Page 11 of Such a Grumpy Omega
It was worth the cost of every napoleon and fruit tart, although it brought me no joy to learn that Everly had spent most of his time recently attempting to destroy the club I not only had invested in but that provided a sanctuary for those of my kind outside the “norm.”
Not that I truly believed a norm existed. Everyone was different, but Cuffed was a place where those who chose to embrace their needs and desires could have them met. Many of the members were not accepted in their packs, some even rogue, but by coming to Cuffed, they could spend time with people who did accept them. Wolf shifters, who comprised the majority of our membership, in particular didn’t thrive without some sort of pack, and for some, we were it.
The official forms were bad enough, but the letters to various city officials made me sick to my stomach. A sex club? Implications of trafficking? So bad. Norman, the research assistant, assured me that such letters were received every day and rarely seen by the intended party, especially when there wasno proof offered of all the accusations. I knew that, of course, from past experience, but it didn’t make me feel much better about the whole thing. My mate, who’d walked through Cuffed with me, asking questions, who’d seemed interested to know more when we had drinks after…
The silence extended until our server came to ask for our orders again. It wasn’t fair that we were taking up a table without ordering anything, so when the omega remained silent, I asked for the special of the day for both of us. Some sort of sandwich, but I didn’t care what it was.
Alone again, or as much we could be in a crowded restaurant, I finally said, “Was it all lies? Everything you’ve said to me?”
He shrugged.
“That’s not an answer. I thought we were starting to get to know one another. You told me you were interested in learning more about the lifestyle, and I invited you to be my guest. To try out whatever you liked under my guidance. Do you have any idea how intimate that is?
“And how upset my partners are going to be that I’ve allowed a snake in their midst?”
He blanched further, but kept his eyes fixed on the damning pages on the table.
Before I could say anything more, the server returned with our plates. “I know everyone who comes in here is a workaholic, but you’re going to have to move some of this stuff so I can set these down. Maybe take a break and enjoy your lunch? These are the best Reuben sandwiches in three states, I will have you know.”
We cooperated, stacking the sheets into a pile on one side of the table and letting her serve us our meal. My wolf, never one to pass on a meat meal, pushed through my lack of appetite to insist I eat.
Everly picked up half of his sandwich as well, and for the next ten minutes or so, we chewed our way through a lunch that might well have been the best of its kind in multiple states but tasted like sawdust to me.
Making me wonder why people said that. Had anyone ever tasted sawdust?
“I’m sorry.” His voice was low, sad, and a little shaky. “I never meant to hurt you.”
I set down my fork, currently laden with the potato salad that came on the side. “But you didn’t care about hurting anyone else? Those who have invested, the membership who go there because it fills a need? It’s the only place some of them can be themselves safely. The phone thing? Multiple elected officials, celebrities, and others who have to be careful of their reputation go there.”
“I-I saw someone I recognized from a movie…” At least he could still talk.
“Yes, that night, there were a few of those, but you know who else?”
He shook his head.
“People who don’t have a lot of money or fame. They just have needs. Sexual, yes, but mostly it’s much deeper than that. If we close, there is no place anywhere nearby that will make it possible for them to have ‘pack,’ friendships, reassurance, psychological comfort. And so much more.”
“If they don’t have money, how…”
“I shouldn’t tell you because you have proven how untrustworthy you are.”
He winced, but I plowed on.
“There is a sponsorship fund contributed to by the owners for those who cannot afford to pay the fees but who need to be there. Don’t know of another club that does that. Even if there were one comparable to us within fifty miles at all.”
“Obviously our plans for tonight are off.” Despite my wolf’s hunger, I couldn’t eat another bite. Standing, I picked up the stack of pages and shoved them back into my case. Tossing some bills on the table, I started for the door without another word. I heard him say my name but didn’t turn back.
I had bigger problems than a faithless mate.
If there were such things.
Chapter Twelve
Everly
I walked out of the diner hollow. The only other time I’d felt like this was when our father died. It took me days before I was able to cry. I carried his coffin like a robot, devoid of emotion. For months after, I sometimes pinched myself to make sure I was still alive.
I made a quick phone call to tell my boss I was not coming back after lunch. I didn’t really need the job anyway after the check from the house plus the inheritance we’d received. Grandfather had taken care of generations of us so well. And how did we thank him? By selling his house off to a sex club.
