I glanced at the two men who were dressed smartly in suits. Piper’s clothes were smarter than normal but with chains hanging from his silver waistcoat.
It felt strange to be able to see his neck and for him to be revealing that he didn’t have a bond bite.
I instinctively raised my hand to touch the bond mark on one side of my neck. It sent sparking pleasure through me. I edged my hand to the other bite.
“Where are our Alphas?” I asked.
“Preparing things.” Zero swaggered to the door. “We have less than half an hour left. Are you feeling okay, love? Ready to do battle? I may be better on a stage than…well, anywhere else…but Lionzio is brilliant at this stuff. He’s been creating files on your business (after my darling Pip hacked them, of course), barely sleeping at nights to record everything he can. Plus, he’s been meticulous about recording the abuses since he arrived as witness statements. We all have. Then you broke into the safe, and Pip was able to steal the final pieces of evidence to take the owners down.”
I stared at Zero.
Zero’s suit was white in startling contrast to his black hair, which he had allowed to hang free to his waist.
He looked like an angel on the way to a board meeting.
My eyes widened, as the last of the heat muddling my mind cleared. “The annual board meeting.”
“Careful, love.” Zero snatched the mug from my hands, before I tipped it over myself in my alarm. “We’ve only just got you dressed and presentable. Best not to face these bloody bastards looking like you’ve either pissed yourself or dripped slick through your pants because of my sexy ass.”
I blushed but pushed myself off the bed. “Give me my jacket. I’m doing this. It’s time that Omegas went to war.”
Now, I sit back in the velvet chair that Maya normally occupies, surveying the board members like I own the entire hotel.
Because technically, I sort of do.
Piper and Zero are walking up and down the table passing out packets of information to each of the board members.
Piper has an additional sheaf of papers under his arms. They’re the most important of the whole meeting, however, and he’s not to reveal them until Icarus gives him the go-ahead.
When my gaze alights on them, excitement blossoms through me. I struggle to look away and not give the game away too early.
This is hard and also, the best feeling in the world.
The pheromones of the Alphas are becoming stronger and more distressed, as they begin to flick through the images of abuse, including photographs, as well as the evidence of illegal tax evasion.
I’m certain that they’re more furious about the tax evasion.
Dad is sitting in the chair next to me, smirking as widely as I am.
After everything that has happened this Christmas, I have learned a lot about both Dad and myself.
Namely, that I inherited my recklessness, ability to hide my true scheming self, and my criminality from Dad.
Also, that Dad was always the one who was working on protecting everyone, while pretending to be the loyal Second Omega with little power.
Ellington, pampered First Omega with the authority over every Omega in the hotel, never held the true power.
I shoot Dad a sideways glance.
He smiles at me.
I’m warmed that we are finally able to be together. I wish that I could edge my hand along the desk and hold his hand. But I need to look strong for just a little while longer.
We both do because we’ve made the decision to take this risk together.
The hotel will belong equally to everyone in it, but we will be the first Omegas at the helm.
Sitting Dad at my right hand, however, at a table that he has never been allowed to join (despite this being his business), feels thrilling.
