“We have to go. Now,” Colton whispered, half-growling. “He’s here–”
Sawyer let out a yelp as he was suddenly pushed to the side. A shadow tackled Colton to the ground. The omega grabbed the tree trunk they had been leaning against and took a moment to regain his footing. He hugged the tree tightly, his heart racing from his sudden fall.
“Shit, Colton!” he yelled. He cringed when he realized his hand was bleeding. Must have caught the tree bark wrong.
“I warned you! I gave you the chance to back off!”
The alphas punched, scratched, and growled at each other. Noah was there, and anger poured off him as Colton fought to defend himself. Sawyer took a step forward. I have to help–
“Stay back!” Colton yelled as if sensing his intentions.
“What’s wrong? Still gonna be the noble pacifist?” Noah sneered at Colton, who was blocking as many blows as he could. “Heh, fine by me. Means an easy win for me!” Noah paused and locked eyes with Sawyer. The rage flaring in his eyes morphed into something else, something that terrified Sawyer to his very core.
Desire.
“And you’re still not claimed? I’ll make sure that’s taken care of, omega.” Noah licked his lips and smirked before continuing his fight with Colton.
“Oh, like hell, you will!” Colton growled.
Colton growled and surged forward.. Noah was suddenly against the back of a bench, with Colton’s hand grasping his neck. The metal of the bench groaned, protesting the sudden weight thrown against it. Noah snarled and lashed out with his legs. In a flash, Colton swept Noah’s legs out from under him, and a sickening crunch sounded out as Noah hit the concrete.
Colton pressed his knee into Noah’s back and held his rival’s arms tightly. One swift cuff to the side of Noah’s head knocked out the attacker.
Sawyer stood in shock, wondering what the hell had just happened. It wasn’t until Colton rushed over to him and grasped his arms that he snapped out of it.
“Are you okay? You didn’t get hurt when I–” Colton’s nose twitched. He quickly grabbed Sawyer’s hand and looked at the wound. “I’m so sorry. I saw him coming, and I just–”
“It’s okay. I’m fine. Nothing we can’t fix,” Sawyer whispered, slowly escaping Colton’s iron grasp. The omega gently looked over Colton’s wounds and found numerous cuts and a bloodied lip. His old suit was in tatters—one of the sleeves was barely attached to the body. They’d have to take it to Eliseo for repairs.
Sirens buzzed in the streets as nearby couples came over to investigate the commotion. A couple of officers entered the park, and their eyes locked on both bloodied, battered alphas. Sawyer quickly threw his arm behind Colton’s back and felt the alpha lean on him.
“What happened here?” One officer stepped forward and scanned the area around them. The gold thread on his lapel identified him as K. Ho-Sang, an alpha.
Colton grimaced and pulled Sawyer closer. “Jealous alpha, sir. We’ve had problems with him in the past, but it escalated a bit further today.”
The other officer scribbled in a notebook and eyed the unconscious Noah. “This your work?”
“Yes, sir. I had to make sure he didn’t go after…” Colton paused and looked Sawyer. The officer nodded, seeming to understand.
“I see.” The officer stared at Noah. “How did you do this? I’ve never seen such skillful work.”
“Farm life is hard life, sir. I had to fight the hogs for table scraps.” Colton chuckled.
“Well, you did a good job there, son." The officer laughed, then turned to get statements from the surrounding people.
Officer Ho-Sang sighed. “Normally, I would say you have to stay until we get all the statements we need, but…” He cleared his throat, and his eyes flitted to Sawyer for a second. “Judging by the scents in this area, it won’t be necessary. I’ll just need contact information in case we need to speak to either of you again.”
Sawyer fidgeted and averted his gaze. Yeah, he knew what was coming. At his side, Colton stood tall, but couldn’t hide the goosebumps prickling across his skin. Officer Ho-Sang tilted his head toward Noah. “Don’t worry about him. He’ll have some time to cool down with us. Be safe.”
Colton quickly gave them the necessary info, then led Sawyer from the park, the flashing lights of the police cruisers at their backs.
