Page 38 of Omega’s Oath

Chapter 14

Omega was smiling as he worked, his heart happy and content. He’d never in his life imagined this kind of completeness. Being with Rose was easy in every way, they gelled as a couple as well as they had as friends. He’d be eternally grateful she’d given him a second chance.

Jude was now two months old and although constant tiredness was an issue, he couldn’t be happier. He loved that little boy like his own and in every way that mattered considered him his son. He and Rose had talked about making their living arrangement official and perhaps looking for a place together with a bigger backyard.

Once that was done, he’d ask her to marry him and broach the subject of adopting Jude officially. He wanted the world to know he was Jude’s dad.

“Hey, Omega, any luck on that number plate?”

He shook off his meandering thoughts as Lyric sat in the chair next to him. He looked healthier than ever and stronger too. The afternoon he’d spent with him and Rose as they’d discussed a way forward with Harlan had done him good. He’d come around for dinner at least once a week since and was great with Jude.

Harlan still bugged him like a splinter he couldn’t seem to dig out. He’d gone completely dark and had no contact with Rose at all. Rose had agreed he had a lot of characteristics of the stalker and had indeed lied but he knew deep down she didn’t want to believe that the person who’d got her through her lonely childhood could be capable of it, even if her professional mind acknowledged it was the most likely scenario.

Still, he couldn’t keep her locked up with only visitors and they’d agreed she should go on as normal but remain cautious and vigilant. The last case had wrapped quickly but now they had another, but they’d potentially have to work with the organized crime division on this one.

Lyric was leading this as he had more knowledge of the Marchetti crime family than anyone in the task force as he’d worked undercover with them for two years. It seemed they were now making a comeback from the sting that had taken down all but one of the brothers, who’d only been nineteen at the time and had no involvement with the family business.

Yet someone was now killing in his name.

“Yeah, let me get it for you.” He moved to grab it when his phone rang. He frowned, recognizing Quint’s name on the display. He passed the paper to Lyric and answered. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“It was going great until Cheryl Leones’ husband walked into the precinct last night and said his wife had killed her mother and he couldn’t protect her any longer because he was worried for the safety of his kids.”

Omega sat forward fast his chair rattling as it hit the desk, causing Cruz and Hawk to look over. “Have you arrested her?”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m calling. Apparently, she’ll only talk to you.”

“I’m on my way.” He stood, grabbing his coat as he headed for Condor’s office.

“See you shortly.” Quint hung up as he poked his head through Condor’s door.

His boss looked up, surprised. “What’s up?”

Omega explained Quint’s call to a frowning Condor.

“Take Cruz with you.”

Omega turned to see Cruz behind him. “Sure. Thanks, boss.”

Condor followed as they made their way to the car.

“This is going to upset Rose. She’s been spending time with her sister more lately.”

“Where is she now?”

“I think she and Mickie were going shopping for baby clothes. That kid is growing like a weed. He’s already in three to six-month-old clothes.”

“Oh yeah. Mickie did say that, but I got so wrapped up in this new case I forgot.”

Omega glanced at Cruz as he drove to the precinct. “Yeah, this is going a be a doozy. Do you think Lyric is handling it okay?”

“He seems to be but a long stint undercover like he did would fuck with anyone’s mind.”

Omega nodded sagely but stayed quiet. Only time would tell if Lyric would handle things or spiral. Omega had a feeling he’d deal with the collision of his two worlds better than people expected. He’d changed a lot over the last year, especially since the shooting, and not for the worse.

He cleared his mind of the current case as he and Cruz stepped into the room next to where they were questioning Cheryl. She looked exhausted, her clothes hung from her already thin frame and her hair was lank and greasy. He’d hardly noticed her at the funeral for her mother, as he and Rose had left soon after and not gone to the wake.

Rose felt it was hypocritical to celebrate a woman in death she hadn’t liked in life, no matter that she’d still loved her in some way for being her mother. Cheryl looked directly at the screen as if sensing eyes on her.