Chapter 19 Akira
Akira
My knot stuffs Emilio's ass as he finally sleeps, the little Omega covered in cum and sweat and our scents.
The mixture is intoxicating, overwhelming in the best way possible.
Whiskey and citrus and cedarwood all blending together with Emilio's natural smell, the one that's so faint most people can't detect it.
But we can. Especially now, when it's amplified by arousal and satisfaction and the bone-deep exhaustion that comes after a heat spike.
Liam lies on the other side, his hand caressing the Omega's face with a gentleness that contrasts sharply with how rough we were just an hour ago.
My hand runs up and down Emilio's side, feeling the way his ribs expand with each breath, the slight swell of his belly beneath my palm.
He looked like a wet dream when we got to his apartment a few hours ago.
The sight that greeted us as we stepped inside will be burned into my memory forever.
Emilio's ass propped up on pillows, his body trembling and covered in a sheen of sweat.
Crying for us, tears streaming down his flushed cheeks as he begged for relief.
Slick with need, the evidence of his heat spike soaking through his panties and pooling beneath him.
I never wanted anything more in my entire life than I wanted to help him in that moment.
To take away the pain, to give him what he needed.
And when Emilio said my name over and over and over, asking me to make it stop, begging with a desperation that made my chest ache, I gladly gave him that peace.
Both Liam and I did, working together to bring him down from the edge.
Sharing Emilio felt different than sharing anyone else we've been with before. In the past, it was transactional. Fun, sure, but ultimately meaningless. Two Alphas and whoever was willing to play.
But this became less about sex and more about feeling Emilio as he molded to us, melted between us.
The way he responded to our touch, the sounds he made, the complete trust he put in us even while his body was out of control.
It shifted something fundamental in my chest, made this feel less like a hookup and more like a relationship.
Now, with Emilio finally sated and lightly snoring between us, I haven't ever felt so relaxed. The tension that's been building for days releases all at once, leaving me boneless and content. My knot finally comes down, the swelling receding slowly.
A sigh escapes me mixed with a groan, missing the feeling of filling the Omega already. There's something primal about it, about being locked together, about knowing he's full of me in the most literal way possible.
Emilio lets out a soft whine as I carefully pick him up. Moving toward the bathroom, I'm conscious of every step, not wanting to jostle him too much. Liam follows close behind, already drawing a warm bath. The sound of running water fills the space, steam rising and fogging up the mirror.
All of us climb into the tub together. It's a tight fit, but we make it work, Emilio settling between us and leaning his head back against my chest. The warm water laps at our skin, soothing sore muscles and washing away the evidence of what we just did. Well, most of it anyway.
"Thank you," Emilio mumbles, his voice rough from screaming.
Nuzzling against his cheek, I take in all the love bites along his shoulders and back that we left.
Purple and red marks that will fade in a few days, but for now, they're proof of what happened.
Proof that he's ours, even if he's not ready to admit it.
"It's the least we can do for you speaking up for us. "
"It was partly selfish," Emilio admits, his eyes still closed. "But thank you, yes."
A little sigh escapes him, and the sweet moment stretches out as we spend time in the bath.
Both Liam and I take turns washing him, our hands gentle as we clean away the mess we made.
Liam's hands dwell on Emilio's stomach a little longer than necessary; he's trying not to make it obvious, but I notice.
The way his fingers trace the swell, the slight curve that's becoming more pronounced every day.
Eventually, the water starts to cool and we help Emilio out. Liam grabs a towel and lovingly dries him off, taking care with every inch of skin. Emilio slips into a long shirt, the fabric hanging off his smaller frame and reaching mid-thigh, the three of us migrating to the kitchen table.
Emilio rumbles around for his phone and almost immediately, his face twists into a grimace. The exhaustion from moments ago is replaced by stress, his shoulders tensing back up.
"What was that?" I ask, moving closer. "Zaden again?"
Looking at the screen over his shoulder, I see a reminder notification. Alpha Day. The words don't make sense at first. "What is Alpha Day?"
Emilio sighs, setting the phone down and running his hands through his damp hair.
The explanation comes slowly, like he's ashamed of every word.
He lied about having an Alpha because Zaden convinced the investors that a pregnant Omega can't run the club alone.
They gave him a deadline to produce this mythical Alpha, and that deadline is today. In a few hours, actually.
"Let one of us stand in," Liam immediately offers.
"It's not that easy," Emilio protests, his hands twisting together in his lap. "They'll want you to run things and I can't…"
Liam comes over, crouching down so he's at eye level with Emilio.
His hand reaches up, caressing Emilio's face with a tender touch.
"Mili, look at me." He waits until Emilio meets his gaze.
"We're not going to take what you built.
