEN
Something buzzed a second time,and then the main door swung open. A tall, average-looking man with brown hair and wearing a simple navy suit entered, followed by a woman in blue scrubs and a mask. Kensley immediately clocked them as Sadist/Master and Doctor. Possibly Malori’s Dr. Luther, but definitely not the fake doctor from the island. Her eyes were completely different. Neither had obvious weapons, but anything could be hiding beneath their long sleeves. Doctor shut the door and remained near it.
A thousand different thoughts and emotions tangled up inside Kensley, but he ignored them all. He had to focus and think, not panic.
Sadist took a step closer, hands loose by his sides, grinning like they were old family friends. “Welcome to your new home, Kensley. I hope the Omega has helped you settle in.”
“He’s told me some stuff,” Kensley snapped. “Do you know who you’re fucking with?”
“Your purchase brief contained the pertinent information. Twenty-eight, former senior priest, in good health, no known communicable diseases. Omega male. No children. What else do I need to know?”
Marta hadn’t told this guy that Kensley was pregnant? Was he actually pregnant, or had that been a ruse to make Kensley behave and not hurt the maybe-baby? “My brother will find me and kill you for this.”
“I wish your brother luck, whoever he is. Marta and her people are consummate professionals, and I’ve been in business for decades. I’m wanted by every alphabet-soup government agency there is on two continents. I’m sure it’s in your nature to resist, but you will fail. If you wish to resist anyway, so you can console yourself later, after you’ve broken, then by all means. Test me.”
“Why do you hate omegas so much?”
“I don’t hate you. On the contrary, I recognize how valuable you are and rare your gift is. How much men and women will pay to experience it for themselves.”
“How much they’ll pay to rape and torture innocent people?”
Sadist’s lips twisted into something almost…amused? Gross. “You have spirit, Kensley. I like it. I may not break you right away. I may draw it out, so it will be that much sweeter when you do break. When you beg for my mercy.”
“And you just said you don’t hate omegas.”
“I don’t. I find human beings, especially men, endlessly fascinating. And there is no more fascinating a male specimen than an omega. Nor a sweeter hole to fuck than one glazed with your honey.”
Kensley pretended to retch. “Please don’t ever say ‘glazed with your honey’ again. Eww.” There was something not quite sane in both the things Sadist said, and the look in his eyes. They were somehow both cold and joyful, and it confused the hell out of Kensley. Terrified him, too. It made Sadist unpredictable and dangerous.
He pulled on some of his residual rage and crossed his arms. Stuck out his chest. “So, are you going to rape me right here, or is there a special bedroom just for that?”
Sadist chuckled, and the sound sent chills worming through Kensley’s chest. “It isn’t your time yet. Your roommate there has a standing appointment, and it’s time for us to go. Mr. Landau wishes to say goodbye to you, Omega.”
Malori’s entire body shuddered as he stood. Kensley didn’t think. He yanked Malori behind him and glared at his enemies, hands balled into fists. Sadist smirked at him. Doctor lady didn’t move a muscle.
