Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lucas
“I’m going to drop the three of you off at the front,” Grant murmurs as he drives through traffic.
Leila did really well on the drive, and I didn’t mind stopping at a rest area earlier to take a break so we could get her changed and fed. She’s a snacker. I would be hangry if I were her and growing too.
I really love having Isolde and her with me, and I feel like I’m missing things when I’m away from them. I know that they won’t be able to come into the city every time that I have to work, but I’ll definitely soak up every second that I can have them this trip.
In my mind, I know that I’m going to be in meetings most of the day, but I asked my staff to set aside a room where Isolde can hang out. She has a play mat to lay on the ground so she can lay Leila down to stretch and kick, and she also said on the drive down that she packed a few toys.
Babies this age seem to be easier to keep happy.
Grant pulls in front of Reid Pharmaceuticals, and gets out of the car quickly with Isolde and I. He holds her jacket while she takes Leila out of the car seat and pops her into the carrier. The jacket is oversized, so she easily zips it up around them both.
I grab the diaper bag from Grant along with my briefcase, and I raise my brow at him as he escorts us to the door.
“I’ll gladly take the ticket if it’s an issue,” he growls. “I’m going to fucking walk you to the door though.”
My lips twitch in amusement as I nod at the doorman. He gazes in awe at Isolde and the baby before shaking himself.
“Good morning Mr. Reid,” Marty says, voice cracking.
“This is Isolde and our daughter, Leila,” I explain. “They’re going to be hanging out with me at the office today so I can show her around.”
It’s a testament to the professionalism of those who work in this building that he doesn’t blink or ask any questions.
“Welcome, Isolde,” Marty says warmly.
Leila yawns wide as she opens her eyes, waking up as she lifts her head to look around.
“Oh, she’s precious,” he murmurs.
“Thank you,” I grin. “We got it from here, Grant.”
“I’ll be fast,” Grant grumbles, jogging back to the car and waving at the police officer that’s easing behind him.
He glances from Grant to me, and I gently turn Isolde to show him the baby. The officer waves and allows Grant to pull into the flow of traffic. Thank goodness he didn’t give us a ticket.
We’d totally have deserved it.
Isolde turns back quickly to walk through the open door and I wince. I know she tries to stay out of the way of cameras and law enforcement. It’s going to be a difficult line to walk while she’s with me.
Isolde doesn’t have any type of criminal record, and Oliver said that they still don’t know who set the fire at the Reaping Marauders’ clubhouse. While she doesn’t talk about her work often, that doesn’t mean that Oliver isn’t still working in the background to take care of her.
There’s not a trace of her existence anywhere near the scenes of her crimes. I want to make sure she remains safe. Isolde and my family are my priority.
The security guards see Isolde and choose to wand her instead of having her walk through the detector. While she does beep, the guard shrugs and says that it’s due to the carrier.
My omega doesn’t seem as dangerous in her current clothing and her demure smiles. Hiding a smile as she is allowed through, I empty my pockets before following the security guard’s instructions.
Once done with the dog and pony show that ensures everyone remains safe, I shove my wallet and phone back into my pockets and grab the diaper bag and briefcase.
“I can take one of those bags,” Isolde says quietly as we cross the large lobby. Everything echoes due to the marble floor and I can see the slight pinch between her brows.
The room has high ceilings, hot lighting, and I can see her eyes darting around without her moving her head. For anyone who doesn’t know her, Isolde appears to be casually walking beside me.
Instead, my omega is playing guard until Grant returns.
Shaking my head, I shift the bags to one hand to place my other on the small of her back to help ground her.
“You need your hands free,” I remind her. “Security is very tight here, as you saw.”
“It is, but it was a mistake to let me through so easily,” she grumbles.
Well, she’s not wrong, but I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. At least she’ll have her weapons on her. I wholeheartedly don’t want it to be needed, but it’s not necessarily my building that I’m worried about.
I was, after all, kidnapped in a sandwich shop by this gorgeous woman.
Paula falls into step with me as we walk, glancing curiously at Isolde and Leila before jumping into things. I don’t pay her to ask questions about my personal life and she knows that. Grant also called her and cancelled all of my meetings during her heat.
Knowing Grant, he didn’t say, “the boss has to fuck for the next three to four days so our omega doesn’t lose her mind. Thanks.”
