Chapter 26
Emilio
I pull out my phone and open the forum, needing to share the good news with people who've been following my journey from the beginning. My fingers fly across the screen as I type out a message to the group.
ClassyO: You guys should come visit. The club is finally mine again. No more drama, no more fighting. Just me and my Alphas running things the way they should be.
The responses start coming in almost immediately. Strawberrybubbles is first.
Strawberrybubbles: I need to have these babies first! But after that, I'm totally coming. Need to meet these Alphas who finally got you to cave.
Razorfox sends a string of laughing emojis. I can't believe ClassyO actually fell in love. Never thought I'd see the day.
MacNCheese: So does this mean you're officially off the market? No more sleeping around to find the perfect genetic donor?
CoolBlue: He found not one but TWO Alphas willing to share. That's better than any of us could have hoped for.
Rolling my eyes, I type back quickly. At least the club is still mine. That's what matters. And yes, I'm officially off the market. These two idiots claimed me and I kind of like it.
More laughter and congratulations flood the chat.
These people have been with me through everything, from the initial plan to get pregnant on my own to the chaos with Zaden and Charles.
They deserve to know that things finally worked out, that I got my happy ending, even if it looks nothing like what I originally planned.
It's been only two days since Zaden and Charles were arrested, but it already feels like turning over a new leaf. The weight that's been pressing down on me for months has lifted, replaced by something lighter. Hope, maybe. Or just relief that the worst is finally over.
Switching apps, I compose an email to the investors.
Due to recent events and changes in management structure, I'll be taking some time to reorganize operations at Aurum Pulse.
I need some time to enjoy myself and prepare for the arrival of my son.
Regular updates will continue, but I appreciate your patience during this transition period.
I will be calling a meeting tomorrow morning.
The email is professional but leaves no room for argument.
A reminder that I'm still in charge, that I'm not going anywhere despite everything that happened.
Some of them will probably be annoyed that I'm taking time for myself, but they can deal with it.
I've earned the right to slow down, to focus on my pregnancy and my Alphas instead of constantly fighting fires.
Standing up from my desk, I walk to the windows that overlook the club.
The main floor is packed tonight, bodies moving to the music in waves of color and light.
Everyone is having fun, laughing and dancing and living in the moment.
It's like an entirely different vibe without the shadow of my brother around to ruin things.
The energy feels cleaner somehow, less tainted by ulterior motives and manipulation.
This is what the club is supposed to be.
A place where people come to escape their problems, to celebrate life, to connect with others.
Not a battleground where family members fight for control and investors scheme behind closed doors.
Watching the crowd below, I feel a surge of pride.
This is mine. I built this. And nobody is taking it from me.
Pulling out my phone again, I call Otto. He answers on the second ring, his voice steady and professional as always. "What do you need?"
"We need to have a meeting with the investors," I say, my tone leaving no room for argument. "I sent an email but I want to make it very clear what they can and can't do going forward."
"When?" Otto asks.
"Tomorrow morning. Ten am. Non-negotiable," I reply. "And make sure everyone knows it's mandatory. If they can't make it, they can send their resignation."
Otto chuckles. "Bold. I like it. I'll send out the notifications now."
Hanging up, I take one more look at the club below.
Tomorrow I'm going to set boundaries, going to make it crystal clear that while I have Alphas now, that doesn't change who's in charge.
The investors need to understand that their days of treating me like a figurehead are over.
From now on, they either respect my authority or they can take their money elsewhere.
The next morning arrives faster than I expected. Sleep came easily last night, wrapped between Liam and Akira with their scents surrounding me and their warmth keeping the nightmares away. When my alarm goes off, I feel rested and ready to face whatever comes next.
Getting dressed, I choose a suit that shows my belly proudly. No more hiding, no more pretending to be something I'm not. The investors are going to see exactly who I am, a pregnant Omega and successful business owner, and they're going to accept it or leave.
Heading down to the conference room, I find Otto already there, setting up. He gives me an approving nod when he sees my outfit choice. "Ready for this?"
"More than ready," I say, settling into my chair at the head of the table.
The investors trickle in slowly over the next fifteen minutes.
Patricia arrives first, giving me a warm smile.
Marcus comes next, looking slightly nervous.
Cole from Neon Dreams shows up with a coffee in hand, his expression curious.
Gregory is last, as usual, his permanent scowl in place.
There's a few others that file in, their names escaping me at the moment.
