“You can talk to the omega, promise her the world, seduce her from me, but you won’t order her off my lap like one would a dog,” Marcus said in a low tone throbbing with menace. “I don’t share with the likes of you.”
“Oh yes, you do. Orion’s one of us,” Smythe said with a lazy smile, looking back into the room. “And daddy will do just about anything to restore him to that position. You haven’t heard?”
He and Jacoby shared a moment, a smile, a long look, all full of malicious pleasure.
“You should give her to us if you want your little quartet to continue, because this one’s been claimed by the Ratcliffe family. She’s been extended invitations, been allowed to have her season, but the deals have already been done. Anyone who makes a serious play against the Rhodes girl will incur the wrath of the entire Ratcliffe clan, including you.” Marcus’ grip tightened and tightened. “You’re hugging your replacement to your chest, the girl who will actually be permitted into a party like this without kilos of drugs in her jacket, the one who will take your place by Orion’s side as he is restored to his position.”
“Ratcliffe’s making bold moves across the chessboard, which makes me wonder why,” Jacoby said, a picture of indolence as he rested his head on his hand. “I came to take a look at what all the fuss was about…”
He reached out, sliding a single finger up my calf, using it to part my legs to the sounds of my distress, then breathed in deep as he caught my scent. The smug smile dropped away, and something feral replaced it.
“Give the girl to us. We’ll arrange for her chaperone to be distracted and then have our fun. It’ll ruin her, ruin her reputation, and your precious Orion will be your own again.” He ground his teeth, staring at me with an alien hunger. “You brought an omega close to frenzy here. No one will be held to blame for what happens next. It’s just nature following its course.”
I struggled, went to kick, trying to get to my feet and fucking run, but Marcus held me fast, pinned against him.
“Get. The fuck. Away.”
He didn’t roar nor shout, he didn’t need to. His voice was pure venom, and no one wanted it dripping on them. The guys were up and out of their seats, the sounds of the chairs hitting the floor reverberating through the whole room. Brendan and Rhys appeared as if summoned.
“What the fuck happened?” Rhys asked, staring down at the men as they scrambled away. Tame little alphas, they cowered away in the face of a real one.
“Where’s Orion?” Marcus snapped.
I expected him to shove me away, discard the thing that was causing all the pain I was getting off him in waves, but instead, he held me so tight, it hurt to breathe.
“Settle down…” Brendan soothed. “You’re hurting Cyn.”
He stood up, and I was let loose so quickly, I stumbled, but not for long. His hand still wrapped around mine, Marcus marched us through the crowd that was steadily thickening, people wondering what the hell was going on. We strode through the rapidly clearing path up to where a temporary bar had been set up, Orion slouched against it. A hand went to the back of Orion’s shirt, grabbing it and using it to haul him backwards.
“What the fuck, Marcus!” Orion spat in return.
“When were you going to tell me?”
“What? You’re creating a bloody scene. Quiet down.”
“Quiet down?” That was exactly the wrong thing to say. I was shoved into Orion’s arms, which opened to catch me, to hold me still, on automatic.
“You said you had a plan,” Marcus snarled, a picture of quivering rage, one so fucking convincing, I hunched down in Orion’s grip, trying to make myself smaller.
“I do. We’re making this work. We’ll walk out of it stronger than ever.”
“Just the four of us?” This was it—the challenge, the gauntlet thrown down before Orion. He could either pick it up and save his relationship, or he could leave it. My heart beat so fucking fast, a little rabbit patter that just seemed to speed up the longer I was held tight.
“With whoever we want with us. It’s us, always,” Orion replied, and for a moment, I thought he’d done it. There was something so bloody raw in his voice, always was when they broke down and talked to each other.
“There is no us when you take an omega as a mate, Orion. There’s no room for us in a ‘done deal.’ This is the condition your father put on the money, isn’t it? Isn’t it?!”
“Rhys, take Cyn and get everyone in the car. I’m not putting our fucking business on blast.” Orion’s green eyes scoured the room, as if he would face down every single person in it if that was what it took. He brought silence to the entire space at his command.
But Rhys broke it.
“Come here, Cyn. I’ve got you.”
It was then, as that massive frame folded around mine, creating a wall around me, one that protected me from everything and everyone, that I broke. My fingers clawed at him, trying to scratch out the fear and the anger and the frustration I couldn’t, wouldn’t give voice to.
“That’s it. I’ll take you somewhere safe now. I’ve got you.”
“God, she’s so bloody perfect,” Marcus said on a growl as we strode out of the Lasseter house, past the unsatisfied omegas moaning for the alphas’ benefit, out the door and into the night. “Little kitten sounds of pain, just small sounds of pleasure as you all bow down before her. It’s been two fucking days. Two days, and that’s all it took for your father to get what he wants. Not an untried eighteen-year-old, too starry-eyed and stupid to be of interest, not well-worn and jaded either. Just bright and beautiful and so bloody clueless, she tips into frenzy at the slightest touch. And you’re rampant.”