She looked at him. “Etienne, why are you here? I know what you think of me. You made it quite clear. Did your dad make you come here?”

  “Yes. He did.”

  She sighed, sipping at her coffee. “And you made Tosh come here.”

  Tosh got wary. “He called me.”

  “Then, I think both of you should beat it. Neither of you needs to be here.” She followed them into her kitchen. They sat on her chairs, and Tosh gestured to the chair between them.

  She nodded and focused, holding her breath as she settled on the chair. She felt sweat coursing down her hairline but kept her face composed.

  Tosh stared at her and said, “What’s wrong?”

  Etienne snorted. “She needs to take her pain meds.”

  Dex shrugged. “Didn’t get any. The doctor discharged me without them. I asked about it, and he said it was drug-seeking behaviour. I got the hell out of dodge at that point.”

  Etienne stared at her. “When was your last dose?”

  “You aren’t a doctor. You are a banker or lawyer or something.”

  He smirked. “You don’t know?”

  “Why would I know? We don’t interact.” She looked over. “Tosh, your shoes are dyed. Do you want me to put your elastics on?”

  “No, I will do that when you are back.”

  “So, tomorrow.”

  Etienne looked at his phone. “My dad is going to threaten the doc who discharged you.”

  “Why is that a thing?”

  “Dad is the hospital chief now. Has been for two years.”

  “Oh. Right. I didn’t know that. I might have been a little less lippy with him.”

  “He wants to know who told you about the finances?”

  “Well, at first, it was my insurance portal, and then it was one of the guys from billing.”

  “Did you hear that?”

  Dr. Aquilar’s voice came through the phone. “Yes, I heard it. It was late, or I would have explained that it was going to be paid for by the company for the lax security that let the attack happen while you were at work.”

  “Ah. That would have made a difference.” She shrugged. “I am too used to my father trying to part me from my money. I just distrust guys who are more than twenty years older than me. My well-being is rarely a concern.” She was frank.

  Etienne looked at her. “So, it really was your father who did that?”

  She grinned. “Wanna see the video?”

  She got it up on her phone and set it down so Etienne could see it. “While Vincent tried to get me safe, my dad wanted the family represented at the contract signing. He even brought me a dress and shoes just so I would dress appropriately for once.”

  Etienne watched the video and turned red.

  She took it and handed it to Tosh. “Don’t want to leave you out.”

  He smiled, and the smile faded when he watched the attack.

  “The police have copies of it. They arrested him for that and a separate attack later in the evening. My brother’s mate Emery figured out that I had internal bleeding. Hooray for EMTs.”

  Dr. Aquilar said, “Have you contacted the attorneys, Dex?”

  “No. Not going to either. I know you mean well, but that’s an expense I can’t deal with either.”

  “Where the hell does your money go?”

  “My stepfather forced power of attorney when I was nineteen, and he is the legal owner of this house if he forces it. He keeps my account balances low, so I can’t hire legal representation. I have yet to find one that didn’t want a hefty retainer that I don’t have.”

  Dr. Aquilar said, “You could have asked for help.”

  “From whom? My one friend outside of work has her own stuff going on.”

  “You could have asked me.”

  “Doc, you haven’t been to the shop in six years.”

  He sighed. “You could have asked Etienne.”

  “He told me to fuck off so he could find a willing blonde.”

  Etienne covered his eyes.

  “Joke’s on him. I am blonde. I just dye it.” She felt pain wrap tightly around her torso.

  Tosh put her phone down and said, “Okay, breathe through the pain, Dex.”

  She nodded and stayed still.

  She heard Dr. Aquilar barking orders, and then Etienne lifted her and carried her outside. She came to and looked at Tosh. “Would you...”

  “Get your groceries and put them away? Yes.”

  “Thank you.” She returned to a state of white-hot pain as Etienne buckled her in with roaring filling her ears. She whispered, “I can’t hear much, but thanks for the lift, Etienne.”

