Page 20 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Sixteen

Archer

Murphy paces the floor bare in front of his desk. "I should've killed him. He knows better."

I swipe a hand over my face to cover my laugh. He hasn't let up on his plans to murder our employee, it's all he ranted about all night. I hoped a good night's sleep would clear his brain of the alpha fog, but that doesn't appear to be the case.

"Luke has always been a decent employee, until he lost his fucking mind. What was he thinking?" Murphy growls. "He wasn't. His cock was fully in charge. I thought he left that shit behind years ago. I believed he grew up."

I don't think I've ever heard my packmate say so many words at one time. It's actually quite entertaining. Murphy doesn't let much get to him.

Someone knocks on the door, and Murphy stops dead in his tracks. "Don't let me actually kill him. I want to ask Everly out on a date tonight. If I'm in jail…"

A bark of laughter escapes as I pop out of my chair, heading for the door. Only, it's Connor not Luke. He strides in, rolling his eyes at Murphy.

"Do you remember that group of investors who wanted to buy the lodge?" Connor asks, tossing himself down in the chair. "They've upped their offer by nearly double."

My jaw falls. That's a significant number. "I thought we agreed not to take it."

"We did, but they countered," Connor says. He's frowning, and obviously agitated. "They've been very aggressive, and I have no idea why."

"Right, so tell them to bugger off," I say, raising my eyebrows. The solution is very simple. Connor may own a higher percentage than I do, but together Murphy and I own fifty percent. He can't sell without our agreement, and if he wants out that badly I'll buy him out using my trust fund.

"They've planned a visit. They're coming this week. They booked their stay through the front desk without consulting me," Connor says, letting out a heavy sigh. "Something about it doesn't sit well with me. Eileen mentioned something about your uncle. I've got no clue what the fuck is going on."

My mind replays the strange voicemail I got from my Uncle Kieran. He verified he sent Everly with hopes we might match. But it's the last part that sends a shiver down my spine. He said he needed to speak to me about something important that involves Everly, but he hasn't answered my calls.

"He left me a voicemail that didn't explain shit, and I haven't been able to reach him since," I say.

"Tell those assholes to enjoy the vacation, because we aren't selling," Murphy says. "We have bigger fish to fry. I think I'm compromised when it comes to Everly. I can't seem to stop plotting ways to kill and dispose of Luke."

Connor frowns. His mouth opens and closes several times, and he swipes a hand through the air before pushing himself up and walking out.

"Morning, boss," Luke says to Connor's back. His tone is far too jovial. He saunters in through the open door and tosses himself down on the couch next to me. He's got his stupid combat boots open at the top, and he looks a little too smug.

"Jesus Christ, you do have a death wish," I accuse as my nose twitches, breathing him in.

Murphy growls.

"The way I see it you bastards can get on board with having me around, or I'll take Evie and leave," Luke says, shrugging.

"I suggest shutting up real goddamn quick," Murphy says, jabbing a finger at Luke. He tosses himself down in his computer chair.

Apparently, Luke is safe for the moment.

"There's a serious flaw in the system that you need to be aware of, but I'm not gonna say a fucking word if I think you'll take it out on Evie.

" Luke stretches back. He glances between the two of us, shaking his head.

"I really don't see that happening, but you've got bad energy this morning. " He directs the last part to Murphy.

"There are plenty of flaws in the system, but what exactly are you referring to?" I ask, leaning forward.

"Nope," Luke says, gesturing to Murphy. "Not until he calms down."

"Is Everly in trouble?" Murphy asks, suddenly on high alert.

Luke stays quiet, glaring at Murphy. Murphy shoots Luke a look that would melt the skin off a lesser man.

"I want to know my job is safe and that you won't punish Everly for anything I tell you," Luke says, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Talk now or I'll murder you in your sleep. How about that?" Murphy offers. "Does that compromise work for you?"

I like Luke, he's a decent guy. He's been here a few years. The first year was questionable, but he's cleaned up his act a lot since then.

I scratch my jaw. He must really think there's a possibility of something building between them. There's no other reason he'd risk his job. The rules are very clear when it comes to crossing the line with an omega.

"You'll never be able to bond her," I say, then grimace.

Where the fuck have I placed my tact?

