Karter paced the small waiting room, which was empty except for an elderly man sitting in a corner seat. He couldn’t relax, and he wasn’t sure if he was more nervous to speak with Dr. Payne, or with his supervisor, Senior Constable Higgs, who was on his way down to the hospital. Higgs was a good, fair constable, but him getting involved in the case meant serious business. And the moment Karter admitted to the mating bond with his suspect, the burglary case would very likely be given to someone else.

He and Jax weren’t actually mates yet, but the connection between them was strong enough to cloud Karter’s judgment. Maybe Bloom would take over.

It irked him a bit that Bloom’s omega—no, stop that, he had a name—that Braun had become such a fast ally that he’d been able to watch the baby. But Karter was smart enough to know Jax didn’t want his son too far away, so Braun was the best choice. The fact that Braun could remain behind for private exams, for the simple fact that most alpha doctors wouldn’t communicate directly to the omega patient, said so much about omegas’ third-class status.

But he was also glad Jax didn’t have to be alone.

“Constable Jenks?”

He turned toward the sound of Dr. Payne’s voice. The man looked serious, if somewhat bored, and Karter wanted to snap at the man for it. Jax’s health was as important as anyone else in that hospital, damn it. “Yes? How’s Jax?”

“In decent health, considering. I’ve looked at his scans, and whoever cut his vocal chords knew what they were doing. There’s nothing we can do to reverse the damage.”

Karter growled softly; he’d find whoever did that to Jax and punish them.

“He is malnourished and anemic, so I’m prescribing a few supplements that will help. But there were no signs of infection or disease, so he managed to take care of himself somehow. At least now he’s got people around to look after him.”

The condescending tone wouldn’t have registered to Karter a few months ago, but he was changing, maturing in his views of omegas. Jax wasn’t a helpless child. He’d been kidnapped and endured goddess knew what, and he’d managed on his own for a month with a newborn. Jax was a freaking hero, not a child who needed a babysitter.

“He’s a smart man,” Karter said. “He figured out how to escape whoever held him, and he kept himself and his son alive for a solid month.”

Dr. Payne frowned. “Yes, well, he won’t need to be admitted, so once the paperwork is finished, he belongs to the constabulary.”

He belongs to me.

Karter glared at the back of Dr. Payne’s departing head, barely resisting the urge to lob something at it. Goddess, he hoped he’d never been that arrogant when it came to omegas. Payne was a complete ass.

Bloom appeared a moment later with a shopping bag in his hand, as requested. But hot on his heels was Constable Higgs. Bloom hefted the bag, then angled his head in the direction of Jax’s room. Karter nodded, putting as much thanks into his expression as possible. He’d asked Bloom to locate clean clothes for Jax, so he had something decent to wear when he left the hospital—no matter his destination.

Higgs seemed to fill the small waiting room with his broad frame, but he didn’t seem angry or upset. Mostly tired. “Can you please explain to me why your burglary suspect is here in the hospital, instead of in a holding cell?” Higgs asked.

Karter steeled his spine. “Because he’s a widowed omegin who’s been living as a vagrant for the last four weeks, and he needed medical care. So did his son.”

“I see.” His response made his previous question seemed pretty damned rhetorical. “Constable Bloom informed me of this omega’s connection to Lawry’s halfway house.”

“Yes, sir. Jax hasn’t discussed where he was taken, or why, but he did escape. The authorities were why he ended up at Lawry’s in the first place, which is why he didn’t reach out for help, and instead chose to live alone.”

“And steal.”

“He had good reason, sir. Surely if we explain the situation to his victims, and we offer recompense, they won’t demand charges be pressed.”

“It’s possible. I know Awless isn’t looking to prosecute another abused omega so soon after the Iverson trial. But we need to get his full story first, and if he won’t provide it here, then he needs to be taken to division and interrogated there.”

Karter winced. “Did Bloom communicate the other problem we have with Jax?”

