Chapter 5 #2
The restaurant was located in the center of the city, a well-known establishment celebrities and other people considered important in society visited.
Because of that, there were a slew of reporters that practically lived on the lawn.
It hadn’t been hard to guess at least one of them was in the Eumia’s pocket.
Levi took a small sip from his glass, then placed it down and cut himself another—overcooked—bite, not bothering to even glance in the other Dominus’ direction.
Kian had the same inky black hair as his younger brother, but his eyes were a vivid blue. He was taller, but they both had broad shoulders, and if they’d been standing next to each other, they could pass as blood siblings despite the minor differences.
He wasn’t alone, one of his high standing members was with him. Pike, also an alpha. The man was known for his street smarts and ability to locate proverbial needles in haystacks. It wasn’t surprising that he’d come along, but it did make the importance of this “accidental” meeting skyrocket.
“Mr. Erskine.” Levi dabbed his napkin at the corners of his mouth and then finally tipped his head in Kian’s direction. “I highly suggest skipping the steak tonight.”
“You don’t like it?” Oberon frowned and glanced down at his mostly empty plate. “Strange. Mine was perfect. Maybe you just have shitty luck. Here, let me call over the waiter and get you another.” He lifted his hand to do just that, but Levi gave a curt shake of his head, still watching Kian.
“Is there something I can help you with?” he offered cooly. “I somehow doubt you came over to be polite.”
Pike took a threatening step forward, but his Dominus grabbed his arm, making him retreat.
Was there something between Pike and the synthetic? Upon closer inspection, he did seem rather put out. There were lines across his forehead, and his skin was dry. The stress was apparent, but there was also clear worry.
According to Baal, the synthetic was kept away from the Eumia, so why was there a disgruntled Eumia member currently glaring Levi down?
“Can we skip the song and dance, Leviathan?” Kian kept his tone even, playing politics. They were in public and there were curious eyes on them already. It was safe to assume anything they said could and would be turned into gossip and spread across the entire city by morning.
“I heard a family member has gone missing,” Levi said, opting to stick as close to the truth as possible to ensure his words were believed. “One of your brothers, was it?”
“The beta,” Oberon stabbed the last morsel on his plate and popped it into his mouth, chewing and then flashing a toothy grin at Pike when the Eumia turned his anger on him instead.
“His presentation makes him worthless here,” Kian replied. “But puts him at no less risk.”
“Yes, I imagine there are loads of people dying to get their hands on such a treasure. Family makes for the perfect bargaining chip.” Levi steepled his fingers in his lap.
“Being related to you would put even a beta in danger on Synastry. If my information is accurate, he’s been missing for a little over a week now, yes? Are you here to ask for my assistance?”
Kian searched his face, but he wouldn’t find anything.
Levi only allowed people to see what he wanted them to see. Nothing more. Nothing less.
“Do I have your word you know nothing about this?” Kian wouldn’t trust his word, and they both knew it.
“I haven’t seen any betas recently. But my offer to help stands.”
“Why?”
“I don’t have any siblings. I’m curious, what’s it feel like to lose one?”
“Elm is a person, not an object.”
“Since that’s the case, how do you know he didn’t simply leave of his own volition?” Levi shrugged. “Perhaps he’s vacationing. Does he ski? Snowboard?”
“He’s allergic to the cold. He would never willingly come here,” Pike snapped.
There really must be something between him and the synthetic for him to make a mistake like that. Mafia knew better than to reveal weaknesses, especially in front of the enemy.
So the toys most likely weren’t the first thing to make it up the omega’s ass.
Levi felt a strange prickle of annoyance at that revelation, his mood souring, though he kept it contained.
“What do you want in return?” Kian asked.
“For my help?” He pretended to think it over. “There’s a hotel downtown, Forever Moon. Your other brother owns it. If the White Frost can locate the beta for you, have him hand it over.”
“Don’t speak about Shiloh.”
