His hand rests on my shoulder, and he hums quietly while I digest that little titbit. I’m not surprised, or horrified. From the start my pack said they’d do everything, and anything, needed to ensure I won.
Turning to face Ryder, I brush a lock of hair off his forehead before my finger touches over his eyebrow piercing and then traces his small anchor tattoo. “Can we get matching tattoos? Or maybe I should get my eyebrow pierced like yours.”
He smirks his answer,Of course we can do whatever you want. And hums a little louder, more intentionally.
My eyes fly open when I realise I haven’t heard it before. “Is that something you’re working on?”
“I finished a demo last night. Parts of it work, others I need to redo but yeah. Do you like it?” He teases with a brush of his lips on mine.
“I’m your biggest fan. I’d pay money to hear you sing a shopping list.”
“Strange, I’d give you all my money to hear you moan my name like you do when I’m stretching your pussy.”
My eyes slam shut while I work through the tsunami he caused. Ryder keeps humming under his breath, winding me up while waiting for me to look back at him.
“Ryder, you can’t…”
He cuts me off by pressing his finger against my lips. “Today of all days, we remind each other why we’re heading into the city for a meeting with lawyers instead of going home. So, Sin, I hope you realise how much I fucking love the way you’ve ripped a path into my soul, making a place inside me forever. Side note, equally important, you turn me on. I want youknowinghow consuming you are, and how far we will go to keep you as our Omega.”
We chat about nothing consequential for the rest of the drive—fun and normal things—but it’s needed after all the drama that has been consuming our focus.
Walking through the security checkpoint, the guards inspect our bags while we get scanned for weapons. And that was part of the reason we arrived early: to get Nigel in the best place so he can make sure the other side is similarly screened. I wouldn’t put it past the family to simply resolve the issue by resorting to violence. I mean, it is Brody’s go-to.
Another strategy we discussed was keeping our pack status off the table, but I vetoed that as soon as it was mentioned. Today is about me, and my freedom. Dominic, Hendrix and Ryder are a part of that.
Walking inside the courtroom, Dominic’s hand in mine, Ryder to the other side, and Hendrix at my back, is when I get a dose of reality.
“This is really happening,” I whisper. Dominic had sensed a shift in my mood and was already turning to see why I was suddenly getting apprehensive.
“Too fucking right it is,” Dominic says gently. His sincerity and determination hit like a sledgehammer, and the smile he gives me is the kind only your forever person can give. My tummy rolls, happiness heats our bond, and my nerves settle in an instant.
The four of us have to split near the front. Hendrix and Ryder both give me a quick kiss and then Dominic guides me to our seats. I hold onto my calm, happy place while Dominicsets up all his papers then hands me a fresh bottle of water—we’re not taking any chances today, bringing our own supply to avoid the risk of someone slipping drugs or poison into ours. Apparently, it’s happened previously.
The door behind us opens, and Dominic stands and helps me to my feet.
“It’s Giuseppe, Simona,” Dominic lets me know, turning to speak to the latest arrival, his business partner from his legal office.
“Giuseppe, just in the nick of time.” Dominic’s voice is both warm and abrupt.
“Blame Petrov Nikalini.”
Dominic laughs and picks up his phone, already shooting off a text.
I look at Hendrix for an explanation. He’s already leaning over the small dividing barrier so I can hear him. “Another of Dominic’s clients. I’d prefer to have drinks with Siderno than Nikalini, but he’s a good guy.” He winks quickly adding, “Although he’d shoot me in the kneecaps if he heard me say that. Petrov is the head of the Bravata here. Dom’s been one of his lawyers for years.”
Dominic returns his phone to his pocket while stepping aside so I can meet Giuseppe. We’d spoken on the phone earlier this week, but meeting people in person is always different.
Giuseppe goes to shake my hand, but Dominic cuts him off with a look. Which works for me, I’m having trouble myself dealing with the thought of touching an Alpha outside of my pack. Even in a situation like this.
“Lovely to meet you properly, Simona. I owe you,” he says, as he pulls his briefcase up on the other side of Dominic and starts unpacking.
“Why do you owe my Omega?” Dominic hisses, and my hand massages his shoulders in comfort.
“She’s tempered your moods. Hopefully though you still have it in you as a lawyer.”
Hendrix and Ryder start laughing, but our conversation ends abruptly when the doors behind us open.
The past few days I have been preparing myself to come face to face with my and Brody’s parents and all their supporters. They would have enlisted a cast of thousands to attend today, a form of intimidation, a threatening reminder of what I was going up against. When one very junior looking lawyer is the only person to walk through the doors, I’m stunned until I remind myself of the endless games the founding families like to play.
