Page 59 of A Promise of Forever
I'm not even phased by the threat. I've dealt with worse intimidation from people with far more power than one corrupt cop. Caelan plops into a nearby chair with a wicked grin on his face, clearly recognizing that Wilson has badly miscalculated this confrontation.
It makes no sense that he would willingly step out into the limelight after years of operating in secrecy. Then again, it’s probably just another power grab for the Alpha. "I actually called you out here to talk without the goddamn police presence," I say calmly, letting my voice carry the authority that comes from actually owning power rather than just borrowing it from a badge. "You were so adamant about filing charges against me for supposedly kidnapping Sterling from under your grimy fingers. Wilson, did it ever occur to you that you're not the top dog in this situation?"
Wilson growls at me, a pathetic attempt at intimidation that just makes him look weaker.
"I dare you to try that again," I tell him, folding my arms across my chest. "Your friends with badges might be outside these walls, but inside these walls, everyone respects me and my rules. Even if I were to allow you to sell drugs in my club, which I absolutely wouldn't, you would still have to answer to me about every aspect of your operation." I step closer, deliberately invading his personal space. "The real problem here is that you've disrespected my Omega. Everything else is just business that could potentially be negotiated. But touching what's mine? That's unforgivable."
"He's not yours," Wilson spits out, anger making his composure crack slightly. "Sterling belongs to me. I invested time and resources into training him properly."
The way he talks about Sterling like property, like an investment rather than a person, makes my blood boil. "Oh, they haven't told you yet?" I ask with false sympathy. "Your cop friends came to my house to check on the validity of my claim. And guess what they found? My bond mark right there on Sterling's gorgeous bottom lip, front and center, where everyone can see it. He's all mine, Wilson. Permanently and irrevocably mine." I let my satisfaction show in my expression. "And I don't let people mess with what's mine. Not cops, not other Valla, not anyone. Sterling is under my protection now, which means you lost."
Wilson laughs, but it sounds forced and slightly unhinged. "Oh, I saw how you left Dorian after your little enforcement session. Sterling will leave you the moment he realizes what kind of monster you really are, what you're really capable of when someone crosses you."
The attempt to undermine my relationship with Sterling is pathetic in its transparency. "Sterling is stronger than you've ever given him credit for," I respond with complete certainty. "He knows that I would never treat him the way you or any of your friends have. I will never touch him without his explicit consent. I will never use my strength to hurt him or make him feel small. And I will give him whatever world he asks for, whatever makes him happy and fulfilled."
I look up at the viewing box again, worried about Sterling's emotional state. The despair coming through the bond is so strong that it's making it difficult to concentrate. As much as I want to finish this confrontation with Wilson right now, I feel myself being called back to my Omega, who clearly needs me.
I twist around to see Caelan on his phone, and he looks up to gesture toward the stairs with obvious urgency. Something is seriously wrong with Sterling beyond just fear of Wilson's presence. I nod my understanding, but before I can move, Wilson takes a step forward like he's going to physically stop me from leaving.
I put my hand firmly on his chest, stopping his forward momentum with ease. "I'm not sure what your plan was coming here. Coming into my establishment and trying to steal Sterling away? That's not a fucking option. He's bonded to me, which means he's legally mine in every way that matters."
Wilson's expression shifts to something uglier, his face contorting with anger. "Where's all that Valla bravado I've heard so much about? I was sure you were just going to charge at me and beat me up like you did to Dorian. Or are you going soft now that you've got an Omega to protect?"
The taunt is designed to provoke me into doing something stupid that could be used against me legally. But I've spent years learning control, years channeling my violent instincts into productive outlets rather than just reacting to every provocation.
"It's called control, Wilson," I say calmly, though my hands are itching to wrap around his throat. "Something you clearly know nothing about. Dorian knew the risks of stealing from me. He had a debt to pay, and instead of coming to me, he tried to figure out some way around it. He was dealt with and I won’t apologize for that. However, if you want to step into that ring with me, I'm more than game. Any time, anywhere, and I will be right fucking there to wipe the floor with your sorry ass."
Wilson's eyes widen slightly, like he didn't expect me to actually offer the opportunity. Just because I don’t fight anymore, it doesn’t mean I won’t make an exception. "You wouldn't do that. I'm a police officer. Fighting me in your ring would give me grounds to press assault charges."
I grin, letting him see exactly how much I'm going to enjoy this. "Actually, in here, you're just Thatcher. A drug dealer who came into my establishment and challenged me. Everything that happens in the ring is sanctioned and legal under the fight club regulations. No badges, no special protections, just two people settling a dispute the old-fashioned way." Not all of that is true, but I have enough police in my back pocket to keep anyone from trying shit with me.
Wilson's face flushes with anger and what might be fear. "Fine. Get the fuck in the ring right now, and when I beat you unconscious in front of everyone, I will take what is rightfully mine."
I consider his demand, weighing the satisfaction of immediate violence against Sterling's need for my presence upstairs. "Do you really want to do this right now?" I ask, making sure he understands what he's agreeing to. Wilson nods vigorously, clearly thinking he has some advantage I'm not aware of. "I'll do you one better," I propose. "We'll make this the final fight of the evening. Give me time with my Omega to make sure he's secure and comfortable, and then the ring will settle our dispute properly. How about that?"
Wilson looks like he hates the idea of waiting, but the prospect of being the main event clearly appeals to his ego. "When's the last fight scheduled?"
"Nine PM," I tell him, already planning exactly how this is going to unfold. "Don't be late."
"Just be ready to have your subjects watch their king fall in front of their eyes," Wilson sneers, his confidence returning now that he has something concrete to focus on. "I don't play nice in the ring."
"I'm counting on it," I reply honestly, then watch as he stalks off toward the exit.
The moment Wilson is out of earshot, Caelan stands up and joins me. "You know you're fucked, right? Wilson is going to play dirty as hell, use every illegal move and underhanded tactic he can think of."
"I'm counting on that too," I say, already moving toward the stairs. "I told Sterling once that a ring like this doesn't help people like Wilson. They'll cheat and do whatever they want to get ahead because they don't respect rules or boundaries. I'm going to make a very public example out of him and show everyone what happens when you threaten my family." I pause at the base of the stairs, meeting Caelan's eyes directly. "And then I'm going to kill him."
Caelan's expression shifts to concern. "Hold on, what about Sterling telling you not to kill anyone? You promised him you wouldn't cross that line."
I grin, though there's no humor in it. "I'm hoping he'll change his mind after tonight. But right now, I need to make sure he's okay. Something is seriously wrong beyond just seeing Wilson."
I rush up the stairs, taking them two at a time. When I reach the viewing box, I see Bryn holding Astra by the bar, the Omega looking toward the small private room like he wants to help but doesn't know if he should interfere.
I don't even ask questions, just head straight for the room. Inside, I find Sterling curled up in the corner, crying and repeating the word "red" over and over again like it's the only thing keeping him tethered to reality. I sit down on the floor a few feet away from him, giving him space but making my presence known. Sterling looks up at the sound of my movement, tears streaming down his cheeks in a way that breaks my heart.
"Hey, what's wrong?" I ask, trying to bury the rage from earlier. "I'm going to take care of Wilson, okay? He won't get anywhere near you. You're safe here."
Sterling blubbers something completely unintelligible, his words lost in sobs and hyperventilation. I tilt my head to the side, trying to understand, and he forces himself to repeat it more clearly.
