Page 9 of Admiring His Omega (Hobson Hills Omegas #12)

A few weeks later, Cain forced himself to mingle with the guests at Walter Libby’s birthday party.

It was a prime networking event, and one he normally enjoyed.

Walter was a decent sort, and many of the guests were family friends.

All Cain wanted, however, was to be sitting in an RV, eating interesting food, and listening to Mal’s stories about his family.

Cain had flown to Maine five weekends in a row, and it was exhausting.

He had reluctantly chosen to stay in Atlanta this weekend, but he missed Mal.

He had already watched all his cooking videos several times and even joined his yoga sessions.

The sessions were actually helping him handle his stress and sleep better.

Not that he would ever tell Mal that. The omega was smug enough as is.

“Then, the aliens arrived and ordered probes for everyone,” Roe said, surprising Cain.

“What?” Cain looked down at his friend.

“You weren’t listening to me.” Roe tsked. “Where is that head of yours?”

“Up in the clouds,” Jasper said, snickering. “He’s been out of it all month.”

“That’s not like you.” Roe eyed him. “What’s going on?”

Cain sniffed. “You don’t need to worry about me. Instead, let’s worry about the two assholes who just walked in.”

Roe and Jasper both turned to look at the door.

“The one time I decide to attend a party.” Roe sighed. “Of course they’re here.”

James and Gabrial Dorsey both smiled angelically as they entered the ballroom. The pair made a handsome couple, but only from the outside. Inside, they were pure rot.

“Ignore them.” Jasper scowled.

Cain narrowed his eyes, watching the couple move gracefully about the room, blending well with the well-dressed, wealthy guests.

The two were relatively popular among the younger members of Atlanta’s high society.

The older members had long memories, however.

They knew James had basically stolen the Dorsey family business from Roe.

They had been friends with Roe’s grandfathers and knew exactly what would happen if the two men were still alive.

“Who the hell invited James Dorsey?” Walter asked, walking by Cain and his friends. “He’s going to spend the whole night trying to get me to invest with him again.”

Jasper smiled sweetly. “That is a common theme now, Roe. James lost a lot of clients because of the way he treated you.”

“That just makes him more dangerous.” Cain gave Roe a serious look. “Be careful. You have unintentionally hit the pride of both of those snakes. James isn’t liking the consequences of divorcing you, and Gabrial hates being constantly compared to you.”

Roe rolled his eyes. “Gabrial is absolutely stunning. He’ll come out on top of any comparison.”

“Maybe if no one spoke to him,” Jasper said, grinning. “He is the shallowest person I’ve ever met and all it takes is thirty seconds of speaking to him to know it.”

“Just be careful,” Cain repeated. “Yes, Gabrial is shallow, but he also literally tried to hire someone to kill you.”

“That was a misunderstanding.” Roe waved away his concerns. “I’m going to go talk to Walter, then head home. I have kids I need to make sure are in bed.”

“I half-way hope they try something.” Jasper waited to speak until Roe was with Walter. “I just want an hour with them in front of a judge. That’s all it will take.”

Cain smiled softly and studied Jasper. A month ago, he wouldn’t have been able to take his eyes off the omega. Now, Jasper was firmly entrenched in Cain’s mind as a friend. It was amazing to see how spending time with a smooth-talking trickster could put things in perspective.

“You’re drifting again.” Jasper laughed. “Come on, man. Get it together.”

“Sorry.” Cain winced. “I do worry about Roe. He isn’t taking the situation as seriously as he should.”

“All we can do is be there when it goes bad.” Jasper gave James and Gabrial a calculating look. “It will go bad. I can feel it.”

“I will call our security company tomorrow,” Cain said. “I want someone readily available if Roe needs protection.”

“Good idea.” Jasper cleared his throat. “Now, stop distracting me and explain what is going on with you.”

Cain fought a smile. “I met someone.”

A bright smile spread across Jasper’s handsome face, then dimmed. “Please tell me it isn’t one of those omegas you usually date. They’re nice and all, but they do not suit you.”

Cain laughed and Jasper stared at him in amazement.

“You laughed.” Jasper shook his head. “What is happening?”

“He’s in Hobson Hills right now, and, to answer your question, he is not like the omegas I usually date. He is so much better.”

“Hobson Hills?” Jasper asked. “Does that mean you really will be leaving us? I hoped you would change your mind.”

“I’m looking at houses already.” Cain bit his lip. “I haven’t told my parents yet. Or my brothers. Or anyone else really.”

Jasper nodded. “My lips are sealed. I’ll miss you, but your happiness comes first. This man makes you smile and laugh. I like that for you. Plus, I have already made sure I can practice in Maine since your dad moved there. If you ever need me, I’ll come running.”

“I would like to say we won’t need a criminal attorney, but knowing Mal as I do, it’s good to know you can help.”

Jasper snorted a laugh. “I really have to meet this man.”

