Page 30 of Give Me You
The distinction should matter. It should reassure me. But already I can see the investors' attention shifting. Their eyes move from me to Akira and Liam, assessing them. Deciding whether to trust them more than they trust me.
Charles asks another question, this one about security protocols. Before I can answer, before I can even open my mouth, he directs it to Akira. "What measures are you implementing to ensure last night's incident doesn't happen again?"
Akira glances at me, a quick check-in. I nod slightly, giving him permission to answer. What else can I do? If I insist on answering myself, I'll look like I'm not willing to work with my Alphas. Like the relationship is fake.
"We've already begun reviewing all security footage and protocols," Akira says. "The missing hour of footage is concerning, and we're working with law enforcement to determine who had access to delete it. Additionally, we're implementing stricter vetting for anyone who enters the VIP section and increasing the number of security personnel on duty during peak hours."
The answer is good. It's comprehensive and shows we're taking the situation seriously. But it's also information I should have been giving. Decisions I should have been making. And now Akira is presenting them like they're his ideas, like he's the one in charge.
Gregory asks about the Neon Dreams contract, about future sponsorship opportunities. Again, the question goes to Akira instead of me. And again, Akira answers, referencing conversations we had upstairs about maintaining relationships with current sponsors while pursuing new ones. Everything he says aligns with my vision for the club. But it's coming from his mouth, not mine.
The meeting continues like this for forty-five minutes. Question after question directed at Akira and Liam, with me sitting at the head of the table like a figurehead. Like decoration. My hands clench under the table, nails digging into my palms hard enough to leave marks. This is exactly what I was afraid of. Exactly what I knew would happen the moment Alphas got involved.
Zaden sits on the other side of the table, his anger palpable. His plan backfired spectacularly. Instead of exposing me as a liar and taking my club, he's watching me consolidate power with not one but two Alphas. Two very capable, very intimidating Alphas who clearly know how to handle themselves in a business setting.
But his anger is nothing compared to mine. The rage builds with every question answered by someone who isn't me, with every nod of approval the investors give to Akira's responses. This is my club. My work. My life. And I'm watching it slip through my fingers in real time.
Finally, mercifully, the meeting ends. The investors stand, gathering their things and making small talk. A few approach Akira and Liam to shake their hands, to welcome them officially. Patricia stops by my seat, giving me a small smile that's probably meant to be encouraging but just feels condescending.
"You've made good choices, Emilio," she says. "Having strong Alphas beside you will make all the difference."
The implication is clear. I couldn't do it alone. I needed help. I needed men to step in and save me. I manage a tight smile and thank her for her support. When most of the investors have cleared out, I grab one of them by the arm. Marcus, one of the younger ones, who I thought might actually see me as an equal. "What the fuck was that?"
Marcus has the decency to look uncomfortable. "What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean," I hiss, keeping my voice low. "Every question was directed at them. Not me. I'm still the owner of this club."
Marcus sighs, running a hand through his hair. "Look, Emilio. It was either your Alphas or Zaden. It was never going to be you."
The words hit like a physical blow. "What?" I shrink back a little, swallowing the words I truly want to say.
"We were going to vote you out," Marcus admits, not quite meeting my eyes. "Before your Alphas showed up. The consensus was that a pregnant Omega can't run a club this size, especially not one dealing with the kind of problems you've been facing. Zaden was going to take over. But then you brought in the Starks and..." He shrugs. "They're impressive. Capable. The kind of Alphas who can actually protect an investment. So we're willing to keep you on, as long as they're involved."
"Get out."
Marcus nods and leaves, probably relieved to escape the conversation. And I stand there in the conference room, trembling with rage and hurt and betrayal. It was never going to be me. All my work, all my effort, all the years I've poured into this club. None of it mattered. Because I'm an Omega. Because I'm pregnant. Because I don't have an Alpha.
Except now I do. Two of them. And they just took over my life in the span of one meeting.
Stalking into my office, I find Akira there, leaning against my desk like he owns it. Liam sits on the couch, looking far too relaxed for someone who just participated in my professional humiliation.
"What the fuck was that?" I demand, my voice shaking with barely controlled anger.
Liam laughs, the sound making my rage spike higher. "Mili, calm down."
"Stop laughing! This is serious!" I point at Akira, advancing on him. "We just talked about this. You said you wouldn't take over. You said you'd defer to me. And then what did you do? You answered every single question like you're the one running things!"
Akira straightens, his expression calm despite my fury. "If I tried to defer to you, we would have had a different issue. Some of them didn't believe our relationship was real. They were looking for cracks, for reasons to vote you out anyway. I had to be convincing."
"Convincing?" I get up in his face, close enough to see the flecks of gold in his dark eyes. "You were convincing, all right. You convinced them that you're in charge now."
Akira grins, and the casual amusement in his expression makes me want to scream. "I didn't say anything we can't correct. Everything I proposed aligns with what you wanted. We can have another meeting, clarify roles, make it clear that final decisions rest with you."
"They won't listen," I growl, frustrated that he doesn't understand. "They've already made up their minds. You're the Alpha. You're in charge. That's how they see it now."
Turning away from him, I pace across the office. My hands shake with adrenaline, with the need to hit something or scream or break down completely. This is exactly what I was afraid of. Exactly why I wanted to do this alone.
Rough hands grab me from behind, spinning me around. Akira pulls me back against his chest, his arms wrapping around me in a hold that's part restraint, part embrace. The heat of his body seeps through my suit, making my skin prickle.
