“I said,” my voice is thick with tears, “don’t. Say. That.”
I clasp my brother’s hand tightly in mine.
I won’t ever let go.
Bird finally glances up, meeting my eye. “Okay, sis, then I’ll simply say that means you’ll have twenty percent of the hotel’s shares. Then add in your dad’s, which Hatton told me he is also granting to you and?—”
“Why?”
“Because to challenge an Alpha as CEO at the annual board meeting on the day after Christmas, especially as that CEO has steered the company into a period of financial weakness andinstability,” Bird’s eyes glitter wickedly, “a majority stakeholder needs to challenge them for their position.”
“A takeover,” I breathe. “You always were smart.”
He shakes his head. “Hatton and Dad already worked out this scheme for a coup between them. Did you think that they were just leaving us down here? This is an Omega uprising. The thing is that even with all of us pooling our resources, we’re still ten percent away from what we need.”
My shoulders slump.
So close.
“I’ll think about it,” I reply.
“In the meantime, I’ll take Zoe, while you practice your Christmas performance during the break. Ellington is looking for any excuse to find fault at the moment and…”
We fall silent at the sharp rap on the door.
Ms. Fields doesn’t wait for our response but pokes her head around the door. “You’re late, Grace. Mr. Sinner is back and looking as wrecked as he always does after he’s spent time with the Frosts. Everyone is trying to be on their best behavior. Hop to it.”
“I’m sorry.” Guilt slams through me.
I scramble off the nest, smoothing down my uniform and kissing Zoe goodbye as I go.
“Don’t worry,” Bird calls, “we’ll have fun together today.”
I rush after Ms. Fields out into the long, concrete corridor.
The Beta staff are ranked in silence, waiting to be led down to breakfast. I stumble into Icarus, and he turns to look down at me with a disapproving look.
Shit, he does look fucking wrecked.
He’s pale. His cheekbone is bruised.
I’m desperate to wrap my arms around him and check where he’s hurt, but we’re in public.
Worse, Ellington is descending the stairs toward us with Hatton at his side.
Ellington is dressed in a silk magenta, designer suit that looks like it was made to be noticed in the same way that Ellington is. In the cold of the dawn, he is also wearing a teal coat over it, as well as leather gloves, unlike the staff who only have their thin uniforms. He is swinging a smart cane that he uses as part of his aesthetic and for disciplining the Omegas.
I shiver.
Ellington is pretty with olive skin, short brunet hair, and hazel eyes.
Ellington gives off the appearance of a pampered Omega but it’s a lie.
He has always worked as hard as any Beta staff member or HO. My stepmom has had him running the Omega side of her operation from the start.
Maya is a hypocrite.
I’ve often wondered how much Ellington oppresses the other Omegas out of fear that if he doesn’t, then he’ll lose his own status as First Omega.
