Page 24 of An Omega in Trouble

“We’re great. I wondered the same about you.”

“Do you always read my mind?”

“I never do. But we’ve talked enough over the years for me to recognize how your work life can spill over and you have a mate who is sitting home waiting for you. Add in that we haven’t seen you two at Cuffed in over a month, and alarm bells are clanging in my mate’s head.

“Rowan is reading my mind.” I chuckled. “Kidding, but we’re okay. No…we’re not. My job is more than spilling over. Trace is so determinedly cheerful, but I know it’s wearing on him, and if I felt like my work was appreciated, it might be different. But my supervisor is dogged in his attempts to treat me like crap. I am starting to think he knows or suspects I am a shifter and might be a little bit prejudiced.”

“Fuck him.”

I held the phone away from me. Talon was the most easygoing, calm, and controlled male I knew. It was part of why the other owners in the clubs looked up to him. “I’d really rather not. He’s got an ugly smooshed-up ass, probably looks a lot like his face.”

“Yeah, and cooties.” Talon waited a beat and said, “Ready to join the team?”

“I am open to investing, but only if I can provide the same kind of hands-on service the rest of you do, and with my current hours—”

“Azlan? It’s true some of our owners have other work but none of them continue to do something that sucks the soul out of them. The human world operates under their own rules, and I am sure there are plenty of police and other officials happy doing it. But you’re in a bad situation with people who offer you no respect.”

“Thanks. I feel much better now.”

He chuckled. “It’s just facts, but I have good news for you. Something to sweeten the pot. We could use someone in security for the resort. I know it’s not like crime-fighting through the streets, but you’d be in charge of things to keep our people safe. Like screening guests before they are allowed to even go there.”

It did seem like that was needed.

But just then Trace woke and sat up, looking over the back of the sofa to where I stood in the hallway. And I didn’t like the sadness in his eyes.

“Send me the details so I can discuss them with Trace.”

He liked the idea. So much so that when he’d finished listening to what Talon had to offer, he threw his arms around my neck and squealed with the first real joy I’d heard in weeks. What choice did I have but to accept for all our sakes.

I gave notice, the detective sergeant quipped, “I guess you might as well leave now then,” and I did.

While I completed all the paperwork and we packed up our place, I got multiple emails from the force asking me to reconsider and also why I left without notice. So, I sent a letter explaining in detail why. I had dates and quotes and all sorts of receipts that I’d saved for the past several years, and I ended with, I appreciate your concern but have already accepted another position. Wishing you well and grateful for my time with the force.

It wasn’t until we were on the semi-private jet with Talon and his family on our way to my new home that it began to seem real. If I’d had any doubts at all, Trace’s happiness would have dispelled them. He was going back to work, he informed me, and I agreed. My omega was not one to sit around all day alone. He didn’t even want a promotion. Just a chance to spend his days with his friends and his evenings with me.

Any wonder I adored him?

We’d be staying in a villa until we made other arrangements, which would hopefully be soon so Trace could nest before the baby came. Talon was making this trip a family vacation, doing double duty with installing me in my position, and Rowan, his mate, was describing their nursery to Trace in a way that had my omega clapping with delight.

“Nice huh?” Talon smiled. “Rowan has enjoyed getting to know your omega. He insists we make these trips more often.”

“It is nice out here, but we need to figure out what to do for families who want to come and need somewhere for their kids to be while they go to the club.”

“I’ll take care of that.” It would be a priority.

Chapter Twenty-One

Trace

The fall happened so slowly. Time stopped. I heard gasps and shouts but there was nothing I could do to stop the inevitable.

I’d slipped in something in the kitchen waiting area. While holding a tray.

“Someone call Azlan. Tell him it’s an emergency.”

I lay on the floor, my pants and bottom soaked. My back hurt like I’d been hit by a truck.

But my only concern was the baby in my belly. My last day of delivering orders to rooms and villas was the next day.