Page 14 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Twelve

Connor

My eyes fall on Archie and Murphy. They're…

I'm not even sure what they're doing. Archie appears to be pretending to read a magazine.

Murphy stands behind him. He's casually peeking around the corner.

The look on his face is murderous. They're both carefully watching Everly.

Anytime an alpha attempts to approach, Murphy glares so effectively they immediately divert their attention elsewhere.

"What am I going to do with the three of you?" Eileen says, shaking her head as she approaches.

"Keep it down," I hiss. "That would be the first step if you'd like to keep your job."

My secretary chuckles. "Why on God's green earth did you encourage her to mingle?"

I have no fucking clue. I'm asking myself the same thing.

"It seemed like the right thing to do at the time," I grumble.

My eyes move to Everly. She's talking to a slender omega. I don't know the woman's name, but she's not part of the problematic group. They're all congregated together at a table with several alpha packs.

Everly stands out against the crowd in her soft black dress.

It has cartoonish gingerbread men, ornaments, snowmen, trees, and Christmas lights.

Her wavy dark brown hair is pulled back from her face with a headband that has two springy bulb lights.

The outfit is mildly cringe worthy. Yet Evie pulls it off in a way that makes my cock perk up.

"Your packmates are stalking the omega we misplaced," Eileen says with a laugh. "I believe it might be time to accept that she's not going to another pack. So you can either get on board or…" She gives me a meaningful look.

Yes, I fully understand what she's saying. There are no bonds in place. We technically aren't even a pack since we don't have an omega to glue us together.

"Connor, talk to me. What's holding you back?" Eileen asks, frowning.

I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest. That's a complicated question.

Everly is lovely. I don't think she's here looking for a wealthy pack or trying to ensure she finds the best financially affluent option.

Then again, I've thought that before and been wrong.

It's disheartening how jaded I've become.

"Did you read her application essay?" Eileen asks, raising her eyebrows.

"No. You clearly handled her application. I had no idea she was even scheduled to be here." Which is likely why she slipped through the cracks that first day. "Not everyone chooses to complete the essay, and when I checked it wasn't in her electronic file."

Eileen reaches into the pocket of her slacks and pulls out a folded piece of paper. "Everly's was quite personal. I didn't want her history making the rounds among the masses, but I do think you should read it."

She hands me a sheet of folded computer paper and pats my hand. "Not every omega is looking for a lavish life of pampering. Some just want to be loved."

Eileen gives me a sad smile. "There's something else I need to talk to you about with those investors, but now isn't the time.

Kiernan and Archer are playing phone tag.

It's important, but I'll let Kier tell you the details when he arrives.

Hear me when I say this, do not give those men the time of day. "

I sigh, swiping a hand over my face. I knew there was something off about how aggressive they've been.

"I hear you," I agree.

She pats my arm and heads off.

The alcohol doesn't even burn anymore. It's not even three in the afternoon. Which makes that a very bad sign.

Everly stands talking to Luke near the table of desserts. My chest gives a painful twinge whenever I think about Everly's application essay.

That part of the application came about as another method I hoped would help weed out the omegas truly in need and the ones who wanted a loving pack. It's marked as optional on the application, and most leave it blank.

I'm grateful Eileen removed it from Evie's file. Usually we leave them in, but I don't think she understood her possible matches might see it.

That fucking essay. Christ.

I feel like a righteous prick for reading it, and even more of a bastard for questioning her motives to begin with.

Everly laughs at something Luke says. He brushes his fingers over her cheek. That might end up being a problem. He seems as drawn to Evie as my pack is.

"I don't want to have to murder a woman.

Especially an omega, but if that one doesn't stop glaring at Evie…

" Murphy places himself down in the chair next to me.

He does it slowly to make sure it'll hold his massive ass.

"I might have to consider it. I feel like Luke right now, but she's putting out bad vibes.

" He gestures to the woman in question. "Why the hell do bears hibernate anyway? "

"What?" I scoff. Maybe I'm drunker than I realized.

Archie slides into the chair at my other side. "Anastasia Androff," he says, eying the blonde in the short dress. "She's part of that group, which by the way we're officially done accepting. They've been nothing but a headache."

"Agreed," I say, studying the blonde. Her attention is on Luke and Everly, and it's putting me on edge.

"She pitched a fit when I reassigned Luke," Murphy says, crossing his meaty arms over his chest. "She's been complaining non-stop about Viktor."

"I bet she has," Archie says distractedly. "He's older, takes no bullshit, and doesn't look like Luke."

"Luke asked to be reassigned because of a couple inappropriate comments she made," Murphy says, carefully watching Anastasia.

"I want to court Everly," I say, swiping a hand over my face. "We let her attend the last mixer tonight, and tomorrow we make our intentions clear."

My packmates' heads swivel in my direction.

"Are you drunk?" Archie asks, sniffing me. Suspicion lines his tone.

"She's pretty and sweet, and every naughty librarian fantasy rolled up into one woman. I've wanted her since the first time I laid eyes on her." It's clear the alcohol has loosened my tongue.

"Don't act like we've been the ones holding things up," Murphy rumbles. His eyes are still glued to Everly.

Anastasia makes a dramatic show of rolling her eyes. She heads for the small bar in the corner.

Murphy growls. It's a low, dangerous sound that sends a shiver down my spine. He's up from the table and stomping across the room before I can stand.

"Jesus Christ," Archie says, hopping up in a blink. I follow my packmates.

It immediately becomes clear what the issue is.

"It's okay," Everly says, taking the towel a server holds out to her. She's covered in alcohol. "Accidents happen. Trust me, I'm as clumsy as they come."

Anastasia fails to look remorseful, or even convincingly innocent.

"It's funny," Viktor says. "This has happened twice in as many days."

Yes, I did hear about that. Miss Androff stumbled into another omega with a plate yesterday afternoon. It's what Tom had to handle when I ended up with Evie.

"Perhaps you should consider flats if you're unable to walk in heels without incident," Viktor growls.

"I'll be sure to take that under advisement," Anastasia says, sneering at her guard.

Why? For the love of God, why would anyone cause such a scene? And to what end?

"Come on," Luke says, tossing an arm around Evie's back. He shoots an unimpressed frown at Anastasia and Viktor. "Let's get you upstairs so you can change."

"Thanks," Evie says.

"You know your stay here is at our discretion," Murphy growls at Anastasia.

"And it's contingent upon you following the rules and code of conduct toward other guests," Archie adds.

"Code of conduct?" Everly squeaks as Luke guides her away. "It was an accident."

Viktor snorts. "An accident, my ass."

"I'm clumsy," Anastasia says with a shrug. Her tone sends my hackles up.

"Just like it'll be an accident when I toss your ass over my knee," Viktor volleys back. He's a daddy dom with a penchant for brats.

"I'm too drunk for this," I tell Archie. "You deal with this mess."

"Gladly." Archie smirks. "Unluckily for you, I'm a bit more vindictive than my omega.

You're barred from any activities for the rest of the day.

Look twice at Everly the wrong way and I'll bar you from not only this location, but all locations of The Exchange.

You can take your chances with the OPA."

"Serves you right," Viktor says.

I don't wait to see or hear anything else. I need to sleep off the alcohol and find courting presents for Everly.