I keep my eyes locked on the menu, blinking away the burning in my eyes forcing the tears not to roll down my cheeks. “Jesus, William, you heard me, didn’t you? Have his access cut immediately and put him on extended leave until I have spoken with my solicitor. Someone also needs to have the balcony at Verdune Estate assessed as an intruder risk. Now, I’m sure we have more important things to discuss before the Shareholder event.”
ChapterFive
Iborrow my father’s schizoid personality as I sit and wait for them to make their next move. Later I have no doubt the tears will start and probably never stop, but there is no way in my lifetime or the next that I let any person in this room see or feel the depth of my heartbreak.
The pain strumming through me is excruciating, but I’m sure I’m not the first Omega to suffer at the hands of an Alpha. And that is not me being dismissive of my emotions, that is me taking strength in the knowledge that others have survived, and I’ll be one of those too.
My eyes dance over the menu reading the same line over and over. I’m present, but I’m so far from here it’s not funny—which is a dangerous place to be. Focussing on the words I’m not comprehending, I internalise the rage and get my game face on.
It might be seconds or even hours later that I’m re-joined by William, John, Troy, and Leigh. The moment they sit, I find my voice.
“Allan and Margott do not need to know what happened. They have enough to deal with currently, like my mother fucking dying.”
I ignore their gasps. They’d be horrified I swore. Without looking at them, I continue.
“I expect your complete discretion on this issue. If my safety had been compromised, which it supposedly had, then I should have been informed. Each of you have failed with the basic constitution of Duty of Care which is a requirement of your position with Verdune. I am viewing your actions as one of corporate hostility, so I will remind you of your position and who I am.”
I take a small sip of water but start up again before any of them get a chance to formulate a comeback.
“If you ever deceive me like that again, not only will you be physically dragged from the offices of Verdune, but I will track down the Phoenix Group to wipe you and your family name from existence.” I keep my eyes on the menu while I speak, only moving them to look at the Alphas who thought they would protect me by lying to my face.
Leigh’s grey eyes implore me to understand, and I cock an eyebrow up at him, waiting for his explanation.
“The threats on your life, Heidi…”
“Were and are physical. But the people in this room, along with God knows who else, have just taught me more than a bullet ever could.” I wave my hand around dismissively and condescendingly. “Now fake being humans I can trust while we eat.”
And then I commandeer the discussions, making it nothing but a working dinner as I fire off question after question. I drive us far away from the train wreck that just happened and treat them like employees which is exactly how our working relationship will go from now on.
I blatantly ignore them at several points to speak with my lawyer. Which is amusing, considering the Board insisted I have independent legal and financial counsel. Initially, their insistence added to the feeling of alienation I suffered, but I got over that as soon as I met Douglas. He became my rock.
At our first meeting, Douglas roared with laughter when I threatened him the same way I did the four sitting around me now, but in the very next breath he swore his allegiance and promised to always protect me.
He once again roars with laughter as I outline my recent conversation with the Executive team. Even they heard his bull-headed determination to formally address their negligence. I finish the call just as food arrives, and I once again push for updates on each of the departments they head. Leigh tries to re-table a request for a small research team to investigate bond manipulation, but I shut that down, like Allan and Margot have done already.
Douglas delivers on his promise, and it makes me happier when they each get an incoming email alert on their phones. We spend the rest of our ridiculously early dinner in silence, the four of them distracted by the legal powerhouse of my lawyer.
When I stand, they do too, but before any of them can utter an apology or another piss poor reason as to why they acted how they did, I cross the hallway and walk into a small dressing room to freshen up, double dose on my suppressors, and slather even more scent blocker over my skin for the Shareholder event. Only these four would demand a fully catered dinner prior to attending a fully catered Verdune Shareholder function.
Despite the smile on my face, I don’t feel remotely happy welcoming each and every Shareholder to the ballroom. If it wasn’t for the promise I made to give the welcome speech for Allan, I would have left, but I am a person of my word.
Once all our guests are inside, I do a quick round, acting as the perfect host, before I excuse myself and leave them to enjoy the cocktails. I fade into the background, and the function happens around me. I spend the time alone, watching the Executive schmoozing the room. Eventually it gets a bit too much and I join the line at one of the bars to get a drink.
Despite my namesake it’s important to me that I am treated like everyone else. Waiting in line at the bar is easy to do, but strangely I realise I’ve never seen the Board do it.
I considered asking for a tumbler of vodka, instead I ask for a bottle of mineral water. Once I’m back at home, I’ll drown my sorrows in whatever I can before climbing into my bed along with every comforting blanket I own. But not yet. Even if it kills me, I will be the functioning daughter of two very important and valued members of our society for a while longer.
The staff working the function tonight are good. Exceptionally so. They flow seamlessly and quietly, like a well-oiled machine as they ensure all our invited guests are well fed and their glasses continually full.
Before my thoughts on the entire night get even further despondent, I feel him.
I’m not surprised Ayden hasn’t left. It annoys the hell out of me, but it is what it is. Maybe he’s lingering in the hope I’ll waver in a moment of sentimentality or more likely he’s working a shift. I might be an insanely wealthy tender-hearted Omega, but I am no fucking fool. There will be no lovers to enemies back to lovers, irrespective of him being my scent-matched Alpha. He makes a complete mockery out of the concept, as well as how an Alpha is meant to act. Clearly on his resume, right alongside his impressive weapons training, he probably got top of the class in method acting.
Turning slightly to return my empty bottle to the bar and to get away from Ayden’s presence, I’m greeted by one of the staff passing a drink. I tip my head in question.
The barman places his hand on top of the bar as he leans over, and clearly, he’s not part of the same world as me because his arms are awash with endless tattoos. My eyes lock on his hands as he leans closer. The trio of scorpions along with lines and circles sit near his thumb on his left hand. It looks like a warning but then again, I thought Ayden was my mate, so I’m not delving too deep into anything.
Although, for the first time since loading up on all the suppressors and scent blockers that the Board insist I use if I attend any Verdune function, I’m sad I did. Because the barman has the most incredible iridescent green eyes I’ve ever seen. Even in my suppressed state, I know they are all that and more.
