Chapter 13
Braxton
This morning, I woke up on cloud nine. After calling Nyah last night and finding out her father didn’t hate me for my actions, it put me in a better mood. But when she informed me that she would be spending the weekend with me, that’s all that mattered.
I was actually up and dressed before Levi, which never happened. Room service had brought the breakfast I ordered, and I was getting ready to dive in when Levi came into the living room in his robe. He stared at the food, then rubbed his eyes.
“I know I must still be asleep because I know Braxton Hillard has not ordered room service by himself.”
“Shut up and eat,” I said, piercing my scrambled eggs.
As he sat, he teased, “If finding your mate has you doing this, then I’m all for it.” He began to fill a plate with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and biscuits with gravy. “Don’t get me wrong, I know my role as your Beta but when you do shit like this I’m dumbfounded.”
“Eat your breakfast, Levi. We only have so much time before my father and your uncle shows up,”
Which was a true statement because not even ten minutes later father’s security detail was banging on my door. Levi went to stand but I motioned for him to remain seated. He signaled one of my guards to follow me. You would have thought I was some kind of high profiled celebrity the way they guarded me.
As I opened the door, I looked at the guard and said, “You can move back. Since my father arrived, no one has access to this floor.”
He heard what I said but chose to look at Levi for clarification.
“Why the fuck are you looking at him?” I yelled from what I felt as a sign of disrespect. “I am your Alpha, and you will do as I say.”
Levi stood. “Braxton...Alpha, you have to excuse him. This is the first time he has received a direct order from you. He meant no disrespect.”
I glanced at my father who shook his head. Was I so disconnected from those under me that it was starting to show?
Looking at my guard. I told him, “I apologize for unleashing on you like that. Beta Levi knows the directives and will assign you where you need to be.”
He nodded, then Levi waved him over. I swear being unofficially mated is the worst. I have never had these types of mood swings.
After half of the security left, Levi re-took his seat. His food had gotten cold, so he took it into the kitchen to reheat it. There was another knock at the door. This time I let one of the guards go to the door.
We kept our eyes on him as he looked through the peephole, then opened the door. My mate entered dressed in black trousers, and an olive blouse with a garment bag draped over her left arm and a small suitcase in her right hand. Even with the clothes on, I envisioned her naked body.
I’m out of my seat, going to her.
“Good morning, beautiful,” I greet, taking the items from her.
Nyah adjusts her purse strap, returning, “Good morning to you.”
I smile, leaning down to kiss her lips. “Come in. We were just having breakfast and there’s plenty left.”
“Thank you, but I ate already. Daddy cooks breakfast every morning,” she says as we walk into the living room.
“Well, make yourself at home while I take these to the bedroom,” I inform. Glancing at my watch, I tell her, “We still have another thirty minutes before we have to go to our offices.”
“Okay,” Nyah says.
Father stands, then strolls over to Nyah with his arms extended.
“Nyah, you are a breath of fresh air this morning. It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too Bryant,” Nyah responded, hugging him.
I’m so happy their relationship has been positive. After the call with Nyah last night, I called my father and told him about our conversation. He was cool that Alpha Lightfeather didn’t hold any ill feelings about the beating I put on Corey. I had to laugh when father said, “Even if he did, we wouldn’t let it stop you from claiming Nyah. Hell, the private jet is at the airfield, gassed up if we need to get Nyah and fly back to Texas.”
“No, father. We’re going to do this the right way.” We chatted for a few minutes longer before ending the call.
Chuckling from our talk, I make my entrance into the master suite. I laid Nyah’s bags on the bed. We’ll decide where her clothes will go later. As far as I’m concerned, she could throw my shit on the floor to take up space in the closet and drawers. All I cared about was Nyah being comfortable while she was here with me.
Going back into the living room, Nyah is sitting next to father, sipping on a glass of orange juice. I go over and sit on the couch in between her and father.
“Braxton,” father calls. “I was just telling Nyah the two of you should take the day off and have a full three-day weekend. She’s from here so who’s better to show you around the city? But your mate, being the dedicated employee she is, chooses to work.”
Nyah side-eyes me. I know she’s down to putting in the work but at the end of the day, I’m the boss, my word speaks volumes.
Looking at Levi, I tell him, “You are in charge today. Nyah and I will be taking the day off.”
“Braxton, I’m meeting with the contractors for the restaurant today,” Nyah discloses.
“And Levi will meet with them. This weekend is all about us,” I say.
“But Braxton, I have been talking with the contractor for days, lining up what we need done. I think it would be best if I meet with him,” Nyah argues.
