Chapter 6

Diego

I paced the confines of my apartment, my phone clutched tightly in my hand as I dialed my boss's number for what felt like the hundredth time. My heart was tight. I was so tense.

The line rang, once, twice, and then went to voicemail. I growled in frustration, ending the call and immediately redialing. Did I think that, this time, it was going to work? Not at all, but it was better than nothing.

This time, it went straight to voicemail, my boss's deep voice informing me that the line was unavailable. Fucking hell.

"Damn it!" I slammed my hand against the wall, my eyes flashing with anger. I wanted to do something good for Rowan, but it appeared to be impossible. He wasn't a bad guy. I thought he was someone I would never like, but that was not what I thought of him at the moment.

Something was wrong, I could feel it in my bones. My boss never ignored my calls, and the fact that I couldn't reach him sent a wave of unease through me. Maybe he was specifically ignoring me. Whatever the case, I knew I had to be extra cautious.

As I slid my phone into my pocket, my eyes fell on Rowan, sitting on the couch, his eyes wide as he took in my display of frustration. I shook my head. I didn't want him to see what just happened.

I scowled, not wanting to explain myself to the omega. I didn't have to. To be honest, I was wondering again why I was keeping him alive. There was no reason he should be. It was either his life or the money he owed.

"Everything alright?" Rowan asked, his voice hesitant. "You seem... agitated. I'm a little worried."

I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. "Nothing for you to worry about, omega," I said, my voice gruff. "Just some business matters that need my attention. You don't need to be concerned about what I do."

He bit his lip, his eyes flicking to the floor. I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking.

"Oh," he mumbled, his shoulders hunching slightly. "I just thought... well, never mind. I guess it's not important."

I raised an eyebrow, my gaze narrowing. "You thought what?" I prompted, taking a step toward him. "Spit it out, Rowan. Tell me everything you are thinking."

He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes darting around the room. He wasn't good at hiding his emotions, was he? It was almost funny.

"I just thought maybe something was wrong," he said, his voice soft. "You seem tense, and I heard you trying to call your boss earlier. Weren't you trying to know what he wants to do to me? Does he really want to kill me?"

I clenched my jaw, my eyes flashing with annoyance. "Mind your own business, omega," I snapped. "You don't need to concern yourself with my affairs. I'll talk to the boss when the time is right."

He flinched, his eyes dropping to his lap. "I'm sorry," he mumbled, his cheeks flushing. "I didn't mean to pry. I should never do that again."

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose as I tried to reign in my temper. "Look, Rowan," I said, my voice softening slightly. "It's been a stressful day. Just drop it, alright? You don't need to worry about anything as long as you are here with me."

He nodded, his eyes downcast, and I turned away, my frustration mounting. I couldn't reach my boss, and it felt like the walls were closing in on me.

I couldn't help but wonder if he wanted to kill me as well. What happened? I thought he had told Marcus to tell me to collect the money from Rowan. I decided to give him some time to gather it. Could it be that my boss thought that my decision meant I was going against him? That was ridiculous. It wasn't the first time I gave someone who owed us money some time to pay it.

I needed answers, and the fact that Rowan had witnessed my display of agitation only added to my irritation. I kind of wanted him to see the best of me.

"We're going to have to lay low here for a while," I said, my voice tight. "So, get comfortable. This might take a few days."

Rowan's eyes widened, his gaze flicking around the room as if searching for an escape. He had clearly thought this was going to be a short thing between us. I had also thought the same thing.

"A few days?" He echoed. "But I can't stay here that long! What if someone finds me? Plus, I have a company to run."

I scowled, taking a menacing step toward him. I couldn't care less he had a company to run.

"You'll do as I say, omega," I growled, my patience wearing thin. "You're safer here than anywhere else. Now, stop questioning me and accept it. Otherwise, you'll regret what happens next."

He swallowed, his Adam's apple bobbing as he nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and resignation. No matter what, he wouldn't do something I didn't like. After all, as much as he was under my protection, he was also under my mercy.

Rowan was apprehensive. Maybe he was thinking I would never be scary again, but if that was the case, he didn't really know me. Well, I should say that he really didn't.

I turned away, my jaw clenched, knowing that my words had scared him. But in that moment, I didn't care. I had bigger problems to deal with, and keeping Rowan safe was my top priority. For now, anyway. If it came down to it, I wouldn't hesitate to kill him.

The rest of the day passed in tense silence, the air thick with unspoken words and simmering tension. He didn't know what to say to me and I didn't feel like talking with him, anyway.

Nevertheless, I was low-key hoping it wasn't going to come to that.

As night fell, I ordered takeout, knowing that Rowan needed to eat, even if he lacked the appetite. After what happened, my boss not answering my calls, I didn't feel like cooking again. I also didn't think Rowan wanted to eat what I would have made, to be honest. Not that that mattered. It was just something I was thinking about.

