“You did the covers, then you know who she is?” Fox demands, grabbing Sebastian’s shoulder.
“No,” Bas says, shaking his head. “No, I don’t know. She paid using her pen name. We didn’t exchange details; it was a transaction.”
Fox’s excitement drops, and I feel a bit sick at how sad he is and how angry.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Katsu says smoothly, but I can almost feel him mentally withdrawing. Everything in me wants to reach out and soothe his hurt, smooth over his pain. I don’t like him being upset almost to the extent that I’m ready to confess right here and right now.
“So, do you still plan to nail this author to the wall?” Tarou asks with a laugh. “My son, I have never seen you not do whatyou set out to do, and you are vicious when it comes to Fox. She doesn’t stand a chance.”
Katsu looks up, meeting his dad’s ruthless expression. “Yes, I intend to destroy them, now even more so.”
I clamp my lips together and lean back in the seat. My ears are ringing, and I can’t stop hearing those words. Sebastian is staring at me, but I don’t dare look.
My phone rings, and with relief, I see Felix’s name.
“I have to take this. Would you excuse me?”
I get up and take the call.
“I need you,” Felix says starkly.
“Ditto. I’ll see you soon,” I say in a rush.
I make my excuses and leave before anyone can stop me. Running, because I have my answer. I can’t tell them without ending this thing between us. And I don’t know how to let them go. They have become my future, my dreams, my hopes.
Felix meets me at the edge of town, where he stands scolding my freaking horse.
“GALE!” I shout at him and burst into tears. It’s all too much.
Felix doesn’t hesitate; he hugs me hard, holding me while I sob.
“Who am I killing?” he growls in a fierce snarl.
“Me, I did it. I ruined it, and the worst part is they don’t even know yet.”
Chapter 20
Katsu
We’ve known for a few days that it was her birthday and that the town was throwing a massive birthday party for her. It’s funny, but I didn’t think she was the kind of omega to want a big celebration. She seemed like the type to enjoy a small, intimate gathering, but her family and friends are really excited about it.
Fox went shopping. For hours and days. Scouring the Internet, trying to find the perfect thing to give her. In the end, he ordered five gifts.
I’d ordered one.
I look at the black-wrapped box and wonder if she will like it. It’s too late now to change things. I’m nervous, which is new and unusual for me, but just shows how much I care already.
I walk up to her house and find Julia almost pulling her out onto the porch.
“We can just skip it, no one will know,” Cordie says in panic.
“They’ll know. Come on, don’t be a chicken.”
“I don’t want this. You know that. Why didn’t you stop them?” She clings even harder to the house. Her hair’s a mess, and she looks delightfully tousled.
“Oh, honey, this is a celebration, the town deserves a chance to say thank you.”
“No, it doesn’t!” Cordelia snarls and tries to struggle free. “Let me go!”