“Why? Does our history bother you?” If they were alone, Levi might have taken the steak knife and driven it through Kian’s jugular—and Pike’s for good measure—but alas.
He didn’t like to think about that incident with Shiloh, how he’d been drugged and reduced to little more than animal instinct.
Again. “Are you upset about the fact I know him so…intimately?”
“I’m upset you sent men to attack him,” Kian corrected.
“Did I?” That was news to Levi. “Believe what you’d like.”
“For the record, you’re saying directly to my face that you have no idea where Elm is, correct?”
“I haven’t seen your beta brother, Mr. Erskine. But I’ll keep an eye out for him.”
“Leviathan.”
“No need for wordy threats.” He waved his hand.
“We’re rivals because the White Frost and the Eumia have a deep history rooted in hatred and watered with blood.
I have no personal qualms against you, or any of the members of your family.
Including Shiloh Sobu. If I’d wanted revenge for that unfortunate event, I would have taken it long ago. ”
As far as he was concerned, they’d both been screwed over by those in charge of the breeding den.
Neither of them had wanted to be there, and neither of them had enjoyed it.
However, they’d merely been acting on instinct.
Doing what their bodies were programmed to do.
Levi hated the idea of becoming slave to his urges, but he would never fault someone for doing the same.
That was simply the way their species were built. No use crying over spilt milk.
Kian considered that and then nodded. “If the two of you had formed any sort of bond during, you would have come.”
“Exactly.” Levi wasn’t the type of alpha to twiddle his thumbs while his omega did gods knew what elsewhere. “Those who were responsible for what befell him and I have been dealt with. As far as I’m concerned, the matter has been put to rest.”
“Let’s use our brains for a moment,” Oberon suggested, rejoining the conversation.
“If we did have reason to kidnap Elm, which we don’t, this would be the part where we use him to threaten you into giving us X, Y, or Z.
Frankly, the Eumia doesn’t have anything we want. You’re barking up the wrong tree.”
Oberon’s resolve was believable.
It helped that he still didn’t know anything about the synthetic omega currently being kept in Levi’s basement.
They stood there a while longer and then Kian took a step back.
“You’ll contact me if you hear anything?” he asked.
“Of course.” Levi gave a partial smile.
Without another word, Kian spun on his heels and stormed out of the restaurant, Pike already whispering furiously next to him, no doubt asking if he believed any of this or not.
Oberon let out a low whistle once they were out of sight. “Wonder who’s messing with them. And why waste time taking the beta sibling? Kian has two omega ones.”
Levi merely hummed and was reaching for his wine when his multi-slate chimed. Seeing Fiora’s name across the screen, he removed the earbud attachment and placed it in his right ear before accepting the call.
“Update,” she said, before he could ask her. “The omega showed signs of serious distress. Since you’re otherwise engaged, I sent Koah in.”
“Excuse me?” Anger flashed in the center of his chest, bright and blinding, but he was careful not to allow it to leak into his tone or show on his face. He did, however, slowly rise from his chair.
“Since his heat ended, it should be safe enough for Koah. Koah is technically a dominant, and the test results from this morning showed the omega had stabilized a bit more, so I thought—”
“That was your first mistake.” Levi didn’t bother saying goodbye to Oberon, motioning to his secretary who was seated nearby to go retrieve the car. He made his way after him, heading to collect his coat from coat-check.
The Butcher was contradicting herself. In one sentence saying the synthetic was in such a bad way an alpha was necessary, and in the next breath mentioning he was fine?
“Apologies, Leviathan.”
“I’m on my way. Do nothing until I get there.” He hung up on her.
Koah might be dominant, but he was a far cry from Levi’s level.
The very thought of him in there, cornering the synthetic, bathing him with his lesser alpha pheromones…
Levi’s hands fisted at his sides, and he stepped out into a light snowfall, not even giving his secretary the chance to park when he pulled up to the curb.
“Home. Fast,” he directed the moment he’d slid onto the leather seat.