Page 18 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

“No issue at all," the beta chirps, then presses a button, making the scanner glow bright red. “What academy did she attend?” Her gaze flickers to Autry.

“Waverly Hall.”

The beta’s eyes go wide, her smile pulling tighter. Clearly irritated. “They have a separate system from most of the academies down south.” She taps a few buttons on her keyboard. “It’ll take a few extra minutes. Our system always struggles to connect with their database.”

Rhett says something else, but I’m already bored. I have a feeling the Morder has everyone up here paid off from the academy right now, to the janitor that empties the governance board’s trash.

Restless, I scan the room. It’s so fucking small in here, I feel like I’m practically on top of Autry. That sugared-lemon scent is driving me insane.

“Sir?” The beta holds up the small stack of IDs. “I still need your packmate’s ID.” Her gaze flicks to me.

Rhett follows her eyes. “Oh, he’s not coming back with us.”

“Oh, um.” The beta swallows, then straightens her shoulders like she’s bracing for a fight.

“Mr. Benes’ name is on your omega’s claiming paperwork.

” She holds up the fake certificate from Waverly Hall.

“He’ll have to travel back with you.” She smiles like it’s no big deal—and it takes everything in me not to growl. This has been the worst fucking day.

“You can’t be serious.” Rhett’s spine goes rigid, and I stifle a smirk. Yeah, it’s a hassle, but watching this asshole’s plans unravel is almost worth it.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Sesto, but that’s the regulation for southbound flights.”

“Why?” Rhett practically barks, but the beta doesn’t even flinch. She probably deals with rich assholes like him all day long.

“Your claiming certificate is dated as of yesterday,” she says smoothly, like she’s given this explanation a hundred times.

“According to regulation, anyone entering the southern territory with an omega claimed within the last thirty days must travel with their entire pack. It helps to ensure the process is legal.”

She takes a breath, then leans in slightly, her tone softening like she and Rhett are old friends. “I know it’s an inconvenience for respectable alphas like yourself, but you’d be surprised how many omegas get snatched up here.”

Rhett exhales through his nose, eyes closing for a brief second. I can see him doing the math in his head .

I wonder how much more I can get out of him.

“Of course.” He forces a tight smile. “He was just staying behind for business.” His gaze cuts to me. “Give me one minute. I’m sure we can reschedule.” He turns. “A word?”

But I’m already walking toward the far wall.

Rhett pushes away from the counter, giving Autry one last glance before trailing after me. It doesn’t put much distance between us and everyone else, but I know he won’t risk stepping outside and leaving Autry unguarded.

Charlie seems nice enough, but he doesn’t exactly look like a fighter.

“What’s your offer?” My tone is ice.

“What do you want?” he whispers, not wanting anyone to overhear.

“To fly back?” I laugh, short and bitter as exhaustion hits me hard.

I really don’t want to go back to Westbin, but I’ve got sixty bucks to my name and no other prospects. I don’t know where else to go to find work around here. And on top of all of that, I’m tired, hungry, and all I really wanted today was to get the hell out of that damn city.

“You know,” I say, “the deal was that I’d travel with you to the airport and that’s it. I did my part.” I smirk, loving the way his jaw ticks as his frustration builds.

Rhett’s shoulders rise and fall with a slow breath. “I wasn’t aware of this… policy ,” he snarls the word.

A mix of emotions swirls inside me—excitement at seeing him squirm, irritation at being forced to fly back, but mostly rage that this fucker can make all his problems disappear with the snap of his fingers.

I want to punch him so fucking bad.

“This isn’t what we agreed to,” I say, voice low, waiting for him to make the first offer. “You told me you needed a bodyguard. Next thing I know, I’m signing a sales receipt so you can claim an omega. I stuck my neck out, and now you want more.”

His jaw tightens, and his voice drops. “What do you want?”

Rhett snorts. “You’re already making a fortune for a simple two-hour drive. And all you did was stare at my omega the whole fucking time,” he whispers harshly. “If you think you’re going to get six thousand dollars on top of what I already agreed to pay, you’ve got another thing coming.”

My fists curl. I step into his space. “Eight grand.”

“One,” he says, holding up a finger. “I’ll give you one extra. That’s five total.”

Every muscle in my body tenses, waiting for some smug comment about how it’s more than I’ve ever seen. But he surprises me. Says nothing.

“Two grand,” I say forcefully. “ And you cover my flight back.”

Rhett barks a dry laugh. “That desperate for off-the-books work?”

“I don’t need some old man judging me.”

“It’s not a judgment,” Rhett says. “I’m only calling it like I see it. Now give me your ID.” And just like that, it’s clear the negotiations are over.

I hate working with old alphas. They always treat me like an idiot because I’m younger, but they have no idea what I’ve lived through.

“Oli,” Rhett says my name, palm open.

“I want the money now,” I say. “Cash. Before we get on the flight.”

“I’ve got the four grand, but I’ll have to get you the rest in Westbin. ”

“Transfer it.”

“No,” Rhett says forcefully as I pull out my wallet. “ Everything is off the books. Cash only.”

My hand curls right around my wallet while I try to figure out what I want to do. “You had better not fuck me over.” I refrain from reminding him that I know where he lives. That feels like it might push him too far.

“Give me your fucking ID,” he says, staring at my wallet.

I pull out my license, then hold it up for him to see. “And my flight back?”

“You’re flying commercial.” He snatches the card from my hand and turns away.

I can feel Autry’s eyes on me before I even look over. Turning my head, my eyes lock with hers. Her dark brows drawn tight, lips parted slightly. She looks... worried. Or curious. Maybe both. And fuck, she’s beautiful.

The sudden urge to walk to her, drop to my knees, and lick that pretty mouth hits me like a goddamn truck.

I take a step back, trying to shake the feeling off.

Fuck .

This is going to be a long fucking flight.