Page 54 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

“Of course not. No hard feelings,” I say, already rising from my chair. “Good to see you both.” I make sure to look at both of them. “Jannis, we’ll speak soon. Donall, let’s catch up another time.”

I don’t wait for a response. I turn, give the waitress a nod, and walk out to get Myrick.

I don’t even bother looking back.

Because if I stay one second longer, I might say something I’ll regret.

By the time Myrick and I step into the apartment, I can already hear it—Charlie’s laughter echoing faintly down the hallway, bright and unburdened.

Myrick stops dead in his tracks, head tilted like he’s making sure he didn’t imagine it. Then he grins so widely it practically breaks his face. “That’s him, right?” he asks, already moving faster down the hallway.

“Sounds like it,” I mutter, chest loosening in a way I didn’t realize I needed. Charlie hasn’t laughed in days—not since his heat broke. Not since he locked himself in his room and wouldn’t come out, no matter how hard any of us tried.

I follow the sound past the living room, down the hallway, and around the corner. And then?—

There’s Oli, perched on a barstool outside Autry’s nesting room, cradling Dolly. The absurdly fluffy dog is asleep, snoring softly, while Oli’s eyes are fixed on the open door. His expression is soft, in the way people watch someone they’re in love with.

Myrick doesn’t even pause. He slides around Oli, squeezes through the door, and vanishes into the room.

I stop beside Oli.

“What’s going on in there?” I ask, voice low as I glance through the doorway.

Inside, Autry and Charlie are in the center of Autry’s nest, fluffing pillows, folding blankets, rearranging the whole space until it looks like something out of a catalog—if catalogs came scented with sugared-lemon and buttered sweet bread.

It’s an intoxicating and familiar aroma.

One that reminds me of the buttered-lemon pound cake my grandmother used to make.

The two omegas, chat and smile—really smile—like neither one of them has ever been happier .

“They’re nesting together,” Oli says simply, voice quiet. “They’re sharing.”

I blink. “Sharing?” I hadn’t expected that. I figured we’d need to order a second frame, and set up a space for Charlie to do his own thing. Hell, I was prepared to. But this?

Oli nods. “Charlie’s been helping all day. He’s…so happy,” he whispers the words like they're the answer to a prayer.

Inside, Autry catches sight of us. She gasps and jumps to her feet. “Alpha, you’re home!” She rushes toward me barefoot, in nothing but an oversized t-shirt. She throws her arms around my neck and kisses my cheek. She smells so fucking good.

“Come look,” she beams, stepping back and holding out her hands like she’s presenting a masterpiece. “What do you think of our nest?”

“ Our nest?” I emphasize, making sure I heard her right.

Her voice lifts, bright and full of joy. “Yeah! Charlie and I built it together. It’s ours.”

My attention moves to Charlie. He’s sitting on the edge of the nest, smiling so big it might crack his face in half. He looks proud. Relaxed. At peace.

Myrick stands beside him and claps once. “It’s gorgeous. Seriously. It looks like a dream in there.”

Autry flushes under the praise, cheeks pink. Even Charlie’s face colors slightly as he ducks his head.

And me?

I feel like I could fucking float.

Stepping inside the room, I cross the space slowly. Then I pause in front of Charlie, bend down, and press a kiss to his lips. He hums into it, warm and welcome.

When I straighten again, I glance back toward the hallway where Oli is still watching from the stool .

“What are you doing out there?” I ask, brow furrowing. “You afraid to come inside?” But then worry hits me and I glance around the room, suddenly unsure. “Wait. Is this—?” I glance at Autry. “Is this the nest? Like… the whole room?” I go stiff, suddenly terrified I’ve violated their private space.

“Oh, no,” Charlie says quickly. “Oli got kicked out,” he says with a teasing glint in his eye. “He got too close to the nest without permission.”

Oli lifts a hand in mock surrender, looking completely shameless. “There were two sexy-as-fuck omegas on one bed,” he says with a shrug. “What was I supposed to do?”

“You’re supposed to ask, ” Autry calls out, though she’s clearly amused.

“Well,” Oli smirks at Autry, “I look forward to being punished later.” He winks, and Autry’s mouth falls open with fake offense.

Myrick steps back into the hall and catches Oli’s wrist. “Come on, trouble. You can help me in the kitchen.”

“Really?” Autry snorts, disbelieving. “What the hell is he gonna do in the kitchen? He doesn’t even know how to turn on the oven.”

Charlie bursts out laughing, full-bellied and bright. “They’re probably going in there to make out.” He doesn’t even try to sound innocent, and Autry begins giggling too.

I stay where I am, watching the laughter ripple through them, warm and easy, like this moment could last forever.

And for the first time in what feels like years, I feel like I can breathe.