Sawyer groaned as his shop finally came into sight. Fatigue suddenly racked his body, and all he wanted to do was curl up and sleep. He fumbled his key a couple of times before he was finally able to unlock the door and push it open. He pulled Colton inside and locked it behind them. Safe inside, Sawyer sank to the cold floor and leaned against the door. The tension of the night released from his muscles.
“Well, it’s been a memorable night, that’s for sure." Colton stretched, then winced as his hand shot to his shoulder.
“Yeah. I’m sorry you had to–”
“Don’t apologize. I wasn’t about to let him touch you." Colton reached down and helped Sawyer to his feet. “Now, come on. Let’s get upstairs.”
Squeals, squawks, and screeches greeted them as they entered the apartment. The occupants were ecstatic to see their humans home again. A few scritches and treats later, Sawyer dragged Colton to the small bathroom and closed the now-fixed door behind them. He pulled first-aid supplies from the small cabinet over the sink.
Colton was silent as Sawyer worked. The omega doused a washcloth in disinfectant, and the medicinal scent pierced the air. It was only when Sawyer moved to clean a cut that the alpha reacted, grabbing his wrist lightly.
“You don’t have to–”
“You protected me, now let me help you,” Sawyer whispered. He heard Colton hiss as the disinfectant did its job, cleaning the cuts. Colton was silent the rest of the time, but his muscles were tense under the omega’s touch.
After a while, Colton was all patched up, minus his busted lip. Sawyer ran a soft washcloth under some warm water and raised his arm to wipe the dried blood away. He felt Colton shudder as his fingers brushed against the alpha’s cheek, and the rough stubble sent shivers up his spine. The alpha’s eyes closed at the contact, and his eyebrows furrowed as Sawyer realized he had just hit a tender spot on his bottom lip.
Sawyer apologized softly and ran his fingers over Colton’s cheek. As he did so, he noticed the alpha’s half-lidded eyes. Colton raised his hands and clasped Sawyer’s thin shoulders as the omega finished.
“Seems the bleeding stopped. You’ll live,” Sawyer whispered, pulling Colton into a soft hug. He laid his head against the alpha’s chest and felt the man’s heartbeat pick up as the arms around him tightened.
“Thank you.” Sawyer heard a low rumble in the alpha’s chest as his husky voice escaped his lips.
“You hold me like you’re afraid I’ll run,” Sawyer whispered. His fingers clutched the fabric covering Colton’s back.
Colton seemed to realize what he was doing and let go of Sawyer before reaching for his injured hand.
“It’s okay, I can take care of this. You should rest. It’s been a crazy night." Sawyer reached for a clean rag before Colton stopped him.
“Let me do this. It’s my fault you got hurt.”
Sincerity and remorse flooded Colton’s eyes, startling Sawyer. He nodded, then bit his lip as Colton cleaned and wrapped his hand.
The minutes passed slowly. A peaceful lull washed over the pair before Colton stepped back and led Sawyer back out to the living room. Sawyer groaned as the soft cushions of the couch hit his back. He missed the warm body he was already getting used to cuddling up next to.
The cushions next to him sank down under Colton’s weight. The alpha leaned back against the pillows on the armrest and again opened his arms in invitation. Sawyer crawled forward and felt Colton’s arm snake around him, holding him close.
“Can we just sit like this for a while?” Colton asked quietly.
Sawyer reached up, pulled a blanket down from the back of the couch, and wrapped them bo
th in it as best he could.
“Yeah, of course.” He nodded and cuddled into Colton’s chest.
Sawyer sighed. He didn’t know how much time had passed. He felt Colton’s grasp pull him further and further into slumber, and his thoughts wound down as he drifted off to the sound of Colton’s heartbeat and breathing.
Sawyer’s eyes fluttered open, and he sluggishly took in his surroundings. This wasn’t his bedroom. When he raised his head and saw the clock on the wall, he realized he was still in the living room, and it was about two in the morning. Then he noticed the firm body beneath him.
He turned his head and saw Colton, who was still asleep. Even in his sleep, the alpha held him tightly. The bruises on his face and chest were deep purple and looked raw and painful.