Higgs shook his head. “Do tell.”

“He’s mute. His vocal chords were cut by someone, I assume the alphas who bought him from Lawry.”

“Goddess almighty.” Higgs growled. “No one deserves that sort of treatment.”

“No, sir.” Thinking about it made Karter want to punch a wall. “But he and his child are generally in good health, and Jax is very aware of what’s going on.”

“That’s good.” Higgs gave him a sly look. “Bloom also mentioned you felt the mating bond with this omega.”

“Jax, sir, his name is Jax Orris. And yes, we both felt it.”

“You realize you’ll need to recuse yourself from the investigation.”

“I know. I can brief whomever you choose to take over.”

“Seeing as how you’ve already involved Bloom, I think he’ll do fine as your replacement.”

Karter nodded, holding back his relieved smile. “He makes the most sense, since his—since Braun was the one who clued us into Lawry’s activities in the first place.”

“Damned Lawry. He lawyered up but good, and now it looks like this discovery is going to push his trial date back again.” In the three months since the halfway house was busted, the constabulary had been investing Lawry’s financials line by line, searching for transactions that coincided with an omega under his care being “mated” to an alpha. Alphas who never seemed to exist in real life. Higgs was senior investigator on that case.

Lawry had been careful, but not careful enough, and now they had him for at least one more illegal sale of an omega.

“He can sit in holding for the next five years,” Karter said, “if that’s how long it takes to fully investigate him. He deserves to go away for life for all the omegas he’s hurt.”

Higgs grunted. “We’d have a slightly stronger case of those first eleven omegas hadn’t disappeared from the province. Goddess knows where they are.”

Karter didn’t reply. He, as well as half the constabulary, suspected that Bloom knew where they’d gone. Or if he didn’t know, Braun had an inkling. Braun had lived in that house, and he had a vested interest in the lives of the rescued omegas. Higgs had led that investigation personally, but there was no evidence against Bloom or Braun. All Karter could do was hope the omegas were safe and happy, wherever they’d gone.

“How cooperative do you think this om—do you think Jax will be?” Higgs asked.

“I’m not sure. He’s been reticent so far, but he’s only just starting to trust that he’s safe. And to trust me. He also seems to trust Braun Etting. Bloom. Whatever. Probably an omega thing.”

“Well, then let’s go see if this Jax is ready to head uptown to division.”

Karter led the way to Jax’s room, knocking politely before entering. Bloom stood off to the side of the bed, watching Braun coo over the infant. The bathroom door was shut, water running. Good.

Bloom looked their way. “I thought Jax might appreciate a shower before he left. And fresh clothes.”

“That was a kind thought,” Higgs said. “Omegas appreciate simple comforts.”

Braun didn’t even try to disguise his eye-roll. Karter bit his lip. He hadn’t gotten a good look at the infant yet, so he crossed the room to stare down at the squirming baby. Son was awake and blinking up with the blackest eyes Karter had ever seen. The strong scents of the hospital, combined with being recently powdered, prevented Karter from determining his gender. No matter, because the child looked strong and healthy—and a lot like his omegin.

He wanted to ask to hold Son, but Jax hadn’t given Karter permission, so he waited. They all lingered in awkward silence for a few minutes, until the water shut off. Jax eventually emerged dressed in sweatpants and a thermal shirt. His hair was still damp, and he hadn’t shaved the wild beard.

Jax’s attention went directly to Higgs, who stood closest to him. He bared his teeth and made that hissing sound at the man. Higgs looked amused.

Karter wasn’t. “He’s my supervisor,” he said. “Constable Higgs. He won’t hurt you, Jax, I promise.”

Jax didn’t take his eyes off Higgs as he crossed the room to the bag containing his pile of rags and blankets. Karter watched him, curious, because he’d assumed Jax would want his baby right away. Jax pulled out his fabric sling, which he hung across his left shoulder. Of course, he wanted the baby sling. Jax accepted Son from Braun with a soft sigh, then settled the baby into the familiar holder.

