The Ugly Omega

6.

There had been odd looks thrown at them as they’d gotten out of that club, with a mouth-gagged omega, but Erin had acted like everything was normal. However, now that they were back at the Salazar estate, Jake understood that new danger was underway. Hector would definitely want to know why Jake had let his youngest out of his sight. Somehow, Jake doubted that saying that Erin didn’t wish to have an audience while he got busy screwing an omega was that good of an excuse.

Rico. What would he think when he learned that Jake had failed so? Jake’s chest fluttered as if butterflies were trapped inside it when he thought of the other Salazar, the one who had tasted his cum and called him beautiful.

When guys around him talked about women and how easily their girlfriends and wives could wrap them around their little fingers, Jake thought it was an exaggeration. But not even the impending doom waiting for him once Hector learned about the whole mess could prevent Jake from feeling like his shoulder blades sprouted wings whenever he thought of Rico.

He wanted Rico to have a good impression of him. He wanted Rico to think of him as someone who was dependable. Erin had been in real danger. Those people were bad people. They had to be omega wranglers, even though Jake would never have thought it possible for them to run their operations in broad daylight, without a care in the world.

The omega got locked in a room. His eyes were puffy from crying, and he looked downright miserable. Erin had grabbed him as he was, which meant naked. Jake wanted to tell the young man, pretty, blond, with fine bones and pale skin, that everything would be alright, but in all honesty, he had no idea if it was the truth. He had no idea if he’d get out of this unscathed. Hector Salazar had hired him to do a job, and he hadn’t proven himself to be worthy of it.

If this were a common place of employment, he might think of this situation as fortunate, as in giving him the possibility to leave it behind. But Jake felt himself tied to the Salazars now. He could tell himself all he wanted that it wasn’t because of Rico, but it was. As an omega who had never been with an alpha before, he wanted to impress his alpha, make him praise him.

No, no, Rico wasn’t his alpha. He needed to stop thinking like that. Jake felt hot all over. Did all omegas feel like this about the alphas taking them to bed? But what about the poor thing Erin had insisted on kidnapping and bringing over? He must have been made to spread his legs for who knows how many alphas who didn’t want to get tied down and only wanted to use him.

Jake had never been close to another omega. So he couldn’t help thinking that none of what happened at the club was this omega’s fault. He seemed so innocent with his big blue eyes and fresh face. Though he couldn’t explain it, Jake felt protective towards him, which wasn’t the right attitude seeing who he was working for.

He doubted Hector would lend his ear to an employee who had barely been working for his family for half a day. But if he could, he’d beg for leniency towards the omega. That if he didn’t get fired or worse today.

Erin had left him off the hook as he started making calls. That wasn’t particularly ideal, because Jake ended up alone with his own thoughts and worries.

His room still smelled of Rico. He blushed as he recalled what they did there only hours ago. Was this really a good time to be thinking of such things? It would be hard being an omega under the same roof as the alpha who was capable of rocking his world with just a kiss. The thought struck him hard. How was he going to survive, having Rico so close and knowing that it was impossible to have him as his alpha?

Such worries only made his imagination run away with him. Hector Salazar could very well summon him and demand a kidney or so for letting his son get in harm’s way from the very first day.

***

Jake looked around with unease. It felt so strange to be the only person in the dining room, but a maid in a white apron had taken him there, telling him that he would dine alone. Being tended to was also strange. Jake didn’t know what to tell the young woman who placed several plates in front of him and told him to enjoy his meal.

Was this the last time he’d ever eat? Maybe he was absurd, but these were the Salazars, and today, one of them had been in real danger. Jake didn’t feel the taste of food much. And where was everyone?

“Hey, babe,” a low husky voice he knew now called for him.

Rico was standing at the end of the table, his hands on the back of a tall chair. His arresting eyes were set on Jake.

“Rico,” Jake said before he even had time to think. In his mouth, the alpha’s name was a needy whisper. “How is Erin?”

Rico shrugged. “That little twerp. There’s not a day in the week that he doesn’t get in trouble. Good thing you were there. Erin can handle himself most of the time, but--”

“They wanted to kidnap and mutilate him,” Jake said, shocked by how easygoing Rico seemed to be about the whole thing.

Rico laughed. “You’ve led quite the boring life until now.” He moved slowly, allowing Jake to admire him and every little gesture he did. His strong arms were bare, as he only wore a tank top and jeans.

