33. Max
Chapter 33
Max
I stand at a discreet distance, watching Ava as she waits in the business class lounge at Boston airport.
She’s sipping a fruit smoothie, one hand resting gently on her belly. I can’t help but smile as I see her lips moving, clearly having a silent conversation with our baby about the nutritional benefits of her drink.
It’s hilarious and heartwarming at the same time. Especially as this is the same Ava who once declared she’d never have children.
A lady in an official-looking uniform approaches Ava, and I tense, knowing what’s about to unravel. I watch as the woman informs Ava that she can’t leave because her Omega Movement Visa has expired.
Ava’s face contorts in confusion and then anger. She argues that she’s just arrived, and the visa was valid then.
I admire her fire, even as it’s directed against my plan.
Ava fumbles for her passport, flicking the pages before she triumphantly shows the visa to the official. But the lady shakes her head, insisting that the system has flagged an expired visa.
“You’re mistaken.” I lip-read as the conversation escalated. “No.” Ava’s voice rises in frustration when the official gives her a sorrowful gaze.
The lady opens her hand and points at a room to her right, a gentle gesture that they move to the private room to discuss the matter further.
With an aggravated huff, Ava pushes out of her seat and follows her.
I make my move, slipping into the private room through a side door just as Ava takes a seat. Her back is to me, shoulders tense with irritation or possibly worry.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself for what’s coming.
“I own your Omega Movement Visa,” I say, my voice calm but firm.
Ava whirls around, her eyes widening in shock before narrowing in anger.
“I should have known.” Fury laces her voice.
My heart clenches at the bitter resentment in her eyes, but I stand my ground. This is for her own good, for our baby’s good. I tell myself this even as a part of me acknowledges the manipulative nature of my actions.
“Ava, we need to talk,” I say, taking a step towards her. “About the baby, about our future. About us.”
She stands up, crosses her arms over her chest defensively. “There is no ‘us’, Max. And you can’t keep me here against my will.”
I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “I’m not trying to keep you against your will. I just want a chance to explain, and to make things right.”
The tension in the room is thick as we stand facing each other. I know I’ve crossed a line with this stunt, but I’m desperate. I’m desperate to keep her, to build a family, to show her that we can be good together.
My heart thuds as I look into Ava’s fiery eyes. I know that this conversation could go either way. It could be the beginning of our reconciliation or the final nail in the coffin of our relationship.
I have no choice.
Either way, I’m prepared to lay it all on the line for her, for our baby, for the future I desperately want us to have together.
But the anger in Ava’s eyes cuts through me, and suddenly, all my carefully laid plans crumble. I realize that I’ve been going about this all wrong. With too many games and manipulation. It’s time for the truth. It’s time to lay my heart on the line.
“I’m sorry,” I say, my voice cracking before I start again. “I’m so sorry for everything. For trying to control you, for not listening to you, and for making you feel trapped.”
“For kidnapping me?” Her voice hitches with the question.
“Especially that.”
“And claiming me?” she adds.
I shake my head. “Never that.” I take a step closer, my hands open in a gesture of surrender. “I’ve been an idiot. A controlling, possessive idiot who did everything wrong but so right at the same time.”
“What was right?” She uncrosses her arms from her chest to slam them on her hips as she tilts her head to one side, waiting.
“I made the right call to keep you safe with Garrett. He’s a decent man, and I trusted him to protect you.” I sigh when she gives me an arch of her eyebrow. “Look, I was scared of losing you and I accept my actions meant I ended up pushing you away when I should have spoken to you. I should have spoken to you about what you wanted. What you needed.”
Ava’s expression softens slightly, but she remains guarded. I press on, letting my walls down completely.
“I love you, Ava.” I swallow as she makes a weak gasp. “And not just as my scent match or the mother of my child, but as you. I've loved you from afar. I love your strength, your fire, and your independence. And I accept these are the things I've tried to smother, but now I know these are what make me love you even more.” I take a deep breath.
She remains silent.
I sink down to my knees, looking up at her. “I’ll do anything, Ava. Anything to make this right. If you want to leave without me, I won’t stop you. I’ll make sure your visa is cleared right now. But if you want to be with me, I'll give you anything in the world. Anything money will buy. I’ll name stars after you or I'll send you there. I know I can’t make you love me yet it's the only thing I hope for.”
“And Silas and Seb?” she questions.
I nod. “I know how much Seb means to you, and that Silas is your scent match. I also know how much you love Lily.”
Her throat makes a strangled sound, tears spring in her eyes. “Oh God, I miss her so much.”
I rush off my knees and hold her. “She’s yours. Silas wants you to have access to Lily regardless of your choice.”
“He does? He’ll do that?”
