Page 12 of Glitterati Omega

Guiltily, he wrote backbathroom, and a moment later, there was a soft knock on the door.

Alina frowned at him. “Roo, what the fuck.”

He shook his head. “I’ll explain later.” He ducked his head. He was conspicuously tall, wearing red, and in five-inch heels. No doubt everyone could see him; he was only grateful Winston was facing the other direction and wouldn’t see him shamefully fleeing.

Alina went with him, guiding him through the kitchen, out one of the side doors. A heavy metal door banged shut behind them, and they stood alongside the bushes that ringed the walk that went around the building. He wrapped his arms around himself and stared at his shoes. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

She sighed. “Roo, it’s all right.”

“It’s not all right. You’re busy, and I’m being silly, I—”

“What happened?” She laid a hand on his shoulder. She leaned in, trying to make him look at her. Her eyes glittered with concern.

Rupert shook his head. “Percival Warwick.”

Her expression soured. “Oh. Right. I forgot you two hate each other.”

He nodded, then glanced away guiltily. “I’m so sorry—I told you, I’m being silly. I got myself all in a tizzy. I’m not in the right frame of mind to deal with him.”

Alina snorted. “Is anyone in the right frame of mind to deal with him ever? Seriously. Guy’s a nightmare.”

He tamped down on the thought that she could have told him. Then again, maybe she’d never named the nightmare bride because she knew it would upset him.

“The alpha he’s marrying seems smitten.”

Alina’s shoulders drooped. “Oh, Roo.”

He shook his head again. “I told you—I’m being silly.”

“You’re notsilly,” she said sternly.

Rupert sighed. She considered him, then said, “What are you going to do?”

“Go back to the penthouse, I guess.”

“And then?”

“Take a bath? My meds? Go to bed?”

She sighed, closing her eyes. She clapped him on the shoulder. “That sounds all right—”

“Although ...”

“Don’t,” she ground out, “say anything else, Roo. I do not wanna have to call anyone other than Moose.”

He closed his eyes, nodded. The last time he’d said anything like what he was thinking, she’d made the mistake of calling an ambulance. Neither of them wanted to repeat what had happened after that.

“Can you call Moose yourself?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ll be okay waiting for him?”

He nodded. “Yes. Yes, I think I’ll ... be all right.”

She looked him up and down. “Okay. Okay. I have to get back in there. Louis is probably fucking something up again.”

He tried a smile and waved at her. “I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

“Roo,” she protested, but he gave her a push toward the door.

“Go. I’m fine now.”

“I’ll call you in the morning,” she threatened, then smiled. “Go home, get some sleep.”

She disappeared inside, letting the door slam shut. He pulled out his phone and called Moose.