got a call earlier from a friend up in Sansbury who works in the Department of Corrections, and he told me Omegin was transferred to the psychiatric ward. Do you know what that’s about?”
Dorian resisted the urge to groan. “I do, and I was waiting to tell you until I knew more details.”
“Details about what?”
“Four days ago, Omegin tried to kill himself, and he’s been on suicide watch until this morning.”
“What?” Samuel nearly shrieked the word. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“Because there’s nothing you could have done, and I know you. You’d have taken the first train north, spent the whole weekend worrying without your husband, and you’d still have no more answers than I do. But I’m starting to find some, and I hope to speak to Omegin in person soon.”
“What did he do?”
“Sam—”
“Please tell me.”
Dorian pinched the bridge of his nose, then shifted to sit on the couch so Hyatt could wrap a supportive arm around his waist. “He bought contraband cord, twisted it into a noose, and strangled slowly until a guard found him and cut him down.”
“Goddess.” Samuel’s voice broke. “But he’s okay now?”
“Physically. I haven’t spoken to him, only with his advocate at DOC.” No way on earth was Dorian bringing up the decades-old abuse reports their omegin had filed against Neville. Not over the phone, and not until Dorian got more information. “But I will speak to Omegin as soon as he’ll allow it. I’ll find out what I can.” About everything.
“Are you sure I shouldn’t come north? I can be with you.”
He hated the heartbreak in Samuel’s voice. “I’m far from alone, brother. Hyatt’s with me and he’s been amazing. A rock. I know you want to be here, but I’m asking you to wait a few more days. Please, trust me?”
“You know I trust you, and I’m glad you have Hyatt. I never imagined Omegin would do such a thing.”
“Me either. I think we’re going to learn a lot more about him than we ever imagined in these next few weeks. And not good things.”
“Worse than him trying to kill our half-brother?”
Dorian didn’t know how to reply to that. “Give me until the end of the week to get more answers. Then, if I think it will help for you to be here, I’ll call you. I promise. Let me protect you from this for a little while longer.”
Samuel coughed. “Okay. I’ll stay put for now. But I’m mad at you for not letting me help you figure out whatever this is.”
“Usually you’re mad at me because I ate the last piece of your birthday cake, even after you claimed it for yourself.” Beside Dorian, Hyatt laughed.
“You always were a jerk about that.” But Samuel’s tone was lighter, less serious than before. They’d be okay. “If there’s anything I can do, please call me. I know you’re the oldest but he’s my omegin, too.”
“I know, and I will. You just live your life, okay? Let me deal with the heavy stuff for a while.”
“I’ll do my best. Say hi to Hyatt for me.”
“Will do. Love you, brother.”
“Same.”
After he ended the call, Dorian kissed Hyatt’s cheek. “Samuel says hi.”
“I love that you’re trying to protect him by keeping him from coming here,” Hyatt replied. “At least until you have more answers.”
“I owe him that.” His heart ached with familiar grief. “For a little while, he hated me for making the decision to take our sire off life support. He thought that with enough time and the right doctor, he would pull through. But I knew better. And maybe a tiny part of me didn’t want our sire to recover ever, because of the things he’d done and the lies he’d told, so I was easier to convince. In the end, it was my decision and I stand by it. Perhaps Symon’s omegin will never get his innocence or his life back, but I can live knowing Neville Fowler will never hurt another person ever again.”
Hyatt stared at him with a huge, unasked question in his eyes. “Did you pull the plug when there might have been hope?” He didn’t ask though, and Dorian was grateful for his discretion. Going down that road would help no one, least of all Symon. Right now, Dorian’s focus was on his Dustin, and all the secrets his omegin had been keeping for the last thirty years.
Dorian only hoped that the answers he sought were worth the potential heartache he knew, deep down, they would