Page 34 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Oli

It’s been a few days since I heard from Rhett. I don’t want to admit it—but it’s fucking killing me…and not because of the money. Autry and I barely spoke more than three sentences, but she’s been stuck in my head like a song I can’t forget.

Is she settling in okay?

Has Rhett claimed her yet?

Is she thinking about me?

What about Myrick? The beta carries something heavy—grief maybe, or guilt—but I don’t know him well enough to ask. And Charlie…hell, I don’t even know the kid, but watching him laugh with Autry—that easy, open joy. It hit me hard.

It felt good to be around them. To see how a real, loving pack functions. I never had that growing up.

Even now, as an adult, I feel like I’m struggling to keep my head above water.

But at least I’ve got a roof over my head.

This hotel’s run-down—carpet worn to threads, wallpaper curling off in fat strips—but it’s got a bed, a door that locks, and a shower that runs mostly warm.

That’s more than I’ve had before, and I don’t take it for granted.

I’ve currently got a decent stack of money from the first job with Rhett, but I’m determined to stretch every cent. Even though the alpha has promised me another fat payday, I don’t get a cent until his business sells… if it sells.

When is he going to fucking call?

Restless, I get up and step into the bathroom, checking on the clothes hanging from the shower rod.

My two shirts are nearly dry. The jeans are still wet at the waist and cuffs.

They’re gonna need to hang all night. A laundromat would be faster, but I’m not wasting the money to wash what few clothes I have.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand, and I bolt for it. A rush of something like hope surges through me—before I even check the screen.

It’s Brock.

I answer, bringing the phone to my ear. “Look who finally came up for air,” I tease, grinning before I can stop myself. “How’d everything go?”

“She said yes,” Brock cuts straight to the chase, his voice hushed. “Melissa and I are officially exclusive.”

I let out a low, honest laugh, the kind that echoes in my chest. “Man, that’s awesome. I’m really happy for you.”

“Yeah. I was so fucking nervous,” he says softly. “I had this whole speech planned—about how she makes me a better man, how I can’t imagine my life without her. But instead? I choked on my beer and blurted out that I wanted her all to myself.” He lets out a quiet, sheepish chuckle.

“All that matters is that she said yes,” I remind him.

“So true.” He hums, soft and satisfied, like he’s exactly where he wants to be .

It’s shameful, but a part of me—buried deep and quiet—is a little jealous.

Brock’s fifteen years older than me, but somehow it feels like he got handed a version of life I didn’t know I wanted until a few days ago.

I want what he has. Maybe not the tripping-over-my-own-words part, but the peace and love.

“So,” Brock continues, voice shifting slightly, “I was calling to see how the job hunt was going. Did you get a flight up north?”

I rub the back of my neck, feeling a pang of guilt for not filling him in sooner. “Actually, I decided to stay here.”

“Really?” Brock blurts, surprised. There’s a soft rustle on the other end, and I hear a woman’s sleepy voice. “Sorry, babe. Go back to sleep,” he murmurs.

“Yeah,” I say, continuing despite the fact that he sounds distracted. “I found a job down here and figured it was worth sticking around a few more weeks.”

“Give me a minute, Oli.” There’s a pause. Then I hear a door close on his end, and Brock’s voice finally rises to full volume. “Sorry about that. So... tell me about the job.”

I hesitate, then say it. “I’m working for your brother.”

There’s a silence that stretches just a second too long. “Doing what?” he asks flatly.

“I’m a bodyguard for his omega,” I say.

Another pause—then a long, heavy sigh from Brock. Not angry. Not surprised...but weighty. “Look, man. I love my brother. I really do. But be careful. Okay? He’s fucking insane when it comes to his mates.”

I shift on the edge of the bed, making it creak. “Yeah. I got that impression.”

Brock lowers his voice again. “I don’t mean jealous or possessive—though he’s definitely both. I mean he’s...unstable. Or he can be, when it comes to them. ”

I say nothing, waiting for him to continue.

“Before Autry, there was Jason,” Brock says quietly.

“They were together for years. Like a decade or something like that. They were the perfect pack. Rhett was the happiest I’d ever seen him—smiling all the time, planning the future, calling me to talk.

He and Myrick were living their best damn lives. ”

“What happened?” I ask, dread pulling in my belly.

“One day he...snapped,” Brock says, his voice going flat. “He woke up, looked Jason in the eye, and tried to kill him.”

My stomach flips. “What?”

“Yeah. No warning. No build-up. He nearly gutted the guy in the middle of their apartment. Jason barely made it out.”

“And Myrick?”

Brock’s silence speaks volumes before he finally answers. “Myrick was there. Tried to pull Rhett off him. I don’t know exactly what happened—nobody talks about it—but Myrick ended up in the hospital.”

“Jesus.” Rage burns through me at the thought of the sweet, blond beta lying in a hospital bed, broken and bleeding.

“Yeah,” Brock murmurs. “It was messy. Myrick didn’t talk for weeks. Jason moved out of state. Rhett vanished for a few days. When he came back, it was like nothing had happened—except Myrick was never the same. And Rhett has refused to explain a damn thing.”

I stare at the cracked ceiling, the buzz of the shitty overhead light suddenly too loud.

“Look,” Brock says gently. “I’m not trying to scare you. Just… I know you, Oli. You’ve got a big heart. You’re a good, protective friend. Be careful around my brother.”

I grit my teeth, jaw tight. Careful? Around Rhett? “I will,” I say, but the words are stiff, a pit already settling in my stomach.

This job isn’t about guarding some random omega.

It’s about Autry—who’s soft and sweet, and too damn loving for her own good.

It’s about Myrick, who smiles like he’s trying to hold the world together with nothing but kindness.

Even Charlie, with his nervous energy and wide eyes, seems like a good kid.

And not a single one of them needs a bodyguard.

They need someone to protect them from the very man they live with.

“I’m sorry to be a downer,” Brock says. “But try to keep your distance, if you can.” His voice drops. “Especially from his omega.”

My grip tightens around the phone. “You honestly think he hurt Myrick?” I ask, needing to make sure.

“ If he did,” Brock really stresses his uncertainty, “I don’t think he meant to. But I don’t want him to snap and rip into you.”

“Yeah.” My voice is clipped, filled with rage. “Thanks for the warning, man.” I try to sound sincere, but I’m too tense.

“Maybe we can have dinner one day this week?” Brock says. “Melissa is dying to meet you.”

“Sounds good.” I’m already moving—pacing, heart pounding hard against my ribs. “I’ll call you later.” I end the call without saying goodbye.

The urge to race over to Rhett's apartment is strong. I want to make sure they’re all okay.

Autry, Myrick, and Charlie. They’re all so small compared to Rhett.

He’s got to be at least six foot four, maybe an inch taller.

Autry and Charlie are teeny compared to him… and Myrick. He’s too soft. Too gentle .

The silence from Rhett this week feels so much worse now. I’m no longer simply eager to see the sweet pack. I’m now desperate to know they’re all okay.

“First thing in the morning,” I whisper to myself. “I’m going over there and making sure they’re all okay. That nothing bad has happened.”

Brock’s words echo in my head: Be careful.

Careful ?

No.

Rhett’s the one who needs to watch his back.