Chapter 4 #3
Bird licks his lips. “Actually, Hatton took a risk to summon me to a vacant room last week. I didn’t want to worry you but—”
Trembling, I battle to keep my voice steady in order not to panic Zoe. “Why is Hatton taking risks like that?”
Bird narrow his eyes. “I don’t know, maybe because his brother, sister, and niece have been rejected and trapped within an abusive hotel system? What? Is it okay for us to take all sorts of risks but not Hatton? He wants to reform the hotels as much as we do.”
“The difference is that he’s under the authority of Ellington,” I say through gritted teeth. “What can he do? He’s putting himself in danger.”
“I said that to him, and he said worth it.” Bird cards his hand tiredly through his hair. “You have ten percent of the hotel’s shares in your name still from Ryan. I have five percent and Hatton too.”
Something moves sickly in my gut. I don’t like the way that he is avoiding my eye.
“So?”
“Hatton is secretly drawing up for us both to hand over our shares to you,” he replies, “in case anything happens to—”
“No,” I say too sharply because Zoe glances up at me, uncertainly. I kiss the top of her strawberry marshmallow head to calm her. “Don’t say that.”
“I have to. All these heats…the damage it’s doing…”
“I said,” my voice is thick with tears, “don’t. Say. That.”
I clasp my brother’s hand tightly in mine.
I won’t ever let go.
Bird finally glances up, meeting my eye. “Okay, sis, then I’ll simply say that means you’ll have twenty percent of the hotel’s shares. Then add in your dad’s, which Hatton told me he is also granting to you and—”
“Why?”
“Because to challenge an Alpha as CEO at the annual board meeting on the day after Christmas, especially as that CEO has steered the company into a period of financial weakness and instability,” Bird’s eyes glitter wickedly, “a majority stakeholder needs to challenge them for their position.”
“A takeover,” I breathe. “You always were smart.”
He shakes his head. “Hatton and Dad already worked out this scheme for a coup between them. Did you think that they were just leaving us down here? This is an Omega uprising. The thing is that even with all of us pooling our resources, we’re still ten percent away from what we need.”
My shoulders slump.
So close.
“I’ll think about it,” I reply.
“In the meantime, I’ll take Zoe, while you practice your Christmas performance during the break. Ellington is looking for any excuse to find fault at the moment and…”
We fall silent at the sharp rap on the door.
Ms. Fields doesn’t wait for our response but pokes her head around the door. “You’re late, Grace. Mr. Sinner is back and looking as wrecked as he always does after he’s spent time with the Frosts. Everyone is trying to be on their best behavior. Hop to it.”
“I’m sorry.” Guilt slams through me.
I scramble off the nest, smoothing down my uniform and kissing Zoe goodbye as I go.
“Don’t worry,” Bird calls, “we’ll have fun together today.”
I rush after Ms. Fields out into the long, concrete corridor.
The Beta staff are ranked in silence, waiting to be led down to breakfast. I stumble into Icarus, and he turns to look down at me with a disapproving look.
Shit, he does look fucking wrecked.
He’s pale. His cheekbone is bruised.
I’m desperate to wrap my arms around him and check where he’s hurt, but we’re in public.
Worse, Ellington is descending the stairs toward us with Hatton at his side.
Ellington is dressed in a silk magenta, designer suit that looks like it was made to be noticed in the same way that Ellington is.
In the cold of the dawn, he is also wearing a teal coat over it, as well as leather gloves, unlike the staff who only have their thin uniforms. He is swinging a smart cane that he uses as part of his aesthetic and for disciplining the Omegas.
I shiver.
Ellington is pretty with olive skin, short brunet hair, and hazel eyes.
Ellington gives off the appearance of a pampered Omega but it’s a lie.
He has always worked as hard as any Beta staff member or HO. My stepmom has had him running the Omega side of her operation from the start.
Maya is a hypocrite.
I’ve often wondered how much Ellington oppresses the other Omegas out of fear that if he doesn’t, then he’ll lose his own status as First Omega.
