It was probably because he was the opposite of Dakota in every way that Grayson hadn’t even let his mind go to the possibility of Riley being capable of any form of deceit.
“He betrayed me, how do I get over that?” Grayson asked.
Nickolas didn’t reply immediately, probably realizing the question was more rhetorical than anything.
But did he betray you really? a voice whispered. Grayson frowned at the question. Of course Riley had betrayed him. He’d come into Grayson’s house under false pretenses and wormed his way into Grayson’s bed and life.
But did he really?
Grayson was getting pissed at the voice that sounded suspiciously like his own.
He realized that the voice, or should he say his more rational self, was right. Riley may have come into Grayson’s house under false pretenses, but it was Grayson who had pursued the omega. He knew Riley well enough now to admit that if he hadn’t approached Riley, the omega would have never tried anything with him, regardless of whether he actually had any feelings for Grayson.
Because that wasn’t who he was.
He would have been the best damn nanny to Max and stayed out of Grayson’s way.
And Grayson would have missed out on the best thing that had ever happened since the day Max had been placed in his arms.
And wasn’t it just the thing, that both of his best moments were possible because of Riley? What did that mean?
Maybe it means he took the long way of getting to you, but he was always going to be yours. He’d given Grayson his first child, and was pregnant with their second.
Jai fluttered into the room at that moment carrying a tray with a pitcher of lemonade and glasses.
“Thanks, love,” Nickolas said. His eyes softened as they rested on his omega, making Grayson miss Riley even more.
Grayson was watching Nickolas and Jai, and caught some unspoken message pass between them.
“I get it you know,” Jai spoke up, surprising Grayson.
Grayson looked at Jai, his eyebrows raised.
“Don’t look at me like I’m crazy. If I ever had to make that decision, and at what…?” Jai looked at him eyebrow raised, “seventeen-years-old? Probably not a decision that he made without some serious coercion at the worst, undue influence at best. So yeah, I can imagine waking up one day and wanting to do everything in my power to find my child. I would go to the ends of the earth for Nix and Cam. So yeah, I get it.”
Grayson started speaking, then stopped, then started again. But no words came out.
“He was a kid, probably with his alpha gone,” Jai said.
Grayson growled.
“I think he objects to you calling someone else Riley’s alpha,” Nickolas chortled.
“Oh,” Jai said, a smile breaking out on his face, “well then I’ll say one more thing, he probably didn’t have his parents’ support, and an omega with a baby, and no alpha and no degree, can barely earn. How could he take care of a child? His options were limited. Don’t limit his options again.”
Apparently Jai was done because he placed a kiss on Nickolas’ lips, and walked out without a backward glance.
“Well, I don’t think I have anything to add,” Nickolas said.
“Your omega speaking for both of you now?” Grayson asked, teasing.
“Anytime he wants,” Nickolas said happily.
Grayson sighed. It had been only a couple of hours, but he missed Riley, missed Max. He missed his home. He wanted his family.
“Jai was right,” Grayson said.
“Guess my guestroom will stay empty tonight,” Nic said, “Can’t say I’m sad to see you leave brother.”
35
Grayson & Riley
Grayson went home, and prepared himself for the conversation he knew would have to take place.
He figured he would have the night to regroup, before speaking to Riley, but no such luck.
Grayson looked in on Max. His son was sound asleep, although he’d managed to kick his duvet almost all the way off. Grayson walked over and covered Max up again. He stared down at his son for a moment. With the benefit of his new knowledge, it was easier for Grayson to see just how much of Riley was in Max.
Grayson placed a kiss on his son’s forehead, before straightening.
He stepped out of Max’s room and stood at the door of their room… Riley’s room, the room he’d been sharing with Riley. Grayson hadn’t slept alone once since the day he’d first been with Riley and he had to admit he wasn’t looking forward to it now.
He warred with himself standing outside that door. To go in and check on Riley or not.
What if he left?
