Chapter 2
Emilio
The shock hits me first before it twists into something hotter.
Anger curls in my chest, but I force it down and fix my face into something neutral.
I can't afford to lose my temper right now, not with all of them watching me like I'm some kind of spectacle.
I take a breath and walk to the other end of the table, across from Zaden, pulling out the chair and sitting down with as much composure as I can manage.
Zaden straightens up in his seat, a wild smile spreading across his face.
He thinks he's backed me into a corner I can't escape from, and maybe he has, but I'm not going down without a fight.
Otto steps up behind me, his presence giving me a little boost of confidence.
I can think of three options right now. I can deny the pregnancy outright, which won't work because I'm clearly showing if they know what to look for.
I can admit it and let them tear me apart for not having an Alpha.
Or I can lie my ass off and buy myself some time to figure out what the hell I'm going to do.
I choose the third option, even though I know it's going to come back to bite me.
I lean forward slightly, folding my hands on the table in front of me. My voice comes out steady, which is a minor miracle considering how hard my heart is pounding. "I told my brother in confidence. I wasn't ready to share that information just yet."
One of the investors, a man named Harrison with salt and pepper hair and a sharp jaw, sets his glass down. "I'm not sure how comfortable we are with this, Emilio."
"It's a good thing you don't have to be," I say, keeping my tone even. "But just know that my Alpha is fully aware of my activities and asked not to be revealed at this time. We weren't going to announce anything for another week as we set everything in motion."
Zaden's smile falters, his expression darkening. "That's all bullshit."
I turn my gaze to him, letting some of the anger I've been holding back seep into my voice. "No, you just prematurely made it seem like I can't handle my own club while neglecting your own duties. I heard that the VIP section hasn't been fully prepared."
There are frowns around the table now, a few of the investors exchanging glances. Zaden bristles, his jaw clenching. He opens his mouth to say something, but I cut him off before he can.
I clear my throat, straightening in my seat. "You will all meet my Alpha shortly, but that would take away from what we are doing here, and we all know you would then defer to him rather than me. This is my club. One of many reasons my Alpha and I haven't made it official just yet."
Harrison leans back in his chair, studying me curiously. "So in a week, we'll meet the father? You understand that having a pregnant Omega as the owner of a club is a bit…"
"Unorthodox?" I finish for him. "Yes. But you didn't truly have a problem with me until a few minutes ago when you found out. Seems I was doing just fine. Now, can we discuss the new drink sponsor, or do you need to ask me more questions about my pregnancy?"
The room goes silent. No one meets my eyes except Zaden, who's staring at me like he wants to reach across the table and strangle me. I hold his gaze for a moment before turning my attention back to the rest of the table.
"Excellent," I say, pulling a folder from the stack Otto places in front of me. "Let's talk about Neon Dreams."
I launch into the presentation, walking them through the details of the new drink sponsor.
Neon Dreams is a premium energy drink company looking to break into the nightclub scene, and they've chosen Aurum Pulse as their flagship location.
It's a good deal, one that could bring in a significant amount of revenue if we play our cards right.
The drink itself is marketed toward the party crowd, with flavors designed to pair well with alcohol and a branding campaign that's all about living in the moment and embracing the chaos of nightlife.
A few of the investors chime in as I talk, asking questions about the rollout plan and the marketing strategy.
Harrison seems genuinely interested, and Marcus, the younger Alpha who usually doesn't say much, actually leans forward and starts taking notes.
But I notice a shift in the dynamic almost immediately.
Two of the investors closest to Zaden, Charles and another man named Vincent, aren't really participating.
They sit back in their chairs with their arms crossed, their expressions blank of any emotion.
I can tell I'm losing support, and it makes my stomach twist with anxiety.
I wrap up the presentation as quickly as I can without rushing, answering the last few questions and making sure everyone has the information they need.
When I finally close the folder and stand, I'm exhausted.
My back aches, my head is pounding, and all I want to do is go upstairs and crawl into bed.
But I still have to make sure tonight goes off without a hitch.
The meeting breaks up, investors standing and gathering their things. Most of them file out without saying much, but Charles lingers, waiting until the room is mostly empty before approaching me.
"Emilio," he says, his tone clipped. "A word."
I glance at Otto, who gives me a subtle nod. I follow Charles out into the hallway, my pulse quickening. I know this isn't going to be good.
Charles stops a few feet from the door, turning to face me.
He's a tall Alpha, broad-shouldered and imposing, with the kind of presence that makes people instinctively defer to him.
He's been one of the club's investors since my parents were alive, and he's never particularly liked me.
He tolerated me when my parents were around, but now that they're gone, he doesn't bother hiding his disdain.
"I'm very uncomfortable with your lead," he states, leaning back against the wall and folding his arms across his chest. "You should look into having Zaden take on more responsibilities."
I cross my arms, keeping my expression neutral even though anger is simmering just beneath the surface.
"You mean give the company over to my brother who can't even follow simple directions?
The brother who's been told to stay off the floor because he can't keep his hands off Omegas?
You mean the very same brother who refuses to respect my privacy? No, I won't be doing that."
Charles's jaw tightens. "Then I demand to meet this Alpha of yours. I see you, Emilio, and you were in every man's bed for months. Always going home with someone different. Maybe no one else cares, but it's a bad look."
I snort, the sound coming out harsher than I intend. "So it's okay for Alphas to do it, but not me? Did you also have this conversation with my brother? Because he's taking someone home all the time, too."
Charles clears his throat, his expression darkening. "One week, Emilio. You've got one week to produce this Alpha of yours. I'm convinced he doesn't exist. And when you show up empty-handed next week, I'm going to put a few things to a vote."
The threat hangs in the air between us, but I manage to smile, though it takes every ounce of willpower I have. "Thank you for your concern, truly, but it's not needed. Excuse me."
I turn and head down the hall before he can say anything else, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. Otto falls into step beside me and I can tell he wants to say something, but he doesn't, which I’m grateful for. I don't think I can handle any more conversation right now.
I should have kept my mouth shut. I should have found another way to deflect, another way to buy myself time.
But I panicked, and now I'm stuck in a lie I can't get out of.
I don't have an Alpha. I don't want an Alpha.
The whole point of doing this on my own was to avoid tying myself to someone who would take everything from me.
But now I'm going to lose it all anyway because I couldn't keep my damn mouth shut.
We reach the end of the hallway, and I stop, leaning against the wall.
My legs are shaking, and I press one hand to my stomach, trying to steady myself.
The baby shifts slightly, a small flutter that reminds me why I'm doing this in the first place.
I'm not just fighting for the club anymore.
I'm fighting for my baby's future, for the legacy my parents left behind.
Otto clears his throat softly. "You okay?"
"No," I say honestly. "I'm not." I straighten up, pushing off the wall. "I need to figure this out."
"What are you going to do?" Otto asks.
"I don't know yet," I admit. "But I'll think of something."
I have to. There's no other option. I'm not going to let Zaden take this club from me, and I'm not going to let Charles or any of the other investors dictate how I live my life. I'll figure something out. I always do.
And yet, this time, I might have just dug my own grave.