Chapter 8 #3
Over the next forty minutes, I give them updates on what I’m doing, the event, how it’ll run, and the follow-up I plan to provide afterward to foster any connections that were made.
“So things are running as smoothly as you expect them to?” Cian asks.
“Absolutely,” I say. “I expect I’ll be hearing from people over the next few weeks, and that the event will be full. I’m very pleased with the amount of support and excitement for it.”
“Alright, you have this part covered,” Mr. Finnegan says. “Let’s move forward with our other concern.”
“What he means,” Patrick says, glaring at the alpha, “is the missing van of omegas from the rescue at Slick Dreams.”
“Of course,” I murmur. “I’ve been monitoring different chats, asking for the roster of auctions when they’re available, but as of right now, I don’t have anything definite.
There is a woman named Madam Clara that is transitioning to a floating auction model that I’m currently watching. It’s an ingenious idea.”
“Isn’t she the woman Cerenity Quinn was almost sold to?” Patrick asks. The other men nod while Adira looks on in surprise.
“She was?” she asks. “When was this?”
“It was before you came to Minneapolis,” Cian says. “Cerenity’s pack has been looking for her. There are a lot of people who want to have a conversation with her.”
Torture. Not an actual conversation. Keeping my face from saying what I’m thinking is a struggle but I manage.
“In a crazy way, her business model is smart,” Adira says. “It took years to find Quinn and Linus because Bret kept moving. What if we can’t find her?”
“At some point, she needs to post an advertisement for where to find her,” I explain. “I have a feeling Madam Clara isn’t anywhere in the Midwest. It’s just a matter of me catching her.”
“Is this dangerous, Hollis?” Adira asks, shifting in her seat. If I was pregnant and sitting for as long as she’s been, I expect I’d be sore as hell. “Can they trace this back?”
“They could if I’m not careful. However, I log out when I’m done and my login name can’t be connected back to me.”
“Good,” Adira breathes.
“It makes me nervous too,” Cian confesses. “I have everyone I can think of on this. A part of me still thinks that Hollis will be the one to find our breakthrough.”
“Women have more patience,” Patrick says gruffly. “We’re a bunch of hotheads.”
Hiding a smile, I have to say he’s not wrong.
“Is there anything else I can help with?”
“Security,” Mr. Finnegan says almost as if he’d forgotten to mention it. As much as his sons are my best friends, I’ve never been able to call him by his first name. It feels very strange to call him anything else. “We are securing the event, correct?”
“Yes,” I say. “Cian gave me a list of people who will be checking attendees at the door as they come in, walking the perimeter, and making certain that no one is uncomfortable.”
“Can you explain the last part?” Patrick asks. “I want to make sure those working the event know what to look for.”
How do I put this delicately…
“When you have a group of a hundred alphas around an equal amount of omegas, it’s easy for them to get aggressive,” I explain.
“The pheromones can also easily send people into a rut. If possible, I’d like the guards to be betas to help keep level heads.
I am having the event outside for ventilation, but issues could still happen.
I need for the guards to keep their ears open to ensure that the conversations flow smoothly without getting too inappropriate.
I’ll have talking cards and such around the different tables, but sometimes, people get stupid no matter how much I vet them. ”
“Understood,” Patrick says with wide eyes. “Damn, I didn’t consider those logistics. Would mated alphas be appropriate to have as guards as well?”
“Yes,” I say adamantly. “It’s just on a Saturday and I’m trying not to upend too many people’s lives.”
“Please,” Patrick grunts, inputting something into his phone.
“You’re doing no such thing. I’m going to be there myself.
My wife would insist, I promise. Omegas from the shelter will be in attendance, as well as mafia daughters and packs.
Despite this being a city-wide event, it would be contradictory for me not to be there.
Same goes for other mafia families with packs.
We maintain that we want to protect and serve those who look up to us.
This event is well within that category. ”
“It’s like you all are trying to make me emotional,” I grumble.
“Honestly, Hollis,” Cian sighs. “I hate to say this in front of you, Declan, but your son is an asshole.”
Everyone glances at my grandfather, who shrugs. “I don’t really know why he is the way he is now. We see things differently, and I never tell him when I see you, Hollis. You deserved better parents. I will also say that I’ve never forgotten your sister.”
My grandfather’s words tip me over and I brush away a tear. Patrick, of all people, presses a tissue into my hand, which I gratefully take.
“Thank you. I know that she’s been gone a long time, but I still remember,” I say. “It doesn’t matter that I was a baby.”
“We’ve suffered too much sadness,” Patrick says.
“The last two years have also brought people back into our lives that we thought we’d lost, and that’s why we continue to find ways to do better.
Our patrols are still going strong, but we’re still finding that new people keep entering to take the sons and daughters of Minneapolis. ”
“I would say that I wish they’d go somewhere else, but that’s terrible too,” I say vehemently. “All we can do is what we are now. Emilia can complain as much as she wants, but I’m not backing down.”
“It’s a neverending battle, but we’re fighting it,” Cian says grimly. “Thank you for your time, Hollis. I know Evan pretty much kidnapped you from your office.”
“I knew it was coming,” I admit. “Things are coming together, I think it’s going to be a really great event.”
“Us too,” Patrick says. “That concludes our meeting, everyone. Time to head home.”
As I stand, I watch as Adira winces as she stands. Her fingers move over her phone screen as she sways from side to side, probably in an attempt to get her blood flowing to her legs. God, she’s a serious trooper.
Walking over to my grandfather, I grin as he stands and opens his arms wide for a hug. He smells like peppermint and old books. The combination shouldn’t be as familiar and pleasing as it is, but he’s one of my anchors.
“When did you get so grown up?” He chuckles as he says it, speaking more about how quickly time seems to pass by.
His hair is peppered with more silver than I remember, and I remind myself that I need to make more of an effort to spend time with him.
“You should be proud of the way you move through the world, Hollis. The reason people pay attention to you when you speak is due to your energy. It’s like the very universe knows you’re about to say something important. ”
And this is why my grandfather is my favorite family member. He truly believes my existence is a gift. I’d say that everyone’s grandparents say the same thing, but since I know too much about the human condition, that’s not true.
“Can I walk you out?” I ask, stepping back.
“Yes, I would love that,” he says. “My driver is outside. It’s been hours already. Everyone is so long winded here.”
My smile is wide as he whispers to me. He folds my arm around his as we walk, and our conversation is easy and happy.
“Your grandmother wants to see you,” he says as we walk outside.
It’s getting dark now, and the wind cuts through my clothes as if I’m not wearing a damn thing.
“You should also be wearing a coat,” he admonishes.
Ugh, don’t I know it.
“I’ll come over as soon as this event is over,” I promise. “I just don’t want to see my parents.”
“I would never let your grandmother surprise you like that,” he promises.
Evan is parked next to my grandfather’s vehicle, so I say goodbye and slide into the car as Evan holds the door open.
I’m shivering, and Cian simply turns up the heat without a word. Somehow, he beat me to the car.
“You need a caretaker,” he sighs. “Please tell me you’ve been grocery shopping this week.”
Thinking, I bite my lip. Since it’s Monday, that was something I still need to do.
“Not yet. Today is grocery day,” I explain.
“Then, the least I can do is feed you,” he decides. “Pizza, Italian, or burgers? Honestly, whatever you want is on the table.”
Cian really is the best. It makes me crazy that he won’t let me get my matchmaking hands on him.
“Al Dente Trattoria has the best linguine alle vongole," I gush, grinning.
“Evan—”
“Already on it, sir,” Evan murmurs. “Great choice, Hollis.”
Not a bad Monday after all.