Oh, this mate of mine. I press my lips together before asking, “And what time is this contractor supposed to be here?”
Grabbing her purse, Nyah takes her planner out. She flips through the pages before answering, “He’s scheduled to be here at ten-thirty.”
“And what do you have on your schedule after that?” I questioned.
Nyah scans her schedule before replying, “I have no other meetings, just seeing how the departments are doing with the changes.”
“Fine, you can meet with the contractor but after that, you can give Levi your notes, and I know you have detailed notes, and give them to Levi to check out the departments,” I said.
Nyah shook her head. “Braxton if you haven’t figured it out by now; I like to see things through that I started.” She raised her hand towards Levi. “I’m not saying you can’t get the job done, but I’ve put in the time and energy to take this hotel to the next level.”
Father bumps my knee. “You can never stop a woman with ambition.”
I understood what he was saying but I couldn’t help being selfish for wanting all Nyah’s time with me.
Reluctantly, I gave in. Peering at Nyah, I said, “Fine, but as soon as you’re done with the departments, that time becomes our time.”
Nyah grasped my chin, saying, “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She delicately pressed her lips against mine before standing. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I only have a few minutes left before getting my workday started.” She starts to walk away, then stops. Looking over her shoulder. “Oh, and Braxton, I’ll make sure the front desk has a key card made for me.”
As she left out of the suite daddy, James, Levi, and a few of our guards couldn’t hold back their amusement.
“Fuck off,” I sneer before retreating to the master bedroom.
When I returned, father, James, and his men were gone. Levi and my guards were sitting around.
“Where’s my father and James?” I asked.
“They went back to the Midnight Pack lands to parlay with Alpha Lightfeather,” Levi replies, standing.
“I’m not surprised,” I counter.
Father wants everything to go smoothly with me and Nyah’s mating ceremony. So, for him to go and seek council with Alpha Lightfeather didn’t faze me one bit.
Moving my eyes from Levi and the guards in the room, I declare, “I want two of you at the front of the hotel and the rest in the back. Knowing my father, he probably put his men in those areas as well when they returned. When you get there, use your radios to reach Levi so he can confirm you’re where you’re supposed to be.”
They’re not argumentative or displeased with the change. They simply bow their heads in respect.
With the guards understanding my orders, we left the suite. As we were in the elevator, Levi expressed he would be getting his own suite for the weekend. I turned to my long-time friend and said, “I’m glad you brought this up.”
Levi chuckled. “Really Braxton, did you not think I knew what was coming? You have found your mate, and I wouldn’t do anything to keep the two of you apart, which is why I have reserved the suite below yours. I’ll just be one phone call away if you need me.”
“Thank you,” I humbly responded. “I told father a long time ago, you might be a Beta, but you show characteristics of an Alpha.”
Levi laughs. “I don’t know about that but I’m comfortable in the position I’m in.”
I pushed my shoulder into his, dropping the subject, but for some reason I felt there was some truth in what I said.
After making it to our office floor, Levi went to his and I did mine. I sighed entering the reception area of my office. Fonda was strategically positioned bending over the front of her desk, rifling through files. I know her skirt went against the guidelines of our dress code. I don’t know what she and Mr. Harris had going on, but it wouldn’t continue with us. I know how to keep things professional, but I think Fonda had other objectives. After hearing me enter, she quickly turned around and gave a toothy smile. The top she had on must have come from the kid’s section.
“Good morning, Mr. Hillard,” she greeted, then grabbed the stack of envelopes from her desk. “Here is your mail.”
I took them from her before informing, “Good morning, Fonda and thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Braxton. Can I call you Braxton?”
I frowned at her. Fonda was completely out of line.
She bats her eyes as I move closer to her. I guess she thought I was giving in to her advances, but Hell no.
“Fonda?” I started.
“Yes, Braxton,” she giddily replied.
I smiled back at her. “If you ever call me by my first name again, you will automatically be terminated.”
She gasped, staking a step back, but I continued. “I’m going to need you to take the rest of the day off to reread the hotel’s dress policy. What you have on, is unacceptable. If you value your job here at Hillard Hotel, you’ll heed our policy. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Mr. Hillard,” she replied in a shaky voice.
“Good, then I’ll expect you to be dressed accordingly on Monday,” I reprimanded.
“Of course,” Fonda with a shaky voice returned.
I left her standing there, going into my office. The last thing I needed was for my mate to shred Fonda to pieces. It was only right that I nipped this shit in the bud.