A few hours later, Cain finally arrived home. His apartment was clean and orderly, but oh so quiet. Cain missed Betty and Truffle, despite the mess they made. Mal’s RV could easily fit into Cain’s living room, but it had come to feel more like home than the place Cain had lived for years now.

He sighed and fell onto the couch, then grabbed his phone.

Mal answered the video call quickly. “Are you wearing a tux? Oh, you are. Take pictures. Now.”

Cain chuckled. “Nice to see you too, weirdo.”

“Weirdo is not a pet name. Try sweetheart or darling.”

“You are neither sweet nor charming enough to be either.”

“Why do I like you again?” Mal’s blue eyes narrowed.

Cain used the phone to scan over his torso.

“Oh yeah, those shoulders. Plus, you’re in a tux. Take. A. Picture.”

Cain ignored him and laughed. “What did you have for dinner tonight?”

“My confidential informant brought me some fresh eggs and milk, so I made a delicious veggie quiche before I snuck into the brewery and filled Abel’s desk drawers with dog toys shaped like beer bottles.”

“Oh, my sweet, darling…,” Cain began, grinning when Mal looked overjoyed. “… little weirdo,” Cain finished. “The Wilsons must think they’re cursed.”

Mal scowled. “Just for that, I’m not going to make this quiche for you when you come back.”

“I apologize.” Cain tried for a pathetic look. “You are the kindest, sweetest darling I’ve ever met.”

“Better.” Mal smirked. “Now, take the dang pictures, Cain. You look really good in a tux.”

A week later, Cain was more than ready to murder Roe’s ex and retreat to Hobson Hills so Mal could cook him something delicious. He paced the floor of the Loriston Emergency Room, hands shaking as he texted Mal. Roe is alive. No life-threatening injuries.

Get him out of there , Mal texted back. It doesn’t even have to be Hobson Hills, but he needs to get away from the threat .

Cain ran his hands through his hair, then slumped down into the seat.

“The doctor said he is going to be okay,” Tris, Roe’s eldest son, said. He wrapped an arm around Daphne’s shoulders. Roe’s middle child was shaking worse than Cain’s hands.

“He could have died.” Daphne sobbed. “I don’t want to lose Dad. He’s all we have, Tris.”

Cain left his chair and hugged the two. “You all are not alone. We’ll keep him safe, Daphne. I promise.”

“How?” she asked, rubbing her face against his shoulder.

“We get you all out of here.” He hugged her tighter and called Sheriff McKenzie.

“Sheriff McKenzie speaking.” The older man’s rough, authoritative voice was a welcome respite. The situation wasn’t one Cain could easily handle, and he was legitimately scared for Roe and the kids.

“Hello, Sheriff,” he said. “This is Cain Benson. I think you know my parents and my brothers, Carter and Caden.”

“Yes, I do.”

“I have a favor to ask,” Cain said, voice grim. “It’s important.”

“What can I do for you?” Mack asked, no hesitation in his voice.

Cain did his best to control his anger. Clarity was needed here. “I need a safe place for a client and his family to stay for a few months. Someone is trying to kill him.”

Daphne shook harder, and Tris’s eyes watered. The eldest had stayed strong all night but was almost at his limit.

Cain kissed the top of Daphne’s head and stepped away, hoping the kids wouldn’t hear the rest. “He’s a good friend with three kids.

Someone ran him off the road earlier today.

His car was totaled, and he could have died.

We suspect his ex-husband hired someone to do it.

He’s tried before. We need to get him out of this town, Sheriff. Can you help?”

“You bring them here as soon as you can. I have a big house that’s right down the street from the police station. We’ll keep him safe.”

Cain felt the tension leave his body like water from a faucet. They really weren’t alone in this. “Thank you. I will call you back with details as soon as I can.”

“Good deal.”

The call ended and Cain immediately video called Mal. The omega looked as worried as Cain felt.

“What’s happening?”

“Sheriff McKenzie is going to watch over them. He said to bring them as soon as possible.”

“Of course he did.” Mal bit his lip. “Do they know who it was that ran him off the road?”

“Witnesses gave a description of the vehicle.” Cain rubbed his eyes.

“Jasper is pushing the police. Even if they are corrupt here, they can’t blatantly ignore this.

We’re going to stay involved. If they don’t do their job, then we will.

I already scheduled a bodyguard for Roe and the kids.

His name is Wally, and he is prepared to stay with them until this is over. ”

“Good.” Mal sighed. “I’m so sorry, Cain. At least Roe is alright. Hobson Hills will be good for him.”

Cain nodded. “It will. I’m just worried about him. He looked so defeated, Mal. This situation has been going on for years. It’s been Hell for him.”

“For you too,” Mal said softly.

Cain swallowed hard. “I hate feeling helpless. I can only imagine how Roe feels.”

“You aren’t helpless.” Mal’s brow furrowed. “You and the admirable Jasper will make sure those assholes pay for this.”

Cain’s smile felt sharp and pointy. “Yes, we will.”