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“It is,” Lake huffed, rising. “You always tell me I’m selfish. Who’s the selfish one now?”
“Lake.”
“I have to quit everything. Leave the Family Quad to come back to this prison. For who knows how long? No more school. No more friends. No more life.”
“I’d guess most of your friends have already had their heats and are here. Maybe you’ll find them and spend time together.”
“Most of my friendsare betas.I don’t hang out with other omegas. Omegas my age… all they talk about is finding their alphas and going into cold storage in the OQ. They’re so brainwashed.I hate it.”Lake cringed.“This fucking sucks!”
Lake stalked out of the bathroom, his long braid flying behind him. Moments later, Avery heard the boy’s bedroom door slam shut. Loud music came seconds behind. Avery hung his head back, not sure how he could’ve handled the situation any better, but he had little time to ponder. His phone rang from his bedroom.
He crossed the hall and scooped it up. It was a number he didn’t recognize.
“Hello?”
“Abraham?”
Avery closed his eyes, recognizing Wilder’s rugged voice.“Yes.”
“I was worried. I thought I would call when I found out you hadn’t come in again today.”
“I called the office and explained that my brother is ill.”
“Yes… I was told… but…”
Avery hung in the silence, waiting for the rest of Wilder’s comment. “But?”
“I worried I’d…” He coughed. “I want to get this investigation started sooner than later. If you don’t want to be a part of it, I’ll reach out to Reece and White.”
Averydidwant to be a part of it. Forensic Accounting was exhilarating. It was exactly his cup of tea.
Though working side by side with Wilder was daunting.
Still, the work was tempting. “I’ll return… by Tuesday.”
“We can’t wait that long,” Wilder said. “This has been going on long enough.”
Tuesday was only a few days away.Afterhis heat, when he could think straight.
“No worries… if you don’t think you’re up to it. We can bring in the forensic accountant.”
“I am! I am up to it!” Avery reached for his bottle ofHeatexin the cabinet and checked the number of pills. “I am… give me a bit to find someone to watch my brother and I’ll be in by the afternoon.”
“Good,” Wilder murmured. “Report to me directly when you arrive.”
Avery ended the call and dropped aHeatextablet into his palm. After popping the extra pill, he shoved the bottle into his pocket, knowing it was going to be one hell of a day.
* * *
Wilder loweredthe phone into the cradle, a smile on his face. It faded some as he considered Abraham’s last comment. He’d assumed the sick brother story had been one to put distance between them, but he was having doubts. If he’d forced an employee away from an ill relative, he’d feel terrible. He reached for the phone, second-guessing himself.
Instead of calling Abraham, he called Gray.
“Wilder, so lovely to hear from you.”
“And you, as well.”
“What do I owe the pleasure of a call?”
