Chapter 17 #2
Finally, I regain enough mental composure to push his hand away. He lets go immediately, but doesn’t step back. Not even when Valentin comes to stand by his side, scowling at him.
“Val.” I swallow. “When did you get here?”
“This morning, I’ve been on the shop floor all day,” he answers without looking away from Sylvan. “Kaiden’s been trying to call you. You’re ignoring him, and he thought something was wrong.”
Syl finally looks at him, frowning. “Why would he think something is wrong?”
“Because you never miss our calls.”
He shrugs. “I was busy.”
“I can see that,” Val scoffs, but it ends in a laugh as he turns to look at me. His expression softens immediately, and something in my stomach swirls. “Hey, Revea.”
I’m done for. This big, burly alpha saying my name like that? So deep, so quiet, with soft yearning.
He steps a little closer. “You okay?”
I nod. I don’t think I can manage words right now.
The corner of his mouth twitches. Then he turns to Sylvan. “Go call him back.”
Syl scowls, and Val’s chest rumbles. Then Syl steps closer, his lip curling, and Val starts to bare his teeth.
And when did my office become a sauna?
An instinct takes over, omega or me, I’m not entirely sure, but I hop down and stand between them. One hand on each chest. Two very hard, hot, rumbling chests.
“No,” I warn. “No alpha posturing.”
The growling stops as I look between them, and a sense of accomplishment fills me.
Until Sylvan takes my hand in his, lifting it to his mouth and murmuring, “I like the feeling of you between us, omega.” He brushes a kiss over my hand.
My mouth drops open, and Sylvan simply smiles.
Then he’s stepping back, phone already in hand, and leaves the office like nothing ever happened.
I still haven’t closed my mouth when I turn to Val, who also appears surprised, but maybe a little impressed too.
My lips pull into a sneer. “You set me up.”
“What?” Val laughs.
“I tell you and your brother I’m not looking for anything, and then you send Sylvan in?” I hiss.
He’s still chuckling slightly. “I’m not following...”
“Yeah, right.” I roll my eyes. “The man who can’t lie? Telling me all the things an omega wants to hear? Master of seduction Sylvan!”
His deep grumble of laughter cuts me off. “You think we asked Sylvan to come here to… what, seduce you?
“Don’t act like that wasn’t your plan—”
“Revea, we wanted you to meet Sylvan because normally omegas aren’t... They don’t always...” He pauses, his hazel gaze searching mine. “Fit.”
I frown, starting to piece things together. “He said he always messes things up,” I murmur, looking up at Val. “With omegas? Is that what he meant?”
“He doesn’t mess things up.” He shakes his head. “We’ve told him that. But sometimes, when he’s introduced to an omega, they don’t really get Syl.”
My brow arches at his vagueness.
He runs a hand through his hair. “Normally, he’ll say something… offensive. He called your systems inadequate?” I slowly nod. “Imagine what he says to an omega he’s not interested in. When they’re in front of him.”
“Ah… Got it.”
And the more I think about it, the more my chest aches. How many times in Sylvan’s life has he said something without realising people have taken offence? He always tells the truth—isn’t that what everyone always claims to want? Except when it hurts them. Then suddenly, he’s the bad guy.
Maybe we’re the ones who have it wrong.
Maybe we should all be a little more like Sylvan.
“So out of all the omegas you’ve introduced him to, he’s never...”
Val shakes his head. “Never been interested.”
“Oh.” My chest is fluttering.
“Then I walk in here…” He steps closer. I’m back against the desk. “…and he’s got you cornered on the desk, hand around your throat…” Our bodies almost touch as he stares down at me. “You fit.”
I’m frozen.
Will he lean down? Try to kiss me? Will I let him?
No. Maybe… Oh god…
He keeps the small space between us, not moving any closer, as a knowing smile tugs at his lips. “Is it safe to assume you and Sylvan made up?”
Made up? I think that’s an understatement. But I nod. “Yep. We’re good.”
Val’s smirks. “Yeah, you looked it.”
I huff a laugh, adjusting my hoodie to hide how nervous I suddenly feel. “Where’s Luc?”
“Ah, deflection…” He rubs his stubble, ignoring my glare. “He’s on another job. But he didn’t want to be. Kaiden had to almost bark him away.”
My throat turns dry at the thought. “And Kaiden is...”
“Our pack alpha, who will want to meet you after what I’m imagining Sylvan is saying to him.”
I shake my head, feeling a tad flustered. “Well, that... I... I’m busy.” I nod. “Really busy.”
“You’re always busy.”
“I’m extra busy.”
He smiles a little. “Sure.”
I place a hand on my hip. “I’m getting a scanner installed tomorrow.”
“I know.”
He already knows? When did Sylvan tell him that?
“And once that’s installed,” Val continues, “I’ll bring in two of our guys to meet you and the staff. Gary and Max Mercer. They’re good men, skilled, they’ll do a good job.”
It takes me a moment to realise what he’s talking about. Then it clicks, and my stomach drops.
They’re bringing in replacements.
Because this was only temporary. Luc and Val were providing security as a favour to my brother. To me.
I knew that.
So why does my chest ache at the thought of them not being here?
“Oh.” I swallow.
Val frowns slightly. “It was always the plan.”
I nod quickly. “Right. Of course.”
“When Luc offered to step in, we didn’t have the staff free,” he adds, like he’s just filling in a gap. “This was never meant to be long-term.”
