Page 31 of Omega’s Oath

“Yeah, just until I’m back on my feet.”

The truth was they hadn’t discussed it really, merely fallen into a routine that suited them both. They’d need to talk it through and decide what they were going to do now. The awkward silence stretched, and she was too tired to deal with it. “Perhaps we can catch up another time. I’m really tired and could do with a nap while the little guy is out.”

“Sure, and I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I know you weren’t close, but still, it must be hard knowing your dad killed her.”

It was hard and she still hadn’t processed it and didn’t believe it. She’d spoken to her father’s lawyer briefly from the hospital and once to her sister who was organizing the funeral. Cheryl was coming over later to meet Jude and discuss things with her, so she’d probably have more information to process. “Thank you, yes it was a shock.”

She stood, wincing when the stitches where she’d torn pulled. Luckily, it was only a first-degree tear not a full tear. A few stitches and she’d heal fine.

“Call me when it’s convenient to visit again. Perhaps when the Hulk isn’t around.”

Rose smiled at the thought of Aide as the Hulk but loved how much he cared for them both. “I will.”

She waved him off and closed the door, turning as she felt Aide behind her, Jude still in his arms. Her son looked tiny braced against Aide’s chest, his one hand covering Jude’s whole body.

“What was that?” She was trying to be reasonable, but she wouldn’t put up with shit like that from him and he needed to justify his behavior.

He had the grace to look sheepish before his chin lifted in defiance, his jaw firming. “Come sit.” He held out his free hand to her and she went to him and took a seat beside him as he handed Jude back to her. “Do you remember before you went into labor, we were talking about you having a stalker?”

She did remember but it was all pretty vague and felt like a lifetime ago. She also wasn’t stupid and knew exactly what Aide, and probably everyone else, was thinking. Shit, she’d be thinking it too if it was anyone else. “You think it’s Harlan.”

“Yes. He arrived at the same time all this started, and he fits the profile.”

“Show me the profile.” Rose didn’t want to deny it based solely on emotion. She needed irrefutable facts.

Aide got up and grabbed his laptop and came back and placed it on the table for her to see. She took her time reading through the very thorough profile Decker had done and found she couldn’t fault it. Grudgingly she realized it was the same one she would’ve done if she’d been working the case. “This doesn’t prove anything.”

Aide dragged his hands through his hair making it stick up in every direction, the gray catching the light and making him look cute and flustered. He’d be the epitome of the disheveled professor if they had drool-worthy biceps that flexed when they moved and abs to die for. He was what she imagined the love child of Thor and Bruce Banner would look like.

“Stop looking at me like that, Rose.”

She shook herself out of that image to see him smirking at her. “Like what?” She scowled, unhappy at being caught and deciding six weeks without touching this man would kill her.

“Like I’m an ice cream cone you want to lick.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper. “But I do.”

“Rose, come on, I’m holding on by a thread here. My wrist is going to get repetitive stress injury if you keep that up. It’s bad enough your scent makes me hard, without knowing you want me as bad as I want you.”

She liked the idea he was as needy as she was and the idea of him jerking off to thoughts of her sent her body into a spin. “What were we talking about again.”

He smirked again and she wanted to kick him in the shin for being so sexy and sure of himself. “The profile. It fits Harlan.”

Ah yes, that doused her libido like a jug of ice water. “I agree, but I find it hard to believe.” She held up a hand as he began to speak to stop him. “Let me finish. I find it hard to believe of the man I knew but I’ve come to realize that as much as I regret it, I don’t know him anymore. He seems like my old friend but working this job, I know things change and even if I was willing to risk it for me, I won’t risk my son. So, you do what you need to do, and I won’t see Harlan alone until you clear him. Happy?”

He leaned in and pulled her close, Jude sandwiched between them. “More than I ever thought possible.”

“Good, now how about that sandwich?”

“Your wish is my command.”

Rose snorted as he stood and walked away. “If that was the case, my stomach would be flat again not still looking like a lump of jelly.”

“Don’t talk like that, you’re perfect and you grew a human. Getting back to how you were before takes time, so enjoy this time and all will be well.”

“Thanks, Yoda.”

She could hear him belly laugh from the kitchen and thought, despite what she faced with her family, she’d be okay because she had Jude and Aide.