Chapter Twenty
Mark
Marnie isn’t quite ready when I arrive to pick her up.
It makes me smile because it reminds me of Jess.
That is, it makes me smile until I realize it leaves me sitting awkwardly with her father and two of her brothers—all alphas and all glowering at me.
It’s another bizarre reminder of the alternate reality that omegas live in.
The fact that we are in our thirties and I feel like I’m on a high school date is insane.
While Marnie might be one of the loveliest people I’ve ever met, when it comes to this, I’m not sorry we aren’t mates.
It’s been a miserable day, and honestly, I don’t want to go to this stupid dinner.
Ava must be feeling as awful as I am, because I received notice from her office that all of our cases for the rest of the week were being rescheduled.
I don’t think she’s ever rescheduled anything in the two years that I’ve known her.
She could be sick, I suppose, which gives me an uncomfortable feeling in my chest to think about, but she’d seemed fine last night.
I stand and offer her my elbow. “You look beautiful. I was just thinking that I hope you and Adam hit it off, because he’s going to lose it over this dress.”
She laughs. “From your mouth to God’s ears. I’m so ready to find my mate that I don’t even care how desperate that sentence makes me sound.”
We head out to the private car I’d hired for the evening, and I hold the door open for her. Once inside and alone, she gives me a soft, concerned look. “How are you?”
I give a small shake of my head and a bitter laugh. “I have definitely been better. Bit hungover today, if I’m being honest.”
She nods in understanding. “Don’t say I blame you. Do you want to tell me more about it, since you said it was complicated? Or would you rather not talk about it at all? I can do whatever you need me to.”
I blow out a breath, weighing it. Fuck it. It’s over, and even if Marnie tried to stir up trouble by sharing our secret, something I honestly can’t picture her doing, there’s no proof she could take to the Bar Association anyway.
I fill her in on the details, and to no surprise, she’s wonderfully kind and supportive about it all. Eventually I’ve wrung it all out and we change the subject, spending the rest of the ride to Harvey’s chatting easily.
The sound of the car’s wheels crunching onto gravel alerts us that we’ve turned onto the long drive up to the mansion.
Old trees line the drive, and the massive old colonial comes into view.
Landscape lighting points upward at the house, illuminating the row of large windows, and of course, the American flag flying on display.
Everything about it screams old money of New York’s elite.
Harvey is nothing if not consistent with his branding, even here.
Marnie stops mid-sentence to look out the window, mouth wide as she stares out the window. “It just hit me that I’m actually about to go inside the freaking mayor of New York City’s house.”
I laugh. “I promise, once you meet him, the wonder will wear off quickly.”
A valet opens the door, and I slide out first, turning and offering her my hand. She swallows nervously and then extends her high heel and steps out gracefully. The shoes remind me of Ava, and I fake a smile through the wave of pain that hits me.
We make our way inside, handing our coats over to a worker dressed in a uniform that looks like something housekeeping would wear at a budget hotel. I have to resist rolling my eyes. Can’t have the help forgetting their place amongst everyone else in black tie.
“This place is really nice, but it doesn’t really feel like a home,” Marnie whispers.
I shake my head. “I think he mostly stays at Gracie Mansion. I doubt he actually lives here. I’m sure it’s something that’s been in his family since the Revolution,” I whisper back. “Alexander Hamilton’s ghost probably chills with the ghosts that haunt this place.”
She giggles, and we’re ushered into the oversized dining room that was probably some kind of ballroom once upon a time.
In the center, a giant table that has to be custom is set with place settings, and small ivory cardstock tents that tell us where we are sitting.
People are clustered in groups chatting, and I spy Adam.
He catches my eye and gives me a nod, brows furrowing as he spots Marnie.
“Here comes my friend,” I say to her.
“I see him,” she says, and I have to keep from grinning at the mildly breathless tone of her voice. I’m not so heartbroken that I can’t be excited about the possibility of someone else finding love.
Adam comes over, clapping me on the shoulder. “Hey, brother. You gonna introduce me to your lovely date?”
I smile and take a small step back so they can get a little closer to each other. “Not my date, actually. Just a friend,” I clarify, signaling he’s free to pursue.
