Page 24 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

“Rhett’s still on the phone,” Myrick adds as he steps into the kitchen, “but he said you’d be coming by.” Oli follows a beat behind, looking rough in yesterday’s clothes—wrinkled black tee, worn jeans, steel-toed boots, and stubble shadowing his jaw.

“Good morning,” I say with a wave. He lifts a hand in return but doesn’t quite smile. His dark eyes flicker to mine, then over my shoulder—to Autry’s tea, maybe? Or maybe he’s avoiding looking at me for too long.

“Cream and sugar?” Myrick offers.

“Actually, I prefer juice,” Oli says, dragging out a stool at the island and dropping onto it like he hasn’t slept in a week.

Myrick groans like he’s personally offended. “What is wrong with you people?” he mutters, glancing at me.

I try not to laugh. “I’ll get it.” I move toward the fridge, surprised and a little pleased when Myrick doesn’t stop me.

It’s a small thing, but it makes me feel like less of a guest and a little bit more like a packmate…

or at least a friend. I find the orange juice and pour a glass as the doorbell chimes again.

“Shit. He’s early.” Myrick looks down at his robe in dismay, then toward the hall. “I think Rhett’s still on the phone.”

The bell rings again.

“Dammit,” the blond beta huffs, then disappears down the hallway, muttering something about shoes.

“He’s kind of high-strung,” Oli says, reaching for the box of pastries. He flips it open, selects a blueberry scone, and takes a giant bite like he hasn’t eaten in days. “Is he always like this?”

I shrug, not wanting to admit I don’t actually know Myrick well enough to say for sure. Or Rhett. Or even really Autry when you get down to it. I’m just some idiot who threw his entire life away for a pretty smile.

And I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Then Autry walks in—and all the air in my lungs flies out of me.

“Charlie!” she gasps loudly as she steps into the kitchen.

She looks so beautiful with her flushed cheeks and damp hair pulled back into a braid.

She’s wearing a borrowed shirt and joggers that drag at her feet, but I assume these belong to Myrick.

The shirt has a logo for the Paraclete College, which is a popular school for betas.

She looks delicious. Barefoot and sleepy-eyed. Like a little sunbeam I’m lucky to orbit.

“How’d you sleep?” I ask, trying to sound casual, even as my arms cross tightly over my chest. The kitchen island is the only thing keeping me from reaching for her.

“I slept really well,” she says with an almost shy smile. “First time in months I didn’t toss and turn.” Her eyes crinkle, soft and bright. “I was worried about you, though.”

My whole body thrums with excitement at the idea of her lying awake, thinking about me .

“There was no reason to be,” I say, fighting a smile. “I was fine.”

I wasn’t. I stared at the ceiling for hours, my head filled with too many sounds and too many feelings. I’d never admit it, but I was scared—scared she’d been hurt, scared she’d regret staying. Scared that I don’t belong here after all.

Autry climbs onto the stool next to Oli, and I tense. The younger alpha glances sharply at her but doesn’t move away.

“Are those blueberry?” Autry leans forward over the box of pastries, bracing on her hands.

“Yeah.” Oli grabs a second one, then nudges the box toward her. “They’re good,” he says, mouth full.

“They look good.” Autry leans a little closer, her bare forearm brushing against Oli’s. His whole body stills, eyes snapping to hers like she’s a sudden sound in a quiet room. She doesn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she does and doesn’t care.

“Did you sleep well, alpha?” she asks, her voice gentle, curious. Maybe even flirty? Her gaze meets his and lingers, the tips of her ears turn the faintest shade of pink.

Oli blinks, caught completely off guard. “Yeah,” he says slowly. “I guess.”

“I know we didn’t really get a chance to talk yesterday,” she continues, her voice lifting with a hopeful note, “but I was hoping we could... get to know each other a little.” She leans in slightly, not quite touching him, but close enough to make his breath hitch.

“Maybe we could sit and chat for a bit? Or even watch a movie? ”

There’s a beat of silence. Oli looks at her like she’s speaking a language he doesn’t quite understand. He swallows, hard, something flickering in his expression—confusion, maybe. Or disbelief. Then it barely softens, and he takes a slow breath. “Okay,” he finally murmurs, voice low.

Shocked, I’m frozen, watching it unfold—this soft flirtation she doesn’t even realize she’s giving. My stomach twists with jealousy and something darker. She thinks he’s one of us. A member of our pack.

“Myrick made you tea,” I say a little too loudly, pointing to the steaming drink.

Autry smiles then slips off her stool, padding toward me. She stops right beside me, hands cradling the cup, and just like that—my breathing eases. She’s close. She’s safe.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Jannis,” Myrick says breathlessly as he and an older alpha step into the room.

The man towers over the beta—tall and broad, with a neatly trimmed beard threaded with gray.

He wears a tailored three-piece suit like it’s armor, but his voice is warm, friendly.

