AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“How will he survive?” Avery asked.
None of the omegas seemed to have an answer for that. For all Avery knew, Gideon would perish within weeks. Who knew what dangers lurked out there? It was a torturous end for a tragic person who deservedhelp, not exile.
Avery’s brain continued to ponder Gideon’s situation all through breakfast, recreation time, lunch, and then outdoor time. Couldhebe exiled? He’d not committed murder, but his planned defense would more than likely wreak havoc in the province. Would they simply oust him?
“You have a visitor, Stephens,”a guard barked as Avery toed a rock with his shoe, lost in thought. Contemplations regarding Gideon drifted away as he considered who it likely was. A smile came to his face.
Wilder.
He followed the guard back inside and through the cavernous halls, pausing every so often for the system of cell doors to be opened to allow them passage. Finally, they reached the visitation room. He searched the glass windows and didn’t find Wilder—but he did find Brett.
His face flushed as he shuffled closer. Picking up the telephone, he pointed at the one on the opposite side for Brett to use.
“Hey,” Brett said, sheepish.
“Hey.”
“I’ve missed you,” Brett said, his voice low.
“I’ve missed you, too. How’s work going? The books, anyway?”
“Fine,” Brett answered. “Your help and the directions you wrote up have helped me keep it all together so far.” He shrugged. “At least Pierce hasn’t yelled at me over any of the bookkeeping. Yet.”
Avery hedged a moment, not sure what to say. “What are people saying about me?”
Brett shrugged. “Back and forth. Most say they understand why you did it. A few think you shouldn’t have broken the law and taken a job away from a beta. I suppose that’s to be expected.”
“What about Pierce?”
“He’s not said a whole lot about it. At least, not to me.”
“Not a whole lot sounds likesomethingwas said.”
Brett held his stare. “It was mostly a‘I can’t believe it’and that was about it. It’s not like he shares much with me.”
“Ah.”Avery remembered the comment about wanting a dozen Abrahams. He supposed his question that followed might be answered.
They sat in silence a few seconds.
“Although, he’s been weird lately. Pierce.”
“Weird how?”
Brett scoffed. His face darkened, and he smiled to himself. “Never mind. You’ve got bigger problems on your mind than the boss acting weird.”
Avery eyed the beta, sensing something was troubling Brett. “Maybe I just need someone to take my mind off all my bullshit. I don’t feel like going through the whole story again. Not right now. So, talk to me.”
Brett smiled wanly. “Okay… well, if that’s what you want.” He scrubbed his cheek with his free hand, his expression giving Avery the idea he was sorting through his thoughts. “I was working the bar… you know how Pierce decided to have a member of waitstaff there on busier nights.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, it’s a bit less stressful there, the tips are better, and since I’m only working a couple of nights waiting tables now with doing the books, it just seems to work to put me there.”
“But Pierce isn’t pleased?”
Brett frowned. “It’s not that. Like this…” He paused, frowning. “A couple of weeks ago, a couple of betas came in and they were flirting with me from the bar. They kept asking me to take a shot with them. I was busy as hell, and I didn’t really have the time for their shit, so I kept saying no. Finally, I relented. I figured I’d have one and be done—and get them off my back. I was pouring the drinks and they were paying, so why not?”
“Okay.”
