Page 116 of Abel's Omega
“I wish you well in the Moonlands.” The final words, and then he lit a twist of paper and dropped it into the bier.
The flames leaped for the sky, curling around Usher as if in a caress. I couldn’t bear to watch, couldn’t stand to leave, so I buried my face in Abel’s shoulder and pretended the crackling was the full moon bonfire. I twitched at the clunk as the human inspector hit the switch to lower Usher’s body down until the burners could make sure of his destruction. And then, like everyone else, I waited for it to be over.
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE
Mac yawned as they pulled up in front of Abel’s building, and Abel was tempted to do so as well. It had been a long day of driving, on top of everything else that had happened this week, and he was glad to be back, even if it meant he had to deal with what was certain to be the mountain of work that would have piled up in his absence.
Quin met them at the door and grabbed some of their bags as soon as the van came to a halt. “I’m glad to have you back. I’m hearing some pretty unpleasant things.”
“I’ll bet.” Abel undid Fan’s and Teca’s seatbelts, then scooped them up into his arms. “We’ve got a lot to talk about, and I’m going to have to do a lot of behind-the-scenes to get this to turn out the way I want.”
Quin followed him into the building, Bax right behind him, and Mac bringing up the rear with the last of their bags.
“You’re going to be leaving again?” Quin asked.
“Not if I don’t have to.” They all crowded into the elevator. “I’ll do as much as I can by phone, but I might have to visit a few places.”
Quin nodded. “I have people I can talk to, too. Just need to know what you want from me, and I’ll make it happen.”
“Thanks. Sarge.”
“Shh.” Then Quin went quiet again, though Abel noted that his older brother looked brighter than he had when he’d been in Mercy Hills in the spring. Being home was good for Quin. Being surrounded by his own people and away from whatever it was the military had had him doing, that he still wouldn’t talk about, was even better.
The smell of cooking food met them as they came through the apartment door. Bax gave a small, relieved “ooh” and came to a stop just inside the door. “That smells wonderful.”
From around the corner in the kitchen, Holland called, “It’ll be ready in a few minutes—you’re earlier than I expected.” He came around the corner with a large spoon in his hand. “Get the pups to bed and then we’ll eat.”
“I’m going to head home,” Mac said in a tired voice. “Unless you want me for anything?”
“No. Go home to your mate. Take the van—you can put it away tomorrow.” Abel grinned and Mac flicked him a happy salute before heading back out the door.
Abel nodded his thanks and started for the bedrooms. As he passed Holland, he caught a glance between the omega and Quin and realized there might be another reason for Quin’s lightened demeanor.The more the merrier.He was very thoroughly enjoying being mated to an omega.
He deposited Fan in his bed, slipping the boy’s shoes off one-handed, and pulled the sheet over him. It wouldn’t hurt for him to sleep in his clothes for one night. He met Bax in the hall, carrying Noah and looking like he could curl up on the floor and sleep. They paused for a brief kiss, and Bax rested his head against Abel’s shoulder for a moment before continuing down the hallway.
Bax, of course, had undressed Beatrice and put her in pajamas. He was probably in the boys’ room doing exactly that with Fan right now. Abel laid Teca down on her bed and went hunting for her pajamas. If he didn’t, Bax would be in there doing it as soon as he finished with the boys. His stubborn omega.
Aha.Quick as he could, he got Teca out of her travel clothes and into her pajamas, then tucked her under the sheets and snuck out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. If he was fast, he might get up to the boys’ room before Bax had time to change Fan.
He met Bax in the hallway. “Did you undress Fan?” Abel asked.
“Of course. Pajamas are much more comfortable to sleep in.” Bax put his arm around Abel’s waist and they continued on into the living room.
“I could have done that.”
“It’s okay. I was there, and it didn’t take long.” Bax leaned heavily against him. “I don’t know if I want food or sleep more.” But since he kept walking in the direction of the kitchen, food seemed of more interest to him at the moment.
“We’ll eat quick, then I’m carrying you off to bed.”
“Mmm, that sounds promising, but I might fall asleep in the middle.”
Abel snorted a laugh. “Race you to the pillow.”
Bax grinned, then yawned.
Holland had the food already dished out when they got back to the kitchen. It was stew. Rich, mouthwatering stew, and that was how Abel knew how tired Bax was, because he just ate, and didn’t waste any energy quizzing Holland about how he did it.
Abel dipped a biscuit in his bowl and contentedly shoved half of it in his mouth.
