Page 40 of Give Me You
Turning, I see Detective Lania and two uniformed officers. They must have been close when the call came in about Zaden. Perfect timing, actually. I step back from Charles, my hands raised in a gesture of compliance.
Detective Lania approaches Charles, pulling out handcuffs. "Charles Morrison, you're under arrest for the murder of River Harrison." She starts reading him his rights, the words familiar from a thousand cop shows but surreal to hear in real life.
"What the fuck," Charles says, blood dripping from his mouth. "This is all a big misunderstanding. You can't arrest me based on what this thug says."
Laughing, I shake my head. "That thug just got you to confess to murder. On camera, actually." I gesture to the security camera mounted in the corner of the hallway. "Everything back here is recorded. Isn't that right, Otto?"
Otto appears at the end of the hallway, his expression satisfied. "Every word. Already sent the footage to Detective Liana’s email."
Charles's face goes pale, realization dawning on him. He played right into our hands, confessed everything because he was too arrogant to keep his mouth shut. The officers finish cuffing him and start leading him away, still protesting his innocence despite the confession we all heard.
Emilio is standing at the end of the hall, watching everything unfold. Liam stands behind him, protective but letting Emilio see this moment. See justice being served. As Charles is dragged past them, Emilio's expression morphs into pure satisfaction. This is what he's been waiting for. Proof that he was right, that Zaden and Charles were working together to destroy him.
I walk toward them, my knuckles throbbing from the punches, but the pain is distant. Emilio meets my eyes, and something passes between us. Understanding, maybe. Or recognition of what we both just admitted.
"That's a confession if I ever heard one," Emilio says, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"It was," I agree, stopping in front of him. The words I said to Charles echo in my head, and I realize they're true. Completely, terrifyingly true. "I think I'm in love with you, Emilio Ardyn. I know my brother got there first, but fuck if I don't want a piece of you too."
Emilio's smile widens, his eyes going soft in a way I've never seen before. "I think I'm in love with a couple of Stark Alphas."
"Damn, I've been waiting to hear those words from your mouth, Mili," Liam says, his arms wrapping around Emilio from behind.
Emilio blushes, his cheeks going pink. The sight is adorable, this fierce Omega who runs a nightclub and takes no shit from anyone getting flustered over a confession of love. I lean down, capturing his lips in a kiss. It's different from all the other kisses we've shared. Softer, sweeter, full of promise instead of just heat.
When we break apart, Emilio is smiling. Really smiling, the kind that reaches his eyes and makes his whole face light up. "So what now?"
"Now?" I grin, pulling both him and Liam closer. "Now we go celebrate. Charles is going to jail, Zaden will rot in a cell, and you just told us you love us. I'd say that calls for champagne."
"I can't drink," Emilio points out.
"Then sparkling cider," Liam says, pressing a kiss to Emilio's temple. "And we'll drink enough for all three of us."
“The four of us.”
Emilio
I pull out my phone and open the forum, needing to share the good news with people who've been following my journey from the beginning. My fingers fly across the screen as I type out a message to the group.
ClassyO: You guys should come visit. The club is finally mine again. No more drama, no more fighting. Just me and my Alphas running things the way they should be.
The responses start coming in almost immediately. Strawberrybubbles is first.
Strawberrybubbles: I need to have these babies first! But after that, I'm totally coming. Need to meet these Alphas who finally got you to cave.
Razorfox sends a string of laughing emojis.I can't believe ClassyO actually fell in love. Never thought I'd see the day.
MacNCheese:So does this mean you're officially off the market? No more sleeping around to find the perfect genetic donor?
CoolBlue: He found not one but TWO Alphas willing to share. That's better than any of us could have hoped for.
Rolling my eyes, I type back quickly.At least the club is still mine. That's what matters. And yes, I'm officially off the market. These two idiots claimed me and I kind of like it.
More laughter and congratulations flood the chat. These people have been with me through everything, from the initial plan to get pregnant on my own to the chaos with Zaden and Charles. They deserve to know that things finally worked out, that I got my happy ending, even if it looks nothing like what I originally planned.
It's been only two days since Zaden and Charles were arrested, but it already feels like turning over a new leaf. The weight that's been pressing down on me for months has lifted, replaced by something lighter. Hope, maybe. Or just relief that the worst is finally over.
Switching apps, I compose an email to the investors.Due to recent events and changes in management structure, I'll be taking some time to reorganize operations at Aurum Pulse. I need some time to enjoy myself and prepare for the arrival of my son. Regular updates will continue, but I appreciate your patience during this transition period. I will be calling a meeting tomorrow morning.
