Ellington is his dad, after all, and he’s about to lose his mom.
I don’t want to more or less orphan him at the moment of my greatest happiness.
Papa’s sweet face tips to Ellington’s. “I don’t hate you. Iunderstandyou. I know that we have barely spoken, but we’re both fathers. We only want the best for our sons.”
A tear slips down Ellington’s cheek. He nods.
“So, I don’t need to see you punished. I know that you protected me…all of us…probably more times than I know,” Papa adds, softly. “You tried to save Bird. Also, our Alpha hurt you as often as she hurt the rest of us. You were just better at covering it up.”
Ellington’s hand flies to his black eye.
This morning, Maya is making a point by leaving his injuries on display. But how many days has Ellington covered his bruises with makeup?
“No one is going to hurt you anymore, Ellington,” I swear, “or send you away. But you’re also no longer in charge of the Omegas in this hotel either; Hatton is. Things are going to change around here, and you need to as well.”
“I understand.” Ellington desperately hugs his son, after Hatton launches himself into his dad’s arms. His voice is suspiciously wet. “Thank you.”
“Pathetic.” Maya launches herself upward, knocking Piper back.
When she attempts to dive for the door, however, Zero trips her. She sprawls in a final indignity onto her face.
Papa lets out a surprised laugh, and so do several of the elite Alphas.
Maya snarls, attempting to sit up, but Lionzio launches himself across the room to pin her down.
Lionzio yanks Maya’s arm behind her back, causing her to howl.
“Get off me.” Maya is panting in terror.
She truly has a phobia of Alphas, unless she has power over them.
“You shouldn’t have touched my Omega.” Lionzio increases the pressure, keeping her in place. “Do you remember what I said would happen? You’re lucky that Sheriff Dante Marshal is just outside the office waiting to put bracelets on you that are metal, rather than designer. Then he is going to take you out of this hotel in handcuffs through the busy lobby and then out of the front door of the hotel. All the guests will see your shame for being an abusive Alpahole.”
Maya struggles but she can’t escape.
Now she knows what her pack and every staff member and HO have experienced for so long.
Both Dad and Papa are grinning.
Joy surges through the bond, amplified from both Icarus and Lionzio.
“I’m not hiding this.” I feel lighter than I have in my life. “I want everyone to see what happens to Alphas like you, even if you bribe the jury or persuade the judge to let you off, your reputation will be ruined. Except, I’m the billionaire now. I’m surrounded by powerful people myself who want to use that power for good. So, I believe that you’ll be sentenced to the Alpha Center permanently. You can stay there, while I change this hotel into a home for the staff as well as the guests, knowing that you were outwitted byyour ownOmegas.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Lobby, Omega Hotel
New Year’s Eve
Laughter ringsthrough the grand lobby, which is still dressed like it is Christmas, despite it being New Year’s Eve.
There are no guests in this winter wonderland, however, because I closed the hotel as soon as I took over to take time to restructure it.
This is the flagship hotel. I must get the reforms right in order to replicate them in every other Omega Hotel throughout America.
Today, the staff and HOs are celebrating the belated Christmas that they have missed for too many years.
Betas and Omegas, dressed in the relaxed and warm clothes that they gleefully bought in the shops in Haven with their increased salaries, are wandering around the marble lobby chatting and playing Christmas games.
