Page 16 of The Packaged Deal
When she comes out dressed in a tight purple dress with a tulle skirt, ballet flats, and her hair and makeup done, I get a flutter in my chest. I've never seen anyone like her. I clear my throat and try to avert my eyes, but the effortless grace she walks with is hypnotic.
She throws herself at me and hugs me tight, and I hesitate before I stroke her back. My stomach flips, and I clear my throat and step away from her.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
“Shall we send Adrian a selfie?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Her eyes widen, and she bites her lower lip and nods. I put my arm around her, hold out my phone, and snap off a photo. But before I can send it, I get a better idea.
“Let's go see him, instead.”
She smiles, and it lights up her face, and I realise the little darling has violet eyes that look like they’re filled with glints of starlight. “He’ll be so shocked.”
“He will. Especially with those bruises covered up. Let’s go say hello.” I just like seeing that smile. The way it takes over her whole person.
I put a call into our driver for the day and see Nigel pull up. I open the door and help her into the car.
“Silver Falls Hospital.”
We’re silent on the way over, but it’s comfortable. I find myself watching her out of the corner of my eye, trying to learn everything I can.
I lead her through the hospital, and then stand back, watching the moment the alpha sees her. See what she will look like when those bruises heal. He stops, immobile over a tablet he’s writing in, his eyes widen slightly, his nostrils flare, and he seems to shiver.
Seeing Adrian off kilter is easily my favourite moment of the year. Seeing Sven, who was standing there talking to him, also look like someone hit him upside the head, not so much.
Instead of rushing over there, Jade grips my fingers and squeezes painfully. My chest is tight, and my ears are ringing, but I can’t say what’s wrong.
“Liar,” I whisper to myself. I know what’s wrong. I just don’t want to face it yet.
So I push my thoughts and feelings deep down inside, smile at Adrian, Sven, and Jade, and walk the omega towards the alphas.
Adrian looks visibly shaken but opens his arms when she gets close. She glances shyly up at Sven, and he blinks several times before he drags his gaze to me.
For a moment, I think I see anguish, and then he clears his throat and turns and walks out.
Sven doesn’t normally cause me any pain in our relationship. He’s been the almost perfect boyfriend, so I can’t help but watch him walk away with an uneasy feeling that he’s got something he needs to share with me.
Something that could be the end of us.
five
Kandi
The hotel room was nicer than anywhere else I'd stayed before. Onyx must have convinced Silas to give up one of the staterooms. It’s located near the top of the building with incredible views of the inner Silver Falls city.
Jade goes straight to the windows and stares down, one hand resting tentatively on the glass. I don’t know why, but she looks so sad from here.
“Jade?”
She turns towards me with a watery smile that isn’t fooling me at all.
“This view is incredible, isn’t it?” Her voice wobbles, and she sniffs and quickly turns back towards the windows. “Don’t mind me, it just makes me feel so small in the world.”
I don’t know how to answer that because the diminutive omega is the largest person I’ve ever met. Her aura is everywhere. She takes up all the space.
I'm trying so hard to dislike her. I want to dislike her. Especially with Sven’s strange behaviour, but she’s really nice, and under that tough, flirty omega attitude, she’s so vulnerable.