Page 14 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Charlie

“What do you mean by proposition?” Rhett’s dark eyes narrow, scanning every inch of my face like he’s trying to find my weakness. My first instinct is to back up, but I force myself to hold my ground.

This alpha is the embodiment of everything that scares me about his kind.

He’s tall, muscular, with a stare like a loaded gun.

Why does he look so angry? I also can’t help but wonder how old he is.

He’s completely gray with faint laugh lines, as well as a few deep wrinkles between his brows—or maybe they look deep because he’s frowning.

I don’t know. I don’t really understand why Autry would want someone so much older than her.

“Have you tried to claim Autry yet?” I glance past him at the claiming booth.

Rhett’s posture stiffens as he glances over his shoulder to where Angelica is snarling at another alpha like she’s ready to tear his throat out. Even from here, the tension makes my stomach twist .

“Yeah,” he says finally, his voice edged with warning. “I can’t claim her. But you already know that, don’t you?” His jaw clenches like he’s expecting bullshit. I grip the bidding slip in my hands so hard it crumples.

Keep it together. Just breathe.

“What if I told you that you could?” I tip my chin up, trying to project more confidence than I actually feel.

Rhett doesn’t react. Doesn’t blink. Just stares.

Behind him, the alpha at the claiming booth begins to growl and curse as several members of security surround him.

It’s weird, but I’d feel better if Rhett was acting a little more like that guy.

His restrained anger has me on edge like nothing else.

It isn’t wild or loud. It’s quiet and cold and waiting. It feels worse.

Is he going to snap? Am I about to be punched? Is it possible for an alpha to rip someone’s head off with their bare hands?

“Hey, kid,” Rhett snaps, dragging me from my thoughts. “You okay?”

I nod too quickly. “Yeah. I’m fine.” He obviously doesn’t buy it, but I push on. “I want to help you claim Autry.”

“I don’t have a proper pack,” he says flatly, his eyes flicking back toward the auction like our conversation is already over.

“These assholes won’t let me claim her.” His dark eyes fall back onto my face.

“And that’s assuming some other pack hasn’t already claimed her.

” He frowns as he says the painful fact.

“They haven’t,” I say firmly. “They won’t.”

He turns his full attention back to me, skeptical. “Yeah? What makes you so sure? She’s smart. Gorgeous. Alphas are probably lining up to take her home.”

“And they’ll all be denied.” I look him dead in the eyes, even though it makes my skin crawl with nerves. “I made sure of it.”

His expression darkens with suspicion. “Why? Why the hell would you help me?” His voice dips into a rumble. “What do you get out of this?”

I open my mouth to say the words— I love her —but they won’t come out. My throat locks up, my palms go clammy, and heat floods my face.

Rhett squints, then his eyes go wide. “Two betas,” he mutters. “Shit.”

I blink. “What?”

“You think you love her.” His tone is sharp and condescending, like he’s mocking a child. “Don’t you?”

I flinch, but don’t look away. “Autry and I?—”

“I already have a beta,” he snaps, turning his body like he’s done with me. “I don’t need another.”

“But you need an omega,” I say, louder this time, forcing the words into the space between us before he can leave.

The intense alpha freezes in place, staring right at me. Once again, I feel like I’m in danger of being mauled or killed. My heart beats in my throat, but I stand my ground.

“I can help you claim her,” I say, softer now. Trying to keep him calm. Keep him thinking.

He doesn’t reply right away. Just studies me. It’s hard to tell if he’s considering the offer—or trying to decide where to hit me. Finally, he takes a step closer. His height becomes something oppressive, his shadow swallowing mine. “What exactly do you want?”

Say it!

“I want to join your pack.”

Rhett’s stern expression shifts, and a wide smile fills his face. “Right,” he laughs. “Let me guess. You fucked her a few times and now think you’re soulmates?” His words are ugly and bitter. Almost too shocking to respond to.

“I’ve never—” I grit my teeth, fists shaking. “We’ve never done that.”

“Just because you’ve had her body before, doesn’t mean you have any rights to her now.” His voice drops to a warning growl as he takes a single step, closing the space between us. “She’s not your omega.”

“I worked at the boarding house,” I say, trying to explain our connection.

I don’t know if it’ll matter to him, but I need him to know that my intentions are pure.

“Autry showed up a few months ago, very malnourished and with a broken arm. We became friends. We haven’t…

” I trail off, hating that I have to tell him this.

