Page 15 of Such a Grumpy Omega
I took a deep breath, the weight of what I’d done almost too much to bear. “Did I shut your club down, alpha?”
“I don’t think so, no. We have some powerful lawyers, and I have experience with similar problems as a developer. It’s not the first time the club has come under fire, and it certainly won’t be the last. Comes with the territory. Did you sleep? You sound tired.”
“I am, but it was worth it.”
“Thank you for trying, Everly. It means a lot. I’m getting dressed for a meeting with the other owners. They deserve an explanation.”
“Fraser, let me come with you. It’s the least I can do. I’ll tell them everything. It’s my fault, I should be the one to tell them.”
A low growl reverberated over the phone line. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. Pick me up? I’ll shower and get ready right now.”
“You would do that for me, Everly?”
“Alpha, I would do anything for you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Fraser
Limbs weighted with lack of sleep, I would have canceled the meeting if I could have, but what was going on needed to be conveyed to the others. When they learned what I had uncovered, as well as what Everly had revealed, they might well ask me to sell back my share of Cuffed. Everly was my mate, and no business was more important than that relationship. But after a long day at the office working on my new project, housing for lower-middle-income buyers, all I wanted was a nap.
Hopefully, my exhaustion would not hinder my presentation of what I’d learned and what had to happen going forward. I’d planned to, at the very least, insist on untangling the mess with the city before they turned me out on my ear. And to offer to take a lesser amount for my investment to make up for the expenses incurred. I could do a lot, but even in my other business, I often had to bring in the lawyers. Never cheap!
Then…the calls started coming in. My omega had done some things today, changing everything I needed to tell my partners. They would still need to know what happened and who made it happen, both bad and good, but it was certainly better than my previous speech.
As I was getting ready to go, rehearsing all the points I wanted to cover in my mind, my phone rang one more time—and then I had to hurry to dress because my mate wanted to come along to the meeting.
Such a brave omega. He’d been through a lot, losing his dad and then his childhood home. His sister likely believed her decisions were for everyone’s good, but leaving him out—whether he would have argued or not—only made him feel powerless and isolated. Not a good topping for grief. He’dsoaked my shirt last night, telling me about his father and letting his grief free for what might have been the first time.
I parked a house away this time so I could get to his door and knock.
“You should have honked. I would have run out.” He was freshly showered, hair slicked back and damp, the scent of a woodsy shower gel or shampoo combined with his in an enticing mix. I couldn’t take him back inside and undress him, mate and mark him…not now. We had places to go and things to talk about first. Not common with shifters who often met and immediately did all those things, or so I’d heard.
Maybe everyone else had their own complications and just didn’t share them.
“I wanted to escort you to the car.” Waiting while he locked the door, I took his hand and we walked together to the curb. “Are you sure you want to do this? You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do. My father always taught me to take responsibility for my actions.”
I opened the car door and closed it behind him then went around to the driver’s side and slid behind the wheel. “You were under duress, grief, and maybe some shock. Your sister, for all her good intentions, needs to understand her mistakes as well. We’ll talk to her soon.”
“We?” He blinked at me. “You’d do that? Because she’s so bossy, she never lets anyone get a word in edgewise.”
“Of course. I’ve got your back, omega.” Leaning over, I kissed him, longer than the first one, deeper, but as I was being drawn under his spell, I remembered what we were doing. “More of that later, if you allow.”
His lips curved up in a soft smile. “I could get used to that. You are a very good kisser.”
“And you are a naughty omega who threatens to distract me from my obligations.” Pressing the button, I started the engineand pulled away from the curb. “An omega who might need a spanking.”
He sucked in a breath with a hiss. “I think I need several.”
Laughter from both of us took a little of the edge off, eased some of the tension, but when we got to the club and I led him into the conference room, the seriousness of it all descended again. My business partners were already seated at the big oval table, coffee cups or water bottles in front of them. They were speaking in low tones but fell silent when we entered.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen.” I guided Everly to an empty chair and pressed him into it before moving to the front of the room. “Thank you for taking time to meet with us.” When I said “us,” I noticed more than one eyebrow raise but continued on. “You will be glad to know that the situation we were concerned with is largely resolved now. It was mostly a misunderstanding about both the property to our west and what we do here.”
Talon exchanged a glance with Bronson, who nodded and said, “I see.”