Liam sits beside me on my right and Akira takes the seat on my left, completing the picture. Both of them nod at the investors as they settle in, but neither speaks. This is my meeting, my show. They're here to support, not to take over.
When everyone is seated, I lean forward and clasp my hands on the table. "Thank you all for coming on short notice. I know the last few weeks have been chaotic, and I appreciate your patience during this difficult time. But I want to make something very clear moving forward."
Pausing, I make eye contact with each investor in turn. Making sure they're all paying attention, that they understand the importance of what I'm about to say.
"I am running this club," I continue. "Not my Alphas. Not anyone else but me. When you have questions about operations, you bring them to me. When you have concerns about finances, you bring them to me. When you want to discuss the future direction of Aurum Pulse, you bring them to me."
Some of the investors shift uncomfortably. They've gotten used to deferring to Akira and Liam over the last week, treating them as the real power while I'm just window dressing. But that stops now.
"I understand that having Alphas beside me changes the dynamic," I acknowledge.
"And I appreciate that many of you feel more comfortable dealing with them.
But this is the legacy my parents built and then left to me.
No one is going to ruin that. I might have Alphas now, but that doesn't take away from the fact that Aurum Pulse is still mine. It will always be mine."
The statement hangs in the air, a challenge and a promise rolled into one. Patricia nods immediately, her support clear. Marcus follows suit after a moment of hesitation. Cole raises his coffee cup in a small salute, a grin on his face.
Gregory, predictably, looks less convinced. "And if we disagree with a decision you make?"
"Then you're welcome to voice your concerns," I say calmly. "But at the end of the day, the final call is mine. If you can't accept that, if you need an Alpha to make you feel secure in your investment, then I suggest you sell your shares and find another opportunity."
The ultimatum is clear. Accept my authority or get out. There's no middle ground anymore, no room for the kind of passive-aggressive undermining that's been happening for months.
"I think we can all agree to that," Patricia offers. "Emilio has proven himself more than capable. Recent events were... unfortunate, but they don't reflect on his ability to run this establishment."
"Agreed," Cole adds. "The Neon Dreams partnership has been incredibly successful. I'm more than happy to continue working under Emilio's leadership."
Marcus nods. "Same here. I think we all just want to see the club succeed."
Gregory remains silent for a long moment before finally sighing. "Fine. But I expect regular updates and transparent financials."
"You'll have them," I promise. "Just like you always have." I hate that they flipped so easily, that the moment there was no other option but me, they folded. However, it’s better than nothing.
The meeting continues for another hour as we discuss logistics and future plans.
But the power dynamic has shifted. The investors direct their questions to me, waiting for my answers before looking to Akira or Liam for confirmation.
It's a small change, but it matters. It shows they're finally starting to see me as the person in charge.
When the meeting finally ends, everyone files out except Liam, Akira, and Otto. Otto gives me a proud smile. "Well done. You've got them right where you want them."
"Thanks," I say, satisfaction warming my chest. "Now we just need to keep it that way."
"We will," Otto assures me before leaving to handle his other duties. “Your parents would have been so proud seeing what you’ve done to this place.”
Standing up, I stretch my back. The baby seems to be pressing against my spine today, making everything ache. Heading toward my office, I'm ready to sit down and maybe put my feet up for a bit. The morning was productive, but exhausting.
Akira follows me, and I hear the sound of his belt being worked off before we even reach the door. Turning around, I see him grinning at me with that predatory look that makes my stomach flip. A giggle escapes me despite my attempt to stay composed.
"Do you need something, Alpha?" I ask, playing innocent.
"Yeah, you," Akira says, his voice dropping lower. "I would rather like to fuck my Omega right now. That okay?"
Heat floods through me at the possessive words. My Omega. Like I belong to him completely. And maybe I do. Maybe I belong to both of them in ways I never thought I'd belong to anyone. "Do you want me to keep the panties on? I wore the orange ones."
Akira lets out a huge growl, the sound rumbling through his chest. "Don't you dare take them off."
Laughing, Akira reaches for me, the door barely closing before his hands are on me, spinning me around and pressing me against the desk. His mouth finds mine, hungry and demanding, and I melt into the kiss.
The door opens again, and Liam strides in. "Me next!" he calls out, his playful tone dripping with heat.
"You'll have to wait your turn," Akira growls against my lips, not breaking the kiss.
"Worth it," Liam says, settling onto the couch to watch.