If anyone can understand building something up with your own sweat and grit, it's us.
We can write out a contract or some bullshit if you need.
Neither of us will make a decision without your approval. "
It's everything Emilio needs to hear. But I can see the conflict playing out on his face, the war between wanting to trust us and being terrified to give anyone that kind of power.
"This would just be business," Emilio says finally, but his voice wavers. Like he's trying to convince himself more than us.
"I think we're a little past that," I point out, gesturing vaguely at all of us. We're sitting in his kitchen, Emilio wearing nothing but a shirt, still smelling like both of us. Business doesn't cover what just happened.
Emilio's expression tightens. "I can't make either of you any promises.
I can feel it too, but it's too much and too fast. It's a lot.
" His hand moves to his stomach, protective of the life he’s growing.
"Liam and I had an agreement, but it was more of just when we needed a little bit more. No strings attached."
"Whatever you need, Emilio," Liam says, his voice softening.
"I don't know how long they're going to make this a thing," Emilio continues, his words coming faster now. "But I won't let my club become someone else's. Not Zaden's. Not yours."
The declaration stings a little, but I understand it. Emilio has been fighting to keep control of his life for so long that the idea of willingly sharing that control, even with people who care about him, probably feels like surrender. Like admitting defeat.
"As much as I think that this trade isn’t fair to you," I say slowly, thinking through the implications, "I think it might work.
But are you sure about this? You being our alibi…
The police will question you, Emilio. You told them we were with you.
If one of us shows up as your Alpha now, they're going to put pieces together. "
Emilio looks down, his hand caressing his stomach in slow circles.
"I need this more than you do. You didn't do it.
I believe that. But if I don't have an Alpha at that table today, I lose everything.
" He manages a smile, looking up at me, something vulnerable in his expression.
"It's not that much of a hardship, either.
It means I don't have to be polite to get fucked anymore. "
A grin spreads across my face despite the seriousness of the situation. "Does that go both ways?"
"Just don't grab me at work," Emilio says, a hint of his usual sass returning. "But yeah, I guess it does."
The whole arrangement is bullshit. Complete and utter bullshit.
We're walking into dangerous territory, and I know it.
Feelings are going to get thrown around.
Someone is going to get hurt. Probably all of us, if I'm being honest. This fake relationship for the benefit of the investors will blur lines that are already hazy at best. Emilio's not ready to admit what we all know is developing between the three of us.
And forcing it by playacting as his Alpha might push him away permanently.
But if it means I get to be beside Emilio for a little longer, I'll do it.
Even knowing the risks. Even knowing this could blow up spectacularly in all our faces.
Because the alternative is watching Zaden take everything from him, watching Emilio lose the club he's worked so hard for.
And I can't stand by and let that happen.
"Which one of us?" I ask, looking at Liam.
Liam considers for a moment. "You've been dealing with the River situation. If the police follow up, it makes more sense for you to have an alibi that puts you at the club. With Emilio." He pauses. "Plus, you're better at the corporate bullshit than I am. You can handle a room full of investors."
"Alright," I say, committing to this insane plan. "I'll be your Alpha."
Emilio's eyes widen slightly, like he didn't expect me to agree so readily. "Just for the investors. Just until this blows over."
"Sure," I lie smoothly. Because I already know this won't be temporary. Not really. The bond forming between us, the one Liam and I both feel, isn't going to disappear just because Emilio wants it to. And playing the part of his Alpha, even in a limited capacity, will only strengthen it.
"We need to get our story straight," Liam starts, ever the voice of reason. "If they ask questions, you both need to have the same answers. How long have you been together? Why did you keep it secret? What are your plans for the future?"
Emilio groans, dropping his head into his hands. "This is going to be a disaster."
"Probably," I agree. "But it's a disaster we can manage."
Liam pulls out his phone, already making notes. "How long have you been together? I'd say at least a few months. Long enough that the pregnancy makes sense timeline-wise, but not so long that people will question why they haven't heard about it."
"Four months," Emilio says quietly. "We've been together for four months. We kept it secret because I didn't want the investors to think I was using an Alpha to run my business. I wanted to prove I could do it on my own first."
The story explains the secrecy and plays into Emilio's known desire for independence. Liam types it into his phone, building out the details.
"What about the baby?" I ask. "Are we saying I'm the father?"
Emilio's hand stills on his stomach. The question clearly makes him uncomfortable.
"I don't know. If we say you're the father, that's a lie that could come back to bite us.
But if we say you're not, they'll question why you're stepping up.
" He stands and heads toward his bedroom, dismissing the conversation but I can’t blame him.
Especially with that longing look in Liam’s eyes, the one that tells me Liam really wants this to be real. Fuck, I think I do too.