A wolfish grin spreads across his face, and he extends a hand. “Well then, hello new friend. My name’s Adam Jenkins.”
She slips her hand in his, and I watch as both of them gasp as they touch and catch each other’s scent. “Oh,” she says, looking a little shell-shocked. “I’m Marnie.”
I can’t help but chuckle, placing my hand on the low of Marnie’s back to guide her to a spot where we can all talk, deliberately riling Adam up just because I can. The look he gives me for touching her could peel wallpaper. The evening is suddenly looking far more fun than I expected.
“Well, isn’t this cozy?”
I turn to find Ava standing just behind me.
She’s wearing a strapless black lace gown that falls all the way to the floor, her hair pulled into a loose side ponytail so the curls spill over one shoulder.
It’s simpler than what she usually wears, almost as if she got ready in a hurry.
For half a second, guilt punches through me, like I’ve been caught doing something wrong just by standing here with Marnie.
Then anger replaces it just as quickly. Fuck that. She’s the one who walked away.
Her eyes flick between the two of us, narrowed, brows drawn tight.
I expect Marnie to step back to make it obvious this isn’t a date, so when she slides her hand around my bicep and instead leans in, I nearly flinch.
She tips her chin up, batting her eyes at me with exaggerated sweetness. “Markie-poo, who’s this?” she asks.
I hear Adam choke on a sound behind us, but I’m too stunned to respond. Is she doing this on purpose, trying to make Ava jealous?
“Markie-poo?” Ava repeats, fists clenched at her sides. “Are you on a fucking date with this omega?” she hisses.
My shock evaporates, replaced by heat. “I’m sorry, but I fail to see how that’s any of your business,” I say at the exact moment Marnie cheerfully confirms that we are. I cut a look at her, but she’s focused entirely on Ava.
“Less than twenty-four hours, huh?” Ava asks coldly. “Clearly that was a very serious declaration of love.”
“Keep your voice down, Ava,” I say quietly. “Remember where we are.”
“I don’t care where we fucking are,” she snaps, and for a second, she looks like someone I don’t recognize.
I’ve never seen her lose control. Her skin is flushed, and there are a few tiny beads of sweat at the edge of her hairline.
I frown despite my anger, remembering that Shelby cleared her schedule. Maybe she really is sick.
I gently pull my arm free from Marnie’s hand and take a step closer. “Are you all right?” I ask, genuinely concerned.
Ava glares at me, jaw tightening, and I can practically see her coiling in on herself, gathering venom to strike. Viper, indeed. Hope Marnie understands exactly what she just provoked.
Before Ava can unleash whatever she’s about to say, Harvey approaches from the side, clearing his throat to signal his presence.
“Ms. Kendrick, I didn’t actually expect you to take me up on my invitation,” he says mildly.
“I hope you and Mr. Taylor aren’t planning one of your famous arguments right here in my dining room.
” His gaze flicks between the two of us, then over to Marnie.
There’s a hint of amusement there, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Shit. If he’s starting to connect the dots, he’ll be like a bloodhound on the trail.
Ava inhales, visibly forcing herself back under control.
It takes longer than usual, further testament to how different she is tonight.
When she turns to Harvey, her posture has completely shifted.
Polite. Detached. Mildly bored. “Of course not, Mr. Mayor. I was simply surprised to see Mr. Taylor on a date with an omega. I thought your particular circle believed they should be hidden away until bonded.”
“Well,” he draws, “Mr. Taylor appears to have had a change of heart regarding omega rights. I had assumed you were behind that. Still, I must ask, how else is an omega meant to bond if they don’t date?
If Mark here wants a future in politics, he’s well past the age where he should be settling down with a pretty little omega and having babies. ”
I feel Marnie stiffen beside me, and I watch Ava coil again.
“Yes, of course,” Ava says, voice dripping with sickly sweet saccharine. “How could I have forgotten? What else are omegas good for?”
“Your words, Ms. Kendrick, not mine,” he quips.
“Mr. Mayor, you have a beautiful home,” Marnie says, obviously trying to defuse the situation. “Mark and I were just discussing how old we thought it might be. Has it been in your family long?”
Harvey smiles at her, the kind of smile that makes Adam shift closer with a low growl.
