Page 27 of Omega’s Oath

Chapter 10

Omega knew that the shock was wearing off and Rose would quickly start to put things together. He was furious at the timing of all this for her, and that she’d had to go through any of this at all. When Quint had called to say they had a murder victim and he’d found a picture of Rose in the living room, Condor had immediately pulled the team in, at least those he could.

Sandstorm and Lyric were still working the new case and Dax and Cruz would have to go back to that too, but Rose was family, and with the stalker and now a murder, it made them all nervous, especially him.

When he’d realized it was her mother and Quint had said they’d arrested her father, he knew he had to tell Rose himself. Dax and Cruz had offered to come with him to see if the stalker and murder were linked. They’d sweep the property for prints and do a search in case anything came up.

What he hadn’t expected was to find the man he suspected of being her stalker in her home alone with her. He knew he’d made a terrible mistake not telling Rose about the stalker so she’d be more careful. He’d tried to handle it and he should never have done it, even if it did come from a good place. “Rose, there’s something I need to tell you.” Her eyes were steady on him as she waited for him to go on. “While you were in the hospital, someone poured red paint over all of your Texas sage bushes.”

“What?” She moved to stand, and he gently pushed her down with a hand on her arm.

“I had a landscaper come and change them out so you wouldn’t worry.”

“You did?”

“Yes. That’s not all. You know my fall?”

“Yes. You slipped on some oil you’d spilled when you brought the groceries inside.”

“That’s what I told you so you didn’t worry. The oil was sealed when I brought it in the house. I know because after that last case with Hawk and Fee, I check the seals on everything. That seal was fine but when I checked after, it was broken and at least half of it was missing.”

“You mean someone did it on purpose?” Her hand went to her stomach in a protective gesture.

He placed his hand over hers to try and offer what comfort he could. “Yes.”

Her eyes came to his and he saw the worry mixed with anger. “Am I the target?”

“It seems you have a stalker, yes.”

Rose stood and began to pace, and he wanted to stop her, but he also knew this was how she released her stress when she was thinking about something tricky or upsetting. He’d seen her do it a thousand times in the office. Any second now she’d start chewing the nail on her pointer finger. He almost smiled when she did what he was expecting.

She whirled to him as she got to the window. “You should’ve told me.”

Omega stood and placed his hands on his hips. “I know. I was trying to protect you and I made the wrong call.”

“Jeez, Aide, can you at least defend yourself so I can get all angry and yell at you.”

Her lips twisted into a smile and he realized she was joking and he was forgiven. Relief washed through him that she’d forgiven him so easily.

He crossed to her and cupped her shoulders to still her movements. “I am sorry, Rose.”

She waved away his apology. “We have bigger fish to fry. I need to work up a profile.”

“No need. We asked Decker to do it as a favor and he did it in record time.”

“And?”

Omega paused, knowing she’d mentally try and fight this and not blaming her at all. He opened his mouth to speak, when Rose doubled over, holding her belly and groaning. “Rose, what it is? Is it the baby?” He could see the pain on her face as she gasped and seemed to focus and breathe slowly as she gripped his arm. He waited, trying not to freak out and knowing she could be having Braxton Hicks.

A minute later she stood up straight. “Oh boy, that was a strong one.”

“Are you sure it’s Braxton Hicks? No other pains or aches?”

“My back has been aching all morning, but it seems par for the course lately. One part of my body or another always aches these days.” She stepped toward the couch and stopped dead, looking up at him in shock and he heard a trickle of water and looked down. The floor beneath her feet was wet, as were her trousers. “I peed myself!”

Omega smiled at the look of complete mortification and confusion on her face. “No, honey, I think your water just broke.”

“No, it’s not ti— Argh.”