Chapter 4
CHAPTER FOUR
shay
The stuffy back room is sweltering, causing sweat to gather in my pits.
I ignore my discomfort and do my best to look every bit the polished professional—who happens to be thankful that she applied extra deodorant this morning.
My long black hair is twisted into an elaborate updo, and I kept my makeup light and airy.
My high-waisted slacks are neatly pressed.
The black sleeveless silk shirt is flattering but modest. Even my kitten heels scream I’m a business woman, hear me roar.
Unfortunately, the old geezers sitting behind the long table at the front of the room don’t look the least bit impressed. I struggle not to fidget under their scrutinizing stares, but I hold strong. When you were groomed to be a LeBlanc, it takes more than judgmental looks to faze you.
My ex-fiancé’s family would eat these old men alive.
They’d shrink beneath the weight of Mr. LeBlanc’s condescending glare, and I’d love to see just how well they’d survive the pressures of that haughty high society judgment.
I made it out the other side mostly unscathed—minus my distrust of Alphas, of course—but I doubt they’d be so lucky.
I’ve already been here an hour, sitting in the uncomfortable wooden chair that’s probably been here since before I was born. The council is taking their time reviewing the materials I presented, along with other documents that they said we’d “discuss shortly.” No idea what that even means.
As I wait, I survey the old log building.
The rustic lodge serves as both the Moose Club and Darling City Hall, along with a slew of other functions.
That’s what you get in a small town barely big enough to be classified as such.
The room we’re in is where most of the important town meetings take place, with flags hanging in the corner and photos of past council presidents lining the walls.
I’ve only ever been in this room once. When a sudden severe thunderstorm hit right in the middle of the summer corn boil two years ago, half the town was forced to find shelter from the lightning that took out one of the trees in the town square.
One of the four men with gray hair and pants pulled up to his chest coughs, then clears his throat, drawing me back to the present.
“Ms. Bennett, we have reviewed your proposal and have some questions.”
Striding up to the podium, I nod demurely even though what I’d really like to do is strangle the Alpha for making this a huge show for no reason. He’s a regular at the Slick, and never in six years has he called me by anything other than honey. “Of course, Councilman Davidson.”
“Do you have a pack?”
I fight back the urge to growl. He knows damn well I don’t. “No, sir.”
The chubby Alpha beside him, Councilman Winters, with the beard down to his belly button, grunts. “So you plan on taking over the saloon on your own?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How do you expect to handle the burden of upkeep, deliveries, customer service, etc., all on your own?” the rail-thin Alpha, Councilman Cox, at the end asks, peering at me over his bifocals.
“The same way Luke currently does. Hiring solid employees and contractors where and when needed.”
“Hmmm,” the fourth man, Councilman Havens, hums, flipping through pages of something in front of him. “Do you think anything in your history would negatively impact your ability to successfully run an establishment that has been a staple in this town since its inception?”
My breathing stutters, and my heart plummets into my gut. “I’m not sure I understand the question.”
“You see, Ms. Bennett,” Davidson murmurs, sending me a resigned look across the space that separates us.
“It’s standard practice to pull background reports on anyone that is looking to purchase an established historical business here in Darling to ensure the integrity of the town.
Do you know what we discovered when we received yours? ”
I swallow down the anger and burgeoning disappointment that hits me like a sledgehammer.
“No, sir. I’m not sure what you could have discovered other than the fact that I was born here, my mother having been a well-respected member of your community before she passed.
After that, I went to live with an amazing pair of foster parents who moved me to Florida, and I graduated at the top of my class with a degree that proves I have what it takes to ensure the Slick & Saddle will continue to be a staple for years to come. ”
Councilman Winters tsks. “Well, it seems as though you forgot about a certain fall from grace, if you will, during a bonding ceremony with the heir of the now disgraced LeBlanc family.”
Gritting my teeth, I tell myself I can’t throat punch a local leader.
It wouldn’t help my cause. “If you read the reports, Councilman, you’d see that I was the one that gave local law enforcement the necessary information to investigate and take down both them and any others who were complicit in their corruption. ”
Havens whistles. “Did you see the news articles detailing your departure?”
