Page 101 of The Omega

I blinked through the tears as Dorian stood beside Atlas, catching my other hand in his. “I’m never going to be good enough for you and I won’t think Atlas is either, but he’s right, we’ll both die trying. Please don’t give up on us. Not yet.”

I couldn’t speak. My heart had swelled so much it choked me and I had to fight back the tears to press both their hands against my chest, letting them feel how I truly felt.

“I love you both, you idiots,” I choked out. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

Penelope coughed slightly behind me.

“Oh, I mean… I’m not going anywhere else without you.”

“Then why?” Atlas frowned.

Dorian glanced around the room. “What’s all this about?”

I couldn’t quit smiling. “It’s a surprise.”

“A surprise?” Dorian’s eyes widened as he and Atlas looked at each other. There was a frustrated growl and then I was lifted off my feet.

“Hey! Where are we going?” I cried as Atlas threw me over his shoulder.

“Getting you back where you belong,” Atlas grumbled.

I propped my chin onto my elbow against his back so the world was right-side up again and waved to Penelope. “Thanks for all your help!”

“Any time.” She laughed. “You three go have fun.”

*

“You weren’t trying to leave us?” Dorian watched me through the rearview mirror.

“Never.” I shook my head.

“Then why all the secrecy?” Atlas asked.

I leaned forward as far as my seatbelt would allow so they could both see me smile. “I can’t tell you that yet.”

“And when can you tell us?” Dorian looked amused while Atlas gave a frustrated growl.

“Depends.” I bit my bottom lip.

Atlas tugged it free from my teeth. “Depends on what?”

“Oh, you know…” I shrugged. “Nothing too important.”

You’re not getting anything until I’m marked and claimed properly.

Dorian coughed, still grinning as he glanced at me. “Looks like there’s a motel up ahead.”

“Really?” I tried not to squirm in my seat as I looked to Atlas, waiting for him to make the final call.

Desire burned in his gaze as he met my eyes. “Let’s see if they have room.”

*

Dusky sunlight filtered through the vinyl blinds of our roadside hotel room. Atlas had pushed the two queen-sized beds together, making us a place to lie comfortably. We’d gotten pizza delivered, which was surprisingly good, and eaten until I was stuffed.

My head was on Dorian’s chest as he played with my hair and my feet were on Atlas’s lap where he rubbed them while we watched a rom-com on cable TV.

“And now she’s going to run,” Dorian pointed out. He was the worst for commentary, picking apart each scene as it happened.