Page 29 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Autry doesn’t hesitate. She marches right up to him and grabs his hand. “Come on. You’re going to look amazing.”

Charlie visibly short-circuits the second her hand touches his.

His ears turn red, and his fingers twitch in hers like he’s unsure what to do with the contact.

His mouth opens, but no words come out for a second.

He glances between her hand and her face, then sends me a look that’s equal parts betrayed by me involving Autry and panicked.

“Try on one thing,” I say with a single finger raised. “That’s all I’m asking.”

Charlie lets out an overly dramatic sigh and rolls his eyes. “Fine,” he mutters. “But I’m not doing a fashion show.”

Autry flashes me a victorious grin as she drags him toward a rack of clothes curated for him.

I win.

“That’s really nice of you,” Oli says from behind me. I glance over my shoulder to find him hovering near the mirrored wall, arms crossed and looking like he’s two seconds from bolting.

“You look like you could use a new shirt, too,” I say, eyeing the wrinkled black t-shirt he’s wearing. “There’s probably a whole section for husky omegas.”

“Husky?” Oli lifts an eyebrow, circling the couch so he’s in my line of sight. “Do husky omegas exist?”

“Only in my dreams,” I reply dryly, then switch gears. “How’s Brock?”

Oli relaxes at the question, his shoulders dropping. “He’s really good. I talked to him last night. He’s seeing a girl.”

I grin. “Seriously? I can’t remember the last time Brock dated someone for more than a week.”

“She’s good for him,” Oli says with a proud little smirk. “She keeps him on his toes. Doesn’t let him get away with any of his usual bullshit.”

“That makes me really happy,” I say honestly. “He’s a good guy. He just... overindulges. Always has.”

Oli plops down next to me on the couch, which nearly swallows him whole. He jerks upright like he sat in a beanbag. I smirk but don’t say anything, watching as Autry piles dozens of shirts and pants into Charlie’s stiff arms.

“Okay, I gotta ask,” Oli says, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. His voice drops slightly, like he doesn’t want anyone to hear. “Your old man. Is he always so fucking stiff?”

I bark out a laugh. “He’s not stiff—he’s stressed. Big difference.”

Oli side-eyes me. “He threatened to rip my fucking head off if Autry so much as stubbed her toe.”

I nod, sipping my champagne. “Yeah. That sounds about right. ”

“Come on.” Autry lets out a slightly evil laugh as she practically shoves Charlie into the dressing rooms. The poor beta stumbles inside, pink crawling all the way up to his ears.

“You didn’t have to push me,” he grumbles, clearly trying to sound annoyed, but his goofy smile gives him away.

“You were dragging your feet,” Autry teases, following him far enough to peek inside. Her hand lingers on his arm, thumb brushing lightly against the inside of his wrist before she pulls away. “You’re going to look amazing. I can feel it.”

Charlie’s cheeks flush deeper, and he looks down quickly. “I’m not really a clothes guy,” he mutters, but he’s already toying with the first hanger, stealing another glance at her as she bites her lip and smiles.

“Come on, Charlie,” Oli jumps into the conversation. Charlie's eyes go wide, clearly shocked at having the young alpha talk to him. “You can’t tell a face like that ‘ no ’.” Oli glances at Autry, and she preens at his compliment.

“Just try one thing,” she says softly to Charlie. She swishes her hips, and her voice drops, making it feel like a secret meant only for him. “For me?”

That definitely does him in.

“Fine,” Charlie says under his breath, trying to play it cool—but the way his hand tightens around the hanger tells a different story.

I smile to myself as I watch them step into separate dressing rooms. I love how much they adore each other.

I thought it would be hard seeing Autry adore someone besides me or Rhett, but it honestly feels good.

Like we’ve been given the chance to love someone she’d never have otherwise, which is the whole point of a pack.

We add new lovers, keeping them tucked in our hearts for as long as possible.

“She’s very sweet,” Oli says, still staring at her dressing room door.

“I didn’t expect omegas to actually be so…

” He sighs, then cards his fingers through his wavy hair.

A single strand falls back across his forehead, refusing to be tamed.

“So. Charlie’s new to your pack, right?” He changes the subject, trying to sound casual, but there’s something more careful in his voice—curiosity, maybe even a little hesitation.

Like he doesn’t want to say something that might upset me.

“Yup,” I say, draining the last of my champagne. The warmth curls in my chest, loosening the edges of my thoughts.

“You didn’t know Rhett was bringing him home?” Oli’s tone is more cautious now.

“I didn’t,” I say simply. “I found out a few hours before they got home.”

“That didn’t piss you off?” Oli tilts his head, studying me with those sharp hazel eyes. They're so much like Autry’s, only darker, more guarded, with flecks of gold near the center.

“Honestly?” I meet his gaze, and he nods, waiting. “I was angry at first. But after the shock wore off…I was relieved.”

Oli’s expression tightens in disbelief. “Really? I thought betas got jealous.”

“We don’t get jealous,” I say, but the pointed look he gives me makes me laugh. “Okay, fine. Some betas get jealous. But pack betas don’t. We’re wired different.”

Oli snorts. “I’ve dated a few of your kind.” He leans back, arms crossed. “Let’s not pretend betas aren’t territorial.”

I roll my eyes, setting my empty glass down on the coffee table.

“Fair. But in my case, I’m not. I—” The champagne loosens my tongue, making me feel a little too honest “—don’t know if I have what it takes to care for an omega,” I say bluntly.

“I mean, what if I screw this up? What if she doesn’t find comfort in me?

What if I say the wrong thing or fuck this up like I always…

” I trail off, heat crawling up my neck.

Three glasses of champagne was definitely too much.

“Ignore me,” I mutter, embarrassed. “I don’t know why I told you that.”

Oli doesn’t mock me or laugh. He leans back into the couch, resting his arm across the back like we’re old friends. “I’ve got one of those faces,” he says easily. “People like to confess things.” His voice is light, but his eyes aren’t. They’re watching me—really watching.

I smile at that, thankful that he’s not lingering on my sloppy confession. “I want her to be happy,” I finally say. “And if that means bringing another beta into our pack, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Oli nods slowly, his expression soft. “That’s really selfless.”

I snort, looking down at my hands. “It feels self ish .”

“How?”

“Because if I mess up—if I freeze or fail—I can step back and hand her off to someone who knows what the hell they’re doing.” I try to keep my tone casual, but something cracks in my chest. A pang of sadness grips me, and a rush of violent memories fills my head.

Yup. Way too much champagne.

“Hey,” Oli leans a little closer, slipping his arm around my back.

It feels good. Warm and friendly. “Brock has told me so many stories about you. How funny and loving and kind you are. He doesn’t always have the nicest things to say about his brother, but he talks about you like you were the greatest thing that ever happened to his family. ”

Shock grips me, followed by deep fondness. “Really?” I smile, feeling a little emotional.

“Yeah,” he says, his gaze softening. “He told me more than once that he hopes to find a beta like you one day.” There’s a brief silence—charged and fragile—before his eyes flicker to my mouth.

Then, just as suddenly, Oli shifts, leaning away, putting space between us again.

The warmth he left behind lingers along my spine, and shock rips through me.

Well. Shit.