Chapter 32 #2
“The next word better not have anything to do with money, or I will spank your ass so red, you’ll feel it all night,” I growl.
Hollis bares her teeth at me in annoyance while I roll my eyes, waiting to see how Nova will play this.
“I was going to say they’re pretty,” Nova lies. I can fucking smell the lie on her, but I smirk all the same. “I hate that they work so well for this dress.”
“You’re what makes the shoes beautiful,” I remind her. “Ready?”
“Yes,” she decides. “I need to pack a few things in case Adira goes into labor. She texted me earlier that she was feeling a little crampy.”
“I thought she had some time left,” Hollis says, surprised.
“Babies make their own timeline,” Nova shrugs. “The baby is healthy, running a little large, and Adira isn’t showing any signs of distress. I just want to be prepared. She could go into labor early.”
Moving as she speaks, she grabs her medical bag and a duffle bag before picking up her clutch.
“Woah there, tiger,” I chuckle. “Let me help you with that. You’re going to need to take your van then too?”
“Yes, I will,” she says. “My oxygen tank is in there and some of my heavier supplies.”
“I’m sure you’ve checked it and made sure it’s full too?” I ask, prepping a list in my head. She told me last week about what a birth looks like for her, and it’s impressive.
“Yes, I checked this morning,” Nova says with a nod. “Everything I need is here in these bags or on the van.”
“I’ll go with you to the charity event,” Hollis says immediately. “The idea of you driving alone there gives me hives.”
“Do you?—”
“Do I have my weapons on me?” she asks, interrupting me. “I do, and I have a gun on my inner thigh.”
Hollis shows the slit on her emerald green one shouldered dress, where a gun holster sits barely hidden.
“There’s a very mixed guest list tonight,” she explains. “Some of my weapons are clearly spotted if you’re looking for them, but I also have knives in my hair and hidden in the straps of my heels.”
Since the straps wind up her legs, I can see how she’d be able to hide them under her dress.
“We shouldn’t have any issues, right?” Nova asks, thanking me as I take her bags.
“In front of Cian and Corbin?” Hollis asks.
“There’s not a damn chance of that. Most of the senior families are here with their packs too, and Grandpa said he’d be there as well.
Then you’ll have the mayor, police chief, and a lot of other people who will be thankful to have more community services available to our city. ”
“Good,” Nova breathes. “This is all good. Some of the government insurances will pay for birth center care, while those who can pay for their own will do so. Then, my plan is to have a nest egg for those who can’t pay for services but need them.”
“It’s going to be amazing,” Hollis says. “Did you see that the Tider place is up for sale?”
“Is that the listing you sent me yesterday?” Nova asks distractedly as she says goodbye to the cat.
Pixie snuggles her hand as she bends over, meowing loudly as she realizes that she’s about to be left home alone.
“I wish I could say I’d be back soon, but I don’t know if I will,” Nova croons to her.
The damn cat hisses at her before attempting to swat at her hand with full claws extended. Nova jerks away in time, rolling her eyes at her demon cat.
“You’re too young to be this crotchety,” Hollis says, frowning at the cat. “Be nice to your mama!”
Pixie meows as if she’s sorry, before slinking away to her bed.
“She’s been like this for the past year at least,” Nova complains, pulling on her coat. “Oh, it’s already warming up. This thing is amazing. I think it’s new…”
“Lars hung it up the other day for the charity event, he wanted to make sure you had a fancy coat for events,” I say with a smirk.
“You’re spoiling me,” she says, though not in a way that makes her seem ungrateful.
“As you should be,” Hollis says, opening the door. Caleb and Lars walk up toward us, and she shakes her head. “Nova, you need a bigger house for all these big men. I bet Lars hits his head on the doorways.”
“Sometimes,” Lars says with a shrug. “I figure it just helps to knock sense into me as needed.”
“I’m sure your mother would appreciate that,” Hollis chuckles.
I can see the sheen of sadness that comes over Lars and Caleb as they nod.
“She would have,” Lars agrees. “Why do you have so many bags, Tyde?”
“Adira may be going into labor tonight,” Nova explains. “I just want to be prepared.”
“Who is driving with you in the van?” Caleb asks, coming to the same conclusion I did.
“I am,” Hollis says, pulling out her phone. “I’ll let the guys know now so they won’t wait for me. We’ll all be behind each other. We’ll be fine.”
I’m still nervous as I get into the SUV with Caleb and Lars. Caleb watches as the girls get into the van, waiting until Nova is ready before pulling out of the driveway.
“She may say she’ll be fine, but I’ll still be watching. The van is updated on all her maintenance, but we just got our last snow storm today,” Caleb mutters. “God, at least I hope it’s our last. I’m ready for spring.”