Fuck, Grayson hadn’t considered that for a moment. What if Riley left them. Jai had left when he though Nickolas was engaged.
Grayson realized he was asking himself the wrong question. The question wasn’t whether or not Riley was gone, it was whether or not Grayson wanted him to be gone or not.
Grayson felt his heart being shredded and pureed at the thought of Riley gone. He definitely did not want that. Riley was etched in Grayson’s soul.
And there it was.
Jai was right. Riley had been in an untenable position, and as much as he hated to think of his omega alone and sad after giving up their son. Well, Grayson realized that all those events had led Max to him, and Max brought him Riley.
Grayson could never in his life wish to change any of those events.
Grayson smiled. Riley, his Riley was a fighter. He had fought for his child.
For an omega, Riley was brave. Grayson would have kicked his own ass if he could, because what Riley did wasn’t brave for an omega, it was just brave.
It was part of what had drawn Grayson to Riley, and he’d noticed it the first day. The quiet strength and the determination. He hadn’t understood what drove Riley but he did now.
Love. And if the omega loved Grayson half as much as he did their son, then he was a very lucky man.
With that thought in mind, Gray opened the door, to the room they shared, his omega, and his future.
* * *
After speaking to Luca, Riley had panic called Grayson, till Riley had probably filled the alpha’s mailbox, then at last, Jai had called Riley and said Grayson was coming home.
It was way past midnight and Riley had stood at the window till he saw the headlights of Grayson’s car come into the drive.
Riley had paced the length of their room, and stood by the door waiting to see if Grayson would walk past or come in.
He had heard Grayson go into Max’s room, and now he knew the alpha was standing outside their door. He’d been standing there for almost twenty minutes and Riley felt as if he’d been holding his breath the whole time.
Riley’s breath whooshed out as Grayson opened the door, and he kind of wished that he was in bed, not standing at the door like a lurker.
However, when Grayson walked right up to Riley and wrapped him in a hug, lifting him up off the floor, a sob escaped that Riley couldn’t keep back.
“I’m sorry, so sorry. I love you alpha… Grayson,” Riley said through his tears.
“I know, I know,” Grayson said, and he did. He had actually—finally—realized that the reason for his reaction, had more to do with Dakota than Riley.
“I was hurt when I thought you only let things happen between us because of Max,” Grayson said.
Riley leaned back in his alpha’s arms, knowing he was safe there, “No, never. I swear.”
“It scared me…” Grayson admitted, raggedly, “…that you only found me attractive because of Max.”
“I… No,” Riley whispered, “Never… I would never. I love Max, but I would never…”
“I know that, I guess I always knew that, but… it took me back to never being chosen you know. Even my parents didn’t care enough about me to be parents. Dakota? Well, he saw me as a means to an end.” Grayson sighed, “For a minute that was all I felt like to you, but then after pausing, I realized you a
re not like my parents. You have enough love in your heart for both Max and I, and you don’t have devious bone in your body.”
Riley wanted to bury his face in his alpha’s chest, to inhale his scent, to bask in it, because there had been a moment when Grayson walked out when Riley wasn’t sure he would ever be able to do so again.
Riley made sure he was looking Grayson right in his eyes, “I love Max. He was my first baby,” Riley breathed in deeply, “Giving him up took a part of my soul, but… there was no choice… I was given… no choice.” Grayson started speaking, but Riley cut him off, “Please, I need to say this.”
Grayson nodded and placed a gentle kiss on Riley’s lips, “I don’t need an explanation love, but I can see you need to say something else.”
Riley nodded, and breathed in deeply. He was about to speak, when Grayson interrupted.
“After this, we put everything behind us and move on. Close that chapter,” Grayson declared.
Riley nodded, he was so happy to hear his alpha say that, to hear him say they had a future.
“I never even thought what it would mean from your standpoint. I guess, I figured I could be invisible and just be in Max’s life,” Riley admitted, “Then there was you,” he added shyly, and then sighed, “After Max’s father...”