“To be fair, I did drop in unannounced,” he says with a friendly laugh.

“And on a Saturday.” His gaze sweeps the room—pausing on Oli, then me.

But when he sees Autry, his eyes go wide. “And who’s the lovely omega?”

Myrick practically beams. “This is Autry,” he says, stepping beside her like he’s proud to present his greatest treasure. “She’s a new addition to our pack.”

Autry turns that radiant smile on, instantly glowing with charm. “It’s lovely to meet you, sir. Rhett’s spoken about you often.” Her tone is respectful, polished—so different than the way she spoke to Oli. “It’s so good to finally put a face to the name.”

Mr. Jannis smiles, clearly charmed. “Well, whatever Rhett said, it’s definitely true.” He lets out a hearty laugh .

“It was,” Autry says with a small giggle. I can’t help but be impressed by how easily she flatters the older alpha. It’s not surprising. Omegas learn all kinds of skills at those academies, including how to make polite small talk.

“I have to be honest,” Mr. Jannis says to Autry. “I’m shocked to see that Rhett has taken an omega.”

“Is that so?” Autry sets down her tea, looking up at the older alpha like he’s the most interesting man she’s ever met. “Why’s that?”

“Rhett’s got a reputation in some circles as being…

anti-pack,” Jannis says, grimacing like it pains him to admit.

Myrick’s shoulders stiffen at the words, his hand twitching at the tie of his robe.

“But it’s good to see that isn’t true.” Mr. Jannis smiles, trying to catch Myrick’s eye.

I notice that the beta has gone stiff. Clearly uncomfortable.

“How long have you been with Rhett’s pack? ” the older alpha asks Autry.

“I’m not yet mated,” Autry says simply, tipping her head to the side to show her bare neck. Her gaze lands on Oli, and for a second, I swear she blushes.

“Ah,” Mr. Jannis smiles like he’s remembering something fondly. “This is a precious time.” He looks at me, then Oli. “Enjoy these early days, boys. You’ll never get them back.”

Autry nods, saying that she couldn't agree more.

“And who’s this young beta?” Mr. Jannis looks right at me, but I freeze up, too flustered to speak. Why do alphas freak me out so much?

Thankfully, Autry saves me. “This is Charlie,” she says, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder. Then she turns to Oli with a warm grin. “And this is our other alpha, Oli.”

Myrick’s head jerks up.

My mouth falls open.

And Oli chokes on his scone .

“Nope,” the young alpha tries to say, but his voice is muffled by pastry. “I’m—” He coughs hard, then grabs his juice, gulping it down.

“I’m so sorry, Cooper,” Rhett breezes into the room, shoving his cell phone into his pocket. He looks a little agitated. “Would you like to come back to my office?”

“Congratulations, you son of a bitch." Mr. Jannis lets out a booming laugh as he grabs Rhett’s hand, shaking it forcefully. “You are full of surprises. I don’t know when you decided to expand your pack.”

Rhett glances at Autry, and a soft smile lifts his features. “Yes. We’re quite happy.”

Mr. Jannis lowers his voice, serious now.

“I’ll be honest, I was coming here to pass on the offer to buy your company.

I wanted to tell you face-to-face. The board’s concerned about investing in an alpha that can’t keep his pack together.

After all, it’s important for men like us to have a stable home life.

It allows us to commit ourselves fully to our work.

But when things are falling apart at home, that usually means that things are falling through the cracks at work as well, and that’s not a business I want to take over. ”

Rhett’s jaw clenches, like he’s enraged and gutted at the same time, but he doesn’t speak.

“But seeing you now…” Jannis looks at Autry, then at Oli, who raises a brow like he’s enjoying the misunderstanding.

“Maybe I was too hasty.” He leans in close to Rhett, voice low.

“Careful with the younger alphas. They can be fun but also a little unpredictable.” Mr. Jannis cuts a playful look at Oli, and Rhett jerks.

“You mean Oli?” Rhett asks slowly.

Mr. Jannis nods, and Oli just grins, clearly amused.

“Let me run this new development by the board.” Mr. Jannis says, and Rhett’s brows shoot up.

“While I wish I had known sooner that you were building your pack back up, I can also appreciate a man who keeps his private life private. That’s no easy feat.

” He pats Rhett’s back. “I’m sure this will shift many opinions. ”

Rhett's dark eyes flash with surprise as he looks from Myrick to Oli. Then he finally nods firmly and says to Mr. Jannis, “I look forward to speaking soon. ”

“Autry,” Mr. Jannis gives the omega a little bow of his head. “It was a pleasure to meet you. Oli.” He extends his hand. Oli stares at it for a second before slowly taking it. “I look forward to learning more about you and Charlie.”

Oli looks past the older alpha, right at Rhett, and smiles wide. “I’m looking forward to it too.”

Why does this feel bad?