And he’ll lose it for his son.
Hatton scurries at his dad’s side like he would rather be anywhere but here. His head is ducked, and he’s avoiding Icarus’ eye.
Hatton takes after Ellington in looks with the same pretty hazel eyes and tumble of brunet hair, as if he’s someone’s treasured Omega who is handfed and worshiped. He is dressed in a satin, salmon pink suit.
He doesn’t take after his dad in any other way. He may be spoiled but he’s not cruel.
“Mr. Sinner,” Ellington drawls, “aren’t you cutting it fine time wise? I will have to report that you are late.”
“I apologize, Mr. Frost.” Icarus straightens his shoulders with a wince.
Ellington turns to Hatton, clearly training him. “Never let staff get away with anything or they will take advantage of you, especially as we’re Omegas. Alphas in particular see that as license to break the rules and push us around.”
Icarus bristles.
“I understand, sir,” Hatton dutifully replies.
“In case your future pack takes an interest in running this place with you, it’s important that you learn as much as you can.
Omegas need to work harder than other dynamics in order to be taken seriously and valued.
Now, pay attention. You can shadow me through this Christmas week.
It’s crucial to the success of the entire year.
” Ellington snaps his fingers at Icarus.
“Mr. Sinner, I expect you to be sharper this week. My Head Alpha demands that everything be perfect, and I don’t let her down. ”
“Of course, sir.”
“Also, several new Hotel Omegas will be joining the staff later this morning. I thought that it would help out for the busy period and also be good to add to the variety for the guests.”
Icarus’ mouth tightens, but he merely nods.
I hurriedly attempt to slip into line but I’m not quick enough because Hatton sees me.
His eyes light up. “Grace!”
He breaks away from Ellington to stride toward me.
Before Hatton can throw his arms around me, however, he’s stopped by Ellington’s outraged cry.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing, Hatton?” Ellington demands. To my surprise, he has become ashen, glancing up at the cameras. “Get back here. I am appalled by such an uncouth display. I did not raise you to act that way in front of the staff.”
Hatton freezes, staring at me desperately.
We are so close, but there is a gulf between us now.
“Your father is talking to you, sir,” Icarus says, gently.
Hatton hesitates. “But she’s just here. Can’t I hug her? That’s all. I haven’t even seen my niece. Maybe my sister could take me to—”
“You mean that staff member?” When Ellington’s cold gaze slides over me, my blood chills.
I can’t help the flinch at staff member, rather than daughter.
Ellington has never treated me like a daughter, even though I was raised in the pack where he was First Omega. It still hurts to be rejected so thoroughly.
“She has nothing to do with you, Hatton. Stop being ridiculous and let them get on with their work. You wouldn’t want any of them to get into trouble because you held them up, would you?” Ellington asks with a sweetness that is edged with steel.
For a moment, fire rages in my usually soft brother’s eyes.
Don’t say anything.
For fuck’s sake, I already have one brother made into a Rej2.
Immediately after I was sent to live with the staff, I sneaked letters via Hatton’s meals and in folded laundry (Bird did too), begging Hatton to behave and not to rebel or break Maya’s rules.
Hatton was always the favored son, born to Ellington and Maya.
Yet that doesn’t mean he’s safe.
Hatton appears to read the warning in my eyes because he gives me a shaky smile, before trudging back to stand next to his dad.
Ellington wraps his arms around Hatton, nuzzling him.
“Good boy. I just worry, okay? Let me protect you. Things will be better after the matching ball. You should be honored that your mom is matching you early to an elite pack. So, stop thinking about these people who are now beneath you. Soon, your mom will have found you a bonded pack of your own.”
I stare at my younger brother in shock.
It’s all happening again, just as it did with me three years ago.
I hoped that my brother would have the freedom and choice that I was denied.
Rich or poor, however, Omegas are caged in this hotel.
How the hell am I going to save my younger brother?