He closed his eyes as he fought for control.
“That was the training you ordered I take,” he reminded her, voice even but flat.
“Quit,” I whispered. His eyes snapped open and he raised an eyebrow. “Do it. I have openings that we can make work until you find something else.”
Eliza was ranting and spewing excuses as she illegally cut his hours. He considered me for a second before she reached decibels only a demon could hit.
“Eliza, that’s illegal. I expect my paycheck to reflect the hours I indicated or I’ll involve my lawyer. Also, I quit. I’ll be in later today for my personal items.”
She was screaming at this point but he just hung up. The change in Rylan was immediate. His body relaxed and a smile spread across his face.
“Holy shit,” he breathed out, hands gripping his curls. “Did I just do that?”
“Yes. Because life is too short to deal with that bullshit. I can find something withThe Gathering Placefor you if nothing else. Either way, it’s way past time to find something else. She was awful.”
He groaned. “The headaches she’s caused with that voice alone are insane. I don’t know how she has a business or regular clients.”
“Not your problem anymore, and even better, we have four days in a resort to soak in that freedom. Let’s go get your things and go shopping. I need some swimsuit options.”
“Same,” he agreed, kissing me once more as if to seal the deal. He was adorable and seeing him this free was making me genuinely happy.
I’d been in quick relationships before and a few friends with benefits. No one made me feel the way he did. Like I was more than my body or designation, like he couldn’t wait to come home to me or talk to me.
He saw the woman underneath.
I finally crawled off of his lap and we both got ready, stealing glances at the other as we moved through the apartment until we were standing side by side by the front door.
“Are you ready to do this?” I asked, feeling lighter knowing I could help him in this small way. He’d never agree to let me cover the bills completely but at least he wouldn’t be going through every day being yelled at or demeaned.
My anger flared when I thought about Eliza. She was such an awful boss, but more than that, she had a severe bias against omegas. Something that could ruin her business.
I kept that fact in the back of my mind as we headed to the clinic. Rylan stopped me before getting out of his car.
“You don’t have to go in,” he said.
“Oh, I’m going in,” I promised. He grinned and shook his head.
“Burn it down, Rox. I don’t need this reference.” A slow smile spread across my face as I stepped out, ready to put a face to the name.
I walked in first to see how she’d react. An older beta was at the front desk. Her bottle blonde hair was twisted into a severe bun that was like a natural face lift. How it didn’t lift her poor strands at the roots was a mystery.
Sharp green eyes met me and she gave me a once over before forcing a smile.
“Hello, do you have an appointment?” Her voice was shrill by nature but she attempted to soften it until she glanced over my shoulder at Rylan. The scowl that took over was instantaneous. “You can’t be here.”
“I have every right to gather my things,” Rylan countered. “I can step out and call the police if you’d like?”
She sneered at the offer. “You have five minutes.”
“I’ll take as long as I need,” he said as he took my hand and pulled me down the hall with him. She gasped and I glancedback to see her jaw dropped and eyes locked on our joined hands.
She muttered something about an abomination before I was pulled out of view.
“She’s anti-omega. How does she treat your omega clients?”
Rylan gave me a look. “Like shit. She’s fake as hell in general and has been from my first day here. We have a long list of client complaints. It’s why most doctors don’t even send patients here. We’re barely making payroll.”
“Interesting,” I mused as he moved around the room, packing his things in a few tote bags he had laying around. Most of it belonged to the clinic so he promised it wouldn’t take long.
