Standing up, I grabbed my phone from the bedside table, unplugging it from the charger. My finger hesitated above the power button, knowing full well what would come next. As soon as the phone powered on, notifications flooded the screen—missed calls and texts from clients. But as I’d expected, most were from Sabrina, desperate to know what was going on.
I scrolled to Sabrina’s number and dialed quickly before I changed my mind. It rang once before she answered. “Liza. Liza, is that you?”
“Hey, Sabrina,” I said softly, pressing the phone against my ear.
“Liza! Are you okay? Where are you? Do you know what’s happening?” She sounded frantic, genuine concern lacing every syllable. Another layer of guilt slithered through. I should have let her know as soon as the news report went out that I was safe.
“I’m safe,” I reassured her, though I knew that wouldn’t appease her.
“Everyone’s been talking, Liza. A reporter cornered me earlier, asking if I knew my best friend and boss was anomega.” She paused for a moment before continuing. “People are running their mouths, spreading rumors like wildfire.”
I clenched my free hand into a fist, anger bubbling in my blood. They had no right to invade my personal life, but there was little I could do about it now.
The truth was out there, Castro had seen to it that I was exposed for all to see, and there was no hiding it.
“Unfortunately, it’s not surprising,” I sighed into the phone. “I knew it wouldn’t be long before people started putting two and two together. We might be able to hide the truth about what happened to my family, but we can’t hide the fact that I’m an omega.”
“Gods, Liza, this whole situation is just so messed up,” Sabrina replied, her frustration evident in her voice. “But you know I’ll always have your back, right?”
“Of course, and I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.” I sat back on the bed, rubbing my hand back and forth on the cool satin sheets.
“Promise me you’ll stay safe,” Sabrina urged.
“Promise,” I assured her, though the tinge of uncertainty in my own voice didn’t go unnoticed. “I can’t risk going out in public right now, but I’ll keep you updated as much as I can.”
“I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
“Nothing’s going to happen to me, Sabrina. I promise.” I ended the call. The desire to check in on my employees burned within me, but venturing out into the world was not an option at the moment. Who knew who Castro’s ‘little friend’ was?
The thought of it being someone I knew or employed didn’t sit well with me. I was almost certain I trusted everyone I knew, but it was thealmostthat stopped me.
My mind raced with concerns for my employees, my friends, who were caught in the crossfire of my new reality. What did they think about it all?
Had they suspected there was something different about me all along? I could imagine one of them saying, “That bitch always seemed to be up to something.” Another would reply, “Of course, she’s an omega. No one can cook like that without magic being involved.”
Would they talk to the press?
I groaned out loud. I couldn’t even begin to think how the press would spin the story or who would speak to them…
Cecily fucking Banks.
You could be as sure of the phases of the moon that she would have an opinion.“She used her omega powers to steal my man. Ty Keller was mine until she used her powers to take him for herself.”Okay, I was being ridiculous now. Like Ty would ever have looked at that phony bitch.
I almost laughed at my vivid imagination. Needing to get moving, I stood from the bed before padding silently to the window and peering through the heavy drapes. The world outside seemed so distant, as if I were looking at it through a foggy veil.
How could being labeled an omega change everything? I hadn’t changed since yesterday when no one knew I was an omega. And, for that matter, how did I go from cooking in mansions to being a prisoner in one?
Ty had mentioned reporters prowling around like vultures, seeking any opportunity to sneak into town or onto the estate. Sabrina had confirmed they were in town, but Ty had been adamant that they wouldn’t get to me. His words provided some comfort, but I couldn’t ignore the gnawing unease in the pit of my stomach.
I closed my eyes, trying to block out the fear, the unknowns, and the danger that seemed to lurk around every corner. Despite it all, I found solace in the knowledge that Ty would do everything in his power to protect me.
That thought steadied me, grounding me enough to get moving just as someone knocked on the door.
“Yes?” I crossed the floor, hoping there was no need to worry about someone within the house.
“Miss Mims? I have your breakfast, ma’am.”
I opened the door and took the tray of bacon and eggs from the staff member. “Thank you so much.”