“He can’t ride like that in a car,” Higgs said.

“I have a baby carrier in mine,” Bloom said. Karter stared. “What? It’s for Branson.”

Jax blew a raspberry, apparently his favorite way of getting Karter’s attention, and mouthed several times before Karter understood. “Where?”

“We have to interview you officially, down at division,” Karter replied. “You are not under arrest, and we will not question you about the break-ins before asking if you want a lawyer, okay? But we really need to know who took you and why. Where you’ve been all this time.”

His eyes flashed with grief, but Jax didn’t say no. Karter took a chance on squeezing Jax’s wrist. Jax didn’t pull away. Instead, he met Karter’s gaze with icy eyes and blinked once.

* * *

Karter left his car at the hospital and rode over with Bloom and Braun. He sat in the back with Jax, the baby carrier between them. Jax was angled toward the carrier, one hand resting on Son’s stomach. He seemed desperate to maintain physical contact with the child. If by some chance Jax was arrested on any charge, he would go insane in a jail cell, separated from Son.

That can’t happen.

Jax got an uncomfortable amount of attention on the walk from the parking lot to their building in the large campus that housed the courts and law offices, as well as the constabulary and provincial jail. Much like the sprawling hospital, keeping everything close together made perfect sense. Karter had visited another province farther south once when he was younger, and they had law offices across the city from the courts. Highly inefficient.

A tall, muscular, bearded omega was not someone people saw every single day, so they stared. Jax kept his gaze forward, both hands protectively over the baby sling, and Karter stayed in step next to him. His scent was muddled enough that any interested alpha could tell Jax was mated—they just couldn’t know his mate was dead.

Higgs opened one of the meeting rooms, then went to get the appropriate forms for Jax’s statement. The entire thing would have to be written, instead of a verbal story to go along with the written one. Karter settled Jax in one of the chairs. Jax got Son comfortable in the sling, then made a hand gesture near his own mouth.

“Are you thirsty?” Braun asked.

Jax nodded and blinked.

“I’ll get some bottles of water,” Bloom said. “Are you hungry, Jax?”

Another nod

“How do you feel about pizza? There’s a place close by that’s used to rush orders from us.”

Jax agreed with a bright smile. He still had Karter’s notepad and pen—albeit only a few sheets of paper remained—and he wrote. Karter scanned the words as he passed the note to Bloom.

“Sausage, onion and extra cheese?”

“Coming right up,” Bloom said.

Braun squatted next to Jax. “Listen, I need to run out and do some errands, but I’ll be back soon. Don’t go anywhere.”

Jax crossed his eyes and winked. Karter grinned at his omega’s sense of humor.

Higgs returned with two more chairs around the same time as Bloom brought back water. “Pizza will be about ten minutes,” Bloom reported. “It’s thin crust and a crazy hot oven. They work fast over there.”

Jax mouthed, “Thank you.”

“It’s not a problem.”

Karter pulled a chair closer to Jax, since he wasn’t going to be the one asking questions. He needed to be near Jax and the baby in a way he couldn’t explain, but Bloom probably understood. Higgs, too, even though his omegin had passed two years ago. The man had thrown himself into his work afterward, chaining himself to his desk practically twenty-four-seven.

Having only just found his omega, Karter couldn’t comprehend the pain of one day losing him.

Bloom arranged a stack of blank report sheets in front of Jax, as well as two pencils and a cube of scratch paper. “All right, Jax, this is how we’ll do this so you don’t have to write everything down twice. When I ask you a question, please write your answer on these forms. If you have a question for me, or a comment not relevant to the official report, please use that scratch paper. Okay?”

Jax nodded. Blinked. Peeled off a piece of scratch paper and wrote.

“Why isn’t Karter asking me questions?”

