Chapter 13 Emilio #2
"One incident is all it takes," Charles spits back. "And given his condition, we need to think about the long-term stability of this investment."
The discussion goes on for what feels like hours, but is probably only ten minutes. My heart is pounding, my hands clenched so tight my nails dig into my palms. Finally, Charles calls for order.
"All in favor of keeping Emilio as CEO, raise your hand."
I watch as hands go up around the table. Patricia raises hers immediately. Two other investors I don't know as well follow suit. But it's not enough. Charles, Gregory, and three others keep their hands down.
"The vote is tied," Charles says. "Which means we need a tiebreaker.
And in situations like this, the senior investor makes the final call.
" He pauses, his eyes locked on mine. "I vote to keep Emilio as CEO.
For now." Relief floods through me, but it's short-lived.
Charles continues, his tone making it clear this isn't a victory.
"However, we need to see your Alpha by tomorrow.
We don't think you can handle this on your own, and having an Alpha co-sign on your decisions will give us more confidence in the club's future.
Zaden had to pick up your slack when you disappeared.
We need assurance that it won't happen again. "
The relief turns to dread. My Alpha. The one that doesn't exist. The one I lied about having. And now I have less than twenty-four hours to produce him or lose everything.
The smile that spreads across my brother’s face is victorious. "You lost, brother. This club is slipping through your fingers because of what you chose."
I want to argue and tell him to go fuck himself.
But the words won't come. A sharp pain spreads through my chest, my breath catching in my throat. I resist the urge to place a hand on my chest, to let anyone in the room know that the anxiety I’ve been swallowing down all morning is finally making an appearance.
So, I just nod stiffly and turn to leave, ignoring Zaden's satisfied expression.
Otto follows me out as I head straight for my office. The hallway seems longer than usual, my legs unsteady. What is bringing this on? Is this another heat spike? Is my body betraying me again?
I push into my office and place both hands flat on the edge of my desk, trying to catch my breath. Otto is beside me immediately, pulling a bottle of water from the mini fridge I keep in the corner. He holds it out to me, but I shake my head. Water won't fix this. Nothing will fix this.
The door opens again, and Liam strolls in. "I got this."
I stare at him, confusion cutting through the panic.
Why is Liam even here? How did he know to come?
But before I can ask, Otto and him share a nod before Otto leaves, closing the door behind him.
I don’t even get a second to think before Liam pulls me into his chest. The scent of cedarwood surrounds me, grounding me in a way nothing else has.
"Breathe," he murmurs, his hand rubbing circles on my back.
I sag against him, my body giving up the fight to stay upright. The panic starts to ease, my breathing slowly evening out. Liam's purr starts up, a low rumble that vibrates through his chest and into mine.
"I don't know why, but I can feel your anguish," Liam says softly. "I was already on my way, but I'm here now."
I start to pull away, to put distance between us and rebuild the walls I usually keep up. But Liam tightens his hold slightly, not enough to trap me but enough to let me know he's not letting go unless I really want him to.
"Hey, this is just another one of those things, okay?" he says. "Take what you need from me. What happens in here doesn't need to go anywhere else."
The words break something in me. I just nod, too tired to argue, too overwhelmed to pretend I'm fine. Liam sits down on the couch across from my desk, and I curl up in his lap without thinking about it, his arms wrapping around me again.
"I only caught the back end, but we won't let Zaden take everything from you, okay?" Liam says.
"There isn't much you can do if all of the investors think I'm unfit," I say, my voice muffled against his chest.
The silence stretches between us, but it’s comfortable.
It always has been with Liam. Almost like it’s too easy to just take what I need from this Alpha without feeling guilty for it.
Liam's hand keeps moving in those soothing circles on my back, and I let myself just exist in this moment.
No thinking about the vote or the Alpha I need to produce or the fact that my brother is trying to destroy me.
"Is the baby mine?" Liam asks after a while, his body tensing beneath mine.
The question makes me pause and then I curl up a little tighter, refusing to answer that question. "It doesn't matter who the father is. I'm going to do this on my own. None of the pack bullshit."
Liam is quiet for a moment. "Well, you have an Alpha in your corner if you need one. Just rest for a little bit, okay? For my sanity?"
I huff out a laugh. "You always did like cuddling after sex."
"There's no crime in that," Liam teases, amusement coating his words. "Everyone could use a cuddle, pretty boy. Even you."