“That man… is not, nor has he ever been Max’s father,” Grayson interrupted vehemently, “He is nobody. You and Max were mine, from the start… you always were.”
Riley managed a small smile at Grayson’s hostility.
“After James… that was his name,” Riley said.
Grayson growled. He didn’t even want the man’s name on Riley’s lips.
“Calm down, alpha,” Riley said, finally breaking out in a full smile, “Max and I are yours. We were always meant to be. Maybe he was meant to lead me to you. I don’t… we– I was never anyone else’s but yours.”
“I know,” Grayson said.
“You were never a second choice, or a means to an end. You were–- are, more than I ever imagined possible,” Riley said, vehemently.
Grayson couldn’t help the smile that came to his face at his omega’s words. He realized he didn’t need words from Riley, because the past few months with him, he had shown Grayson his heart and he was sorry he had even doubted it for a minute.
“I don’t know if I can ever forgive myself for what I did to you, but I promise to spend the rest of my life making it up to you,” Riley whispered.
“No! No, nothing like that. There is nothing to make up for. You fought for your family, for your child. I couldn’t love you more if I tried. You’re our warrior, baby, mine and Max’s, and we are so blessed to have you. Max and our little one,” Grayson laid his hand over Riley’s bump, “they’re so lucky to have you as their papa.”
Riley sniffled, and looked up at Grayson, “I love you, alpha.” Riley said, his face breaking out in a wicked smile, “My alpha.”
“Are you trying to seduce me, omega,” Grayson teased, nipping Riley’s shoulder with his teeth, “because it’s working.”
“I will never let you go,” Grayson growled against Riley’s temple, and then did something brain scrambling with his tongue to Riley’s ear.
Riley shivered with the excitement only Grayson could generate in him.
“You’re stuck with me for life, and I think Riley Montgomery-Carmichael has a perfect ring to it.”
Riley gasped, “Was that a proposal?” He whispered.
“Nope,” Grayson said, and placed a kiss on Riley’s lips, “A proposal is a question and I am not asking. I am simply taking what’s mine, because Riley Sinclair, you were born to be mine... and I am so fucking glad you found me… you’ve been chained to my life since before I even met you.”
Riley opened his mouth, but no sound came out, he was so overwhelmed with happiness, “Yes.”
“Still didn’t ask,” Grayson laughed, and stood from the chair he’d carried them to and moved to the bed.
Riley had never understood what being truly content meant, till now. The weight was gone and his alpha was home. What more could an omega ask for?
Grayson laid Riley on the bed with so much care, it brought tears to Riley’s eyes, “Mine,” Grayson said, and covered Riley’s body with his.
“Yours... Always yours.” Riley whispered, as Grayson sealed their lips in a kiss.
Grayson realized that Fate had been leading him to Riley four years ago, he just hadn’t known it then. And he never felt so fucking lucky that he had followed his gut when it had told him that his family was out there, waiting for him.
Grayson just didn’t know his future, his life, his love… his everything, would follow.
Grayson
“Hurts!” Riley squeezed Grayson’s hand like it was his mission to crush every bone in it, “Fudge on a biscuit, it hurts. Never again.”
“I thought we were going for a whole soccer team,” Grayson teased. He thought it was so cute how Riley refused to curse, even now.
His reward was a glare from his usually sweet omega. That was when another contraction hit and Grayson would swear Riley squeezed his hand a little harder than needed for the soccer quip, but he was never going to complain. He let Riley squeeze, and when he was done, he stroked the back of his omega’s hand with his thumb. “You’re doing good, so good, baby.”
Riley growled, actually growled at Grayson, bared teeth and all.
“Like you would know,” Riley spoke through clenched teeth. “Did you become a doctor while your child was trying to rip through my insides,” Riley snapped.
Ohh, apparently labor gave his omega claws. Grayson would have to remember that.
