Page 78 of Omega Tricked

“You think this is funny?” I challenged Gabriele.

He narrowed his eyes. “Shut up, kid.”

“Fuck off,” I said, squeezing Charles’s shoulder.

Gabriele leaned toward me, a menacing look on his face. “You think Lex will protect you? Think again. He used you, kid. You don’t mean shit to him.”

Heat filled my face, but I glared back. “Go to hell.” How much had Lex told his goons? Shit, did they know everything?

When Gabriele started toward me, Lex moved between us. “Gabe, focus. We need to get the swelling down.”

Gabriele didn’t look too pleased, but he said, “You’ve got it, boss.”

“What’s it matter if the swelling goes down?” Hank complained. “We’re just going to mess him up anyway.”

“I need him to talk before he passes out.” Lex frowned. “He looks like he’s barely conscious.”

“What he needs is to lie down,” I said. I was trying not to notice the heat of Lex and the familiar scent of him. I’d allowed myself to really care about him, and now, seeing him as the enemy wasn’t easy. But of course he was my enemy, and not accepting that could get me killed.

“I don’t have time to coddle him,” Lex muttered.

“If he wasn’t tied to this chair, he’d be on the floor.” I met Lex’s gaze. “You know that’s true.”

Exhaling roughly, Lex nodded. “Probably.” He addressed Gabriele. “Is there a bed in this place?”

“Yeah. Every room has a bed. The mattresses look like they’re from the civil war era, but technically they’re beds.” Gabriele removed the ice from Charles’s face. “You really want the guy to rest?”

“Yes.” He addressed Hank. “You and Gabriele take him upstairs, and watch him. Tie his hands—he could be faking.”

Hank untied Charles, and he and Gabriele held the alpha under the arms. Then they started toward the stairs. When I tried to follow, Lex stopped me.

“No. You stay here.” His eyes were emotionless.

“Why?”

“Because I said so.”

I watched the other two hobble up the rickety stairs with Charles. I didn’t like splitting up. I was afraid of what they’d do to him if I wasn’t there to watch over him. I turned my back on Lex and stared out the filmy windows at the barren acres that surrounded the house.

“Listen, I didn’t want you to get mixed up in this,” Lex said softly.

I faced him, feeling angry. He sounded like the Lex I knew, but this man wasn’t the same. “I don’t want your bullshit excuses. You used me. You fucking used me in every way possible, and Ihateyou.”

He seemed to wince, but then he shrugged. “I couldn’t tell you the truth.”

“You mean that you’re a thug who wanted to hurt Charles?”

“No. The full story about why I needed to get into the compound.” He grimaced. “Why I had to trick you.”

“Don’t tell me. It’s probably all bullshit anyway,” I muttered.

He sighed, and I noticed lines under his eyes. “Charles murdered my dad.”

“What?” I bugged my eyes. “No way.”

“I found proof Dad was in the compound, and we all know Charles runs things.” He reached under his shirt and tugged a metal vanity plate from his waistband.

“What’s that?”