Chapter 21

Damian fastened his belt and adjusted his jacket. He flipped on the water to wash his hands.

His father's party was a success. His colleagues were happy with the turnout, and from what he heard they were slated to make a fortune for the investors' chosen hospital.

He'd accompanied his mother to her friends because that had been her one request of him. She wanted to show off her son who was about to graduate Summe Cum Laude with a degree in foreign politics. Not to mention she said he looked dandy in his suit.

It was his first major event since being attacked at the start of his break. He'd missed family vacation and the hiring expo for Antonia's law offices. He'd even missed his grandmother's birthday. So seeing people was hard.

All of his parent's friends hadn't said too much, but he knew what their looks meant. They pitied him for having gone through it. He didn't doubt they wondered why he showed his face at the event. He knew they felt sorry because they thought no one would want him.

He went to the event because he knew he couldn't hide for the rest of his life. Everything had happened, and he was a stronger person because of it. He was still scared of being around too many people, but he couldn't hide away for the rest of his life.

He saw Tay watching him the entire night. Just knowing that he'd felt better. No one knew they were officially a mated pair. Damian had asked no one to say anything. He didn't want anyone to make any assumptions. Not to mention he didn't want Evers to know just yet. It could ruin things.

He looked at his face in the mirror. His late grandfather's blue eyes stared back at him. He was too big to be an Omega. They all had said that, especially when his first heat came in much later than typical Omegas, but he was happy with his shape.

It had taken him a long time to get back to this place. Tay had done most of it even before he claimed him. He hadn't left him alone, going so far as to even put himself out so Damian would feel at ease. He had done all of it out of love.

Sometimes Damian had nightmares. Sometimes he'd dream of that night. Sometimes he dreamed of Evers having him. There had even been a dream of him being on an auction block being sold to the highest bidder.

Every time he woke up from a nightmare Tay was right there. Sometimes he was awake working so Damian would go sit in his lap. Other times he was in the ebd with him, curled around him like always. He chased the nightmares away and lulled him back to sleep.

Tay loved him wholeheartedly, and he showed it. He knew words were empty, so he showed it with his actions. He showed it by loving Damian's parents.

He brushed his hair out of his face and sighed. This wasn't how he'd wanted his life to go, but he was doing the best he could.

"Hello, Damian."

The hair on the back of his neck stood up. He looked over his shoulder in the mirror to see Conrad Evers standing behind him. His hands were tucked in his pants pockets as he tried his best to look non threatening.

Damian was scared, but somehow he managed to keep his pheromones in check. He drew himself up to his full height and squared his shoulders. He was still taller than Evers, but not by much. He wished Tay was here.

Evers' slimy eyes looked him up and down. He took on an appreciative look, whistling low as his eyes drank him in.

"Evan was right. You are easy on the eyes. Tell me. How did no one know you were an Omega?" he asked.

Damian turned his body slightly so he could dart to the side if he needed to escape. Evers didn't seem to realize it so he stepped in the circle.

He tugged on his lapel gently. "What do you want?"

"You're a hard person to find. Your friends and family did a good job keeping you hidden. I thought for sure the news would have driven you to tell your story."

"What story? It happened. People saw me running naked and bloody through the streets. I still have scars from it. The police have Evan's DNA to prove it. Not that it will do much since he's dead." Damian's voice shook as he spoke, but he stood his ground.

Evers clicked his tongue. "I told that idiot not to underestimate you. You were a male and stronger than the others."

The Omega's heart dropped. "Others?"

The man in front of him laughed. "Do you think you're the first? Oh, honey, you're sadly mistaken. You're merely a pawn in a bigger game of chess."

Damian realized what he'd been saying. Conrad had been trafficking people for a long time. He hadn't said that explicitly but it was implied.

Terrified, he inched closer to the door. Conrad noticed and reached for him. Damian jerked away from him, but it pulled him back into the restroom. His plan was failing.

"You got away once. You won't be doing that again," Evers said.

Damian took a chance and lunged for the door. It failed as Conrad grabbed his wrist and slung him around. He collided with the edge of the stall, head bouncing off it sickingly. Blood pooled in his eyes almost immediately.

"You really don't get it, do you?" his attacker asked. "There's nothing you can do. You're tainted so no one will have you. It makes it so much easier to mold you into the perfect whore."

He ripped the buttons off Damian's jacket. Pullin the fabric down, he pinned the younger man's hands behind his back and tied them together with the overcoat. Damian tried to pull away but Evers slugged him hard along the mouth.

"Evan wasn't supposed to have sex with you. He was supposed to brign you to me, but he said your pheromones wre so addictive. He couldn't control himself. For that he was punished. No one will take my property."

"So you killed him?" Damian asked. Blood stained his teeth and ran down his chin. "Why? Why do you want me?"

"Because your father took what belonged to me. Now I must do the same." He sighed and looked at the young man. "You're his prized possession. Taking you would hurt him the most."

While he'd been talking, Damian gathered his legs under him. He shoved hard one time and succeeded in sending Evers flying into the sink. Without a drug in his body, he was much stronger this time.

He jumped up and ran for the door again. Even with his hands bound, he could get out. He just needed some space to get the door opened.

All he had to do was pull the handle with his fingers, but he was jerked away from it. His back hit the tile first then his head followed, slamming back hard. He would be surprised if he didn't have a concussion.

Evers leapt on top of him and his hands clamped around his neck. Damian's air flow was cut off and he gasped to bring some into his lungs. Evers' eyes were wide with hatred and danger.

"Can you imagine how much you will go for as an unclaimed male Omega, and not to mention the only son of David Marquette. Everyone will want a chance to destroy you. I can market you so well. You'll be your own celebrity in the sex industry," he laughed.

Damian thrashed as much as he could. He needed air, and he had to dislodge Evers to get that. The older man lost his grip and slid backwards. The Omega took the chance to move.

That proved futile as Evers collected himself and delivered a series of punches along his chest and abdomen. Damian coughed and curled in on himself.

"Did you think you were special? You're just a lowly Omega who happens to be rare. But you're also the best thing to happen to your parents, so that makes you important."

He stomped on Damian's calf, and the young man screamed. There was no doubt it was broken. Through bloody tears, he could see it laying at an odd angle. He tried to inch away, looking like a worm.

"No, no, no. You're not getting away that easily." Evers grabbed him by the ankle and dragged him back. "I'm going to claim you. Then I'm going to destroy you. Then I'll enjoy selling you to people who have specific tastes."

"No, no!"

Damian couldn't fight. His arms were bound and his leg was broken. There was nothing he could do to get away.

Evers ripped his clothes, his Alpha strength allowing him to do it with his hands. Damian's body was bared to the air, and he shivered involuntarily.

"It's amazing no one has claimed you with this body," Evers mused. He ran his hand down Damian's back, enjoying the goosebumps that prickled on his skin. "All the others are slim and tiny. You… you are just enough not to break when I take you."

Damian's vision was starting to blur. He was losing blood from his head at a steady pace. The shot to the back ofthe head must have opened a new wound. He could barely understand Evers. His ears were buzzing as well.

He moved his head once and agony screamed through his system. He didn't do that again.

He vaguely heard a yell then blearily saw Evers go flying across the floor. His eyes dimmed so he didn't get to see who his savior was.