Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Two days later
HOLLIS
Hanging up the phone, I sit back and stare at it for a moment.
“Fuck me,” I whisper.
Gwen Lauren just called me, telling me that she chose to do a deep dive of ROWS and her mother’s organization. She also messaged The Little Rabbit from Omega Link, and she also corroborated as much as she could on her own.
Emilia has been working from the shadows for a long time. She had to in order to keep her position at ROWS and in polite society. Her reach is larger than just our city, mainly because of her podcast.
With a lot of effort, Emilia was removed from ROWS and the entire organization is currently being dismantled. Gwen said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation was also looking into things and would be arresting people as necessary.
Taking a shaky breath, I call Cian.
“ Hey, trouble,” he answers goodnaturedly. Damn, I’m about to fuck up his mood. “ Hollis ?”
“I have some really interesting news,” I say slowly. “It was just relayed to me in a call, so if you’re okay with it, I can explain what just happened.”
“ Alright, hit me with the news ,” he sighs.
“While I was at a charity event last year, I ran into a woman by the name of Gwen Lauren. Her mother is a part of ROWS, and I remember I was so fucking angry that an omega who worked for a newspaper had no idea how evil this organization was,” I explain.
“I definitely lashed out, but I also put the seed in her mind to reach out to a blogger on Omega Link who dislikes ROWS and Emilia as much as I do.”
“I’m aware of that blogger ,” Cian says. “ So where is that leading us to now?”
“ROWS is being dismantled as of noon today,” I rasp, having a hard time believing it. “Cian…”
I’m completely overwhelmed by emotion now that it’s really hitting me. This is a huge win for the community. That bitch and her friends have done so much horrible shit to people that I know. Breathing in a ragged breath, I shake my head as a stray tear escapes.
She had me fucking beaten for being her competition. Now, if the FBI can also track down all of her little friends, my day would be complete. I know, I’m asking for a lot.
“This is really big,” I whisper. “Gwen said that the FBI is involved at this time and that they’re confiscating their data and computers. It probably doesn’t help that I did some rearranging and deletion of their records now, but I don’t think the FBI can do much about the auctions to be honest.”
“They’re a bunch of lazy asses,” Cian growls. “I don’t think that they know their head from their pee hole. What else did you find out, Hollis?”
“That was essentially it, but I have this odd feeling that Emilia is going to avoid trial,” I say. “She’s more likely to throw everyone else under the bus.”
“ Well, please don’t fire your driver and guard quite yet,” he grumbles. “ What are your plans today?”
“I’m getting ready to leave for the weekend actually,” I sigh. “I almost didn’t pick up the call. I’m glad I did though. I have a double date with Nova and our packs.”
“That’s adorable,” Cian chuckles. “What are we going to do about your parents, Hollis? We can’t expect to keep the lid on this for much longer.”
“I’ll have to go see them, I suppose,” I wince. “I really fucking hate that house.”
“I’ll go with you,” he offers. “Your grandfather wouldn’t mind being a buffer as well, Hollis. I can call him and let him know. Trust me, he’ll want to be there.”
“Thank you. I know he was angry that we didn’t tell him earlier. There was just a lot going on.”
“You were also out of commission, Hollis. The weight of the world doesn’t have to sit firmly on your shoulders,” he reminds me. “I’ll take some of it.”
“Thank you,” I say, swallowing hard. “I’ve got to go, but let me know the best time to coordinate going over to the house, please.”
“You got it. Have fun, Hollis. This is something you’ve dreamed of having, and it’s finally happening. You have your sister again.”
I’m smiling as I hang up with Cian, and I grab my bag to change in the bathroom. I dressed up for the office in a dress, but this date calls for pants that repel snow, and layers. We’re going ice skating and tubing today.
I need something mindless and fun, which makes this perfect. My snow shoes and warm socks will keep my feet dry, and I’m wearing fleece leggings underneath my pants. I won’t be winning any fashion shows, but I’ll be comfortable.
Pulling my hair back into a tight braid, I slip out of the bathroom and pack up my things. Looking out at the street, I don’t see my guard or driver. Rolling in my lips, I shoot them a quick text.
Hollis
I’m ready to leave for the day. Are you nearby?
They technically aren’t supposed to leave at all, and I’m a little irritated. After being attacked and kidnapped, I no longer think that my guard detail is overkill.
Trevor
I’m sorry Hollis, a police officer told us to move. He said that we were loitering in front of your office. I’ll see if Briar can pull around.