"You fucking alphas." Luke lets out a humorless laugh. "You act like the only way to make a commitment is through a bond. I hate to break it to you, but people fall in love and stay faithful every damn day without a bond to keep them honest."

"You're right," I acknowledge.

"You fuck around and hurt Everly, and I'll find a cliff and throw your dead body off it.

Then I'll find a bear and make sure it eats the flesh off your bones.

They won't be able to identify you let alone determine what happened to you," Murphy says, staring straight into Luke's eyes.

"And I won't lose a goddamn wink of sleep over it. "

I'm fairly certain I don't want to know what this country asked of Tom Murphy during his service. He's frightening as hell when he gets that cold calculating look in his eyes.

"She knows about your past?" I ask Luke.

"I told her," Luke says, shaking his head. "Didn't want to, but I did."

I nod. Fair enough. That's between him and Everly.

"What's the problem with the system?" Murphy asks in a deathly quiet tone. He's scrolling through something on his computer.

Luke laughs. "I'm not telling you shit until you calm down." Looking at me he says, "Everly hasn't eaten. I told her I'd see about sending you up."

"What exactly are you doing?" I ask Murphy.

"I'm verifying that asshole is clean. He touched Evie," Murphy grunts.

"That's not invasive or anything," Luke says, but his tone is finally back to normal. He must not be concerned.

Could I live with Luke as a packmate? I suppose. He hangs around regularly. I guess I know him well enough. My impulses don't immediately demand I break his hands for touching Evie… so I guess that says it all.

Murphy spins around to face us. "You can live, for now. Speak. What's the issue with the system?"

I've never known Luke to drag his feet about anything. I narrow my eyes at him and wait.

"We all know omegas love kids. It's kind of their thing. They want a family and a pack. It's literally coded into their DNA. Everly is on the older side to be unbonded. She's also been rejected several times." He pauses, and Murphy growls low in warning. "How many omegas leave here without a pack?"

"Very few," I say on autopilot. "Maybe one every few months. Why?"

"Everly came here believing she'd be leaving without a pack, so she was hoping for the next best thing…"

"Help through her heat?" I ask, well and truly confused.

"A baby," Murphy whispers.

And suddenly her questions the other night make so much more sense.

Luke points to him and nods. "It's why I had to haul her ass out of the mixer. I've sat in on enough first-time meetings to know what's normal chatter and what's not."

"That's not in her contract," I accuse, and my face feels hot. Yes, I spent a fair amount of time in her file the same as Murphy. "She has an implant."

"Had an implant," Luke says. "She had it removed."

"It would be in the records," I say, and then it dawns on me. "Any gynecologist could remove it."

"Exactly," Luke agrees.

"Christ," Murphy says, shaking his head. "How could so many locations miss something like this?"

"It's not like that. It's essentially the honor system.

Yes, we require them to see a preferred provider, but outside of that we're trusting they don't do something like see a second doctor," I say, swiping a hand over my face.

"We don't say a word about this to Connor until after the investors leave.

He seemed invested in the business just now, but I won't risk something souring his intentions again. "

"What investors?" Luke asks, leaning forward and looking between me and Murphy.

We fill him in.

"Are you guys covered legally?" Luke asks. "If an omega other than Everly did this?"

"We're providing a safe location for omegas to meet alphas.

We're not a brothel. We can't be held legally responsible for sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy.

We do everything in our power to ensure every client follows the protocols, but shit happens," I say with a shrug.

"If anyone could be held accountable, it would be Evie.

She signed forms stating she had birth control in place. "

Luke opens his mouth, but I raise a hand. "We would never," I tell him. "Did you sleep with her?"

Luke smirks. "She slept plastered to my chest all night." He grins like a fool. "She's very cuddly. I loved every second of it."

"That wasn't what I meant and you know it," I say, jabbing a finger at him. Maybe Tom's murdery vibe has rubbed off on me? I suddenly have the urge to break Luke's face.

Normally, I'm the gentleman of the group.

"She slept with her sweet ass plastered to my cock two nights ago. Still doesn't mean I stuck my dick inside her," I say petulantly.

"Did you fuck her?" Murphy growls, glaring daggers at Luke.

"I'm not sure that's any of your business," Luke says. "Hey assholes, I'm trying to be a decent guy here because I really fucking like Evie. You're making it really damn difficult with all your questions. Locker room talk is so ten years ago."

"Yes or no?" Murphy demands.