Chapter 43
When Grant reached the part where Channing had been fooled about Rafael’s fertility, the beta chuckled. “Oh, I’d have paid real money to see the man’s face when he found out his cash cow was infertile. I’ve met him, you know. A pompous little weasel, but I never suspected he’d stoop this low. I’ll be pleased to see him brought down.”
Encouraged, Grant soldiered on, bringing them to the current question of what he was going to do with Rafael once the omega was free. When he’d finished, he looked up at the wise, sensible man he hoped would untangle this mess, only to see repressed laughter threatening to explode.
After one look at Grant’s astonished expression, Siegel abandoned his struggle and had a good belly laugh while Grant fought his impatience.
At long last, the man seemed to get his amusement under control and wiped his eyes with a handkerchief. “I’m sorry, son. Even as a boy, you had such rock-hard self-control, I worried you’d never let loose, never find what would set your ordered world on its ear. It’s good to know you’re as human as the rest of us.” He folded his hands in his lap, and his smile faded. “So, you’ve got a big problem. Your fishing expedition has landed a whale that might be the scandal of the century.”
“And it’s my responsibility to fix it.”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to take this on.”
“But it’s my job.”
“Before you fall on your sword, consider this: On one side, alphas involved in the scam—as well as those who knew about it but said nothing—will be flinging blame at anyone and everyone. On the opposite side, all unpaired alphas will be out for blood when they find out they’ve been lied to and omegas have been mistreated. And standing smack in the middle of the whirlwind, offering a convenient target, is you—a man trying to lay claim to a prime wild omega ahead of everyone else.
Grant’s stomach tightened. “I’m screwed, aren’t I?”
Siegel’s smile returned. “Maybe not. But I do think it’s best if you get out of the line of fire.”
Running from trouble had never held any appeal for Grant. And it sure wasn’t the best way to convince a proud, self-sufficient omega to accept him as a protector and a mate. He couldn’t quite mask his scorn as he said, “You think I should hide.”
“Like a white rabbit in a snowstorm.” Siegel patted Grant’s knee. “I know your instincts are telling you to fight, to defend your omega from all challengers. But if you stay, you’ll lose him. Guaranteed.”
The bleak vision of life without Rafael was a quick stab to his chest. His decision was just as quick: Job be damned—he couldn’t take the chance. “All right. I’ll do it.”
“Do you have somewhere safe to go?”
His brother-in-law had a cabin in the mountains, stocked with supplies for family getaways. It would be fine. He stared at Siegel’s open, caring face, but couldn’t bring himself to divulge the location and risk Rafael’s safety. His cheeks flaming, he nodded his answer.
Siegel chuckled. “Don’t be ashamed about being too cautious. It’s more proof you’ve found the right omega. I can’t tell you how pleased I am for you.” He shifted his position in the chair, cleared his throat, and said, “There’s one more thing you need to consider.”
The older man’s hesitation drew out, and Grant fought the urge to prod him to continue.
With a quick glance toward the door to the outer office, Siegel leaned forward and lowered his voice. “It won’t be enough to simply mate him. If you want to be certain your claim will hold, don’t return until he’s pregnant.”
Whatever Grant had expected, it wasn’t that. He cringed at the memory of Rafael’s scathing comment about omegas used as breeding sows. No way would the man agree to bear a child yet. “I’ve known him less than a week. He won’t want to take such a huge step this soon.”
“Well, you’re going to have to convince him. Powerful people are behind this. People with enough money and influence to remove a newly mated omega from his alpha and silence any objections. But a pregnancy negates that option.” He leaned back in his chair and shrugged. “I’m sorry, Grant, but it’s your only security. And his.”
Good lord. What the man said made sense. Not even the most desperate alpha would dare steal another alpha’s child—nor would he want to. The instinct to pass on one’s own genes was implacable, but no pregnant omega would ever be harmed—the child he or she carried might turn out to be a future mate. But forcing Rafael into a pregnancy? Grant closed his eyes as a revolving panorama of the omega’s reaction spun in his mind. Blunt instruments were a prominent feature. But Siegel was right—in the coming chaos, it was the only way to be sure.