Page 18 of The Don’s Omega

He says, “I’m working with Kessler for a reason. My situation is… complicated.”

I nod as if I understand, but of course, I don’t.

“The omega I contract will be generously compensated for those three years. A big chunk will be given to the omega when the contract is signed, and an additional chunk will be paid to the omega at the end of the three years. I’ll handle all the omega’s expenses during the three-year marriage. Whatever they need or want, I’ll provide. At the end of the contract, the omega will walk away a rich man.”

I hesitate. “You mention the omega will walk away. Is the omega required to give up all parental rights to the child?”

He considers my question. “A clean break would be best.”

I wrinkle my brow. “I don’t think that’s realistic. After three years, the omega and child will be bonded. It would be cruel to never allow them to see each other.”

He rubs his chin, looking thoughtful. “I suppose that’s true.” It’s obvious that hadn’t occurred to him.

“I wouldn’t be able to just walk away.” Even if being honest blows up the deal, it’s best he knows that now. “There’s no way I could carry a child in my body and then just turn my back on them after raising them for three years.”

There’s an irritable gleam in his eyes, but then he shrugs. “I suppose it’s normal that feelings would grow between the omega and child. I’d have to have primary custody though. That’s not negotiable. The child is the only reason I’m doing this. However, the omega could have the child on agreed upon days.”

“Okay.” I watch a family enter the restaurant. The female omega is holding a baby and the father is carrying a toddler. A thought occurs to me. “What if no baby is conceived?”

He lifts his brows as if that had never occurred to him. “I find it hard to believe that would happen.”

I laugh. “Why? Because you’re so virile?”

He narrows his eyes. “Of course.”

I shake my head at his arrogance, but in truth, his frankness relaxes me. He’s showing me who he truly is, which makes it okay for me to do the same. With that in mind, I say, “Well, despite your confidence in that department, sometimes things go wrong. There should be some language that addresses that… er… unthinkable occurrence.”

He doesn’t look amused by my jab, but he simply shrugs. “Okay. I’ll humor you. If no baby is conceived within one year, the contract would be null and void. I can’t waste more than a year trying for an heir. If you can’t get pregnant, I’d need to move on to another omega to get the job done.”

“I love how you assume I’d be the problem.”

His lip curls. “Well, obviously.”

Gritting my teeth, I focus on the details of the contract. “If the contract were dissolved after a year, my brother’s surgery would already have happened. You’d have already given me a large chunk of money.”

“Clearly.”

I grimace. “You wouldn’t… try and get that money back from us, right?”

He purses his lips. “I probably could sue you for it.” At my horrified expression, he laughs. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t come after you for the money.” He quickly adds, “You wouldn’t get the final pay out though, because I wouldn’t have my heir.”

“No, that’s fair. I only care about the money for Fabio’s surgery. Other than that, I’m good.”

He tilts his head, his brown eyes a little more golden now. “You really don’t care that you could come out of this after a year with nothing extra to show for it?”

“I’d have my brother. That’s the only reason I’m even doing this.”

His expression is skeptical, as if he doesn’t believe me when I say the money doesn’t matter to me. Oh, well. He can think what he wants.

“So with those adjustments, do those terms work for you?” he asks. “Three years doesn’t seem too long now?”

I shake my head even though the idea of three years of servitude to this arrogant alpha does seem daunting. But I try to look at it more logically rather than emotionally. “You mentioned you might want more than one child. I think three years allows time for that, without putting too much strain on the omega’s body.”

“I agree.” He fiddles with his gold cufflinks, his expression difficult to read.

“Can I ask you something?”

He glances up. “Yes.”