We ate in silence, the clatter of our utensils against the plates filling the quiet room. I hated everything about that. As much as I wanted to say it didn't bother me, it did.

After dinner, I stretched my arms over my head, my eyes landing on Rowan. "You can take my bed," I said, my voice gruff. "I'll sleep on the couch. It's more comfortable than it looks."

He shook his head, his eyes wide. "No, I couldn't," he said, sounding surprised, just as I thought he was going to be. "You offered me your home, your protection. I can't take your bed, too."

I snorted, a faint smile tugging at my lips. He looked so cute when he was trying to respect me as much as possible. I never thought there would, one day, be someone who respected me so much.

"Don't be ridiculous, omega," I said, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm not offering you a choice here. You'll take the bed, and that's final. You can't change my mind about it."

He flushed, his cheeks tinged with pink, and I saw the internal struggle playing out across his features. He thought he wouldn't have to sleep in my bed.

"Alright," he said, his voice soft. "Thank you. I appreciate your generosity."

I grunted in acknowledgment, turning away to hide the strange warmth that spread through me at his words. Shaking my head, I couldn't stop thinking that he wasn't fit for the kind of world where I lived.

I was an alpha, a loan shark, and yet, here I was, offering my bed to an omega I barely knew. What the hell was wrong with me? What was I really feeling for him? Such a good question. I didn't know how to answer it.

As I prepared to sleep, the tension in the air thickened, the silence heavy between us. I could feel Rowan's eyes on me, his gaze curious and guarded all at once. I ignored it, focusing on getting ready for bed, my movements deliberate and efficient. Whatever he was thinking, I didn't care. He was a grown man. He could figure out what he should do by himself.

"Lights out," I said, flicking the switch, plunging the room into darkness. I heard Rowan's soft intake of breath as he slipped beneath the bedsheets, his scent filling my nostrils and stirring something within me.

I couldn't stop thinking about him and, at the moment, the reason was simple. I wanted him all for myself. I wanted to explore his body with my hands.

However, I quickly realized that I didn't want to sleep on the couch. I wanted to sleep in my bed, with Rowan. With that thought in mind, I stood up. I knew what I was about to say would surprise him, but I wasn't one to hold back.

He lifted himself slightly on his elbows, peering at me through the darkness. "Is something wrong?" he asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about," I replied, a brief silence following. "I'm going to sleep in my bed with you."

His eyes widened, and he opened his mouth, but no words came out. He realized he had nothing to say that could change my mind.

"Uh, okay," he mumbled.

I lay on my back, my eyes fixed on the darkness, my body tense. I could feel Rowan's presence behind me, his breath soft and hesitant, his scent enveloping me. I was acutely aware of his proximity, the warmth of his body, and the way his scent mingled with mine. It was addictive, I had to admit.

As the minutes ticked by, I felt Rowan shift closer, his body pressing against my back, his cock pressing against my skin. There it was. This was happening just as I thought it was going to. He wanted me as much as I wanted him.

I allowed myself a small smirk as I felt his desire for me. My body reacted to his closeness, my breath quickening slightly, reflecting my arousal.

I knew Rowan was aware this was wrong, that he should put distance between us, but I wouldn't let him. He was mine and I wanted him close.

It was more than just physical attraction; it was a deep need to possess this omega, to keep him with me forever, and to protect him. I was beginning to understand what was really going on in my mind,

Rowan's breath ghosted over my neck, his body fitting perfectly against mine, and I felt his arousal pressing against me. My own body responded, my cock hardening as I fought the urge to take him right then and there.

After all, some time should be given. I didn't want to rush anything. Given what happened today, it appeared we were going to have a lot of time together — more than I had thought we would.

I closed my eyes, my body thrumming with unspent desire. I wanted Rowan, there was no denying it, and I would have him. Nothing would stand in my way. My boss could actually be doing something good for me. Even if it wasn't on purpose, he was giving me more time with the omega.

We lay like that for what felt like an eternity, our bodies pressed together, our breaths soft and synchronized. Rowan knew he should run, but I held him close, my hands possessively on his hips. He wasn't going anywhere as long as I was doing this.

As the night deepened, my body relaxed, but only because I allowed it to. I felt Rowan's breath even out, his body relaxing against mine, and I knew he had fallen asleep.

From the looks of it, he was sleeping better now than he slept last night.

I could have pulled away, but instead, I held him close, asserting my dominance. Feeling his warm body against mine was good. At the moment, I didn't want anything else. It was the only thing I needed.

I closed my eyes, my body relaxing into the mattress, and let sleep take me, my dreams filled with images of Rowan, now mine, and the tension that had existed between us, now resolved.

Tomorrow morning, he wouldn't know what to think about me and whatever was brewing between us.