“I feel the same way,” I murmur as we drive to the club.
As we approach the parking lot, I turn around to see that Nova is struggling a little bit as she pulls in. As soon as Caleb stops the car at valet, the three of us rush out to where she’s cursing up a storm behind the wheel.
“Bertha, you bitch!” she moans angrily.
“What’s she up to?” Malcolm asks. It takes me a second to realize that he’s talking about the car. “Wasn’t Bertha running just fine?”
“Yes, and all her maintenance is up to date too. It looks like it’s the battery,” Nova says. “The weather sometimes drains it.”
“I’ll get you another,” Malcolm says. “Go inside, enjoy the party. By the time that you make the first loop around, Bertha will be good as new. Leave me your keys.”
“Are you sure?” I ask. I have no idea how to change a battery, but I’ll ask just the same.
“Yeah, it’s not a problem,” Malcolm says. “Bertha and I have an understanding. I won’t take her apart for scraps as long as she behaves.”
Nova sighs as she gets out of the van with Hollis, and hands him her keys.
“As much as I love Bertha, it may be time to say goodbye soon.”
“I think this style of van fits your needs, even if you’re no longer living in it,” I say. “We can find another that’ll work for you.”
“This kind of hiccup and revelation would usually make me spiral,” she admits. “I have some savings that would allow me to make the purchase, it just feels weird to be able to.”
“I get it,” Felix says, walking up to us and overhearing her. “None of us want you to be stuck on the side of the road when you should be at a birth delivering babies.”
“You need something that’s more reliable,” Hollis agrees.
“I’ll get her out of the street,” Malcolm promises.
“I feel bad that you’re in nice clothes,” Nova says. “I have a gown of sorts that you can put over them in the van. I have an extra.”
“Then don’t feel bad. Don’t be late to the party. I got this handled,” Malcolm says.
As we walk in together, Felix catches my eye.
“Nova’s van gives me anxiety,” he says, watching as she walks ahead of us with Hollis. “Malcolm does the maintenance on our vehicles, and his dad is a mechanic who taught him. It’s no trouble for him.”
Relaxing, I nod. “I appreciate it. I’m glad she’s open to getting a new vehicle because I think Bertha gives me anxiety too.”
I’ve never been inside of Club Serenity before, but I can admit it’s beautiful inside. Someone checks us in, and then we’re walking inside to the main room. There are silks hanging from the ceiling waiting to be dropped to the ground, and lots of people are milling around talking.
“Let’s make the rounds,” Hollis says, hooking her arm through Nova’s. “Then we’re getting food because I’m starving.”
“Thank goodness,” Nova laughs, walking off with her.
“She’ll be safe inside here,” Caleb murmurs beside me, watching as they make their way into the crowd. “Hollis is great at making introductions as well.”
“Excuse me, are you Nova Edwards’ alphas?” a female voice asks. I suppose Nova is an Edwards more than anything else.
We need to decide what our pack will be named. Glancing at Lars on my other side, he inclines his head to tell me that he heard me.
“Not fair, I want to be able to do that,” Caleb grumbles.
“Anytime you want, baby,” I sass under my breath before focusing on the woman in front of me. “We are her pack. Can I ask why you’re asking?”
“I’m the only reporter who was allowed in for tonight,” she explains. “I would like to run a feature on her pack as I cover the charity event. My name is Gwen Lauren. Hollis can vouch for me.”
“You’re the reporter who blew shit up for the Regional Omega’s Women’s Society, aren’t you?” Caleb asks, eyes narrowing.
Now I know why that name sounds so familiar.
I refuse to answer anything until I know it’s safe to.
Nova, Gwen Lauren just tracked us down and wants to ask your pack some questions. Should we answer them or sic your sister on them?” I ask through the bond.
Hollis says she’s safe. Just keep it on the vague side, she replies.
“I am that reporter,” Gwen explains. “I felt I had to do the story if my mother was involved with the organization. Mostly, because if I’d looked just a little harder at things, I think I’d have seen what they were doing.”
“ROWS has fooled a lot of people,” Caleb sighs.
“They have. My mom was arrested,” she says with a wince. “And it looks like Emilia is going to get away with everything because she’s skipped town.”
“We know,” Lars murmurs. “We’ll find Emilia. If you hear anything, please call Hollis.”
“I will,” she promises. “Does this mean you’ll answer my questions?”
“Depending on what they are, yes,” I say.
“Okay, that’s amazing. Thank you so much,” she gushes. “What do you think about Nova’s efforts to bring a birth center and child community care to Minneapolis?”