Page 20 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

“Look at me, Autry,” Rhett issues a gentle command. It’s so soft I could ignore it if I wanted, but I’m determined to be a good mate.

Taking a deep breath, I force my head up. The second my eyes meet Rhett’s, his expression brightens, and he smiles. It’s genuine. Warm. Like I’m exactly what he wanted.

“Arms up,” he says in a throaty purr as his gaze drops to my breasts. He licks his lips, waiting for me to obey.

I obey, heart pounding. Every second stretches out. Is he going to touch me? Kiss me? Instead, he pulls the gray shirt over my head. My skin tingles with confusion.

He’s… dressing me?

What’s happening right now?

There’s a soft knock on the bedroom door, and it cracks open. “Sorry.” Myrick pokes his head in, sheepish. “I’m here for my pillow.” He tiptoes across the room with exaggerated movements. It’s clear he’s hoping we’ll ignore him, but it’s almost impossible not to stare.

“Why are you taking your pillow?” Rhett asks, frowning.

Myrick blinks. “So you two can… bond.”

“Why would we bond without you?”

I freeze and stare at Rhett, searching his face.

He’s clearly not joking. Most pack alphas insist on claiming their omegas alone—especially the first time to establish themselves as the head of the household.

Then, over time, omegas are allowed to be intimate with the other alphas of the pack, with the betas being last. Always last.

But it seems that Rhett wants me to see Myrick as important as him. At least I think that’s what is happening here….

It’s sweet. I think.

“Rhett.” Myrick’s hands hang loose at his sides, and his posture seems to sag. “We’ve talked about this…” he says softly. “It's important that you?—”

“You’re staying.” Rhett’s voice drops a full octave. “Shut that door and get into bed.” It’s a hard command with zero room for arguing.

Myrick’s shoulders fall. He looks at me, like he’s asking for permission. Or forgiveness. I feel so bad for the beta.

He seems like a really sweet guy. And he also looks unbelievably stressed. I don’t know if it’s because of me, or the fact that Oli isn’t here, or maybe it’s Charlie’s presence, but I feel the need to fix this. I need everyone here to feel good about this new arrangement.

“Do you want to be the bread or the butter?” I ask Myrick.

“The what?” His blue eyes flicker to Rhett, but the alpha looks just as confused .

“Do you want to be the bread or the butter?” I repeat myself as I point at the bed. “Do you like to be squished in the middle or sprawled out on the edges?”

Myrick lets out a nervous laugh at my lame joke. “I’m happy anywhere,” he says, and I honestly believe him.

“How about you crawl in next to me, Autry?” Rhett moves to the side of the bed closest to the bedroom door. He adjusts his pillow before sliding in, then he pats the spot in the middle of the bed. “Come and lie down.”

My hands go cold as I move to the foot of the bed. I place my knee on the very edge, then I lift up, making sure I don’t crawl over Rhett’s feet as I make my way to the center.

Myrick waits until I’m under the covers, then he turns off the light. The bed dips as he crawls onto my other side, then I brace myself.

Just as I expect, Rhett’s big hand curls around my middle, pulling me closer.

But instead of pinning me beneath him, he curls his big body around my back, tucking me firmly against his chest. It feels good, but it’s a weird position.

Alphas normally prefer their omegas to be on their backs or on their hands and knees when they rut them… .at least that’s what I was taught.

“It’s okay, Autry,” Rhett whispers, his voice a low purr that vibrates against my back. “Go to sleep, sweet girl.”

I stiffen, then turn my head, trying to see the alpha’s face in the dark. “Are we going to…” I trail off, suddenly feeling very shy. I hate that I can’t see his eyes.

“Not tonight.” He kisses my temple. Long fingers find my hair, slowly pulling the bobby pins away. I think it’s Myrick. “You need to sleep.” Rhett pats my hip, telling me that’s the end of the conversation. “We all do.”

Swift rejection lances my chest, making my body curl inward. While it’s completely dark in here, I still tuck my chin down, hiding my face from both of them.

“Good night, Autry.” Myrick kisses the top of my head, and tears fill my eyes for the second time tonight.

They don’t want me.

Why did they buy me? Is this some kind of trick? What if they know what I did? Or who I really am? What if Oli is bringing the police here right now?

I squeeze my eyes shut tight, trying to reel in my spiraling emotions, but it’s no use. Rhett is refusing to rut me, because he doesn’t want me.

“What’s wrong with her?” Myrick whispers. “She smells… off.”

“It’s been a long day,” Rhett whispers as he tries to brush the hair out of my face.

But the long strands stick to my tear-streaked cheeks.

“The nurse said they gave her a short-term heat suppressant as well as a sedative.” He sounds angry.

“I’m sure it’s all the drugs leaving her system, coupled with the stress of the day.

Honestly, I’d be concerned if she wasn’t distressed. ”

Myrick says something else, but it’s muffled by the rolling purr that begins to radiate from Rhett’s chest. The vibrations push into me, unfurling the knot in my belly and lump in my throat. Before I know it, my muscles feel like jelly.

I try to hang on, listening to the pair whisper, but my mind refuses to focus on what they’re saying. I think I hear Charlie’s name. Maybe Oli’s too.

Their deep voices wrap around me, their hands warm and gentle. And slowly, my fear melts into quiet.

I drift.

And sleep takes me under.