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And why was I so concerned about my family anyway?
For my whole life, they’d treated me like an outsider, only pulling me in for family events when my father insisted on having all of his sons present. I had never been a real factor in the business until now.
Suddenly, Vince wanted my allegiance in a way that never seemed to matter before. Apparently, on his quest to build power and acquire territory, I was now on his list of trusted people. More likely, I was just a pawn that he needed for a single play and would be fine seeing eliminated by the enemy.
Deep inside, I kinda wanted to be a real part of my family. Part of something bigger than just myself. I’d been searching for something since I was a little boy when my omega dad died.
He loved me unconditionally.
Once he was gone, my upbringing was left to a series of nannies and eventually teachers who were paid to care for me. Having a real relationship with family I was connected to by blood held an entirely different meaning. And someday, if I ever met an omega who loved me despite my family, I would truly know what it felt like to be loved.
Then again, Jeremiah was the first omega I’d ever felt even a spark of attraction to, and I was about to screw him and his family over. Maybe I was destined to be alone forever. It was what I deserved for what I was about to do.
Pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I went back to my short-term apartment and did a search for the best restaurant I could get a reservation at with short notice.
I called a few without luck but was finally able to get a table for two at six-thirty. It was a Michelin-starred Italian place downtown. The reviews were great, and the menu reminded me of my most recent trip to Florence, so I had high hopes for our date.
Now, it was up to me to actually win him over. Laying on the charm wasn’t exactly my area of expertise.
Jeremiah was also studying law, so I knew we would have a lot to talk about if there were ever any lulls in the conversation. And if our little coffee chat was any indicator, we’d be just fine. The spark was there.
I arrived at his building on the far east corner of campus at six o’clock exactly. Instead of inviting me up to his room, Jeremiah walked right out the front door as if he had been waiting for me.
It was a surprisingly sweet gesture that made me feel a little tingly inside knowing he was as anxious for our date as I was.
“You look amazing.” I slipped my hands into my pockets and gave him a thorough inspection. Jeremiah was wearing slim-fit slacks and a black button-down that highlighted his tight body in the most delicious way. How was this guy single?
“You too.” He reached forward and slid his fingertips down the front of my jacket. “I like this.”
I was wearing a brown bomber jacket, dark jeans, and a thin sweater. Casual but still nice enough for the restaurant. “Thank you.” I scrunched up my nose and glanced back at him. “You’re not vegan, are you? Because this is real leather.”
Jeremiah chuckled. “No, I can appreciate fine leather. And that is definitely fine.” He said that last part quietly, almost as if he didn’t want me to hear him. Was he referring to the jacket or the man under it?
I smirked as I did a half spin and waved him forward. “After you. I’m parked in the front lot.”
We chatted about school and the weather, but neither of us went very deep into our background or family life. He mentioned being from the East Coast, and I said the same, but neither of us gave actual locations.
I guess that kind of vagueness was ingrained in families like ours. Some things were just not freely discussed.
Winning him over would take effort. I should have concocted more of a backstory for myself. Something believable, perhaps indicating that I was part of a family that operated on the wrong side of the law. At least that part was true.
When we got to the restaurant and were settled into a corner table, I could sense how nervous he was. Part of me wondered if maybe he suspected my intentions, and I needed to do some quick damage control. “Am I making you nervous, omega?”
Jeremiah chuckled awkwardly and then sucked in a big breath as if trying to calm himself down. “Not you, specifically. It’s just that… Well, I mentioned that I don’t date much, but the truth is, I don’t date at all. This is new to me, and I’m not exactly sure what to do or how to do it.”
Fuck, he was a snack.
“First of all, I find that hard to believe. A gorgeous omega like yourself must have guys tripping over themselves to spend time with you.” He opened his mouth to object, but I held up my finger to stop him. “But even if that were true, you’re doing a great job. I have zero expectations other than to have a nice meal with a nice guy and enjoy the next few hours together. That seem fair?”
His shoulders sank down as he visibly relaxed. “Yeah. A nice meal sounds good.” He picked up the menu and peeked up at me from behind it. “You’re probably used to going out with guys much smoother than me.”
I debated whether or not to be honest with him, and in the end, I couldn’t bring myself to lie about something so trivial. “Actually, no. I don’t really date either. So this is new to me too.”
He cocked his head and looked at me as if he wasn’t sure whether or not to believe me. “Well, then, this will be a learning experience for both of us.”
Damned if that didn’t turn my insides to jelly. Deceiving this omega wouldn’t be an easy task, simply because one smile from him and I was ready to spill all my secrets.
The meal was delicious, and I had a great time getting to know Jeremiah. In fact, the more I got to know him, the more trouble I had reconciling what my brother had planned for the guy.
