Page 110 of Bonds of Fate

Gideon’s reputation always precedes him, which Finn supposes is just as his mate likes it, but Finn will not gossip with another Were about his mate, so all he says is, “As well as any of us, I think. We will support Nix’s right to choose and support his preparations, whatever they will be. So, how do you recommend we do this?”

“I think it’s best to ask your legal team, but Henry has a few suggestions he can forward to your legal team. His biggest suggestion was getting Antonio Costas involved.”

“Leo’s father? But his lawyer is Erin Christie. Our families don’t know anything yet.”

“She comes highly recommended, no doubt about that. But Henry suggested that Mr. Costas’s expertise will be key in getting it all to go smoothly, and surely, if he’s your father-in-law, he’ll need to know, eventually. Time isn’t on our side here, Finn.”

The clockisticking, and Erin had said mere days. “Not at all. If Henry’s plan works, how will that impact the other omegas?”

“Once Nix’s team has made the appropriate revelations, then we will wait and see how long the defense can keep the lid on it. I suspect the accused will have no vested interest in keeping quiet?”

Baz has inadvertently pressed an open wound, and Finn feels the pain of it. Knowing Nix’s secret will come out at the whim of his torturer does not sit well with him. “You’re right. He’s going to die, and he’ll want Nix to suffer alongside him. Would the others consider a public announcement? We can better control the narrative.”

It’s optimistic that it won’t be a publicity nightmare, but Finn thinks it’s possible that they’ll be able to maintain control with the right support and a lot of preparation.

Baz looks skeptical, and Finn knows he’ll do what’s right for Arlo, in the same way that Finn is thinking of Nix. “We’ll have tothink hard about that. It’s one thing to slide under the radar and another to wave a red flag and shine a spotlight on it.”

“I understand. Either way, I am so grateful to you and Henry for helping us through this. I will email Erin and let her know Henry will be in touch as a friend of the family. He won’t be in trouble for going around his boss?”

“Nah. Henry is Arlo’s legal representative, and Arlo asked him to reach out to a fellow omega in need. He didn’t access company files, and everything he’s offering is conjecture. He’s too smart not to have covered his bases. Don’t worry. You just set up that contact for the incoming email.”

“Our thanks to all of you. I’ll get it sent right now and ask her to get Mr. Costas involved. Shit, Leo better make a phone call first. Could you ask Henry to give us until morning?”

“Certainly. I’ll be in touch about the possible press conference, too—and hey, Finn?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re a good alpha—don’t forget it. Call me any time. Good luck.”

“Thanks, Baz. Say hi to everyone.” He disconnects at Baz’s wave.

Sighing, Finn rests his forehead on the desk, giving it a single, soft tap. The whole thing is a lot already, and Finn hasn’t even heard the legal arguments. He’d better find Leo and see if Jay is back with Grayson.

It’s right then that the gate buzzes with the dinner delivery. Rowan must let him in the gate, and not long after, Finn can hear Leo digging out tableware.

Then there’s Jay’s voice calling after Grayson.

When Finn steps into the kitchen, Jay is leaning back against the counter, arms crossed and jaw clenched. “Didn’t go well, then?”

Their pack leader sighs. “Well, enough. I think he’ll come around eventually. Found him at Ulta. Bags full of toiletries and other stuff he says Nix needs. I feel like a shit alpha that he only just got his own shit today.”

Jay’s second operating system afterprotectionisduty.“Leo, thanks for setting him up in his new space. Finn, was he okay after what happened?” Jay is rubbing his chest and stops to accept two takeout bags to carry them to the table.

“He wanted to rest. I gave him his phone, though.” He just wishes he’d had more to offer about Nix’s state of mind to relieve his alpha’s stress than the distraction of some high-caliber flirting.

“You haven’t seen him since? Fuck, Finn, you know he could do a runner.” Finn didn’t think Nix would run, not unless they gave him reason.

He’s making for the left-wing staircase when Leo stops him with a hand and shows him the family safety app he’d installed on their phones two years ago. It’s likely how Jay had located Grayson when he went looking, and it’s how Leo can see Nix’s phone upstairs with Grayson’s. “I installed it on Nix’s phone with the other security apps. He’s right where Finn left him.”

Leo pats their alpha’s shoulder. “It’ll be okay, Jaybird.”

Wishing he could agree so easily, Finn grabs a jug of iced tea from the fridge and carries it to the table. When bowls, plates, and chopsticks are on the table, Leo sends a group text to come and eat.

No one expects Gideon and Luca to slip into their seats on silent feet, shower-soft and looking a bit emotionally bruised around the edges. It’s a relief that they have come back to some common ground. Hopeful, Gideon’s scent is still stormy, and Luca has his hands around Gideon’s biceps. The contact is probably to help ease both of them.

Luca had wrapped Gideon’s broken hand, and from what Finn could see, it was well done. But he couldn’t help but ask, “Gideon, do you want me to check your hand after dinner?”

Gideon just rolls his eyes, but also offers a small smile. It’s supposed to be reassuring but isn’t, and Finn misses the snark he’d usually receive at pointing out what Gideon perceives as unwanted attention on his breach of temper.

---