Page 12 of Omega’s Oath

Omega shrugged. “You kind of need to commit.”

Rose arched an eyebrow at him. “Really, Aide?”

He had the grace to blush, but he was happy to see her feeling better and let it slide. Thankfully, Mickie and Hattie arrived and he was saved from further comment. Part of him hated that their little moment together had been interrupted but he was so thankful that she had these amazing women around her. As much as he wanted to be there for her now and after the baby was born, he knew her friendships with the girls would be invaluable. Shortly after, she was moved to a side room with a view over the courtyard where there was a statue of two people cradling a child.

He left her propped up in her bed for the night, with a monitor on her belly checking the baby’s heartbeat and making sure she wasn’t contracting. A blood pressure cuff on her arm and band-aid where they’d taken blood. She’d handled it like a trooper. In fact, she’d been better than him by far.

He arrived back at her home and got out of his truck. He was halfway to the front door when he saw it. Rose had planted Texas sage along the front of her walkway, giving a beautiful pop of color as you moved to the door. Today though it was an ugly red. He moved closer and the smell of paint hit his nose. Some creep had poured red paint the color of blood all over the mature shrubs.

He glanced up as if he’d see the perpetrator but couldn’t. He knew they wouldn’t stick around yet he still had the feeling he’d had eyes on him somehow. Shaking it off he went inside the house, using the key she’d given him and looked around. Nothing obvious was out of place and the alarm had been set like she’d left it.

Grabbing what she’d need for the night, he stopped to call Condor and give him the low down. “Hey, boss.”

“Omega, how’s Rose?”

“They’re keeping her overnight for a few more tests but they think she might have mild pre-eclampsia.”

“I have no idea what that is, but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say it ain’t good. What does she need from us?”

“Honestly, I don’t know yet but that’s for her to decide and discuss with you. But I do know she’ll most likely be on bed rest and I’m going to stay with her and help her out. Perhaps if the girls can make sure she’s okay during the day while I’m at work?”

“That’s fine. We’re flexible and have no cases at the moment, just a few cold cases we’re covering as you know. Mark Decker has agreed to step in if we need him for back-up while Rose is out.”

“That’s good. There’s something else.”

Omega could practically feel Condor sit up straighter. “Oh?”

“Yeah, I came to get her belongings, and someone has poured blood-red paint all over her Texas sage bushes.”

“What the fuck? I’m putting you on speaker. The guys are here.”

“It must’ve happened while we were at the hospital. Thing is, I don’t want Rose stressed out. Her blood pressure is already higher than it should be, and this will upset her.”

“I have a friend who’s a landscaper. I can get him to help us fix it or swap them out?”

“Thanks, Dax. If you could that would be great. I’ll pay whatever he wants but it needs to be done before she sees it tomorrow.”

“I’ll call him now.”

“Thanks, Dax.”

“No problem.”

“I’ll head back now and get her to call you, Condor, but let’s keep this to ourselves for now. It might be nothing but kids.”

“Do you think it is, Omega?”

He paused, trying to be objective but where Rose was concerned it was impossible. “No, I don’t. My gut says it’s more and it coincides with her friend coming back into her life.”

“Yeah, Cruz mentioned him, and he didn’t seem keen either. If you have your laptop, run some background checks. If not, we can go from here.”

“Sure, I can run a background, but ask Lyric if he’ll check to see if he was in the area or what car he’s driving and if it was close.”

“Will do. Give Rose our love.”

“I will.”

Omega hung up feeling angry that someone would do this to her but satisfied she had good people around her who cared and would act as a buffer.