Page 87 of The Forgotten

“That’s adorable,” I mutter, tossing my napkin on the table. “I’ll be right back. Please order dessert if your heart desires it.”

“Ugh, they do have the best tiramisu here,” she groans.

“No one says that you need to finish it all,” I say, standing. “Take the rest as a pick me up toward the rest of the day. Will you order me a cappuccino, please?”

I rarely drink caffeine, and her brows raise in surprise as she nods. The lack of sleep is getting to me. Unfortunately, there’s not an end in sight to the shit that continues to come my way. I’ll need to find a way to make myself so exhausted that I’ll have to sleep.

Since I’m not fucking anyone, working out some aggression is the only option. Stepping away from the table, I catch the waiter’s eye and glance at Aisling. Nodding, he begins to make his way over while I walk toward the back of the restaurant.

Breathing in a deep breath, I blow it out as I shake out my hands discreetly. Hanging out with my daughter is helping, I am really wound up at the moment. A hint of fudge teases my senses as I scent the air again, and I allow myself to work on instinct.

I mostly stepped away from the table to take a walk, and not because I actually needed to take a piss.

Following the scent that reminds me of the omega I didn’t get to speak to at the only dating mixer I’ve ever attended, I walk down the hall past the restroom. This restaurant has variousoffices that can be rented out for meetings, a discreet option for those who don’t want to work in the main room.

Antonia’s staff will fully cater your meeting for a fee, and it’s an option I’ve used when I don’t want to be bothered with people. Even I have my introverted moments.

“No, that’s just not an option I’m willing to explore at this time,” a deep baritone voice murmurs. The door is slightly open which defies any kind of privacy, but it allows me to track the scent I’m obsessed with, which is a win in my book.

I can’t instruct everyone in the world on how to properly conduct themselves, nor do I want to. If you play stupid games, you should win stupid prizes.

Yet, the omega speaking seems to be slightly agitated, which may be why he has the door cracked for an easier escape. Being the busybody that I am, I lean against the wall, careful to make sure my body doesn’t cast a shadow in the dim light. There aren’t any windows in this part of the building, which means that it’s a very real possibility that I could expose my position due to how the light is hitting across my body.

“Kevin, what other options do you have?” an alpha chuckles under his breath.

Oh fuck. My nose wrinkles as I place Ryan Hill’s voice. His demure and respectful demeanor has been cast off like a coat, and now I can finally place why he made me uncomfortable. He’s a goddamned bully.

“The app you’re working on could potentially be worth millions, and your brother owes us money,” another voice states. “Are you going to expect us to brush aside that fact simply because he’s gone into hiding? He’s a druggie and good for nothing gambler.”

“I mean, you said it, not me,” Kevin says. “I haven’t spoken to my brother in ages, and it suits me just fine. I pay my debts in a timely manner, which is why I don’t owe anyone anything.Familial ties won’t be enough to bully me into paying youhisdebt.”

“There’s interest now too,” Ryan chuckles.

And that’s my cue.

Straightening, I shove open the door with enough force for it to slam into the wall. I make sure to keep my hand on it so it won’t bounce back at me. That would be embarrassing while I’m trying to be heroic and shit.

Ryan Hill and his associate draw their weapons at me while I smirk at them both.

“Are you making trouble in my city, Ryan?” I drawl. “I believe that might be bad for your health.”

I think cement shoes are a bit excessive and a pain in the ass to do, but the idea is appealing as far as aesthetics are concerned. All I can smell is burned fudge, a testament to how angry the omega in the room is. Hopefully he appreciates the assist and isn’t pissed off at me.

I don’t believe in throwing the baby out with the bath water, and that goes for the siblings of ne’er do well assholes as well. Too many people believe that you’re a reflection of your friends and family members, and I try to be as fair as I can be when figuring out a woman or man’s worth.

Prove to me that you’re a good person, and I’ll believe it until you give me a reason not to. Like now.

Ryan appears as if he’s going to piss himself as he pushes down his associates’ arm and puts away his own weapon.

“I…Mr. Sullivan this isn’t what it looks like,” he stammers.

“Kevin, why don’t you tell me what this actually is?” I suggest, my lips twisting in derision.

The omega turns his large body in my direction, his casual long sleeved shirt and glasses on his nose portraying both a nerdiness and an idea of how muscular his body is. His casual clothes show that he must have been running errands or goingon a run before he was pulled in here, and I can smell a hint of clean sweat in the air. His scent and appearance is what immediately drew me to him a year ago.

His tattoos stand out on his forearms as he braces his arms on the chair to lean forward. His leg is moving in a frenetic motion that betrays the anxiety crawling under his skin, yet his face doesn’t seem to show any of it. Omegas have a hard time hiding their emotions, but he’s doing well despite the circumstances.

His leg also betrays how much he dislikes sitting while I tower over him. His brown hair is swept off his forehead as he gazes up at me, and an earring winks from his ear as it catches the light.