Page 23 of Bully for Sale

“It does. Just not in the ways you think. Have a look.” George flipped his computer around, showing photos of four different homes.

One was a nice apartment complex, a place Ezer recognized as being near the lake Da liked to bike beside in the spring. The second was a cozy home in the heart of the Clearwood park, beside the lake, and not far from some of the finest old neighborhoods. The third was a beach house. The fourth was a mountain retreat. All of them places that Ezer recognized as being former possessions of his da before the marriage had transferred the entirety of his inheritance to George. None of which had been returned in the divorce.

Sweat prickled at Ezer’s temples. He felt a bit ill. “What’s this about?”

George peered at the photos. “Do you think Amos is happy where he is? In that run-down place you insist on visiting him in?”

Ezer stared at his father, stone-still.

“He used to love his apartment by the lake. He lived there before we met.” George expanded the photos of the apartment, showing it off, room-by-room. The furniture was all to Da’s taste and had been left as it’d been before everything went to hell. “Do you think he’d like to live there again?”

Ezer swallowed against bile, his heart pounding. “Why are you doing this?”

“Because I want you settled, Ezer. Out of my hair. This is a good chance for you.”

Ezer worked his jaw, trying to find words to express the cold horror of his suspicions. “This is to punish me.”

“Well, yes,” George said without hesitation. “And to punish Amos, too, of course.”

“How?”

“It’s subtle and nothing you would understand.” He smirked. “You haven’t got the brains for it.”

“I’m not stupid.”

“So you and Amos claim. But I’m not stupid either, no matter what your damned da seems to think.”

Ezer stared at George.

“The apartment Amos has lived in for the last year is disgusting. Do you want him to stay there, Ezer?”

“No, but Da wouldn’t want me to sell myself in exchange for an upgrade in his living situation.”

“You don’t know him like you think you do.” George’s lips twisted. “He’s selfish.” His tone shifted to something more sympathetic as he continued. Though he’s always wanted a good match for you. Amos wants you to have children. You’re his favorite son, after all.”

His words gave Ezer chills. “He loves us all equally.”

“No. He doesn’t.” Still said with that creepy and compassionate tone. “He loves you best, and he wants you to be safe with an alpha who can care for you despite your deficiencies.”

“Da doesn’t think I have deficiencies.”

“You’re fooling yourself. Of course he thinks you have deficiencies. Because youdo. Lying to yourself won’t help your situation, Ezer.”

“I don’t want to sign a lifetime contract at nineteen.”

“I’m afraid that’s not an option for you.”

Ezer let out a slow breath. “Just spit it out. What do you want from me?” He could feel his father’s trap about to grab his ankles and hold him fast; he knew it would break him in the process.

George leaned back, steepling his hands beneath his chin, and looking thoughtful. “For each child you give birth to, I’ll give Amos a piece of his property back. For each year you please the alpha I’ve chosen for you, I’ll give Amos a stipend that will more than replace what he spent annually when he was my omega.” He showed Ezer a number that took his breath away.

So many zeroes. Such a better life for Da. No more living in that run-down hellhole. No more rats. No more trying to put together a decent meal out of hotdogs and corn chips.

“Why?”

“You’re an embarrassment. Running around acting like you’re not a Fersee, looking like a half-starved rat, getting beaten up by your betters, and just…” He waved at him. “Being weird. Existing as proof of…as proof of your omega parent’s deficiencies. This will solve all of that. You’ll submit to your place as an omega. You’ll use your body to produce heirs for an alpha, a man who deserves them. You’ll settle into happy, pregnant oblivion, and I’ll be well rid of you.”

“And it’s worth all that? All thatmoney? To be rid of me?” Why did his father hate him so much? He wasn’t obedient, and he wasn’t what George had wanted in a son, not in any way, but he wasn’t a bad person. Not like those awful alphas who’d attacked him.