Riley cried out in pain and clamped down on Grayson’s hand again, and he drew in a deep breath to work himself through the crushing pain his omega was inflicting on him.
However, Grayson knew better than to even think about complaining.
Riley’s hair was stuck to his forehead, matted by sweat, and his face was as red as a tomato, but Grayson knew better than to point that out. He definitely wanted to have sex again during the next year, although if Riley was to be believed, it wouldn’t be with him.
Grayson knew that childbirth wasn’t pretty. Nickolas had fun filling him in on the details, but Grayson had thought his friend was exaggerating for effect.
He hadn’t imagined anything half as intense as this. He loved Riley more than his whole life.
At this moment, he didn’t realize he could love his omega more. The gift of another child, even after he had been through this once before, it meant more to Grayson now that he knew just how intense labor was.
There was a knock on the door to their private hospital suite.
Grayson turned and looked towards it. Dr. Kelly slid the door open and entered. The man looked too put together for what was about to happen.
“How are we doing in here?” Dr. Kelly asked cheerfully.
“I’m dying.” Riley groaned. “Get it out of me.”
Dr. Kelly laughed, “I’ve definitely heard that one before. Well, let’s see what we can do about that. I’m going to check to see how we’re doing, okay?”
Dr. Kelly lifted the blankets covering Riley’s lower half. With a grin, he looked back up at Riley from over the blankets. “Looks like we’re ready over here.”
“Thank god for that.” Riley said, his head falling back on the pillows. “I’m so done.”
“Yes, love,” Grayson smirked.
Around them, movement had begun. Nurses entered the room. Stuff on medical trays was carried in.
“All right, Riley, are you ready?” Dr. Kelly asked. “We’re going to get this baby born before you know it… It’ll all be done soon.”
“Please. Please, I will literally kill for that to happen.” Riley lifted his head, his chin tucked against his neck. “I’m done.”
Dr. Kelly put on a pair of gloves, “Ready?”
“Can someone do something?”
Riley’s words grew tighter midw
ay through the sentence, and he squeezed Grayson’s hand so hard, he was pretty sure he would be walking out of the hospital with a splint.
“Hurts,” Riley moaned, “I want drugs now. Please, no natural, all the drugs.” Grayson’s omega pleaded.
“You’re doing great.” Grayson squeezed Riley’s hand back, and got a very dirty look for his trouble.
He decided it was best he shut up.
“All right, Riley, I’ve got the nurses here with me, though I’m sorry, but it’s too late for any drugs right now. You’re fully dilated now and it’s ready to be born. Whenever you feel the need to push, I want you to go with it, okay? Until the baby starts to crown, we’re going to push.”
“We? What the fuck is all this we I keep hearing?” Riley snarled.
Well I guess the no cursing is over then, Grayson thought, but definitely didn’t say a word.
“We–––aahh!” Riley stopped mid word, and squeezed Grayson’s hand so tight, this time he was positive there would be permanent damage. Riley’s eyes went wide. “Oh god, oh god, I need to push.”
Excitement spread through him, and Grayson couldn’t keep the grin off his face. He knew he shouldn’t be smiling so much with his omega in pain, but his heart was so fucking full, he thought it would burst.
In a few hours’ time, he’d get to meet his new son or daughter, face to face for the very first time. Grayson was ready. He was more ready than ready. He couldn’t believe all his dreams were really coming through.
His omega, his son and now a new little one.
“Remember your breathing. You’re pushing down, good job,” Dr. Kelly praised, “You’re doing great. Just keep breathing. We don’t need anyone passing out.”
Another contraction hit and Riley breathed out through his clenched teeth and pushed. The contractions were coming regularly now, and each time Riley pushed, Dr. Kelly, told him how good a job he was doing.
With every new contraction, Riley’s voice increased in volume. Grayson hoped they were making progress because from the sounds of it, the pain wasn’t letting up.
Undercover Omega: Billionaire Alphas Book 2 Page 15