“In so many ways, love,” Zero whispers into my ear. “He coached him thoroughly last night.”
I blush.
Lionzio looks dazed, before he smiles widely.
A deep pride warms through the bond; it melts the icy self-doubt and self-hatred that normally frosts Lionzio’s emotions.
Icarus arches his brow. “Well? I know that you will also need to work part-time for your other boss.”
He glances at Piper, who nods.
We all know that we are talking about the Omega resistance.
“I can give him some time off. Also, he can do my books here,” Piper says, being deliberately vague. “He isn’t that suited to my line of work anyway.”
Lionzio doesn’t look bothered.
It’s true. He has also stated that this will be his one and only field mission.
He is more the behind the scenes kind of guy.
Piper thrives in undercover missions. The Omegas are the superheroes.
Piper and I share a secret smile.
Lionzio clears his throat. “Then I accept.”
“How many cancellations have there been?” Hatton tilts his head. “Once the scandal hit and the hotel closed? Do we even have a business to reopen?”
I wring my hands in my lap. “About sixty percent of the elite packs have canceled.”
Ellington hisses out a breath. “Shit.”
It’s so rare for the refined Omega to swear that my gaze shoots to his in shock.
Ellington crosses his arms with a huff. “I did cuss in private, you know. Just not in front of you kids.”
It shocks me.
You kids.
He says it as if he has always considered Bird and me to be his, as well.
I want it to be true.
Ellington smiles at me warily like he expects me to growl back.
I allow myself to smile, as hard as it is.
We need to move forward together as a family.
Ellington’s lip trembles, and he lets his head falls onto Hatton’s shoulder like he needs the support.
“But of course,” Zero drawls, “I happen to be bloody brilliant. With my connections through the Idols pack and social media as a celebrity to spread the word about this place, I have managed to refill those bookings with liberal packs. There are more than you’d think, a growing number every day. Plus, supporting this hotel under its new management is an act of defiance and legal resistance. It’s a way of supporting Betas’ worker rights and Omega civil rights. In fact, it’s all booked up for the next six months.”
Piper snorts. “And you did that all by yourself from the bed, while stuffing your face with pizza and beer?”
Zero smirks. “Piper may have also helped.”
