Chapter 23
Twenty-Three
Three weeks later
HOLLIS
I’m so ready for some downtime. I always forget how hectic things get right before the holidays. It doesn’t matter how long I do this, it’s as if I block it out.
Those holiday parties people are so excited for? Many of them require dates, which means that I’m inundated with requests for them. It’s a great way to learn about a person, because you get to see how they interact with their co-workers and how they treat each other.
You get to identify red and green flags, and then decide if you want to continue dating an alpha or a pack based on it. There are also many omegas and betas who live for holiday dating, so it works. However, fielding the requests and ensuring that everyone is happy is exhausting.
The holiday event Aimee requested for her friends also went very well, and they’re now all clients set up on the dating app. I have a feeling they’ll be referring me to others as well. Now, there’s nothing to do but enjoy my week off.
“Hollis,” Felix murmurs, kissing my forehead as I snuggle against him.
“Yes?” I ask. I’ve been dozing off and on during the four hour drive to where their families live in Crane Lake.
“Don’t take any shit from anyone at brunch today, okay?” he mumbles.
My heart clenches as I frown. I’ve been trying to keep myself excited to meet their families, but I know better than anyone how complicated families can be. I kept my promise to my grandfather and went over to have lunch with him and my grandmother.
They were lovely, and spoiled me with love and affection. I need to make sure I go see them more often. It’ll just take a little bit of planning to ensure that my parents aren’t over at the same time. It’s sad, but they always manage to make me feel like shit for my life decisions.
“I won’t,” I promise Felix. We’re almost to Malcolm’s parents’ house, where brunch is going to be held.
They said it’s because there is more room there. I suppose that makes sense, but the bubbles of nerves are surfacing even more with Felix’s warning.
“Felix,” Malcolm groans. “Why did you have to put that out into the universe?”
“Hollis needs to know that she doesn’t have to take their shit,” Remy counters.
Brice rubs his face as Malcolm drives through the neighborhood streets as he nods.
“We don’t come home very often, Hollis, because our families don’t understand how we’re best friends and lovers,” he sighs. “I want to clear the air though before we get there. We can leave at any time, and any yelling we end up doing is not your fault in any way.”
Dragging air into my lungs, I nod.
“We’re making them seem worse than they are,” Remy mutters. “They love us. Our parents send us care packages of medicinal balms with CBD that we swear by, but damn can they be overbearing.”
“I get it,” I promise. “I don’t speak to my parents. They want me to be something I won’t ever be.”
“What’s that?” Felix asks as I sit up. We’re almost there and I need to make sure I’m ready. I purposefully didn’t wear makeup so I could nap.
Pulling my makeup bag from my large tote, I shrug.
“Perfect,” I mutter, finding my primer and pumping some into my palm.
“I left home at eighteen with few clothes, a borrowed roll of toilet paper, cleaning supplies in a huge suitcase, and eight hundred dollars in my pocket. It was easier to leave and strike out on my own than to get roped into debuting into society in an effort to find a pack that my parents thought would be the best option according to them.”
“I thought arrangements like that were considered archaic,” Brice says.
“While they are, the mafia and the rich still do it. Now, packs come to me to play matchmaker instead of their families. I care about compatibility, while parents are thinking with their wallets and aligned interests,” I reply.
It doesn’t take me long to do my makeup, and in the time we’ve been talking, I’ve already done my foundation and concealer.
“You wanted to give others the chance you didn’t think you’d have,” Malcolm says. It’s not a question, but a statement, because that’s exactly what I did and they know it.
“Yes,” I say. My blush takes seconds to blend in, and then I do a very subtle touch of eye makeup and mascara.
My eyes are lined to make them pop, and I swipe lip gloss over my lips to finish.
“When I do see my parents if I need to attend a party or event, Cian or my grandfather will run interference. The Senior Families outside of those two people don’t really know that I don’t speak to my parents, so it can occasionally get very awkward. ”
“Can I ask a question?” Brice asks, turning in his seat.
His eyes widen slightly as I put my makeup away, and my lips twitch as I nod.
I know he thinks I’m beautiful, but it’s fun to see their reactions when I apply makeup.
“God, I’m not going to be able to stand without my erection showing.
Thanks for that, baby. Anyway, how do people get on the Senior Families list? Are they voted in or something?”
“You’ve been thinking about this for a while,” I tease him.