“Because Constable Jenks reports that you both felt the mating bond,” Bloom replied. He had a deep voice that he carefully modulated so it came across as soothing, rather than intimidating, and Karter said a silent thank you. “Because of that, it’s inappropriate for him to participate in your case.”

“Which case is that?”

“The case involving you being sold by Fynn Lawry and spirited away in the dead of night. That’s what we’re going to talk about right now. Nothing else.”

Jax looked at Karter, those pale eyes searching. “You can trust him,” Karter said. “He’s a good man.”

After another long pause, Jax returned his attention to Bloom. Nod-blink.

Bloom pressed a button on a tape recorder. “Let the record show that this interview is between myself, Constable Tarek Bloom, as well as observing constables Isa Higgs and Karter Jenks. We’re speaking to a Mr. Jax Orris. Mr. Jax is unable to communicate verbally so he will be writing his answers to my questions, and they will be read out loud by Constable Higgs.” Bloom cleared his throat. “Mr. Jax, what brought you into the care of Fynn Lawry and his halfway house?”

“My alpha died in a work accident. My remaining family is far away in Buckman Province. I was sent there to live until my family could be contacted about my care.”

“Was your family ever contacted?”

“I don’t know. No one came for me in the few weeks I lived at the house. And then I was taken.”

“Okay, we’re looking into your official records, and we should have those soon. While you lived at the halfway house, did you ever witness or experience physical abuse from either Fynn Lawry or a guest of his?”

Jax thought about that for a few minutes before responding.

“Yes. Once. A housemate didn’t do his assigned chore to Fynn’s standard, so he was shamed in front of the rest of us. Then Fynn beat his hands with a ruler until they were swollen. I had to help him eat his dinner.”

Karter’s chest hurt for those poor omegas, and for Jax having to see that.

Bloom looked equally angry. “So, you were never physically assaulted while you lived in the halfway house.”

Jax shook his head and blinked twice.

“The answer is no,” Higgs said for the recording.

“What do you remember about the night you were taken?” Bloom asked.

“I got drowsy not long after dinner. I think Fynn drugged my food to make me docile, because I went to bed and vaguely recall him coming into the room and giving me a shot. When I woke up again, I was in a cell of some kind. No windows, and a single locked door. I was alone, but dressed. My throat ached. It was bandaged and my voice was gone. No one came for a long time. Two alphas entered the room, and I panicked, fearing the worst.

“Instead of attacking me, they fed me some sort of shake, and then left. Later, they came and took me to a room with exercise equipment. Showed me how to use it. They wouldn’t tell me anything, and I had no way to ask what was happening. If I resisted, they threatened me with a black rod that shot electricity. Said it could hurt my baby if they used it, so do as I’m told.”

Jax’s hands flexed against Son, and Karter physically hurt for his omega’s pain. For the constant fear he must have lived in, not knowing why he was there or the purpose of his treatment. Even Karter couldn’t figure out the mystery. Why take a pregnant omega and bulk him up with forced exercise and what were likely high-calorie shakes? His only consolation was knowing Jax’s son was sired by his late alpha, and not Lawry or his kidnappers.

“Did you ever interact with anyone besides these two alphas?” Bloom asked.

“Not at first. The feeding and exercise continued for many weeks, probably months. My throat healed and my pregnancy began to show. When it did, I was strapped to a table and a ‘doctor’ performed an exam, said I was healthy. The baby was healthy. The next time my keepers came for me, they told me why I was there.”

Jax’s face went stony. He fumbled his water when he tried to drink, so Karter held it for him, hating his omega’s pain. That he had to relive these horrible moments, and that he’d ever lived them at all.

The pizza arrived, and they took a break so Jax could eat. Higgs and Bloom each helped themselves to a slice, but Karter’s stomach was too upset to manage it. So he watched Jax as he inhaled four pieces, eating like a man not used to expecting his next meal. His brave, beautiful Jax with his scruffy beard and strange markings on his wrists.