  He said something she didn’t catch, and then they were driving through the city. She focused on breathing, and she could feel the stabbing in every entry point for her previous day’s surgery.

  They stopped, and she was unbuckled and eased out of the car, hearing it close as Etienne carried her toward the building. The door opened automatically, and Dr. Aquilar’s voice started clearing a path for them straight to the fifth floor, and an IV line was started in her left forearm instead of her hand.

  She was panting in pain, and Dr. Aquilar smoothed her hair. “It’s okay, Dex. We will get you fixed up, and you can be back in your shoe room in no time.”

  She opened her eyes, and light danced across her vision. “Yay.”

  He paused. “Is your hair lighter?”

  “Yes. I dye it just so no one will think I am chasing your son. It costs a bit, but I am worth it. Does make me itchy, though.” She looked at him. “Why?”

  “How long until it washes out?”

  “A week or so. It isn’t blonde though. It’s white.”

  Dr. Aquilar smiled. “Close enough.”

  “Still not chasing your son. I can take ‘fuck off’ for an answer.”

  “I do not think that is how he phrased it.”

  “He said that I was unsuitable. He needed an omega, and he preferred blondes. That sounds like fuck off to me. Imagine how bad it would have been if we actually knew each other.”

  “You didn’t go out with him?”

  “Nope.” She heard the pump and felt the pain fading. “He didn’t ask. I didn’t offer.”

  She slowly slumped into the pillows and breathed evenly. She looked at the doctor, who was making a note of her pulse, and then looked around and saw Etienne at a desk in the corner, working on his phone.

  Dr. Aquilor snorted. “Don’t worry about him. He has confirmed your depiction of the situation was correct.”

  “So, why is he here?”

  “Because I asked him. His mother identified you as his likely partner, and she is never wrong. She was devastated when he didn’t make an effort with you.”

  “It worked out. Dad would have put his foot down and shoved Vincent at him.”

  “My son strictly chases women.” The doctor smiled.

  “Yeah, maybe if he ups his cardio, he will catch one.”

  Etienne murmured, “I catch plenty.”

  “Oh, catch and release. Very eco-friendly of you.”

  He grinned. “You could say that.”

  Dr. Aquilar muttered, “I have gotten your report from Dr. Oriel. It explains a lot.”

  Etienne asked, “What does it explain?”

  Dr. Aquilar met her gaze. “May I tell him?”

  “Sure. It isn’t a secret; it’s just that no one asks.” She smiled. “I am gonna take a nap. Go nuts.”

  Tosh came in and smiled. “Hey, do they have you on the good stuff?”

  “Yup. I am taking a nap now. Dr. Aquilar is engaging in storytime. Pay attention, and you may get a juice box when he’s done.”

  Tosh walked over and kissed her forehead. “I brought your phone.”

  She smiled and let her relaxed self float in silence with low murmurs in the distance. They could discuss her without her making jokes.

  Chapter Three

  A soft-spoken nurse woke her for breakfast. “Miss Bander, you need to eat.”

  The bed hummed under her, and she sat up before she was awake. “Oh. Sorry. I didn’t mean to sleep that long. How did I sleep that long?”

  “Dr. Aquilar gave you a mild sedative. He said you were stressed and needed sleep.”

  “Yeah. He’s clever.” She settled as the tray was pushed in front of her, and she looked at the depressingly healthy food.

  She ate the salad and entre and drank her juice. She looked at the nurse, who was taking her vitals. “What are the chances of coffee?”

  “I will get you some after you finish everything on your tray.”

  Dex sighed. “I do not live as an omega. I live like someone with a normal job. I need coffee, and I will take this pole for a walk with my butt to the wind if I have to in order to find it.”

  The nurse paused. “Understood. What is your day job?”

  “I wrangle the pointe shoes for the Aquilar Ballet.”

  “Oh. Oh boy. That is why he is clucking around you like a mother hen.”

  “They call me the shoe doctor. I can extend the life of a pointe shoe by about thirty percent. It saves the ballet thousands.”