Me
Where are you parked? I’ll walk to you.
Trevor
Cian is going to have my head, Hollis.
Me
Hold tight, I’m walking out now. I have to lock up.
Blowing out a breath, I look down at my clothing. I wasn’t exactly thinking about weapons when I got dressed for a double date. I suppose that’s just silly, considering what my life is like.
Pulling out the needle-like knives I have in my giant bag, I slide them into my braid.
It won’t hurt or bother me, but it’s saved my life more than once.
Next, I grab my favorite knife that doesn’t affect my movement, and strap it to my lower arm.
Pulling on my puffy coat, it’s hidden completely, but I can easily slide my hand in to draw it if needed.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my life,” I grumble under my breath. I won’t put my warm headband over my ears until I’m with my pack so it won’t muddle my hearing, and my gloves aren’t overly bulky.
If I have to toss my bag at someone, then that’s what I’ll do. Opening the drawer in my desk that I can lock, I slide my laptop and tablet inside and turn the key to secure it. Now ready, I activate my security system and walk out the door.
My eyes are on a swivel as I stick my key into the lock and turn it, adjusting my purse to drop the keychain inside. If things continue in this way, I may have to break down and get a traveling suitcase to roll, but I hate having to sabotage my hands.
That’s why I carry the giant purse.
Walking toward the end of the block where I see Briar, I see people going about their business. The sun is shining, we got fresh powder this morning, you’d think that nothing bad could happen on Friday, right?
My spidey senses are screaming, but there’s still nothing to show that I need to worry. Trevor gets out of the car and begins to walk toward me, and somehow that makes me feel a little better. I still can’t shake this feeling though.
As I pass by an alley, my arm is yanked so hard, I’m airborne for a moment. I’m not proud, my bodyguard is half a block away, I scream.
Just because I can defend myself, doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate help.
“Shut up, cunt,” a voice growls. Fuck, it’s Tweedledumb from the mixer.
He releases me as he continues my trajectory forward, and I fall to my knees on the ground in front of Emilia fucking Richardson.
“I hear you’re without a job,” I sneer, my hand inside of my bag to pull out my phone. I call by touch, hoping that I’m calling the Finnegan boys or Cian back.
This fucking bitch isn’t going to get away with yanking me around again.
“Whose fault is that? Harold, be a dear and take care of her guard, would you?” she asks.
My heart cramps in worry for Trevor, but he’s trained for things like this. I keep my breathing normalized as I raise my brow, letting the straps on my bag fall off my shoulder so I have my arms again.
“Have you been camping out in front of my office, hoping to abuse your No Contact order? That’s just sad, Emilia. Whatever will you do without a job now?” I ask, pretending to be horrified.
Emilia goes to backhand me, and I grab her arm in time to pull her down on the ground beside me. My comfortable clothing allows me to clamber on top of her so I can hold her hands tightly underneath my seated position. It’s not the most elegant thing, but it works.
“You fucking whore! I won’t let you defile me,” she growls.
Snorting, I roll my eyes. “Oh baby, oh baby. Not on your fucking life, Emilia. What am I supposed to find arousing about you? The high and mighty Karen behavior? The turkey chin that warbles when you talk? The newly bleached hair that’s been badly permed?
” I taunt. “What the fuck are you going to do now that you’re done in this town. ”
My eyesight doesn’t move from her, but I force myself to listen to Harold fighting with Trevor. The MC member is built like a brick shithouse, and they’re currently fighting in the very tight quarters of the alley. Lord help me. I was hoping for less drama today.
Emilia tries to buck my body off, but is simply too weak to do so as I smile smugly at her.
“It’s clear that you hire the dregs of society for your muscle,” I muse.
The said “muscle” yells at me, but Trevor is keeping him busy enough that he can’t hurt me.
Emilia tries to spit at me, and I backhand her.
“That’s not very lady-like. What’s your next move, bitch? Your little dictatorship is over. Are you going to start strictly selling human ‘inventory’?” I ask her.
“I have options!” she yells shrilly at me.
“Like your Uncle Roberto?” I laugh. “That’s adorable. He’s dead, Emilia. He won’t protect you, and neither will his children. As we speak, his sons are dismantling an auction house.”
“They would never,” she hisses. “I’m family.”
“I guess that being publicly humiliated trumps that.”
In a rare show of strength, she yanks her hands away and rolls me onto my back. Emilia gets one punch in on my side before I lose patience and draw my knife from my sleeve.