Karter braced himself when Jax resumed writing, positive he’d hate every word Higgs read out loud.

“I was told I’d be put into an observed room with another pregnant omega, and we were to fight each other. No weapons, only bare hands. No hits to the belly. The winner got to go back to his room. The loser would be auctioned off to one of the observers and given to him for the night. For whatever use the buyer saw fit.”

Karter growled. Jax reached out and squeezed his forearm, but didn’t look him in the eye.

“I didn’t want to do it. But he had me strip, and then he put me in the room. It had a two-way mirror. I didn’t know who was on the other side. Then another omega was sent in, also pregnant. And naked. He didn’t wait, he attacked immediately. I wasn’t his first fight, and I’d never fought anyone before, so I lost. The omega knocked me out completely. I woke up in another room with a large bed. My body hurt from where I’d been punched. At some point, a strange alpha came into the room. I was too exhausted and aching to fight him. He was careful of my baby, but he still—”

Higgs looked up from the recitation, a bit pale. “That’s all he wrote.”

“I know this is difficult,” Bloom said. “But I need you to tell us what happened, Jax.”

Jax fiddled with his pencil for a long time.

“He took his clothes off and had sex with me. I had no voice to tell him no.”

Karter swallowed back the instinctive urge to growl and posture, to stake a claim on his omega so no alpha ever approached him again. But Jax, despite his size and muscles, looked fragile and terrified, so instead, Karter knelt by his chair and slid one arm across his shoulders. Jax leaned into his embrace, the sour smell of fear overtaking his floral scent.

“Would you recognize that alpha again if you saw him?” Bloom asked.

Jax nodded vigorously. He hesitated between the scratch paper and the form, and in the end used the form.

“I remember every face of every alpha and omega I saw.”

“Okay, good. I’ll have you spend some time going over mug books later, okay?”

Nod-blink.

“Were all the omegas mute like you?” Carter asked.

“No, but they all had scars on their throats, and their voices were reduced. Soft, so they couldn’t scream. Make too much noise. I don’t know why I was silenced completely.”

It could have been an accidental slice of a scalpel, or a choice because of Jax’s incredible size. Another way to rob him of agency and power.

We don’t know until we find the bastards.

“What happened after that first fight?” Bloom asked.

“I was given time to recover. Once the bruises faded, I was taken to fight again. This time I was prepared better, and I won. Part of me hated winning, because I knew what would happen to the loser, but I didn’t want that to happen to me again.”

Higgs’s voice trembled a bit the longer he read.

“I don’t know how many omegas there were in total, but I did fight two of them twice, so probably not many. I fought eight times. The entire operation moved facilities three times, but I was unconscious each time, waking up in a new place. My last fight was so near the end of my pregnancy, and I was so heavy, so weak, and I lost. The alpha who took me was the same as the first. He used me twice before he left. A few days later, I went into labor. I was terrified because I knew they wouldn’t take me to the hospital. The same doctor who examined me coached me through the birth.

“I was so scared they’d take my son away, but they didn’t. I was allowed to nurse him. My captors were almost gentle. Doting. It was bizarre.”

“That’s one word for it,” Karter said, unable to stop himself. “Fuck, I could skin those bastards alive.”

“Get in line,” Bloom replied.

Higgs growled. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Forcing pregnant omegas to fight each other. It’s sick and twisted.”

“And happening in this province, sir.”

“Not for much longer, if I have my way.” To Jax, Higgs said, “What finally provoked you into attempting escape?”

“After giving birth, I was kept in a nicer room. The door wasn’t insulated so I could hear others coming and going. Two weeks in there, I overheard my captors speaking outside my door, arguing who would get to knot me during my next heat. I realized they’d breed me and keep me fighting until I died. So I took some springs from my bed frame apart and used them to remove the hinges from my door. I climbed out the first window I found and I ran. I ran until I collapsed in someone’s backyard. I crawled into a tool shed to get out of the rain, which is probably the reason I wasn’t tracked and found.”