He got those protecting me. Sawyer gripped the fabric of Colton’s shirt between his fingers and felt the heat rising on his neck. The alpha groaned in his sleep and pulled Sawyer closer, almost tucking the omega under his chin. Sawyer felt his eyes water as he nuzzled into Colton’s throat.
You idiot. You’ve gone and made me…
Sawyer settled against Colton’s body and began drifting off again.
Maybe falling for you…isn’t so bad.
Chapter 9
The day after. That phrase had always sounded so ominous to him. It was a constant nagging feeling at the back of his mind, and now he knew why. Colton darted between the aisles, silently cursing his favorite day of the year.
Before, when he worked in a lab, the day after Valentine’s Day meant half-off candy and flowers. It meant pure happiness and a few extra pounds. Now, working in a flower shop, it meant every second was agony, a constant stream of pissy customers and messes. Colton sighed and cursed under his breath. God bless retail workers.
Brightly colored signs hung all over the shop, drawing people to what was on sale. Already, Sawyer was trying his best to clean out the Valentine’s Day stock, ready to make way for St. Patrick’s Day and Easter decorations. Colton’s ears perked up as he picked out Sawyer’s voice over the buzzing chatter of the customers.
His gaze drifted to the front, where Sawyer was talking on the phone, speaking in a familiar tone with the person on the other end of the line. The poor omega’s state mirrored his own. He looked a bit frazzled and seemed to be having more trouble than usual keeping up with everything. Colton could sympathize. After all, in the span of a couple weeks, their whole world had shifted dramatically.
Colton rubbed the back of his neck and thought back to that morning. The first thing he had noticed when he woke up was that his neck was sore. The second and third things he noticed were that he was not in his room, and he was hotter than Hell’s biggest pepper patch. His heart fluttered when he looked down and saw Sawyer still sleeping, the omega’s breath warm on his chest.
What I wouldn’t have given for a few more minutes.
Torn from his thoughts by a laugh, he watched Sawyer scribble in a notebook as he talked on the phone, grinning and laughing every once in a while.
“Yeah, yeah, of course. I’ll let you know.”
Sawyer ended the call and closed and straightened his papers as he rose from the desk. He motioned for Colton and Sophie to come to the front.
“Okay, guys, we just got a big order. It’s for a huge, family-owned company that’s celebrating seventy-five years in service, so we have to do it right.”
“Mmhm, I know that look, Sawyer. What’s the catch?” Sophie folded her arms. Colton couldn’t help but notice the way her ring sparkled; it was polished to perfection.
Wonder how she reacted when she saw that ring? Colton shook his head and turned his attention back to the present.
“Well, that’s the thing. His business is all the way up in Maine. Portland, to be specific.”
Colton’s eyes widened. “That’s a little out of our delivery range.”
“I know, but I’m making an exception; this is important. I’ll make the trip myself. I just need some brave volunteers to watch the store while I’m gone. It would only be a few hours, a day, at most.”
Colton’s nose twitched. He’s not serious, right?
“Sawyer? Is now the best time?” Sophie leaned forward on the counter and focused on Sawyer and his reddening skin.
Sawyer avoided their gazes. “We won’t get an opportunity like this again.”
“I mean, I don’t want to argue with you…” Sophie started.
Colton took a deep breath. “But I will.”
Sawyer bit his lip as Colton slung his arm around his shoulders and led him toward the small breakroom. The door shut behind them with a squeak as Colton sat down at the small table with a grunt.
“Are you really sure about this?”
“Colton, this man is the whole reason I–” Sawyer sighed. “Without him, I wouldn’t have ever followed my dream here. I wouldn’t have been able to open this shop. Until now, I haven’t had the opportunity to properly repay him for his kindness. That’s why I want to do this.”
“It can’t wait until after…?” Colton swallowed.
“No. The event is in two, almost three weeks. It takes time to make enough arrangements to decorate an entire floor of a building that large.”
“What? Why did he wait so long to call you?”