He stopped by Jake’s side and grabbed a chair. With a precise turn, he straddled it and rested his arms on top of it, looking straight at Jake. “I missed you today.”

Jake wasn’t sure if he could hide his blush.

“You’re so cute,” Rico continued. “How can a beta boy of your size be so adorable?”

Jake pressed his lips together. He had no idea how or what to reply. “Will your father fire me?”

“Fire you? Why?” Rico seemed more interested in running a finger along Jake’s jaw as he reached out with his hand.

“Because of all the trouble today,” Jake replied. “I shouldn’t have left the young master out of my sight.”

Rico sighed. “Don’t talk about Erin when all I can think of right now is how much I want to kiss you. Though he’s family, he’s an alpha, so it annoys me to have my guy be so obsessed with him.”

Jake found the whole thing quite ridiculous but endearing in a way. He looked down. “It’s not that,” he said. “I was hired to do something and I failed.”

“How exactly did you fail, babe?”

“Rico,” Jake said, this time in a more reproachful tone, “I am in charge of guarding your brother. Because I don’t have the proper training, I didn’t realize the danger we were in until it was too late.”

Rico was now busy cupping Jake’s chin in his palm and turning his face. The kiss he gave him was so tender, it was a wonder that Jake wasn’t simply turning into a puddle on the floor.

It was the wrong thing to do, but he couldn’t help himself. A small moan escaped his lips and soon enough, he was kissing Rico back.

Someone cleared their throat discreetly, interrupting them. Jake pulled back and stared at his plate again, too ashamed to think clearly. What was he doing? Rico seemed so laidback about the whole thing, but that didn’t mean that Jake wasn’t in hot water with the head of the family.

“Our father would like to see Jake. If you don’t mind it too much, Rico.”

It was Matteo, which only made things worse. Jake thought he was going to be ill. His stomach squeezed, reminding him of all the worries that had kept him on needles and pins throughout the day until now.

Rico turned with languid grace. “Teo,” he drawled, “how are you?”

Matteo chuckled. He was dressed in a suit, like at lunch, only that it was a different one now. Black, complete with a black tie and a burgundy red shirt. Jake must have stared for a bit, since Matteo was so handsome.

“Hey,” Rico protested, “is this asshole really your type?”

Jake gave Rico an alarmed look. “No. I mean, what?”

“Rico, stop teasing our employee. I can wait for you to finish your dinner, Jake,” Matteo said pleasantly.

“No, no, there’s no need.” Better to get it over with, whatever fate awaited him. Jake scrambled to his feet.

He moved too fast and stumbled against the chair as he pushed it back. Rico caught him, up on his feet right away. His hands were warm and steady on Jake’s waist. “Easy, babe. I like you in one piece.”

Jake couldn’t believe that Rico could act so shamelessly in front of his older brother. But maybe Matteo was used to Rico’s shenanigans and thought nothing of them.

“Thank you, Jake,” Matteo said politely.

“What for?” Jake mumbled, unsure of what to make of the eldest Salazar brother’s words and courteous attitude.

Matteo smiled. “Rico surely knows how to choose the right people. I am grateful for your taking care of Erin today. That brat will have us all grey and weary before our time.”

That was encouraging. Still, Jake had no idea whether Hector was of the same mind as his eldest son.

Matteo touched his shoulder briefly. “You are a great asset to the Salazar family, Jake. Father told me that you only intend to stay with us for the duration of your contract. But I hope we’ll manage to change your mind. Now, please, come with me.”

“Of course. I don’t want to keep him waiting,” Jake said hurriedly.

“It’s not that. But Erin keeps embellishing things, and we wouldn’t want Dad to think that he might have hired an action hero as a mere bodyguard.”

Jake was now starting to have an idea about how his meeting with the don would turn out, and it had nothing in common with whatever he’d envisioned all day long.

“Hey, aren’t you forgetting something, babe?” Rico called from behind.

Jake turned and took a little bow. “Goodbye, Mr. Salazar.”

Rico burst into laughter and even Matteo chuckled. The Salazars were pretty unnerving people and not entirely as he’d imagined them. Less so could he imagine what Rico did next. The alpha wrapped one hand around the back of his neck and pulled him into a searing kiss.

“Rico,” Matteo warned, but he sounded amused, “as entertaining as it is to see you so into someone, I must take Jake to our dad.”

Jake was now beet-red and could barely think straight. Matteo wasn’t surprised at all by seeing him and Rico together. He truly had no idea what to make of the Salazars. As individuals and as a family.

***