“You used your mattress to break out?” Karter said, so proud his heart wanted to burst. “Clever man.”

Jax shrugged but gave Karter a small, shy smile.

“Can you tell us where you were being held at the time?” Higgs asked. Nod-blink. “Jax indicated yes.”

On scratch paper, Jax asked, “Do you have a map of the province? East side?”

“I’ll get one,” Bloom said and left.

“Your captors must have used aliases,” Higgs said to Jax. “What were they?”

“They called themselves Red and Blue.” Jax also wrote detailed physical descriptions of each man, as well as descriptions of the man who’d “bought” him twice and the omegas he recalled fighting. By the time he’d finished, Bloom was back with the requested map.

Jax spread it out, then found the house he’d been squatting in first. He retraced his steps slowly. Karter watched his finger slide across the paper, moving north and away from River Row. Closer to the industrial side of the city where they’d rescued those captive betas from the defunct Covfefe Toys factory. Then his path shifted west, toward the river and stopped. He circled the spot with a pencil.

Everyone leaned in.

“Looks like old housing down by the riverfront,” Bloom said. “Probably used by factory workers in the area.”

“Get patrolmen down there right now to watch the place,” Higgs replied. “They’re likely long gone, but we might find something we can use.”

“On it.” Bloom shut off the voice recorder, then left.

Jax grabbed the scratch paper.

“Can I go?”

“It’s safer for you to stay here,” Higgs replied. “Your captors could be looking for you, hoping to shut you up before you can tell anyone what happened to you. So to speak.”

Jax’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile.

Higgs looked at Karter. “You two relax for a while. He’s not under arrest, so take him down to the break room. It’s more comfortable. And if he thinks of anything else, add it to the official report.”

Jax huffed at being talked over.

After Higgs left, Karter stood. “What do you say? Sofa sound more comfortable than this chair?”

He nodded and stood as well, then swayed. Pulse jumping, Karter grabbed his elbow. Jax leaned into him a moment before straightening. Mouthed “thank you.” Karter pocketed the scratch paper and a pencil, then led Jax down the long, busy hall to their floor’s break room. Nothing fancy, just a small kitchenette, a table and chairs, and a couch.

Two patrolmen were eating at the table, but they kept their questions to themselves.

Son squirmed a bit as Jax settled on the couch, but Jax shushed him easily with whispery breaths and gentle pats. That baby was definitely attached to his omegin. Karter put the paper and pencil on the cushion between them so Jax could easily use them.

“I’m so sorry for everything you went through,” Karter whispered. “I want to find those men and break every bone in their bodies, and then hang them by their feet until they die.”

“I know. Thank you. So do I. I hate them so much. I hope you can find them and help the other omegas.”

“So do I. Goddess, some days I think I’ve seen the depths of depravity to which men will stoop, and then something worse rolls along.”

“I’m scared. We haven’t even talked about the break-ins.”

“Right now, this takes precedent. And no matter what happens, you’ve got me. I’ll be by your side, Jax, I promise. I won’t let anything happen to you or your son.”

Jax sighed, then leaned toward Karter. Karter scooted closer and raised his arm so Jax could press against his side and be held. He was trembling a bit, probably a mix of fear and adrenaline. Karter ran his fingers through Jax’s thick hair, fingering the long locks, surprised by their softness.

The patrolmen finished their break and left.

“Tell me about your previous alpha?”

Jax hesitated before writing.

“His name was Eroch. He was a good, stable man. A construction worker who was promoted to foreman when we moved here. We didn’t bond, but we were mates. Tried for a child for many years, and I miscarried several times. He never knew we succeeded before he died. I mourned him.”

“He was good to you?” Maybe Karter’s brain had been permanently tarnished by the stories of Kell Iverson’s life with his abusive mate, but he couldn’t help wondering how Eroch had been with Jax.

