Page 9 of Omega’s Oath

Chapter 4

Omega shoved his coffee mug with the words ‘this is what an awesome geek looks like’ written on it under the spout and pressed the button for the brew. It had been a birthday gift from Rose and had made him way happier than a mug ever should. He was in a foul mood and had been since he’d left her Saturday night.

He’d hoped to talk to her Sunday, but she’d begged off saying she had a headache. He’d been worried but knew if he’d fussed over her it would only annoy her. He had, however, driven past to check—on what he didn’t know. He’d gone home to brood and ended up spending two hours in his home gym, burning off the frustration.

He’d thought he could live with things between him and Rose as they were, that it was enough for him. But seeing that Harlan prick kiss her cheek and hold her in his arms, he’d wanted to rip the fucker’s head off and feed it to him. Aide was the first to admit, at least to himself, that he wasn’t the most rational person when it came to Rose but something about that guy had pissed him off.

“Hey, Aide, early start?”

He turned as he stirred sugar into his coffee and saw Cruz walking into the office. “Yeah, couldn’t sleep. Why are you in so early?”

Cruz helped himself to coffee and placed a bakery box of pastries on the table. “I have to testify in that murder trial on the west coast.”

Omega remembered it but it was from before the task force was set up.

“I saw Rose yesterday.” Cruz began and Omega tried not to turn and seem too eager for information. He doubted he was fooling any of his friends, but he had to try and retain some of his pride. “Yeah?”

Cruz walked to the printer that was spitting out sheets of paper. “Yeah, with some guy called Harlan, an old friend.”

Omega forced his features to remain impassive even as his lips tried to curl in disdain. Harlan had done nothing to deserve his dislike except know Rose. Omega knew precisely how crazy that made him seem. “Yeah, I met him Saturday night when I took her home. He was waiting at her house.”

Cruz’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. “Really? That doesn’t strike you as odd?”

Omega shrugged, it had but he’d thought it was him being a jealous prick. “Maybe.”

“Rose ever mention him before?” Cruz, like all of the men, was very protective of Rose. She was one of them, and probably the most valuable member of the team in some ways, and definitely the smartest but she had a vulnerability about her that drew people to her. She wasn’t weak; he’d never describe her like that, but she was gentle, and it brought out the protective side in him and the other men.

“No, not a word.”

Cruz tapped the sheaf of papers, smoothing out the corners as he did. “Um, well I have to say, from first impressions, something was off.”

Omega looked up sharply from his monitor where he was trying to act cool and gave up all pretense. “Off?”

“Yeah, he was polite and all, but I definitely got the feeling he didn’t want us there and resented the intrusion.”

Omega wanted to be sensible and not overreact. “Perhaps he was just nervous over meeting you?”

Cruz shrugged. “Maybe.”

Their conversation was cut short when his phone rang. He answered quickly when he saw Rose’s name. “Hey, everything okay?” His heart always went to DEFCON ten when Rose called lately, expecting it to be the baby.

“Yes and no.”

He straightened in his chair and Cruz glanced at him, obviously sensing his worry. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t feel so good. My head is spinning, and vision is blurred and my head hurts a lot.”

Omega stood, grabbing his car key from the drawer along with his wallet. “Where are you?”

“At home.”

She sounded scared and upset and he wished he could get to her sooner. He never should have left her when she was feeling unwell. “I’m on my way, Rose.” He hung up and looked at Cruz. “Rose isn’t feeling well, so I’m going over there to take her to the hospital.”

“Is it the baby?”

“Not sure but she says she has blurred vision and a headache. Tell Condor.”

Cruz cut him off. “Just go. I’ll take care of it.”