Page 76 of Gold Sector

“Only the end,” he mutters. “I realized what I’d done by letting her up there—while Taliana is in your suite—and went to rectify the situation. But they were alreadydeep in their discussion when I got there. So I… I just waited outside the door to escort Bella back down.”

I sigh. “What were they discussing?”

“Kuanos Quarter, when I arrived. Bella was suggesting that Taliana visit to hear some of the old mythology tales.” His lips twitch. “Your Omega was intrigued.”

“And?” I press.

“And the two exchanged some words about their names—apparently, Taliana thought ‘Bella’ was an endearment. Their conversation ended shortly after that.”

My brow furrows. “Yet Bella told her I’m a prince?”

“Yes. When Bella found me waiting in the hall for her, she asked me why you hadn’t told her.” He winces. “She doesn’t approve.”

I refrain from the urge to growl.

Then the sound of a pen scribbling across paper drags my attention to the screen where Riordan is making a show of writing something down. “What the hell are you doing?”

He glances up from his task. “Oh, I’m just taking notes on what not to do when I find my future Omega. Top of the list isDon’t lie about who I am.”

This time, my growl escapes me. “You’re an asshole.”

“I am,” he agrees, smirking. “One who still plans to visit you in twenty-four hours. And I’m bringing my sister with me.”

My gaze widens. “I haven’t agreed to take her yet.”

“I know. So consider this a meet and greet. Once you see what I’m dealing with, you’ll happily lock her up in a cell while I go handle Wes and track down Basalt.”

“That is not what we agreed to,” I tell him.

“You know, you’re?—”

Static sounds.

“Breaking up. I?—”

More static.

I glare at the glitching screen.

“See you tomorrow.”

The call cuts short.

My jaw begins to ache from clenching it so tightly. “I don’t have time to deal with him.”

“I’ll handle it,” Onyx offers. “Your Omega needs you.”

I blink, then look at him. “That almost sounds like you approve.”

“Maybe I do.”

My eyebrows lift. “Since when?”

“Since it became clear that she’s innocent.”

“Not even an hour ago, you stated otherwise,” I remind him, referring to what he said in Keegan’s room.

He shrugs. “A lot can change in sixty minutes.”