“Justified reasons actually, don’t forget that. And once you have had the chance to explain all the intricacies of why you’ve elected not to share that her father is your scent-matched Alpha, I’m sure she will be fine. But, Tristan, do not discount those reasons; they tried to get rid of you.”
I rub my hands over my face again. “I lied to her, and you and Ho for a long time.”
“You did. But we all have to do things we don’t want sometimes, Tristan, and that does not make you a bad person at all. Yes, I was shocked when you finally confessed but at the same time I’m so thankful you found such a beautiful, strong connection and turned it into your future, with a pack to love and cherish you. Don’t make light of the bond you have with King or your pack just to save yourself from Raney’s anger.”
“Again,” I growl, “deserved.”
Simona’s eyes flutter closed, her sweet disposition disappears, her eyes burst open, and she hisses angrily at me. Well, as angry as Simona can be. “You need to stop second guessing yourself. Go change into the yellow jumpsuit you showed me last week and then go apologise to one of your dearest friends. Whether you have Raney’s blessing or her friendship after, is up to her.”
Spoken like a woman who has a million secrets herself. But Simona is not finished although she reverts back to her serene self again. “The reality was you fell head over heels for King before you even knew who he was. And that is a wonderful, and very important fact that can’t be ignored. You did not know who he was. The issue of how long you kept that lie going is also easy to justify considering what you endured at the hands of women at the club, who incidentally Raney probably spent a lot of time around when she used to visit King.”
Simona looks off screen for a minute, her eyes dropping slightly and the dip in her ‘shine’ is impossible to ignore. “I need to go. I’ll see you soon anyway.”
“Sim, you know I am here, don’t you? Always and forever. I don’t need explanations or excuses but if you ever need a safe place, you let me know.”
She looks off in the opposite direction, but she can’t hide the tears that well in her eyes. She blinks them away in the very next second, and if you didn’t know her as well as I do, you wouldn’t notice them.
“You are an amazing person, Tristan, and I love you for it. Now go.” She smiles softly before reaching forward and tapping an end to our call.
Since I came out to Simona, it reinforced so many things—my friendship with her, my love and respect for her, but also a reminder of Simona’s strength. And she shared some of her plight, enough for me to know she’s got things handled, although I also know I’m on standby to be available whenever she needs.
The instant I pull on the overly bright and happy yellow jumpsuit, I feel less like I’m about to die. Sliding my feet into my favourite jade green stilettos, I spin around to check out the back before I stuff everything in an oversized tote nearly slamming into a wall of blackberry.
“Now, you look more like yourself. Come here,” Maverick demands, tugging me onto his lap and taking a selfie of the both of us. “I’ll wait until you’ve explained who I am to your best friend but this is going to be our first social post.”
“Add the logo.” I go to add it, but Maverick kisses the words off my lips.
“Logo and web on everything,” he confirms with one of his incredible kisses. “No one gets to download this sucker without our agency, Throne, being tagged. These two beautiful faces so in demand they’re like fucking royalty.”
I laugh at Maverick talking about us in the third person, but he’s not wrong. In no time at all, Throne has made a big impression within the industry. Our growing success has obviously helped that I’m attached to our brand, but I’m pushing Maverick and Steel hard and both of them have just as many bookings as I do. And as well as that, Maverick and I also have the connections that have been fostered by working with people for years.
It has been incredibly satisfying stealing big name makeup artists, hair stylists, dressers, photographers, administration staff, client managers from other modelling agencies, and the clients came once we started revealing who we represented. It was a very conscious decision to pick up the men and women, of all designations, who had been rejected by other agencies for the smallest flaw or tiniest transgression. At Throne, we welcomed everyone with open arms, irrespective of what they looked like, because royalty was a state of mind.
There was a killer learning curve starting up your own business and surprisingly King was the person who gave me the guidance and confidence to chase down the dream of having my own agency. Looking back now his business acumen was there all along; he was the founding member and president ofThe Fallen. He knew his business inside out and could see what worked and what didn’t.
The foundations of our newest venture was based on the years of all our success and hard work. King was my business mentor as well as a shareholder, along with Tyson, though Ty was very much focussing his energy on being a doctor. When the fool wasn’t out riding in the dead of night with my pack, setting fire to Nolan’s newest studio or Banks Agency’ place of business, that is.
Boy, my pack could hold a grudge.
The final leg of our journey we spent talking about our next getaway, going home. It seems my Alphas are holding on to that grudge too. They’re still slightly obsessed with going to pay Troy a visit, although they swear it’s more about meeting my parents face to face. I call BS but hey they call me out on my BS all the time too.
We stop in front of Raney’s pack home, staying out of view of their security system to give me the final out if I want. But telling her needs to happen.
Tyson leans forward his finger trailing over his claim on my throat. “You go dazzle. We will wait here until you’re ready. No rush, okay?”
Steel taps his fingers against my heart not saying a word. Maverick climbs over him to kiss me hungrily.
I feel ready.
King meets me at the front of the truck, his hand in mine. A final look back at my pack and I press the buzzer. It feels like a week passes before I get a response.
“Tris? Dad? Oh my god… what has happened?”
“Open the door, Raney, please.” I push. And I’ll keep pushing hard because I am not leaving her without confessing. But I’d like to do that to her face, and not via her security camera feed.
The door buzzes, letting King and me into the building. We barely press the button for the elevator to take us up to their floor when the lift dings, indicating one is already on the way down.
The anticipation is like watching a countdown in an action movie. I hold my stomach as it gurgles loudly. “I feel like I’m about to puke.”