“He was good. Never struck me, not once. He raised his voice sometimes, when I angered him. I was not…a docile omega. But he was patient and not mean. We did fun things like a train ride to the country, or nice dinners out. I miss him.”

“I imagine you do. You were together a long time, and you have a son.”

“Son is all I have left of that life.”

Karter smiled and took a chance on kissing Jax’s hair. “You can build a new life for yourself now. We felt the mating bond, Jax. I won’t force you to mate with me, I’d never do that to anyone. But perhaps we could…date? Once the break-in and squatting mess is dealt with, of course.”

Jax sat up and studied him with those lovely blue eyes. Karter didn’t know what he was looking for, so he remained still, hoping his sincerity reflected back at Jax. He’d love nothing more than to date, and to eventually mate with Jax, his bondmate. But Jax had to want that too, and he’d already been through so much in less than a year.

Nod-blink. Jax grinned.

“Yes?” Karter didn’t dare hope.

Nod-blink.

“I’d like to date you.”

“That is the absolute best news I’ve heard in my life.”

Jax gasped out a raspy sound that, matched with his broad smile, was likely laughter. He looked forward to getting to know all of Jax’s quirks and noises, bad habits and favorite things. All of the man.

The break room door opened and Braun came inside with a brown bag of some sort slung over his shoulder. It looked like a gym bag, but sturdier and with more pockets. “Hey, guys,” he said. “I come bearing gifts.” He deposited the bag so it was half on Karter’s lap and half on Jax’s.

Jax made a squeaking noise of excitement, and it took Karter a moment to realize what it was: a diaper bag. A very full diaper bag, judging by the weight of it. Karter unzipped the top and held it open so Jax could see, too. Diapers, wipes, formula, bottles, onesies, a blanket, a pacifier, a rattle, and a stuffed bear. Jax touched everything, then wrote a note with trembling fingers.

“I can’t pay you for this.”

“You don’t have to,” Braun replied. “It’s a gift. Consider it a pre-baby shower present, because I am totally throwing you one. I had one for my nephew Branson a few weeks ago, so I already have decorations. You and your baby are going to need stuff.”

Karter wanted to growl and tell Braun he’d provide for them, but he didn’t. Braun was being incredibly generous with an omega he’d known for only a couple of hours, and it was charming. Bloom was a lucky alpha.

“Thank you so much. I owe you, Braun.”

“You don’t owe me anything. I know what’s like to be alone and afraid with nothing but the clothes on your back. Believe me, I’m helping myself as much as you. Oh, and I’ve got you a lawyer on standby.”

Jax’s eyebrows jumped.

“Let me guess,” Karter said. “Ronin Cross?”

“Yup. When I told him what was going on, he volunteered before I could ask for his help.”

Of course, he did. Months ago, Cross had traveled all the way from Nakota Province to defend Kell Iverson against murder charges. In the process, he and Kell had bonded, and Cross decided to stay in the area and open up a law practice here in Sansbury. He was already advertising pro bono work for omega clients in need.

“Ronin said he could be here in ten minutes if we need him,” Braun continued. “He’s my brother’s alpha.”

“He’s a good alpha to your brother?”

“The very best. And he’s an amazing lawyer. He saved my brother’s life. Goddess, I can’t wait for you to meet Kell. It’ll be nice to have more omega friends. Other than Kell, everyone I know is either alpha or beta.”

“I look forward to meeting them both.”

“Tell would have come to see you here, but he abhors this place.”

Karter didn’t blame Kell for that one bit. He’d been in lockup for several days before Cross got him released into his custody. No one had good memories of being jailed.

“Anyway, I can’t stay,” Braun said. “I have to work in a little while, but I wanted to make sure you had stuff for your baby. Still no name ideas?”

Jax shook his head, then blinked twice.

“You’ll know it when it’s time. Take care, Jax. Bye, Constable Jenks.”

