Carter clears his throat, loud, dramatic, and completely unnecessary. “Okay. Seriously. We need to leave.”
Carter is guiding toward the door, while Kai thrusts coffee cups into our hands, laughter echoing through the hallway.
And just for a moment, I forget everything.
The anxiety about Brutus. The uncertainty about my future. The loss of my home and my business and everything I thought I knew about my life.
When I’m with these Alphas, none of it matters.
There’s only the four of us against whatever the world decides to throw at us.
I take a sip of my coffee, let Carter’s hand find the small of my back, and watch Kai practically skip toward his car with boundless energy. I’m starting to believe that change doesn’t have to be something to fear.
It might just be something to embrace.
28
SETH
The rodeo grounds are slowly coming alive around us, crew members setting up equipment, vendors preparing their stalls, the distant sounds of horses being led to their pens. It’s the last day of the rodeo shows, followed by a week of carnival fun, but our job will be done.
My father and I stand near the livestock area, a sprawling section of the grounds dedicated to housing the animals that make the rodeo possible. Large outdoor stalls stretch in rows before us, constructed of sturdy wooden posts and metal railings.
“The numbers don’t lie,” my father says, pulling my attention back to the papers in his hands. He’s comparing Joshua’s count from yesterday against the official report from this morning’s committee meeting. The discrepancy is similar to the previous day. “A third of our revenue. Gone. Just disappeared into that bastard’s pocket.”
I look over his shoulder at the figures, my jaw tightening. Every category shows the same pattern with actual numbers significantly higher than what Holden reported.
“We’ve got him,” I say quietly. “There’s no way he can explain this away.”
“No, there isn’t.” My father folds the papers and tucks them into his jacket pocket, handing me back my phone. “I spoke with Pete this morning. Before the meeting.”
“And?”
“He was horrified.” My father’s expression is grim but satisfied. “Genuinely shocked. The man was shaking and terrified that this was going to ruin the town’s reputation, furious that he trusted Holden with so much responsibility.” He shakes his head. “In hindsight, leaving all the financial oversight to one person was a massive mistake, but Pete had no idea what was happening. I believe him.”
I nod slowly. Pete has been a fixture in this town for decades, a man whose entire identity is wrapped up in Honeyspur Meadow’s success. The idea of him being complicit in embezzlement never sat right with me anyway.
“So what happens now?”
My father’s smile is the cold, satisfied expression of a man who has his enemy exactly where he wants them. “My lawyer is here. So is Sheriff Cade. Holden was supposed to come down to the rodeo right after the committee meeting, so we timed everything perfectly.”
“They’re going to finally arrest the asshole?”
“The police have already started looking into his finances. Turns out our friend Holden has had a sudden influx of cash recently.” My father’s eyes meet mine. “Hence him buying June’s parents’ house and business. No loan. No mortgage. Just a straight cash purchase.”
My stomach clenches at the mention of June.
“So that was enough to get a warrant?” I ask.
Dad nods. “Combined with the discrepancies in the financial records and the testimony from the woman who spiked your drink, yes. They have enough to arrest him and conduct a fullinvestigation. A complete audit of every transaction he’s touched since he took over the position.”
“Thank fuck for that.”
“Speaking of which,” my father continues. “I have more good news.”
“Go on.”
“The lawyers have been working with the sheriff’s office. Your charges have been dropped. You don’t need to go to court this afternoon.”
