Page 101 of Omega Tricked

“You’re staying with Lex?” Charles sounded surprised.

“Yes.” Gabriele met Charles’s gaze. “Where Lex goes, I go.”

Curling his lip, Charles said, “My, my. Who knew Lex could inspire such blind loyalty?”

“He has mine too,” I said.

Red spears appeared on Charles’s cheeks. “You’re too forgiving, Dylan. For me, ‘Betrayal is the only truth that sticks.’”

“Hard-ass,” mumbled Gabriele.

Charles gave him a surly glance.

I met Lex’s gaze. “Hey, Lex, can we talk for a minute?”

He looked wary, but he nodded. “Okay.”

I led him into the kitchen and closed the door. I faced him, feeling short of breath. “I wanted to let you know I convinced Charles to let you come with us.”

He frowned. “What?”

“To the compound.”

Instead of looking pleased, he looked suspicious. “Why?”

“Why?” I laughed. “Because you’ll be safe there.”

He still looked like I was trying to trick him. “I don’t understand.”

I tilted my head, studying him. “I want you safe. What’s so hard to understand?”

His jaw clenched. “Dylan, I used you. You should hate me.”

I sighed. “Maybe I should. Maybe a part of me does hate you.”

His gaze flickered.

I moved closer to him, and he stiffened. I looked up at him, taking in the aristocratic line of his nose and the thick dark lashes that framed his sky-blue eyes. He was so familiar to me and yet such a mystery. “Yes, you lied to me. But you also protected me.”

“I know… but…” His eyes held mine. “I’m not a good man, Dylan. Just because I did something right for once, that doesn’t make me good. I have my father’s blood in me.”

“If you weren’t at least a little good, you’d have let Hank torture me. Then you’d have had your answers.”

He winced and surprised me when he reached out for me. He pulled me close, kissing my hair. “I couldn’t let him hurt you,” he whispered. “I just couldn’t.”

I slipped my arms around his waist, pressing closer. God, what was it about his touch? Being in his arms was like coming home after a long, tiring trip. I felt safe, and like nothing could ever hurt me so long as Lex was beside me. And yet the danger had come from Lex, so why did I trust him? I lifted my face, and he kissed me. His kisses were needy, and desperate, as if he feared he’d never taste me again. He pressed me back against the stove, and the pans rattled as we rocked against each other. He groaned and explored my mouth with his seeking tongue.

“Dylan,” he whispered, kissing my eyes and cheeks as if I was precious to him.

I rested my head on his chest, listening to his racing heart. He wasn’t faking his attraction to me. This was real. Our connection, while unconventional, was real. “I want you to come with me,” I whispered.

He stiffened. “Charles would probably have me court-marshaled the minute I showed up.”

“That’s not true. He said he’d let you in.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Why would he?”

“To protect you. Like you protected me.” I kissed the side of his neck, inhaling his clean scent mixed with sweat. “I want you there.”