Page 71 of One for the Money
“AMA?” I hear Quinton whisper to Matteo.
“Against medical advice,” the Beta responds.
All of us are shocked at her rapid turnaround, but Dexter seems the most unnerved. He’s staring at her, mouth slightly gaped. I don’t know if it’s because of how quickly she jumped into action or if her chocolate scent, now slightly bitter with fear, is affecting him.
The doctor on call enters the room, summoned by the nurse, and begins to try to convince Alex to stay, explaining that she probably needs another pheromone infusion and should be monitored.
She points out that she has all five of us to provide her with plenty of exposure to pheromones, and she needs to go immediately, as her safety is already compromised. Eventually, they produce the paperwork she has requested, and she signs it, slowly pushing herself to stand once she’s done. She struggles, and Dexter lends her his arm for support.
“Please, take me back to my trailer so I can get my things.”
“Get your things?” Jude nearly shouts. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
She turns her pale, defeated face to the Prime Alpha. “They called Rich. He knows where I am. I have to go. If I don’t…” She shudders. “Legally, we’re still a pack. And I’m an Omega. If he wants to take me, he can find a way to. Especially with a diagnosis of FOS and if he spins the story that carnies kidnaped me.”
“We’re not carnies,” I mumble, before quickly adding, “but point taken.”
“Well, does he know you work at our circus? Would the hospital have told him that?” Dexter asks softly. “Or would they just have let him know that you were here?”
She sucks her teeth contemplatively as we usher her into the elevator. “Depends on what you put on my intake forms. Did you say where I work?”
Matteo forces an uncomfortable smile onto his face. “I said you work as a traveling physician, but I didn’t name the circus. It said occupation so…”
Her shoulders slump, and she leans against the wall of the car. “Okay. That’s good. That’s good.” She chews on her nail, and I can see the exhaustion lining her features as the adrenaline from fear of being found wears off. “I can stay. At least for a little while. I can stay.”
Chapter 26
The rideback to the fairgrounds where we’re set up is uncomfortable. We ended up having to call a rideshare, because six of us couldn’t fit in a three-seater truck, and three of us arrived by ambulance.
I didn’t get a say in the seating arrangements, but I don’t think I would’ve been much help deciding.
Fear still grips me like a vice.
I didn’t have the chance to process the fact that I’ve developed FOS as an adverse reaction to my suppressant use, because the hospital called Rich. Without a doubt, he is on his way right now, maybe with the whole pack.
If they find me, they can force me to come back with them. And I just know the punishment for leaving them will kill me, even if I keep breathing.
The guys didn’t know that, of course. They don’t know to think about stuff like emergency contacts. But I doubt I could’ve convinced them to keep me home, anyway. They couldn’t have known that if they all cuddled me with skin-to-skin contact, I would’ve eventually woken up.
Probably.
Sandwiched in this old, beat-up truck between Jude and Dario, I feel safe. I tell myself that even if Rich shows up, they’ll be able to protect me. But maybe that’s wishful thinking.
They don’t know me, not really. Why would they put themselves at risk for me?
“Alex,” Jude’s voice is rough. “We’re here.”
I blink up at him, my eyes trying to focus on his handsome face. Did I disassociate that entire ride? It felt like it was only a second.
“Oh. Okay.”
Before I can slide out, Dario holds out his hand and I grab it. It’s warm and calloused within my own, and the scratchiness of it helps center me. “Come on. Just because you’re out of the hospital doesn’t mean you’re better. Let’s go to your nest.”
My heart clenches. I don’t want them in my nest. It’s not good enough for Alphas to see it. They’ll hate it and reject me. A nest is the heart of a pack, and mine is in the cramped quarters of the back of my trailer. And who knows what state it’s in right now? I’ve been neglecting it for days.
“Shh,” Dario whispers, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “I can’t stand to hear you whine like that.”
Was I whining? Truly?
