Page 73 of Retribution

Well, I guess another one’s bitten the dust. That didn’t take long.

“Developing this may take awhile. Lucas won’t be able to handle not coming home, guys. I can’t keep a baby from him,” Grant confesses. “However, I can not mention it for a little while.”

“That’ll work,” I say. “She’s beautiful, right?”

“They both are,” he says. “Send me a photo of them with Oliver. I need one of my girls. Thanks for calling.”

Grant is typically very suspicious, I've realized. He’s either playing this cool until he can research this for himself, or he means every word.

Saying my goodbyes, I hang up, snap a photo and lean back to stare at them. Leila has tiny fingers, sock covered toes, and blonde hair that curls. She’s absolutely perfect.

“Leila doesn’t have clothes for this weather, though I suppose babies stay inside for the most part, right?” Oliver murmurs.

“If Isolde is moving between houses, I think warmer clothes will be important,” I reply. “They can’t wear coats in a car seat, right?”

“Do some research,” he suggests. “Have the clothes sent here since I still don’t fucking know where she lives, and Grant is stubborn on the matter. I know she’ll need a crib or bassinet too.”

“Something portable,” I grunt.

Before I know it, I’m grabbing my computer and filling the next hour with shopping and research.

And you know what? It’s all terrifying because there are so many conflicting opinions. Welcome to parenthood, I guess.

Chapter Seventeen

Lucas

The labs are one of my favorite places in the world. If I’m not here, home is the other. I’m seeing how chemical compounds work together, losing time as I figure out a way to keep anyone from hurting my omega.

A forced heat is a lie. It makes an omega believe that she’ll do anything for the alphas using her. It’s one of the worst offenses anyone can yield against an omega. It’s disgusting, and I can understand why my girl is worried about this.

So I stay up and work for three consecutive nights once everyone else has gone home, only returning to the apartment I have for three hour cat naps.

Cleaning up my station, I manage my notes and take them with me. My laboratory, my company, my intellectual property. I will not be leaving any of my findings here. I haven’t really run into anyone either because I took over a lab that doesn’t get much use.

There are others that have fancier equipment, better tools, but I don’t need any of that. I just need to find what works together to ensure that they can’t jump start an abnormal heat.Stepping out of the lab, I find Grant leaning against the wall, waiting for me.

“Ready for a nap?” he asks. At my surprised look, he shrugs. “You’d be happier if you’d found something, and you have a pattern now, Lucas.”

He’s not wrong.

“It’s not a cut and dry situation,” I sigh. “It may take longer than a few days with how complicated an omega’s system is. Then I have to go through trials to ensure this actually will work. I can’t fuck this up.”

“I know,” Grant says, blowing out a breath. “We’ll both be miserable if we’re away from home for too long. Let’s go back, maybe look into outfitting a small building into a laboratory on the property? I don’t know what the best option is.”

“Hmm,” I murmur, beginning to walk with him toward the front of the building to leave. I slip my notebook into the briefcase he’s carrying for me and his hand tightens around the strap before relaxing infinitesimally.

It’s safe to say he knows the importance of this briefcase. We’ve had the same routine for the last three days, and I know we both are ready for a small break. I’m not going to be able to help anyone if I keep this up while still running a company.

“That’s not a bad idea,” I admit. “It’s making me nervous working here since it’s well known I don't have the time to devote to lab work anymore. Every day we come in, I get weird looks.”

We both pull off the booties that cover our shoes and toss them before walking out the doors of the lab with a nod at security. The same people that are giving us a side eye. Jesus, this is ridiculous.

“I see what you mean,” Grant grunts. “They’re all under iron clad non-disclosure agreements that are designed to cover the labs as well as everything that happens within it. If someone saysanything to leak your movements, we’ll find them. My concern is how fucked it is that they’re so interested in your movements.”

Walking toward our car, I shrug.

“I’m not usually here unless I’ve cleared my schedule for something,” I remind him.