  “Oh. That’s cool. My niece is taking classes right now.”

  “Has she toured the ballet yet?”

  “Yeah. She was so excited. She even mentioned seeing where the shoes become jewels.”

  “That’s my department.”

  The nurse smiled. “I will go look for that coffee.”

  Tosh knocked and wandered in with two coffees in his hand. “Morning, Dex. You look well-rested.”

  “You look disgustingly perky. Is one of those coffees for me?”

  “Depends. Will you retract your disgusting comment?”

  “Fine, you are gorgeous. Studly. A man among men.”

  He laughed and handed the coffee over. She grinned, sipped, and sighed happily.

  The nurse giggled. “Are you her alpha?”

  “No, I am a co-worker.”

  “He’s in the troupe and flips the ballerinas around for a living.”

  The nurse looked him over and nodded. “Do you dance, Miss Bander?”

  “I can, but I don’t. Practicing is still fun though.”

  Tosh blinked. “You dance?”

  “Not at your level, but I used to. Me and Vincent used to partner a lot.”

  The nurse asked, “Who’s Vincent?”

  “My brother. Older by one year. He just got a pack of his own the night all of this kicked off.”

  Tosh said, “Have you heard from him?”

  “He was heading for a heat, so I think we aren’t going to hear from him for a few days.”

  Tosh nodded. “Right. What happens when you have one?”

  “I don’t. I see it coming, and I neutralize it. I haven’t ever had one.”

  Tosh stared at her. “That’s what Dr. A said, but I couldn’t believe it. Why wouldn’t you?”

  “Ask my father, but I think his comment would be that only male omegas are proper omegas.”

  He stared. “You are joking.”

  “I am not. I don’t think he outright molested my brothers, but I think it was a narrow thing. The fact that we are taller than his family didn’t hurt. Even omegas can defend themselves. That’s why he took to beating the hell out of me. He needed to express his frustration.” She grimaced. “Apparently.”

  The nurse took her tray and said, “Call if you need anything.”

  “Sure. Thank you.” Dex waited until she was gone, flipped back the bedding, and grabbed the pole.

  Tosh said, “Where are you going?”

  “Bathroom. I have been out for about seventeen hours. I have to pee.” She eased to her feet and slowly started moving.

  “Do you need a hand?”

  “Nope. The meds are working. But thank you.”

  He still walked with her, and when she had to figure out how to get up off the toilet seat, he entered the small space, helped her up, and steadied her at the sink while she washed her hands. She muttered, “I have never been in a hospital with a bidet before.”

  He smiled. “That is for some of the gyno issues that omegas with alphas experience.”

  She looked at him in the mirror. “Oh.”

  “That is the reason for the special floor. Groups that have an omega need extra privacy. Your hair is fading really fast.”

  She chuckled weakly. “I usually dye it every three days. It hates holding the colour, but it was still better than the company thinking I was angling for Etienne. My hair changed right around the time that Dr. Aquilar tried to get me and Etienne together.”

  “And he put his foot down and insulted you, so you kept dying your hair.”

  “I kept dying it to stop my dad from getting upset. He hated anything that made me stand out, and this hair definitely does it.”

  Tosh guided her back to bed and carefully lifted her into place again. “Comfortable?”

  “I have nine holes in my torso. I feel like I have been stabbed in a very nice hotel.”

  Etienne’s voice came from the corner. “That is pretty much what happened, though Dad will take umbrage at the word stabbed.”

  She looked over where he had set up a desk and had a computer. “You are here again?”

  He smiled. “Yes. My mother has ordered me to remain here until you are safe.”

  “Oh, geez. I will lie for you. You can go.”

  He gave her a wry look. “You know I am your boss, right?”

  Dex winced. “I was hoping you had forgotten.”

  Tosh blinked. “Wait. You own the company?”

  “I own the building and the infrastructure and the support staff. The artists are on their own.” He sighed and got up. He walked over to her, and she cringed when he reached out for her head.