“There are prominent families in the mafia world with wealth and status. The eldest male in the family is typically inducted into the Senior Mafia Families to help steer the direction we want to continue to head in. Sometimes, that also means resolving feuds between people.”
“So it can only be men?” Felix asks, making a face.
“Historically it was, until recently. A woman who became the last person in her family after her mates killed her father was inducted into the group,” I explain. “Adira is doing a great job at equalizing their voices.”
“Don’t they have meetings with you?” Mal asks shrewdly.
“Are you asking if your omega is secretly a mafia badass?” I ask, laughing.
“I’m asking if it’s possible that you’ll inherit that position,” he says.
“I haven’t thought much about it,” I admit. “My grandfather is healthy, and full of very strong opinions. I get pulled into meetings whenever there’s something I can help with. However, it’s not very often. Cian just swings by my office when he needs me.”
“I’m in awe of how you so effortlessly straddle that line,” Remy says. “I don’t think it bothers any of us, so long as you’re safe.”
“I always want to come back to you,” I say seriously. “Cian mentioned that I should have a guard. I’m considering it.”
“Really?” Malcolm asks, taking a right hand turn.
“There are a lot of things I can defend against,” I sigh. “Curb stomping, being picked up and thrown into a wall, and so on, aren’t included in that.”
The growling in the car begins and I hold up my hand. “Now, I’ve been really careful. It’s just this feeling that I have that it’s better to be safe than sorry. I trust my gut, because it keeps me alive.”
“Then we trust it too,” Malcolm rumbles. “I hate to borrow trouble, but it’s been very quiet.”
“That’s the issue,” I say. “I know that a little injunction isn’t enough to stop Emilia, especially after I fucked up her emails and deleted calendars for everyone at ROWS’ headquarters. At some point, she’ll retaliate, and I want to make sure I have backup when it does.”
“Then I think a bodyguard is smart to have, just in case,” Brice says. “I hate that it’s even needed.”
“As someone who likes her space, so do I,” I grumble, watching as Mal parks on the street.
“Here we go,” Brice mutters under his breath. “It’s just brunch.”
It feels as if he’s reminding himself as well as everyone else about this as we get out of the car.
It’s frigid out, and I cover my head with the heavy hood of my coat then take Felix’s hand as we walk to the house.
My black off-the-shoulder sweater and ankle length gold satin skirt is hidden underneath my coat, and I’m staying warm with my fleece leggings.
I wanted to look nice without being over the top, but I also know that people will think whatever they want when they meet you. Keeping my head up, I walk up the stairs to the porch and watch as Mal rings the doorbell.
We came straight here and made really good time despite the snowy roads.
“I thought you’d never get here,” says a woman, opening the door with a tight smile. “The weather is terrible. Come in.”
“We’re not very late, Mom,” Malcolm says gently, stepping inside. “Is everyone else here?”
“Of course,” she says. She glances at me with curious eyes, and Mal steals me away from Felix to pull me closer to him.
“Mom, this is Hollis. Hollis, I’ll make sure to introduce you to everyone, because we have a full house it seems,” he adds.
The street was full of cars, and I can hear people talking inside.
“I’m Sherry,” Malcolm’s mom says with a smile. “It’s so nice to meet you and that they brought you. Can I take your coat?”
“Thank you,” I say. “I’m glad things are quiet enough at work that I was able to come today.”
Sliding off my coat, I allow Sherry to put it away. The guys follow suit, and I watch as she gazes at me shrewdly.
“So your job is demanding?”she asks.
“I make my own hours, but when you own your own company, the time can vary,” I explain.
“Thank God you’re not a gold digger,” she whispers. My alphas’ jaws drop, and Sherry shrugs. “It’s a legitimate concern, boys. Come on in.”
I feel as if I’m about to be put under a microscope, and my skin feels too tight. Refusing to show it, I follow her in.
We can still leave, Brice says in my mind.
My lips curl slightly in amusement, and it helps boost my confidence. I’m not alone in this. My shoulder bag bumps along my hip as I walk, though my phone is on silent. I want to be sure that I’m available to Caleb and Lars if it’s necessary.
“They’re here,” Sherry calls out.
“Hi,” a young girl that appears to be fourteen says, running to tackle Felix and Remy.
“Why are you so tall?” Remy complains with a chuckle.
There’s mild chaos as people come to say hello, and introductions are given.