“Please don’t use that tone. He’s a good man. It’s been one ridiculous thing after another for him. The florist he originally hired canceled the contract—I don’t know why. He apologized for springing this on us so suddenly. He doesn’t want to risk another cancellation. We’re kind of close by, so yeah.”
“I still don’t like it. Did you tell him that–” Colton pinched the bridge of his nose and furrowed his eyebrows. “You’re showing all the signs of an approaching heat. Even if you choose to ignore them…”
“Colton.” Irritation flared in Sawyer’s eyes.
“…others won’t. Please.”
Sawyer clammed up. Colton was right, but he couldn’t cancel now; his pride wouldn’t let him.
I know my body. I can get this done before…
“Colton, this isn’t up for debate. My mind is made up. If you don’t want to help with the event, that’s fine. Please handle the store like normal, and I’ll get this done, one way or another.”
Sawyer turned to leave the breakroom. His hand was on the doorknob when he heard Colton sigh behind him.
“Is it a crime to worry about you?” Colton’s voice was soft. “Is it such a bad thing that I want you to be safe?”
Sawyer tensed and turned to the alpha. He took a step back toward the table, meaning to comfort him. Instead he drew his hand away and exited the breakroom, leaving Colton behind. He saw Sophie’s face light up when he walked back into the shop. He smiled weakly at his friend before heading up to his apartment and shutting the door behind him.
He staggered to his desk and leaned against it. His hand rested over his heart, which was beating fast and pumping fire through his veins. His omega voice called out deep inside him, begging to be sated. He groaned as he sat down and draped himself over the papers scattered across his desk.
Damn it.
Colton felt his shoulders droop as Sawyer went up to the apartment without a word. He folded his arms and leaned against the breakroom doorframe. He glanced to the front and saw Sophie leaning against the dark wood of the counter. Worry marred her features.
“Is everything okay?” Sophie whispered.
“I’m worried.” Colton sat down in a chair behind the counter and sighed. “You know why.”
“Yeah, you’re worried about him making this trip so close to–” She stopped herself, then cleared her throat. “But is it really right to tell him what he can and can’t do with his business?”
“Would it be right to knowingly send him into a dangerous situation? He’ll go, no matter what danger he’s in, just because it’s…” Colton’s voice trailed off. “Who is this guy?”
“I don’t know him, but I do know that Sawyer holds him in high
regard.” Sophie looked away, then quickly plastered on a smile as she turned her attention to a customer who had come up to the counter. Colton slinked back to the breakroom with a small apology and collapsed into a tacky, plaid armchair in the corner.
The constant buzz of the shop faded from his mind. Worry dulled his senses and left him a mess. So many things could go wrong, and there was nothing he could do to stop them.
The breakroom door creaked open, revealing Sophie’s bright blue, concerned eyes. She looked back at the counter for a second before saying, “Go with him. I can handle the store myself.”
“What? Have you seen how busy it’s been? It’s gonna be this way until the stock runs out.”
“It’s okay! Lydia has a break from class right now, so she’ll be around to help.”
Colton leaned forward and balanced his elbows on his knees. “Are you sure? What if you get sick or something? Lydia doesn’t know how to run the store herself, does she?”
“Please, I have the immune system of a god.”
“Didn’t you just have a cold?” Colton snorted.
“You’re telling me that you don’t believe colds the one thing that can harm an immortal being? Think again, bud,” Sophie waved her hand nonchalantly. “I’m just saying, the back of the van is spacious enough to hide someone…”
Sophie whistled a little tune as she closed the door, leaving Colton to his thoughts.
Colton leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. He could hear Sawyer walking around the apartment above, undoubtedly making plans for the coming days. He took a deep breath and threw his arm over his forehead.
Fuck it, guess it’s time for a road trip.
Sawyer sighed as he kept his eyes on the straight, narrow road ahead of him. He was exhausted. The past few days had been tough, but they had gone by quickly. It was early March, and he was finally on the last stretch. The only problem was that his rickety, old van wasn’t made for long trips.
Forget Me Not, My Dear Omega Page 10
