Father jumps to fill the silence before we can. “Let’s move on. About this evidence you claim to have—”
“Claim?” Ethan arches a brow, pulling a flash drive out of his pocket and putting it on the table. “It’s all right here. See it for yourself. I have copies on two different drives back home.”
“You will stop interrupting me,” Father seethes at my men, looking around the table furiously.
“Then the two of you will treat our omega with respect,” Maverick states calmly, folding his hands in front of him.
Father pauses, sending a look to Mother. He doesn’t decline, but he doesn’t agree either. “Lester. Take the flash drive and check the contents.”
Lester scurries out of his corner, grabbing the flash drive and plugging it into the laptop.
Ethan drums his fingers on the table. “By the way…Lester was it? Any attempt to look further into the files to see the IP address they originated from will trigger a command in the documents. All the files I have will be immediately sent to the DEA’s office. Can’t have you trying to track us after this.”
Lester pales before nodding. “It might take a second to verify, sir.”
Father grits his teeth. “Fine. Now, while Lester verifies the validity of the evidence, let’s negotiate.”
“There’s nothing to negotiate,” I say simply, shaking my head. “You tell the world I’m safe and sound, and we don’t send out the files. That’s it.”
Father scowls at me. “I want the filesdeleted. And I want you back on the Nest Luxe promo.”
“No.”
Mother’s jaw drops. “No? Did you just say‘no’ to us? You have no idea how much money you’ve already lost us by disappearing how you did.”
“Are you referring to how I was rescued from the pack that yousoldme to?”
Father bristles. “Come now, we had no choice. You were being difficult—”
“So difficult that you had tosellme?” For the first time tonight, I feel tears sting my eyes. “My entire life,I have been invisible. I have made myself smaller to not attract your wrath. Your attention. No birthday celebrations, nothing. But the moment I presented as an omega, I became valuable to you. Suddenly, I’m thrust into the limelight, after an entire life of being hidden in the shadows. Did you even think about how difficult that would be for me?”
Maverick’s hand finds my knee under the table.
“You don’t think about the family,” Father snaps. “You presenting as an omega was the only reason we were able to convince the owners of Nest Luxe to sell to us.”
Ah, so that explains it. They probably thought their brand would be in good hands if the new owners had an omega daughter. Too bad they didn’t really know my parents.
I shake my head. “So you used me to buy your company. Got it. That doesn’t explain why you were so intent to sell me off—”
“You’re being dramatic,” Mother sneers. “We gave you to a reputable pack—”
“Did you know they drugged me?” Silence. “They said they got the drug from you.” More silence. “They were mad that I was a virgin. Planned on…how did he say it?” I let out a bitter laugh. “‘A virgin bootcamp. An accelerated course to get me used to taking their dicks however and wherever they want.’”
I can feel my guys stiffen next to me. I don’t think I ever told them word for word what they said. Even Father has the barest glint of guilt flicker across his expression.
“What else did you expect us to do, Wren?” Mother snaps. “You couldn’t keep a pack interested, and how would it look if the face of Nest Luxe wasn’t desirable enough for a pack to want?”
It all makes sense now. They needed to have me packed up because it would look better for their brand.
“You were supposed to not be shitty parents.” My voice is hard as I look at them. “You were supposed to love me. Not ignore me until you could use me, and then sell me off like cattle.”
Something about the words leaving my mouth and entering my parents ears…it’s liberating. Seeing the barest flicker of human emotion at my words makes me feel like maybe I can make them see how much hurt they’ve caused me.
“Sir?” Lester approaches Father, laptop in hands. Any trace of regret is wiped from his face as he snatches the computer. “It’s all here…and more. There’s a video testimony from Freida as well…”
Based on the way Father’s face screws up in rage, I think we’re about to make a deal.
Chapter 42
