Chapter 20
CHAPTER TWENTY
shay
The walk through the middle of the town square never ceases to draw out a sense of nostalgia and home inside me.
With trees, bushes full of flowers in bloom, and the historic fountain bubbling in the center, it almost feels like I’ve stepped back in time.
There’s a sort of comfort in the fact that this place has barely changed in the last five decades.
Sure, some things have been modernized—the cell phone tower on Mildred Pritchard’s land, the brand-new firetruck that the city purchased last year, or the availability of WiFi, just to name a few.
The majority of Darling, however, is still a flash back to simpler times.
Most places are still cash only. Buck Miller still walks out to pump your gas at the Gas ‘N Go. And the Slick still stands as one of the oldest buildings in Darling, second only to City Hall, which is where I’m headed now.
The Darling Business Council called to let me know that they’ve considered my bid to purchase the Slick & Saddle Saloon and have come to a decision.
I’m not sure why I’m nervous. I’m almost positive they’re going to deny me simply because I’m a woman and an Omega.
Honestly, maybe it’s for the best. Then my heart won’t hurt so much when I’m forced to use my savings to fix the cabin.
Clearing the other side of the square, I nearly stumble over a crack in the sidewalk at the sight that awaits me at the steps of City Hall.
Memphis, August, Ridge, and Lyon are all standing there, talking in front of the large double doors.
By the time we got home last night, I was dead on my feet.
I’m not even entirely sure how I ended up in my bed with only my tank and underwear on.
When I finally surfaced this morning, they were all rushing out the door and said they’d see me later.
I assumed that meant tonight for dinner.
Not here, as I prepare to face the old curmudgeons.
Memphis is the first to notice me, and he immediately walks down the few steps to greet me. With one of his classic band tees, a pair of dark boot-cut jeans, his worn boots, and cowboy hat, the man is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome.
“Hey, darlin’,” he says with just a hint of twang in his deep voice.
His smile deepens the faint lines at the corners of his eyes, and a hint of a dimple appears in his cheek beneath his dark beard.
The heavy note of apples and brandy hits my nose, and there’s this overwhelming need to step into his arms and beg him to scent mark me.
Can I just do that now? They’re courting me, so it should be a normal thing.
Why am I suddenly second guessing every move I’m making?
“Come here,” he whispers, then he reaches out and snags me around my waist, pulling me into his chest. He holds me there, wrapping his arms around me until I feel my body giving in.
His cheek rests on the top of my head as my fingers thread through his belt loops.
“It was written all over your face. You never need to ask, okay?”
“I think my Omega gene is broken,” I mutter into his chest.
It rumbles beneath me as he laughs softly. “No, baby. I think your system just crashed from mistreatment, and you needed some time and a little bit of help to get it back online again. That’s what we’re here for.”
Propping my chin up against his chest, the corner of my lips quirks up. “That was both the nerdiest and sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me. I’m impressed.”
“I haven’t even tried to impress you yet,” he murmurs, his pheromones flooding the limited space between us. He kisses my forehead, then pulls back and tucks my hand into the crook of his arm. “C’mon. We’ve got a council to intimidate.”
“Wait. You’re not going to do anything, right? I can handle this on my own. I shouldn’t have to piggy back off of your reputation. They should consider me based on my own merits.”
He peers down at me as we climb the steps to where the other guys are waiting. “You’ve been here long enough to know that’s not how this town works, darlin’. Wishin’ for it doesn’t make it so. But we won’t say a word. We’re only here for moral support.”
“And to shove some heads up their old asses if they try to fuck with you,” August adds, running his hand along my jaw then following it with his lips.
I fight my smile. That scent mark I needed so badly, I’m now drowning in it and it feels amazing. I really do want this to be about me and my abilities, though I’ve got to admit, I could get used to them having my back.
“Fine. But nothing crazy. You end up in jail, and you might need to sit there overnight to think about your actions.”
“Harsh, sweetheart,” Ridge says, leaning over to brush a kiss against my cheek.
