Page 12 of One for the Money
I washed my hair last night, but after sitting in the damp grass and dealing with blood, I want to be clean before I get into my nest and hunker down for the trip.
Nest is a strong word for what I have, honestly. The double bed that came with the trailer has a stained mattress, but I covered it with the two mattress protectors I brought with me. I’ve dressed it with the barest of linens,and the same ratty blanket I’ve had since I first presented at thirteen. I’ll go to a nesting store when we stop in the next town to round it out a little. I couldn’t spare the time or space in my luggage to go home and pack up my entire nest.
It had to appear as if I intended to come back for my plan to work, limiting me to what I could shove in my suitcases. They’d notice something amiss if my nest were gone, but hopefully, they’d have missed the clothing that I’d earmarked for donation.
After drying off and putting on a pair of wide-legged navy joggers that pinch a little at the waist and a fuzzy pink sweater that’s heavily pilled, I grab a protein bar from my purse and sit on my bed, chewing slowly.
I’ll need to stop at a grocery store, too. I can’t live on the four protein bars I shoved in my purse.
The expenses are already piling up, and I can’t use my credit card. I’m stuck with the small amount of cash I was able to squirrel away over the last few weeks. Even my cell phone is a pay-as-you-go burner phone.
I have asked to be paid in cash for now, and Jude had no problem with it during our initial conversations. I suppose I’m not the first person joining the circus to try to stay off the grid.
It’s going to take a while for me to feel safe, but for now, I’ve done all I can.
A loud knock shakes my trailer. On instinct, I shove the protein bar under my pillow and fly out of bed, straightening my clothes to ensure I look presentable. When I yank the door open, I’m surprised to find the showrunner standing outside of it.
“Just letting you know we’re pulling out in ten. Are you riding back here or in the cab with Tony?”
Tony, the Beta stagehand who introduced himself tome this morning, is who’s driving the caravan my trailer is a part of. He seemed nice enough, about the age of my father, but he smelled like cigarettes.
I wonder if that’s his Beta scent or if he just smokes a lot. To the right person, he may smell like sweet tobacco and campfires, but it just makes me want to gag. Respectfully. He is a nice guy.
“I’m going to stay back here and familiarize myself with everyone’s files.” Jude nods tightly, but doesn’t make a move to leave. He shifts awkwardly from foot to foot, like he’s got something to say. We stare at each other for a few moments before I groan, throwing the door further open and gesturing for him to come inside. “What is it?”
He slowly enters my trailer and closes the door behind him. “I wanted to make sure you understand what you’re getting into by coming with us. I am happy to let you out of your contract.”
“I bet you are,” I snort. I don’t want to tell Jude how much and why I need this job, how much is riding on me being able to get out of here with them, but I need to give him something so he stops trying to push me out. I settle on a half-truth.
“Candidly, Jude, I need this job. I’m out of options.”
“Why? Isn’t there a physician shortage? You could get a job anywhere.” The massive man throws his hands up, and his shirt rides up a little, exposing some of the soft flesh of his belly. “Why does it have to be my circus?”
“I need to be untraceable for a bit,” I finally say. “Just for the six-month contract. I promise I won’t renew.”
That takes the wind out of his sails, and he leans against my wall, propping himself up with his shoulder. His eyes have softened a little, but there is still tension in his frame. “Now, why would an Omega need to be untraceable?”
I have to think on my feet.
“My parents won’t get off my case about finding a pack and settling down. I’m fed up with their meddling, so I told them I was doing a volunteer medical outreach for underdeveloped countries.” I dramatically sink into a chair and cover my face with my hands, hoping he won’t sense my lie. “I just need some time to come up with a plan so they don’t try to bond me off to one of my dad’s buddies.”
He’s quiet, and I think for sure he’s caught me in a lie, before he grumbles and sits at the table across from me. “Can they do that?”
Has he never looked at the Omega laws?
I guess most wouldn’t, since they don’t affect them.
What a privilege.
“They can file a motion with the courts saying that they believe I am at risk of Forsaken Omega Syndrome, in an attempt to influence a bonding or, at the minimum, to pack up with someone to ‘protect me’.” I’m getting mad even though this isn’t the truth, because this is the reality for many. While so many Omegas, especially male ones, are able to have high-powered positions, it’s only once they become bonded that they can make those career moves. A bonded Omega is regarded as one of the most stable and valuable members of society. “Because we’re such aprecious resource,we can behighly encouragedto bond to protect us from ourselves.”
His fists tighten, and I watch his knuckles turn white. “That’s not right.”
“You’re fucking telling me.” I roll my eyes and push my chair back on two legs. “So you can see why I need to get away for a little.”
Jude’s stoic expression falters. I’ve got him now. How is he going to try to throw me out when he thinks he’s sending me to be forcibly packed up.
He would be, just in a different way than he thinks.