I shake my head as dread slithers through my veins. I only got a couple of updates about the LeBlancs through headlines and quickly stopped looking once I got to Darling.
Cox pulls out a few sheets of paper, then holds each of them up as he flips through them.
I’m pretty sure I’m about to vomit.
“They call you Runaway Shay in those circles now. There’s even an article from as recent as a year ago when Miles LeBlanc was once again on trial for yet another of his corruption charges.
Reporters were discussing where the woman responsible for his demise, his once loving fiancée, may have ended up.
Can you imagine if they got word you were right here in our little town? ”
Clearing my throat, I try to steady my nerves. “Are you worried about potential backlash hurting the town's reputation?”
Davidson snorts. “No, girlie. A media fury would only bring in much-needed revenue. But it brings up a very concerning issue that has the council unsure about your ability to take over the saloon.”
Images of me poisoning his rum and Coke flit through my head, but I bury those down deep…for now. “What concern do you have?”
“We’re not entirely confident you won’t run again.”
I stare at Davidson, catching the guilt that flashes across his face. He doesn’t realize he may have just saved his own life. “I have no intention of leaving. In fact, I have nowhere else to go. Darling is my home, and I—”
“There are also the rumors about you and Ridge Taylor,” Winters interrupts, running his hand down his beard. That thing cannot be sanitary.
“I’m not sure how rumors have any bearing on—”
“Are you thinking of letting his pack court you?” Cox asks, pushing his bifocals up his thin nose.
“Um, no, sir. Ridge and I are just friends.”
“Hmm. That’s disappointing.”
My eyes narrow. “Why would my love life, or lack thereof, be disappointing to the council?”
“The Young Pack has a longstanding history here in Darling, and a more…intimate connection between you and them would inspire more confidence in this transaction. As it stands, I believe it best if the council takes a few days to review the materials once more and think everything over. We should have our decision to you by the end of the week.”
“But—”
Havens stands, and the others follow. “Good day, Ms. Bennett.”
With a reluctant nod despite the burning anger rushing over me, I get to my feet and make my way out of the room.
My mind is a mess. Arguing with them is pointless.
To them, I’m nothing but a single Omega without a pack, and clearly they don’t deem me worthy of much aside from the usual—finding men that will make my existence more substantial in their eyes.
Trudging down the hall and through the empty banquet facility to the front of the building where a single desk sits, I sigh when I realize I’m definitely not God’s favorite today.
Sitting in her chair, filing her nails, Sally looks up just long enough to shoot me a surprised look.
“Well, I’ll be. If it ain’t Shay from the saloon looking like she just strutted in from the big city. Didn’t know you had it in you, honey.”
My glare has terrified lesser beings, but Sally isn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. The woman isn’t well liked, but she is well feared. Thanks to her husband, the one and only son of Councilman Winters, most Darling residents suffer her presence to avoid the drama involved with upsetting her pack.
“I saw your proposal land on the council’s desk.” She smacks her gum, the sound grating on my nerves, as she studies me. “By the looks of things, it didn’t go well. Not surprising, really. What’s a single Omega gonna do with a place like that?”
Straightening my shoulders, I try my best to put a smile on my face and ignore the way she just set female empowerment back decades. “It’s under review. I’m hoping for some good news in a few days.”
“Sure you are, honey.” She sets her nail file down, twisting in her seat until she’s facing me and leaning in. After looking both directions, she motions me closer.
Hesitantly, I take a step toward her. When that’s apparently not close enough, I sigh and bend down so she can say whatever she needs to say. I need to get the hell out of here so I can change these clothes.
“Did Juliette tell you about the book club?” she whispers, constantly scanning the hall.
My brow furrows. “Book club? What book club?”
“Some of the ladies around town and I formed a book club a while back. We meet in secret in the basement here twice a month. We call ourselves the Dirty Darlings because…you know…” She glances around to make sure we’re still alone.
Heaven forbid Sweetheart Sally get caught in anything scandalous.
“We read dirty books. Filthy ones. With all the sex and kinks and coarse language. Are you in?”