Epilogue #2
Luci woofed quietly—either out of excitement at the prospect of a walk or in denial of King’s accusation.
She was a good dog, only barking when she suspected danger and learning dozens of commands quickly, but she also had a little sass to her, which Bianca loved.
Plus, she peacefully coexisted with her reptilian sister, mostly ignoring Lilith but seeming to enjoy watching the snake roam her enclosure.
Sometimes, both animals joined Bianca in her nook nest, Lilith curled around her neck or crawling overhead while Luci warmed Bianca’s feet.
“We don’t have enough time to walk and get freshened up before our meeting. We can’t get mussed. Sorry, Luci!” Callum said, without sounding sorry at all. “It’s a new client, so we need to make a good impression.”
“You were perfectly fine getting mussed a second ago when there was pussy to be eaten, but now there’s no time?
” King smirked, flashing his grillz again and making both omegas swoon a little.
“Brats get extra puppy duties. I should make you handle all her walks for a few weeks, see if it calms your baby fever.”
“Who wants to go for a walk?” Daniel boomed, striding into Bianca’s office wearing a wide grin. “You ready, Luci girl?”
Lucifer woofed again, jumping to her feet and shaking herself before trotting over to circle Daniel excitedly. He patted her head, and her stumpy little tail went wild. Bianca hid her grin. The two of them were a pretty cute pair, the big dumb animals.
“Vancine! Perfect timing, as usual!” Callum exclaimed, brightening at the sight of the giant fool they all adored. “Tell King I can’t be responsible for walking that lovable beast.”
“Callum is a delicate orchid,” Daniel announced obediently. “Plus, he and BB have a client waiting downstairs who smells like money.”
Callum stood up, stretching luxuriantly. His shirt rode up, revealing a sliver of golden-brown skin Bianca wanted to lick. Callum gave her a sly smile before striding over to plant a loud kiss on Daniel’s lips. Daniel smacked his ass appreciatively.
“Everybody out! We all have work to do and money to make!” Callum proclaimed, clapping his hands.
He crouched to scratch the dog’s ears, and she nearly knocked him over as she vibrated with excitement.
Callum gave her a serious look. “Luci, sniff the new client carefully on your way out and make sure that money Van smells is at least five figures.”
“Money isn’t everything, Spider,” Dante reminded him as he stood and leaned across the desk to kiss Bianca. “Try not to insult this one until she’s signed a contract, snake lady. I’m pretty sure she’s related to the mayor.”
His coconut and clove scent and slow, languorous kisses still set Bianca’s blood boiling. Dante grinned as if he knew exactly the effect he had on her. Which, of course, he did. They all did.
“The mayor is a nitwit, and so are most of his relatives, but I’ll do my best.” Bianca shrugged and turned back to her computer to glance over the client’s file again. “If she doesn’t want to work with us, she can go be mediocre elsewhere. As you said, money isn’t everything.”
Dante shook his head and laughed. Like Bianca herself, he probably never expected to hear those words come out of her mouth.
She was surprised that she truly believed them.
She’d had money her whole life, and it had never filled the void inside her.
Now, she was rich in ways she couldn’t have fathomed only a year ago.
“It certainly isn’t,” Callum agreed, his amber eyes twinkling merrily.
“There’s also good publicity that leads to more money, which is why I agreed to give NewsFeed coverage of the fantasy ball we’re hosting pro bono for the Second Stitch Project.
They’re going to eat it up and then you’re going to buy me more pretty things. ”
Bianca snorted a laugh at his mischievous expression.
In truth, King’s Guard and its subsidiaries did plenty of pro bono or discounted business in addition to their other outreach and philanthropic efforts.
And as much as he liked pretty things, Bianca knew Callum liked helping people even more.
It was one of the things she loved about him.
Bianca gave her omega a stern look. “Fine, but they will have limited access to the women, we approve all photos, and we’ll need to be very careful about vetting the attending journalist. Maybe Gen V will do it, since she’s so close to Serenity and her work, even though she’s above puff pieces like this now.
I’ll call her. This event is about those omegas feeling beautiful and having fun, not being exploited.
Make sure NewsFeed knows if they cross any lines, I will cheerfully destroy their little media company. ”
“That’s my girl.” King gave her his beautiful smile and her heart swelled again.
These days, she often thought it might burst from her chest. King leaned over and kissed her, the press of his lips making her sigh happily.
“Don’t work too hard. We’re going to Nocturne tonight for Malcolm’s performance and you promised Serenity you’d dance the night away. ”
Bianca rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. She, Dawn, and Chloe have been texting me asinine commentary about what they’re wearing. I had no idea that was a thing friends do.”
Her mates laughed, shaking their heads at her as they often did.
Daniel kissed the top of her head before attaching Luci’s leash and letting her lead him from Bianca’s office.
Callum followed, heading downstairs with them to greet the new client.
Dante winked at her, then left hand-in-hand with King, no doubt heading back to their own offices.
Bianca watched them go, a familiar warmth unfurling in her chest. She could still feel them, wherever they went. The bond between them glowed brightly, tethering her to all that was good and wonderful about the world.
Bianca Bonnycastle King was no longer caged by familial expectations, societal norms, or her own insecurities. She was flying free. Callum, Dante, Daniel, and King were the wind beneath her wings.
Together, they would soar.