  Images of her dad grabbing her hair and slamming her head into the wall flashed through her.

  Etienne and her dad shared a body type, but Etienne was considerably larger. If he got mad, she would be dead in seconds.

  He paused. “Why do I smell fear?”

  She swallowed. “Reasons? I can call your mom for you and get you off the hook.”

  He looked at his hand and her and made a fist.

  She tried to get away from him by going through the wall.

  Shock went through his expression. “You think I am going to hit you.”

  “You are mad. You don’t want to be here. You don’t want to be around me. It isn’t really looking good for my survival odds.”

  Tosh spoke, saying, “This attack isn’t a one-off.”

  “Nope. This celebrates twelve years of careful beating and threats.” She looked at Tosh.

  Etienne asked softly, “Why aren’t you afraid of him?”

  Tosh smiled. “Different body type. I am not the same silhouette as her father. You both have a solid shape.”

  Etienne sighed. “What am I supposed to do with that?”

  Dex blinked. “Why would you want to do anything?

  “Because something in me tells me that you are the one for me. I am not easy, but I am faithful to the woman I have chosen.”

  “At the time,” Dex murmured.

  He paused. “Right. You have seen me with a few.”

  She shrugged. “Children always like the costumes. It’s the shiny stuff.”

  He stared at her and then snickered. “That was to the point.”

  “If I am snarky, you are relaxed, and that is much safer for me.”

  He nodded and looked at Tosh. “Can you bring her over to me if I am sitting in the chair?”

  Dex backed against the pillows. “What’s going on?”

  Tosh smiled as Etienne went to remove his suit jacket, and he rolled up his cuffs. He sat in the huge, comfortable chair, and Tosh carefully lifted her and got her to hold the pole. He walked her over to Etienne and settled her on his lap. She couldn’t help it. Lighting crackled over her skin, and his eyes went wide.

  She looked down at her hands. “Oops. Sorry.”

  He was chuckling. “Oh, that explains so much. How long have you had lightning?”

  “Um...” She counted on her fingers. “Seven years.”

  “So, when you and I met.”

  “More or less. Yes.”

  He pressed his head against hers. “I have thunder.”

  Tosh smiled. “I have wind.”

  Dex piped, “Everyone knows that. Worst kept secret at the ballet.”

  Tosh ruffled her hair. “Funny lady.”

  Etienne sat still with his arms on the chair. He spoke calmly. “Now, lean against me.”

  “Why are we doing this?”

  “Because my mother has reminded me that she is never wrong.”

  She swallowed. “How is Estelle?”

  He chuckled. “She’s well.”

  “So, why are we doing this?”

  “Building trust.”

  “Why?” she whispered to her hands.

  “Because I happen to be the man who wants to make sure you are safe.”

  Tosh added. “He’s one of two.”

  Etienne snorted.

  Dex muttered, “Tosh, shouldn’t you be frolicking at practice?”

  “The entire company is worried for you. I am the ambassador so that you can get back to normal and get healthy. I am also in charge of keeping an eye on you when you get back to the shop.”

  Etienne slowly moved his arms to wrap loosely around her. “I am here to keep you safe, and I have already contacted the lawyer my father recommended to get to work on the power of attorney.”

  “Oh. Right. I am just used to it by now.”

  “What excuse did he give for getting the POA?”

  “I kept having to go to the hospital. It was thought I was drug seeking, even if I was just getting wound care. I never took anything stronger than over-the-counter painkillers. So, I was put under the POA to keep me from spending money on drugs. So, he transferred the title of the house and drains my account regularly to keep me from doing anything... like getting away.”

  “So, a forensic accountant is also needed.” He moved slowly and got his phone, typing with his thumb. He set his phone down. “There. That is beginning as well.”

  She frowned. “So you are staking a claim?”

  “Yes.”

  Tosh agreed. “Yes.”

  “Unexpected.” She bit her lip.

  A soft knock and Dr. Oriel was there. She took in the scene, and Dex blushed.