And of course, he’s already looking at me. “Do something for me? Think about this the same way I suspect you view your business.”
And then he holds my panic by speaking my language. Reaching past my swirling emotions, giving me something to focus on.
“What do you mean?” I ask, intrigued by Valak’s line of thinking.
“Think strategically. We can write up an agreement or something for the four of us to sign, but instead of fighting this alone, fight for the life you want to live with a group of like-minded people behind you. Sort out what you need, from what you want, and write out the steps to achieve it.”
“I agree with Valak’s way of thinking, that you think more strategically. I mean, that’s what you are really good at. I know you like deals, right?” Noah adds, pulling his chair closer and leaning onto the table as his mindset changes.
“I do.”
And I do. Deals are like an addiction for me. I get off thinking about them. I get a buzz putting them in place, and when they get agreed on, I feel alive. I also enjoy the other side of it, reaping the reward. Noah knows I like them because I keep trying to get one to appease and entice him.
I look over to Lincoln, and he’s already smiling. “Talk your way, dove, find an acceptable outcome like you always do, and sell it to us.”
“I don’t give a shit what we call it, Len, as long as whatever you come up with includes me,” Gabe says, turning to sit back in his chair. He takes a massive swig of his beer, his eyes on me, but he’s deep in thought too. “We’re not going to solve the bullshit of the world tonight, but before we leave this table we do need a deal to at least find a way to shield you from the said bullshit.”
“I need time to think about it,” I offer back, including everyone. “I get the reasons why you’re seeing it as a way out of this, but I need to figure out a few things before I can.”
Noah leans back in his seat, and everyone follows. “No one here is going to trap or trick you. We’re going to take our time since we’re on this fucking island for god knows how long, but we’re going to come up with a way to keep you safe from the government, from the idiots trying to revive Regalo, and anyone else who wants a piece of you. Friends trust each other enough to listen, right? You tell me that all the time. And now, Ms. Vale, I am using your own words, so you make sure you hear what we are saying, and don’t let the other voices get to you. “
He finishes with a knowing smile that is also a little triumphant, because once again he’s twisted my words on me. No one says a word. And there’s no rush for anyone to fill the gap with false promises. I use it, the same way they do, by chilling the fuck out and assimilating the endless questions into priority. After a couple of moments, I quickly figure that the reality is, right this second nothing has changed. I’m safe, and I’m in charge of my life, I’m a guest of Lincoln’s, and I can leave. Without a doubt, I’ll start to work through what Gabe shared and what the others are proposing, but it will take time.
A huge part of being an omega is that I am super receptive to those around me. I know it, I’ve had a long time to get used to it too. It’s also one of the reasons I isolate myself, because my responses to others can get overwhelming, making me feel weak. And the response is completely involuntary—it’s nature in its purest form. It is also something I can’t control, no matter how hard I try. And it’s frustrating because I can control nearly everything else in my life: who I work with, how much money I spend and/or make, where I live, and what I eat. Responding to an alpha’s influence is a painful thorn in my side. But it is also a big reason why I run my company the way I do; everything is done remotely, and driven by me. My omega genetics pine for alpha attention and interaction, my strict discipline ensures I manage it by avoiding it. And then these four come along and all my practice falls to the wayside.
Without a doubt there are alphas, and strong betas, who have found a way to use their influence wrongly. The Regalo project was a prime example of bad alphas abusing the power they wielded. And I know there’s examples of where the situation is completely reversed, where good alphas use their ability for the betterment of everyone but themselves. Hell, Noah and Lincoln are both like that.
I need to do better at remembering that but also trusting my instinct more. Like I’ve done for so long.
While my faith is valid and warranted, I’m good at assessing situations, keeping myself mostly away from danger, living alone. My gut instincts are one of my strengths. I know there’s a reason why I’ve jumped into bed with Lincoln and Gabe so quickly, why I flirted like a hungry hooker with Noah earlier, why I watched Valak unashamedly in the shower because at the end of the day, my instincts haven’t let me down yet. And right here, right now, they are screaming at me that I can trust them, hell, even Ares is chill in their company, and he’d be the first to react to any threat.
Sometimes all it is, is believing in yourself, reminding yourself you damn well got this, and everything else starts to fall into place.
“Alright, I need a pad and paper, some food, and then we talk slowly about what’s going on and exactly what you are proposing,” I say, breaking their worried and contemplative mood. My words act as a diffuser and everyone breathes a sigh of relief while simultaneously leaping into action.
“You’re sure this is the only way?” I ask again.
“No. But turn it around and make it the most beneficial for you right now. Which in turn works for us,” Lincoln says, his maturity shining through as he keeps the focus on me, subtly reminding me how good alphas and packs work too.
Noah is the first to move. He stands up from the table, saunters over, and tugs on my hair as he goes in search of what I need. Gabe hops up and gets me a fresh beer, and a bottle of water, not too subtly whispering in my ear that I’ll need to keep hydrated for our late-night frivolities. Seriously, the words he uses, the way he does it, are so goofy, yet so entirely Gabriel, I can’t help but relax around him. Lincoln focuses on the delivery of food, openly watching me but getting on and doing what he said he would do. Valak, the wildcard in the group, announces he’s going to do a double check of the security but gets thwarted by his own brother and is tasked with keeping me company.
“Regalo, huh? I’m sure you’ve heard it a few times over, but I’m sorry you went through that.”
I pull a grimace before rolling my shoulders and taking his apology like a woman. It makes me feel uncomfortable, their constant need to apologise. It wasn’t on Valak or any of the other Alliance alphas to apologise, but they always do.
“Thanks, but it’s unnecessary. It wasn’t you.”
Valak does one of his short, sharp nods before he expertly changes the topic. “Did I hear correctly, that you know Bailey Henderson?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“Agent or friend?” he pushes, settling back in his chair, trying to look like he’s relaxing, but he’s stiff. I seriously wonder if Valak ever lets go. A sudden flash of him in the shower hits my memory and I have to look away from him, and I use his question as a way for me to focus.
I cough before I speak again. “Friend first, although it’s one of those friendships that everyone raves about; she’s my family. Agent after friendship, which is probably lucky because I can get a little…”
“Insistent? Obsessive? Obstructive? Demanding?” Lincoln suggests as he comes over, sliding his hand over the tops of my shoulders as he places a small plate in front of me. The food smells amazing; Lincoln smells better.
“You spilling my secrets, Lincoln?” I grin up at him.
