“He’ll pee his pants when the three of you walk in. He’ll be on good behavior.” She strokes his beard. Silas’ expression softens for exactly half a second.
Then the menacing stare is back. His fingers flex. It’s almost like he’s hoping the guy isn’t on his best behavior, like he wants an excuse to flex his dominance. Saint and I share a look. Silas doesn’t let it out too often. This might be fun.
Lark walks in first, followed by Silas, then me, Saint, and OmegaBox’s lawyer. Mr. Muldane and his lawyer are already in the room. Harold’s eyes go wide when he sees us, but he quickly gets his response back under control.
“Harold,” she says. “It’s good to see you again. I wish it were under more amenable circumstances.”
He doesn’t bother to stand. “Who do you have with you, Lark?”
She offers him a coy smile. “These are my alphas. Our pack leader, Silas.” She pats Silas’ arm. “My alpha, Graham,” she says, pointing to where I stand on the other side of Silas. “And this is Saint.” Saint lifts his chin in greeting.
She turns to her lawyer. “I believe my attorney has made himself known to yours.” The two lawyers shake hands.
Harold smirks. “Worried you couldn’t handle this by yourself?”
Silas lets out a low, warning growl. Lark ignores it. She’s fucking got this and I’m going to enjoy watching every second of it.
“Not at all. I tried to convince them to stay at home, but they all wanted to meet you. Silas especially.” Harold swallows. Hard.
We all take our seats. Before the opposing attorney can begin, Harold opens the folder that’s lying on the table. “Don’t know why we even need this meeting. You signed a lease and agreed to make improvements to the building. It’s all in writing.” He taps the paper,indicating a clause in the lease agreement. “It’s not my fault you failed to make the improvements in a timely manner.”
Lark looks down the long table to her lawyer. “Do you want to answer, Levi, or should I?”
He gestures with his hand for her to take the lead.
She fixes her eyes on the men across the table. “Unfortunately, that argument does not suffice. The lease agreement also indicates,” and here she takes out her own copy and points, “that the building was in good condition and that any upgrades OmegaBox made would be for the purpose of improving appearance, comfort, and working conditions. Not structural improvements.”
I’m getting hard watching her dismantle Harold and his lawyer. She calls herself ‘Boss Bitch Lark’ sometimes. Boss Bitch is my favorite.
Harold’s lawyer responds. “I have here a document signed by you, Ms. Jensen, stating approval and acceptance of a building inspection. The property was deemed safe and in good condition when you took possession.”
Lark and her lawyer smile at one another. We expected this, too. It was Saint who had made the connection. I reviewed the documents multiple times and missed it.
“That is true. My client did accept the judgement of good condition by the inspection company, Garden Brook Buildings. That is the same company registered to co-owners R.F. Jacobs and M.H. Muldane.”
The lawyer’s eyes go wide before he looks at his client. He whispers something in his ear. Harold’s mouth tenses, but he shakes his head at whatever his attorney said.
The attorney takes a breath and then turns to face our side, once more. “That appears to be correct. Is there a reason you are pointing out the names of the owners? My client has assured me the M.H. Muldane in question is not a relative.”
Lark’s smile is lazy. “That is correct. He is not one of Harold’s relatives. HeisHarold. Matthew Harold Muldane.”
And there it is. Lark’s mic drop moment.
Lark looks across the table at Harold. “Isn’t that correct?”
His hands squeeze into tight fists. Silas leans forward, practically daring the guy. The fists relax a little.
Lark pats Saint’s shoulder. “It was my alpha, Saint, who questioned the connection. He’s a firefighter in East Rock. It didn’t take much effort to inspect the records of buildings in this town to find that you lease several buildings to businesses in the area. All inspected by Garden Brook Buildings as a condition of the leasing agreement.”
“I wonder how many inspection results would alter if another company completed the building reviews,” Silas adds.
“I believe several would,” Saint says. “I’m acquainted with Garden Brook’s fire marshal. His building inspection records show repeated concerns about safety and structural integrity for Mr. Muldane’s properties.”
My packmate, the man who spent weeks acting like he wanted nothing to do with any of this, just casually threatened a slumlord with a fire marshal investigation.
I love him.
“What are you suggesting?” The lawyer asks.