Jesus, my internal monologue must mean I’m losing my mind.
Isolde’s fingers run over mine as we walk, and I realize this is her gentle way to tell me that she can feel my emotions. The bond is getting stronger, and while that’s amazing, it also can potentially make her anxious as she feels emotions that don’t belong to her.
Isolde’s mind is filled with calm, and I take a deep breath, drawing strength from my omega.
“Good morning, Paula,” I murmur.
“Good morning, sir. I trust that everything is alright now?” she asks.
“It is,” I say shortly. Still none of her business. “Catch me up, please. First, is a room available for Isolde and the baby to hang out in today?”
“Yes. Grant reached out and made sure that it was handled,” she nods. “I am also setting up a water station and some food. You sometimes run longer than expected and she shouldn’t need to worry about basic comforts.”
And this is why she’s so wonderful. Paula may wonder about what is going on, but she’s not going to let it impact her job.
“Thank you,” I say. “I want them to be comfortable here. I’m having a hard time being away from them both, so I’m afraid I’m playing a very selfish card today.”
“I don’t mind,” Isolde says softly. “I have books to read on my phone when Leila naps. Do your thing.”
“Okay,” I grumble, watching as Paula hits the button to call the elevator as she hides a smile. “Now catch me up.”
Paula launches into who I need to call back, as well as which meetings have been rescheduled for today. I glanced at them on the drive over since this was emailed to me, but I tend to retain things better when I’m listening instead of reading.
I nod along as we step into the elevator, and Grant jogs up to us as we do. I’m sure he didn’t have to run, but he hates when I go anywhere without him. Especially now when I have very important people beside me.
He doesn’t smile as he glances at Isolde and Leila, but I know he’s trying to soak in their presence. He’s memorized what they're wearing, the way that Isolde is holding one of Leila’s fingers as she smiles down at her, and how the baby gazes back up at her with a gummy smile.
Once the elevator doors close, he snaps into work mode and swipes the key card to get up to our floor.
Paula continues to work through the day before stopping to take a breath as she steps out of the elevator once we arrive.
“Can you show me where my family will be while I’m working?” I ask.
Paula flinches at my words, and glances at Isolde with new eyes.
It may not be her business, but I need to make sure that she understands how important this is.
Paula isn’t the type of person to snub anyone, but I believe in clear communication.
I want to make sure that Isolde and Leila will be taken care of.
“Yes, sir,” she says, walking ahead. “Miss Isolde, do you prefer a view of the city or an interior office without one?”
“Natural light is better, please,” Isolde admits. “Overhead light can give me a headache.”
“I changed all the lights out years ago for that reason,” I admit.
Paula glances at me with a raised eyebrow and I shrug.
“I did extensive research on providing good office space for my employees. Thirty percent of my staff are omegas, Paula. I didn’t want anyone to experience discomfort due to what’s called ‘hot lights’.
I unfortunately didn’t do the same in my own house and I’m kicking myself for it now. ”
“Our house now is perfect,” Isolde says. “It’s admirable that you’d put so much time and effort into the design of your offices.”
“Mr. Reid is a very good boss,” Paula tells her. It’s not done in a way that I would consider her brown nosing, but more like she’s stating a fact. “I just didn’t realize that he’d put so much consideration into something like this. Omegas are the minority in our company.”
“And yet, they are also the ones who need the most accommodations,” I remind her. “We make it work.”
“This is true,” Paula says. “Still want a room with a view?”
“Yes please. If Leila gets bored, at least I can talk to her about what’s happening out the window,” Isolde says.
Paula walks down to an empty boardroom and opens the door. We have a few small offices available without windows, and my lips purse at the thought that that’s where she was thinking about putting Isolde and Leila.
I don’t have any evidence to the contrary, but I don’t like it. The table here isn’t in the middle of the room which means it gives them plenty of space. Isolde can walk, the chairs here are comfortable, and there’s a beautiful view of the city.
“I’ll be right back,” Paula says, leaving Grant gazing after her.
“I’m half tempted to let you bite me just so we can talk to each other without words,” he grunts. “People do that shit right?”
“They do bond with someone they consider the lead alpha,” I chuckle. “Should I be concerned that you want to get into my head?”
“I don’t like what Paula just did,” Grant snarls, ignoring my question.