“Good,” Jamie says, huffing out a breath. “I think he’s having some real issues with a guy named Ralph.”
“He’s Eddy’s?—”
“He’s his right hand man,” Aeron mutters, his brow furrowing in concern. “Fuck, there’s something off about him, and I’ve never liked him.”
“Don’t we have a file on him?” Connor asks, sipping his coffee slowly.
Our dads are the mafia versions of apocalypse preppers, only it’s more geared toward information being power. They have files on everyone they work with or around, waiting for the day someone may need to be blackmailed or put down like a damn dog.
I think Ralph may be the latter.
“I see the files are alive and well,” Jamie drawls.
“They’ve grown since you last saw them.” Dad snorts. “You never know when you need to add kerosene to a potentially explosive situation. It’s important to know when to hold your peace and when to fight for what’s right.”
“Beckham doesn’t want to be with us because he thinks all alphas want is control,” Jamie says, his mood plummeting.
Fuck. I hate this for him. I’m torn between wanting to tell him that we’ll fix it all and saying fuck an omega who doesn’t want us. I obviously won’t do the second option, but I’ve been with my pack for a long damn time.
I don’t enjoy being shit on because of other people’s mistakes. Ralph is going to die simply for putting the sad look in Jamie’s eyes.
“Control isn’t what makes an alpha,” Dad says, grunting. “It’s about being willing to care for those who need it, leading, and being a good fucking person. Anyone can swing their dick around, use their alpha bark, and destroy someone’s innocence. Protecting people and teaching them how to be safe is what sets us apart.”
“It’s why your fathers and I are protecting the peace,” Aeron says. “However, it accomplishes nothing if it hurts you three. We want you to finish college, not fight a war you’re not ready for. We may be able to handle it and still keep things going though, if your omega is willing to tell you what’s going on. His father loves him, even though they’ve had a rough few years.”
Connor comes back with a thick file, and I realize that I didn’t even see him leave. I was too wrapped up in what Aeron was saying.
“Define rough,” Jamie insists, his eyes on the file.
“Nothing crazy. From what I understand, Beckham hasn’t wanted to take over the reins of the business,” Dad explains, shrugging. “I don’t blame him when he has another love.”
Jamie bobs his head in understanding. His love of football and wanting a normal college experience is why we’re all in school with him. It’s important to bend for the person you love.
Connor opens the file, going through it until he finds what he is looking for.
“Now, some of this may be innocent and useless information,” he begins. “Your dads and I have kept every photo and written down every slightly odd encounter in case it may be needed later on. While there’s nothing wrong with our memories, it’s important to have correct documentation.”
“Dad,” Jamie says impatiently. “What do you have on Ralph?”
I feel the same way, but I focus on finishing the last bite of my breakfast to give me something to do. In my experience, it doesn’t help to rush these men. I have to sit tight and let them have their moment.
It’s not difficult to admit that their files are impressive.
“We’ve never been a big fan of Ralph overall,” Connor says, ignoring his son as my lips twitch.
“The man is a slimeball,” Aeron mutters. “I can’t prove it, but I would give my knot if he wasn’t fucking Eddy over in some way. Ralph acts as if he owns the mafia family when he’s simply the hired help.”
“Which leads me to this,” Connor says, flipping a photo over and pushing it carefully in our direction to avoid getting ruined.
My jaw grinds together as I stare at a younger, very scared Beckham as a hand wraps around his throat. Ralph appears to be yelling at him, his face red and angry. Our omega is cringing away from him, trying to make himself smaller and it pisses me off.
“When was that taken?” Tatum rasps, his voice full of horror and worry.
“About thirteen years ago,” Dad says. “We were there for a meeting with Eddy, and I happened to need to hit the bathroom before we left. As I was coming out, I found Ralph screaming at him. I couldn’t stay long enough to figure out what the problem was, but I documented it just in case we’d need it.”
“Holy fuck,” Jamie mutters. “No one should have been yelling at a mafia don’s son like that. I don’t fucking care who they are.”
“I would have killed anyone who did that to any of you, which is why I have to believe Eddy doesn’t know about this,” Dad says. “I’ve been waiting for the right moment to say something.”