“Goodbye, Braun.”

Jax waved, then continued pawing at the bag of baby goodies. He tugged out a bottle, then the container of formula.

“It’s time for him to eat?” Karter guessed.

Nod-blink.

“Do you want me to make the bottle?”

Jax raised an eyebrow.

“What? I have three younger siblings, and I can read directions on a container.”

That whistling, almost-laughter made Karter chuckle, too. Jax handed over the bottle and formula, and Karter did indeed read the directions on how much powder to add to water. Mix. Microwave without the nipple cap on, since they didn’t have a proper bottle warmer. Shake. Test on the back of his hand.

Piece of cake.

Jax had Son out of the sling and reclining with the baby’s head in the crook of his elbow. Karter took a moment to appreciate how small and fragile Son was, and how beautiful Jax looked holding him. He took the bottle with a grateful smile. Son was half-awake, but as soon as that rubber nipple graced his lips, he latched on. Jax couldn’t communicate while his hands were full, so Karter sat next to him and watched as Son sucked that bottle dry.

When Son was finished, Jax pointed at the baby bag. Karter poked around until he found a packet of burping clothes. Jax gave him a thumbs up. Together, they got a cloth onto Jax’s shoulder and a few moments later, Son let out the most adorable burp in the world. A little spit-up came with it, and Karter used the edge of the cloth to wipe Son’s mouth.

Jax brought him down so Son was sitting on Jax’s lap, one hand on Son’s head and the other on his body. Son gurgled at them both, this small hand flailing in Karter’s direction. Karter reached out and let Son grasp his index finger.

“He’s got a good grip. He’s a fighter like his omegin.”

Jax made a distressed sound, and Karter realized his verbal blunder. “I don’t mean the fighting you were forced to do, I’m sorry. I meant you fought to survive, Jax, and you got both of you away. You held your own on the streets. You’re a fighter because you’re so strong, and you love your son enough to risk anything for him. That’s what I meant.”

His grim expression smoothed out, shifting into a tender smile. Jax mouthed, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I will always defend you, Jax Orris, even if one day you decide you don’t want to be with me anymore.” It would kill Karter to walk away from his omega, but he’d do it in a heartbeat if that’s what Jax wanted. He’d only been near his omega for a matter of hours, but now he understood how easily Bloom had slipped under Braun’s spell.

Bondmates changed your entire outlook on life.

Jax raised Son in Karter’s direction, then tilted his head.

“You want me to hold him?”

Nod-blink.

He’d held babies before, but a rush of fear blasted through him, because this was his omega’s baby. What if Karter did something wrong and Jax stopped trusting him?

Jax trusts you with him, just be careful. Take this gift.

Karter carefully took custody of the infant, cradling him to his chest, absorbing the heat of the tiny body next to his. His heart pounded a little harder, because nothing in the world had ever felt as right as holding Jax’s son. “Hello, little man,” he whispered.

Son’s lips curled up into a smile and a small hand waved, clasping at air until Karter gave him a finger to hold. Then suck on. Karter dared a look at Jax. Jax watched them with an expression Karter could only describe as entranced. Karter felt the same way watching Jax dote on his child. Nothing was more special than the bond between omegin and son.

After a few minutes of sitting in silence, Jax wrote a note.

“I need to use the bathroom. Where is it?”

“In the hall, go left, and it’s about six doors down. Are you okay to go alone?”

Jax’s “are you an idiot?” look made Karter laugh. Jax pressed a kiss to Son’s forehead, bringing his scent so close to Karter he nearly sprang wood from it, then exited, leaving the break room door slightly open.

Karter wasn’t sure he liked Jax going off on his own, but he was only walking thirty feet down a hallway, surrounded by authorities. No one was going to bother him.

If anyone so much as touches him, I’ll break their fingers.

Speaking of fingers, Son started gumming on his, and it became the newest most adorable thing ever.