“She broke her arm?” Rhett’s expression instantly changes from anger to concern.

“How?” I can hear a trace of possessiveness in his tone.

The mental image of this alpha tracking down the assholes that hurt Autry flits through my mind.

He looks like the kind of man who would rip the world in two to protect someone he loves.

Maybe he is a good guy? I hope that’s the case.

I straighten. “I was one of her caregivers,” I say clearly. “We’re friends. That’s all.”

That catches the alpha off guard. His eyes narrow with something closer to concern. “And what happened to her arm?” he asks, voice low and rough.

“I don’t know,” I admit. “I didn’t want to push. She’s still healing.”

He breathes out slow and long. Nods once. His whole demeanor shifts—less alpha-on-the-edge and more... protector. “I assume she cares about you?” he asks, his voice softer. Maybe even curious .

“She does.” I hesitate. “I think. She kissed me today.”

That brings a faint smirk to Rhett’s face. “She kissed you?” he repeats, almost fondly. “That’s kind of sweet.”

Anger immediately settles over me. I can’t tell if he’s making fun of me or not, but either way I don’t like it. “This isn’t a joke.”

He sobers instantly, eyes narrowed and posture tight. “So what the fuck is it that you want, exactly?” He sounds angry again.

“This is what I’m proposing,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady.

“I want to join your pack and help you claim Autry.” I don’t know where this courage is coming from, but I cling to it like a rope.

“I won’t be a burden. I can take care of myself.

I’ll follow your command—no questions asked.

” My shoulders sag a little. This is it.

My last shot. “I just want to be near her.”

Rhett’s frown deepens. Thinking. It feels like he takes forever, before finally saying, “You’re prepared to walk away from your entire life—for her?”

“Yes,” I say without hesitation.

“And what if I never let you touch her?” he asks, testing me.

Excitement blooms in my chest. “I can live with that.”

“What if my beta hates you and makes you sleep on the damn balcony?”

“I’ll do it,” I say with a shrug, like it’s no big deal. And truthfully, it isn’t. I’d sleep in a drainage ditch if it meant I got to see Autry’s smile every day.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Rhett mutters. His disbelief is like a slap. “No sane person would agree to any of this.”

I stand a little straighter. “Would you sleep on the balcony if it made your beta happy?” I cross my arms. “ Because I would. For someone I love, I’d do that and more.”

His expression shifts, but I see the hit land. He might not be a romantic, but he’s an alpha. His kind show love through fire and fury, through battles won and sacrifices made. He understands this language.

“I want to be clear,” Rhett says, jabbing a finger toward my chest. Hope grips me once more. “If I agree to this, you don’t lay a finger on Autry without my say-so. You don’t flirt. You don’t play house. You act like a fucking friend. Or a damn assistant.”

“I understand,” I nod, fast and eager, pressing a hand over my heart. “I’ll be respectful.”

“My beta runs the house,” he continues. “He doesn’t like you? You’re gone.”

“I’d never try to replace him.” I raise both hands, still holding the bidding slip, as if swearing an oath.

Rhett clenches his jaw. His nostrils flare as he pulls in a slow, frustrated breath. The muscles under his shirt flex, the fabric pulling tight across his chest. For a moment, I’m worried a few buttons might pop off. Finally, he growls, “Fine.” Then he holds out his hand.

Without hesitation, I grab it.

His grip is crushing—hot, rough, and huge. His palm swallows mine completely, and I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just handed my life over to something wild.

“I’m warning you now, beta,” Rhett snarls as he leans in close, breath hot against my ear. “Any funny business, and you won’t live to see another day.”

My pulse slams in my throat. “Yes, sir.” But he doesn’t look convinced. His eyes narrowed with a glare that makes me want to disappear.

“This had better not be a trick,” he growls in a deep warning. “You had better not be some kind of alpha-fucker looking to get knotted, then plan on abandoning an emotionally fragile omega.”

My mouth falls open, horrified he’d think that. “No!” I’m so shocked, I can’t even think of what to say. Does he think I want to have sex with him? Will he expect that if I’m a member of his pack? Do I even want that?

I’m far too overwhelmed to think about any of that right now, so I blurt out the first thing that pops into my head. “I’m not going to leave her. Ever.”

His jaw pushes forward, tense. Angry. But then he releases me and takes a step back. “What’s the plan?” he asks curtly, already shifting into alpha-mode. “I can’t claim her without another alpha.” He looks me up and down. “And you sure as hell wouldn’t pass for one.”