“He wants to see you both happy.” I nod. “But if you choose us, Ava, I promise to do better. To listen, to respect your choices, to be the alpha you deserve.”
Tears are forming in my eyes, but I don’t hide them. “I want to be there for you and our baby, but on your terms. I want to earn your trust back, to show you I can change, that I can be the man and the alpha you need me to be.”
I reach for her hand, half expecting her to pull away, but she doesn’t. “Please, Ava. Give me one more chance. Not for the baby, not because I’m your alpha, or because of the bond we share, but because you want us. I promise I’ll spend every day proving to you I can be better, that we can build something real together.”
“Would all passengers departing Boston for Rome, Italy, please make your way to gate number twenty-three,” a female voice over the speaker system says.
Ava’s eyes glance at the window behind me, then at me.
I slide her passport from my pocket and hand it to her. Our fingers touch as she reaches out for it.
“Please.” My voice drops to a whisper, filled with all the love and regret I feel. “I’m begging you, Ava. Don’t go yet. I’ll take you back to Italy, so you can think about us a little longer.”
She laughs. “Can I trust you?”
My stomach drops and I don’t realize, until her palm touches mine, that I’m sending sadness through the bond. “I’m sorry, and I deserved that. Please believe me when I tell you, I’ll never hurt you ever again. Let me show you how much you mean to me, how much I respect and adore you. No more games, no more control. Just us, figuring this out together.”
She walks to the window, putting some distance between us.
I fall silent, squeezing the bridge of my nose between my thumb and middle finger as my heart pounds, waiting for her response.
I’ve laid everything bare, stripped away all pretense. And now, I’m completely vulnerable before her, offering her the power to make us—or break us. Yet knowing whatever she decides, one thing is for certain: I’ll never take her for granted again.
She opens her passport and glances at the Omega Movement Visa. “Do you own it?”
I nod.
“You gave me all that freedom. Years and years’ worth before you came for me.”
“I had to. You weren’t ready for me.”
I fall silent, my heart pounding as I wait for her response.
Ava’s eyes search mine, and I can see the conflict within her. “Max,” she begins, her voice soft as she says, “I didn’t reject you. I knew nothing about you and the deal until I read it on Walker’s laptop and then Walker confirmed it, telling me how much you wanted me.”
I’ve had my difficulties with my brother, so knowing he has my best interests warms my heart.
“And then Garrett told me everything.”
I take a deep breath. “He had my permission.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, and I can almost see the wheels turning in her mind. Finally, she speaks. “You knew I’d go to him?”
“I’m more surprised it took you so long. But I saw the way your eyes roamed over the pink diamonds in my collection. I saw how much they affected you. Their value was inconsequential to you. They are worth much less than the red diamond, which you took without blinking.”
“It was a job, nothing more.”
“So you wouldn’t want that red diamond sitting on your finger?”
She laughs. It reaches her eyes before she shakes her head. “No, I’d prefer a blue diamond. Not too big. I prefer quality over quantity.”
“Noted. But you know I’m a billionaire, right?”
“You’re assuming an awful lot.”
“Oh right, yeah.”
She smiles at me. And I see her. Not just an omega looking at her alpha, she sees me like I see her. I just need for her to stop fighting us.
“What time does your flight take off?”
I sigh as I glance at my watch. “We have a slot booked in an hour.”
Her eyes meet mine as a dash of hope filters through the bond. “I can’t promise you anything long-term right now, Max.” She gulps. “I’m willing to give you a chance to prove yourself.”
“You are?” Relief washes over me. I want to dive over the table and kiss her, but I try to temper my reaction. “Thank you, Ava. That’s all I’m asking for.”
She nods, then glances at her watch. “I still need to get to Italy. Seb is waiting for me, and I’ve got to make him feel wanted again before I talk to him about packs, and about you and Silas.”
I see an opportunity and take it, careful to frame it as an offer rather than a demand. “I understand. My private jet is waiting. If you’re comfortable with it, I could fly you there. It would be faster and more comfortable than a commercial flight.”
“I’m flying business class.”
“Yet you can afford to fly first.”
“It’s a waste of money,” she quips. “Business is enough.”
Ava hesitates, and I quickly add, “I can get you closer to the Amalfi Coast, so it will be faster. No strings attached. I just want to make sure you and the baby travel safely and comfortably. If you prefer, I can stay here and have the pilot take you.”
She considers it for a moment, then nods. “Okay. I’ll fly with you. But Max,” she says, her tone serious, “this doesn’t fix everything. We still have a lot to work through.”
“It’s a start.” I nod, relief and hope surging through me. “I understand you’re hesitant but, Ava, I promise I won’t let you down.”