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“Ketchup ranch. You’ve never had it?”
Ketchup! AND ranch!
What genius came up with that? And why have I never seen it before?
“Do you like spicy?”
“Love it.” Whenever I could do the dining hall without getting jumped, I slathered my tray in Tabasco, chili flakes, and cajun spice.
My palate is wrecked and I’m not mad about it.
“You have to try the Thai chili sauce.” Orion rubs his hands together like a mad scientist. “All the guys are meat and potatoes pussies. Hunter accidentally ate my hot Cheetos once and wouldn’t stop whining for weeks. Try this.” He makes me a rice cracker dipped in red sauce that’s polka-dotted with chili flakes.
I pop it into my mouth. “It’s not that—oh, shit!” I choke when the spice hits me, but swallow it down with a smile as whatever it is gives my lips that sweet tingle. “That’s so good.”
“Right? This one next.” He hands me bite after bite while we dance around the kitchen, finishing dinner together.
I’m laughing while Orion feeds me when I realize I’ve crossed into the Twilight Zone.
Because this can’t be real.
And if it is, it sure as fuck can’t last.
***
Twenty-Seven
ATLAS
We’re already home when I realize we forgot to grab takeout. It’s been a goddamned day tracking down dead-end leads on Dominik. We’re no closer to finding where he goes to ground after he slithered away from security at the ball.
Now we’re stuck waiting for him to make his next move.
My gears have been spinning as I watch and re-watch the CCTV video.
That bullet came a millimeter from ending Orion.
If Lilah wasn’t there…
Bile rises in my throat.
Orion would be dead. No question. We’d be planning a funeral instead of revenge.
But Lilah pulled him out of the way. Saved him. Saved us.
Now she’s hurt and she’s my responsibility.
But like the asshole I am, I didn’t even fucking think to bring her dinner.
Or Orion.
Feeding your omega is this primal thing, the most basic, most satisfying desire. Yet here I am, forgetting him.
Forgetting them.
“Pizza?” Hunter asks as we climb out of the car.
“I want the cup pepperonis,” Finn says. “Not that pineapple bullshit.”