Lyon’s standing there with his arms crossed, staring back at me. I lift one brow.
“No promises,” is all he says.
“Come on. Let’s get this shit show over with.”
Memphis leads me into the building, through the lobby and banquet facility, and down the hall to the meeting room.
The council is already behind the table, currently reviewing another case regarding the opening of a proposed fast food restaurant right off the freeway.
The poor corporate souls in suits and leather briefcases have absolutely no idea what they’re in for.
We all take seats in the second-to-last row and watch the absolute destruction of the corporation’s case.
What those big companies don’t realize is that Darling lifers can’t be bought with money and fancy incentives.
They protect our way of life at all costs.
On one hand, that earlier nostalgia I was feeling is kept safe.
On the other, it limits their ability to see that not all change is bad or to the detriment of the town.
As they finish up, the frustrated lawyers pack up their paperwork and file out of the room.
I take a deep breath and exhale. I shouldn’t be intimidated by men with one foot inside the grave, but my future is in their hands, and they are lording it over me like the LeBlancs used to do with their family name. It’s infuriating.
“Ms. Bennett, you’re up next,” Councilman Davidson calls out.
Memphis squeezes my hand—I hadn’t realized he was still holding it—and whispers, “You’ve got this,” before kissing my temple.
Standing, I make my way to the podium.
“Good evening, sirs,” I say respectfully.
“Ms. Bennett.” Councilman Cox pushes his bifocals up, staring down his nose at me. “It has come to our attention that you are now being officially courted by the Young Pack. Is that correct?”
I grit my teeth, frustration already bubbling inside. Goddamnit, it’s only the first question. “Yes, sir. That’s correct.”
“Do you anticipate anything that might halt the courtship from becoming a full-fledged pack bond?” Councilman Winters asks.
“Life is unpredictable, Councilman. Surely, there’s no way for me to guarantee—”
“But from all accounts, the courtship is going well, correct?” Councilman Havens peers at the men behind me, then back to me. “They’re obviously here in support of your bid.”
“Sirs, I’m not sure what my courtship, or lack thereof, has to do with my bid to purchase the Slick & Saddle Saloon.”
“On the contrary,” Councilman Cox informs me. “It provides affirmation of your longevity here in Darling, which was one of our biggest concerns while reviewing your case, as we stated at our last meeting. Now that you have a pack—”
“Pardon my interruption.” I want to rip my hair out.
Scream. Something to relieve the building fury that’s roiling through my blood.
Instead, the words just come rushing out, with little to no filter.
“But as I previously stated to the council, my personal life is just that. Personal. My education and hands-on experience alone more than make up for whatever concerns the council may have had. Furthermore, the council’s intrusive background search has been leaked, and now the entire town is referring to me by the heinous nickname from that news article.
I find that to be incredibly disrespectful and abhorrent behavior by the men who represent the town of Darling in professional matters.
If you feel that I’m unqualified simply because I’m single or, God forbid, because I’m a woman—an Omega at that—one who stood up for what she believed in even though it left her all alone in the world, then maybe you all need to grab a mirror and take a long look at yourselves because no one is perfect.
Not even any of you, who have spent more time on this damn Earth than God himself and probably have skeletons miles deep in your closets.
Those who throw stones shouldn’t live in glass houses, after all. ”
The second the last words leave my lips, my eyes close and my head falls.
Sure, I just demolished any hope I had of winning this bid, but at least I can say that I finally put those old bastards in their place as I torched my dreams. Fighting back tears, I bite down on my tongue, hoping it’s enough to hold me over until I get back outside.
Councilman Havens clears his throat.
Councilman Cox covers what I’m pretty sure was the start of a laugh with a cough.
Councilman Winters slowly claps.
That last one draws my eyes up. It isn’t anger or smug satisfaction staring back at me, but something that looks a lot like grudging respect.
It’s enough to have me wincing at the mess I just made, and just as I’m about to start spewing apologies, Councilman Davidson smiles kindly at me, holding his hand up.