Page 4 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Dr. Plume’s eyebrows lift as he looks over her newly healed wrist. “Yeah?” he says, forcing cheer into his tone. “What do you think, Autry? Are you excited to finally be mated?”

Autry’s eyes dart to me—for a split second. Then she straightens her spine, swallows visibly, and nods. “Yes,” she says, her voice surprisingly firm. But her hands are clenched in the fabric of her nightgown, knuckles white.

Dr. Plume claps his hands together once, obviously pleased. “Excellent.” He gives a firm nod before turning back to Angelica. “I think we have one more omega for the Morder, but I’m not sure.”

“I’ll speak with Mrs. Danner.” Angelica gives Autry another slow once-over. “Have this one ready in five minutes.” Then she pivots and her heels click down the hallway like she owns it. The tension eases the moment she disappears, like the air itself was holding its breath.

“Charlie?” Dr. Plume says. I instinctively push my shoulders back.

“I know it’s been a while since you worked at the Morder,” he gestures toward the archway, “but Jacci’s arranging transport for our new patient, and I need to get cleaned up before I head that way.

” He glances down at his bloody scrubs. “Would you ride with Autry to the Morder? She’s taken a real liking to you.

I think it’ll help keep her calm.” He lowers his voice.

“Frankly, she looks like she could use a friend, and Angelica isn’t exactly a soothing presence. ”

My heart skips. “Yeah. Of course.”

“Thanks.” He pats me on the back. “Why don’t you take her out front? Let her get some fresh air before the trip.”

“Absolutely.” I nod, then wait for the doctor to exit.

As soon as the room clears, I turn to find Autry standing right behind me, cradling her wrist again like she did when the cast was still there. Her cheeks are flushed, and there’s a tremble in her bottom lip despite the smile she forces.

“Shall we step outside?” I offer.

She nods a little too quickly, then ducks her head as she walks past. Her lemony scent swirls around me, sweet and anxious.

We step onto the front lawn. The early morning air is crisp, but calm. Leaves rustle gently in the trees. Autry takes a deep breath, but it’s shallow, like she’s trying to convince herself she’s okay.

“I think it’s going to be a nice day,” I say, trying to keep things light.

“Hopefully not too cold,” she replies, smiling a little too brightly. Her eyes scan the yard, then the tree line, then the horizon, like she’s memorizing it. “It’s pretty here. Peaceful.” Her voice is steady, but her fingers fidget at her sides.

She’s trying so hard to look unbothered—but I see the way her chest rises faster than normal, how her jaw clenches, holding something back.

“Charlie?” she whispers. The breeze catches her hair and whips it around her face. “I’m going to miss you.” She glances up, her eyes searching mine with a raw kind of desperation. “A lot.”

I take her hands, brushing my thumbs across the back of them. Her skin is ice cold.

“I’ll miss you too,” I say softly, admiring the way the sun makes her brown hair flame copper red.

It feels like I’m losing something precious.

Something completely irreplaceable. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before, and she’s about to slip away.

“I hope your new pack treats you like the treasure you are. You deserve to be happy.”

Autry opens her mouth to speak, then closes it. Her chest heaves once, and she forces out a shaky breath. Then, before I can even ask, she stands on tiptoes and kisses me.

It’s lightning-fast. And the moment she pulls back, her face crumples in panic.

“I’m sorry,” she blurts, cheeks turning red. “I-I shouldn’t have done that. I just—I’ve wanted to since I got here, and I thought if I didn’t do it now, I’d never—” Her laugh cracks halfway through. “It’s stupid. I’m being stupid.”

Her voice trembles, and she looks like she might cry. But still, she lifts her chin as if daring me to reject her.

“Autry,” I whisper, leaning in—but she steps back quickly.

“You don’t have to say anything.” She shakes her head, as if already prepared to be rejected. “I know you don’t…I mean, you’re just being nice. I get it. This was dumb. It was dumb, I’m sorry?—”

“I like you too.” I reach for her hand again, pulling her back to me.

Her eyes widen. “What?”

“I have adored you since the moment I saw you.” I need to shut up and let this sweet girl go. I’m making everything worse, but I can’t help myself. It’s like I’m compelled to tell her how I feel before she leaves me forever.

“Charlie…” she says my name like it’s a dream come true. And for a moment, we’re both standing on the front lawn, looking into each other's eyes as if seeing one another for the first time. Time stands still. Her shoulders finally relax, and for a brief moment, all the fear slips away.

I cup her face, thumb brushing her soft cheek. I want to kiss her properly—slow and certain. Something she’ll remember when she’s lying in a stranger’s bed, wondering what might’ve been.

But the front door creaks open behind us, and Autry startles, jerking back like she’s been shot. I quickly shove my hands into my pockets, then take two steps back.

Angelica steps outside, scanning the trees before turning her attention to Autry. “Are you ready to meet your new pack, omega? ”

Autry freezes, and all the color drains from her face. Her lips tremble before she forces a smile that doesn't reach her eyes.

“Yes, ma’am,” she says. Her voice is steady, like it’s been practiced in the mirror.

This is it.

One short car ride, and this stunning omega will be out of my life forever.

I fucking hate this.