Page 23 of The Gift
“Do you need me to carry anything? The front door’s this way, ladies.”
“Is Reno around, I wanted to thank him,” Bailey says quietly, her voice sounds weighed down, not full of her usual confidence. The way her eyes barely lift off the ground is a kick in the guts.
“He actually took your samples down to the lab, to fast track them.”
She grimaces slightly, not even attempting to hide her reaction.
“How about I get him to give you a buzz, when he’s back?”
She smiles in response, but it’s forced. And then it’s like her ability to communicate or do much else vanishes. Carmen picks up the slack and tucks Bailey’s hand into her elbow to support her down the front door. It’s pretty clear they don’t want my help, and I hang back at the door, waving them off.
Once the lights of their car fades away, the mystery of Bailey pulls me back to the file we have on her for like the fiftieth time. Within a few days, we’ll have the lab report on her blood for validation, but there’s no denying she’s one of the subjects that escaped. She’s coloured her hair, changed her eye colour and hides well under confidence never usually associated with an omega. Despite what she thinks, the scent blockers aren’t enough to hide her scent, or maybe I’m overly sensitive to them because all I can smell and taste is the intoxicating smell of tropical flowers and sweet fruit, even in her current state.
Walking into this job we knew Bailey would be a flight risk. And despite how tired and worn out she looks, I suspect she’ll be very aware and keeping track of what is going on. From her perspective.
We have to hope that she gives us a chance, like all the other omegas have. The old phrase it’s easier to ask forgiveness than it is to get permission comes to mind, but we’re dealing with a twisted fuck who’s getting off on mutilating omegas, and that shit is going to stop.
Bailey
The past few days have been rough. Made rougher by the constant arrival of couriers at my door delivering too many packages. The conflict isn’t in the bouquet of flowers, the food nor the books that show up every day, it stems solely from me and my doubts. My seesawing emotions have been as constant as the deliveries, timed to match too. And I’m getting to the point where I know the doubt isn’t because of my state of mind. They have to know. Everything they have sent over is like a subtle message.
“A fruit basket this time?” I stop so suddenly that the security door behind me slaps against my ass, making me stumble forward.
“Thank god you’re here.” Maddie bursts into action and out of her chair. Completely forgetting she’s attached to her switchboard headset. It’s like slapstick comedy watching her getting yanked back into her seat. Her arms flap around, latching on to the basket which was already balancing precariously on the top edge of her desk.
I barely make it to her before the bouncing oranges, apples and a collection of grapes descend upon the both of us. And then it’s on. We’re both laughing, and it’s not that dainty, polite, lady-like laughter. No this is screaming, messy wheezing, red faced and tears streaming down our face laughter.
Honestly, it’s lucky we’re not downstairs in the main reception area. At least on this level, Maddie’s desk is hidden behind a smoky door so we can be as unprofessional as we are. Even the phones go unanswered as we struggle to get our shit together trying to round up the sprawling fruit. But she keeps giving me the side eye, making us both start up again.
“I hope we get the sushi delivery for lunch again. Why are they sending you gifts anyway?” She shivers when we finally pick up the rolling fruit.
“I want the cold pressed juice. They were…” I interrupt her, hoping to distract her with food.
“They found one!” Carmen opera sings from her office down the hall, interrupting us. And despite the distance between us, what she’s saying is crystal fucking clear, and it keeps echoing in my ears.
And no one needs to explain what aoneis.
“Holy shit! They found an omega.” She stands in the hallway breathing like she ran a marathon, her eyes wide with shock and surprise as she stares at us.
“Are you serious?” I say, climbing to my feet.
She rushes back into her office, and I follow behind her like a lost puppy, completely stunned by the news.
“Maybe these guys are the best. It’s insane. Although, the omega reached out to them.” Carmen talks quickly. Too fast, and she has to lean against her desk before she hyperventilates. I walk around to rub her shoulders, trying to get her to calm down.
A quick smile, and she slaps my hand away as she steps back. Carmen is not a touchy-feely person at all, especially when she’s stressed like now.
“What happened?”
“The A-Team got a call a few hours ago.”
“How?”
“On a fucking telephone, how do you think?”
“Thanks, smart-ass. You know that’s not what I meant. Chill your bitchy ass down and breathe.”
She closes her eyes and does some dramatic breathing before she smiles and restarts.