Harvey notices. Of course he does. This night is already spiraling, and the last thing I need is him realizing Adam’s interest, not mine, lies with Marnie.
That would only reinforce every suspicion already forming in his head.
“Why, thank you, dear,” he says warmly. “The land itself has been in my family since before the Revolutionary War. The original structure burned down, but this home was built in the late 1800s.”
“Mr. Mayor,” Adam says smoothly, his earlier territorial instinct buried, “I was wondering if you would be willing to sit with me and give me some quotes for an upcoming article I’m doing.”
Adam guides him away, giving me a quick, pointed glance over his shoulder as Harvey prattles on, unable to resist an opportunity to blowhard to the press.
Ava spins on her heel, storming away without a word.
“Go after her,” Marnie hisses.
I shake my head. “No. I’m here with you, and I’m not abandoning you to deal with her tantrum.”
She rolls her eyes. “If I’m right, you need to go after her.”
“Right about what?” I ask, genuinely confused.
“Oh my God, alphas are so fucking stupid sometimes! Fine, have it your way.”
“You going to fill me in on whatever riddles you’re speaking in?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. You two idiots will either figure it out or you won’t,” she says with a shrug. “Now, let’s go save my mate from that horrid mayor.”
I grin, forgetting the drama with Ava for a moment. “Mate, huh? So, I was right? You two scented each other?”
She blushes and nods. “I mean, I think so. We obviously didn’t get a chance to talk or anything, so I don’t know if he felt it on his side, but it seemed like he did.”
“Oh, he did. He wouldn’t have bristled from me touching you otherwise.”
Across the room, Adam is scribbling in a small notepad while Harvey talks at him. He looks up when he notices us approaching, confusion flickering across his face, and I immediately start questioning my choice not to go after Ava. Letting her storm off might have been a mistake.
“Ah, Mark,” Harvey says, clearly pleased.
“I was discussing my firm stance on crime with Mr. Jenkins here.” He glances around, clocking the small audience of potential donors we have nearby, and deliberately raises his voice.
“What did you end up deciding with that delinquent omega we disagreed over yesterday?” He looks like a cat with a canary, thinking he’s cornered me.
“I sent a plea deal to Ms. Kendrick, and they accepted,” I say coolly, borrowing Ava’s detached tone and meeting his gaze without blinking.
“Time served, a significant fine, and community service. For the record, I don’t appreciate you strong-arming my staff into sending a plea deal offer in my name.
That was more than a little over the line. ”
A flush creeps up over the edge of his collar, and I know he’s furious that I called him out in front of everyone. Two can play at this game.
“I don’t understand why you’ve suddenly lost interest in prosecuting crime, seeing as that’s your entire job,” he snaps. “She’s a drug addict. The last thing the city needs is more of them on our streets.”
“Suppressants aren’t drugs,” Marnie cuts in beside me, her voice calm but firm. “They’re medicine. They’re only illegal because we refuse to fund proper research into omega reproduction.”
I barely manage to hide my surprise. I hadn’t expected sunny, polite Marnie to step directly into the mayor’s line of fire like that.
Harvey turns on her, lip curling. “If I want an omega’s opinion, I’ll ask for it.”
“Is that the mayor’s official position, for the record?” Adam says dryly, not even looking up from his notepad.
Harvey blinks, clearly startled, as if he’d momentarily forgotten Adam was there at all.
“Of course not,” he says quickly. “I apologize; that was rude and not how I meant it. I simply believe many omegas lack the nuance to fully understand this issue. That’s why we shelter them—for their protection.
Heat cycles are natural. Experimenting on omegas with chemicals interferes with nature itself.
Our omegas are far too precious for that. ”
“Menstruation for beta women is natural as well, and yet they have birth control,” Marnie challenges.
“Beta women also make up a far more sizeable percentage of the population, dear,” he says, condescension dripping from his tone. “As I said, omegas are precious. We simply can’t risk it.”
I half expect him to pat the top of her head.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to go speak with my other guests before dinner is served,” he says smoothly, offering us a tight smile. Before he turns, he gives me one last look, and I can tell that he thinks he’s won this round. Maybe he has.
Do I even want to be mayor if I have to sell my soul to men like Harold Harvey for their donations? I really don’t know anymore.