My stomach tightens, but I keep my face neutral.
More alphas in my salon isn’t exactly what I’d imagined when I opened the place. But these men, these alphas—Luc, Val, and Syl—already stepped in when things went sideways, and I can’t deny how much safer the staff have felt this week.
I force myself to smile. “Okay... Thanks.”
The line between his brows deepens. “If it works for you, they’ll come by the day after the scanner installation. I’ll introduce you.”
I hold the smile in place. This is good news. Now, we’ll have permanent security.
This is for my staff—this keeps them safe. That’s all I wanted.
But once the scanner’s installed, once their replacements come… there’ll be no reason for Luc, Val, or Sylvan to keep coming here.
This was just a favour.
Temporary.
“Thank you, Val. For everything,” I say, my lips wavering. “I really appreciate what you and your pack have done for me. For the salon.”
Val’s eyes narrow, mouth parting, but I don’t let him speak.
“It’s good timing, really,” I add quickly, tucking fallen strands behind my ears. “I’m going away for a week.”
“What?” His lips fall into a thin line. “Where?”
He doesn’t need to know that. It’s none of his business, but…
“A convention in LA.” I smile.
He frowns. “Who’s going with you?”
I arch a brow. “No one. It’s me leading a demonstration—”
“You’re going alone?” I don’t miss the rumble coating his words.
Or how it gets my back up.
“Yes, Alpha Valentin. Me, a female omega, travelling alone. How dare I?” I nudge him out of the way, well aware that’s only possible because he lets me, and head towards my office door. “I think I’ve had enough alphaness today. So thank you, but I need to do some work.”
I nod to the door and wait.
Val’s jaw tightens, but then he moves, and somehow, he makes it a predatory action, sauntering towards me until he’s right there, towering over me, toes of his boots almost touching my trainers.
Then his hard expression softens, those hazel eyes melting into something sincere. “Sorry, Revea,” he says.
The way this man says my name should be a crime. I bite my tongue.
“Really. I know how that sounded. I know I have no right to ask. I’m just...” He shakes his head. “Sorry.”
I wasn’t expecting an apology, never mind so quickly.
And when he suddenly leans in, caging me against the wall beside the door, his arms bracing each side of my head, any bitter words die on my tongue.
“But the thing is…” His voice lowers. “The way you thanked me earlier… it sounded like a goodbye.”
I swallow. “Wasn’t it?”
He sucks on his teeth, and something hot and heavy unfurls in my gut.
“You’ve got it all wrong, carino,” he murmurs, tone dropping on that final word. “We like to be prepared.” His fingers graze my cheekbone. “We want your business covered… your people safe…” He leans closer. “…so that when you stop fighting this…” A whisper against my ear. “…we’ll be ready for you.”
I’m breathless. All the air in my lungs evaporates as those deep eyes search mine.
“Can you help me with that, trouble?” He leans back, eyes dropping to my parted mouth. “Can you let us take care of you?”
I’ve no idea what he’s really asking, but I find myself nodding.
“Yeah? Good girl.” His thumb skims the edge of my mouth. “You can start by telling me the hotel you’re staying in.”
My gaze slides back into a glare. “And if I don’t?”
He quirks a brow, those plump lips curving into a small, amused smile. “Sylvan.”
And I’ve no doubt, from what I’ve seen Sylvan do already, he’d have that information, and some, within the hour.
I try to act shocked, appalled, but it’s difficult when my omega’s rolling around, creating a flutter of butterflies in my belly.
I take a deep breath and try to stand taller. It only makes his lips pull higher.
“Let me remind you of something, Valentin.” I deepen my voice, standing on my toes to place a pointed nail against his padded chest which rumbles under my fingertip. I yank it away. “You might be my security right now, but my work trip has absolutely nothing to do with you—”
“You’re lucky I’m not convincing your brother one of us should go with you.”
A soft snarl rumbles out of me.
He returns it, louder.
My eyes fall into slits. “You’re overstepping, Valentin.”
He grits his teeth, but then his hand drops from my face as he steps back. He takes a few breaths, squeezing the back of his neck.
“You’re right,” he says, eyes dropping to the floor. “Sorry, Revea. I’ve never…”
His second apology shakes me a little. To see this military-trained alpha a little rattled, uncomposed, constantly switching between possessive growls and genuine guilt.
And now he isn’t touching me… I find myself wishing he was.
“My alpha is...” he begins, jaw sharp until he shakes it away. “It’s not an excuse, I swear, but he’s… I’m protective of you.” His gaze meets mine. “I know you can protect yourself, but that doesn’t stop me wanting to do it for you.”
And now my omega is struggling too, whimpering at the sight of him.
The loss of him.
“Arlton Hotel,” I say. Our eyes lock. “That’s where I’m staying. I know a lot of people who’re going, and we all stay there. So I might be travelling alone, but I won’t be alone.”
“Thank you. Revea,” he says so genuinely, those soft hazel eyes gazing at me like I’ve said so much more.
He steps close again, and I hold my breath, but rather than touch me, he reaches down and opens the door.
Sylvan is there, still on the phone. But before he can step back in, Val places an arm around his shoulders and steers him away.
“Let’s give Revea some space from your seduction, Syl,” he murmurs, leaving Sylvan flummoxed as they retreat down the stairs.
I shut the door, lean against it, then slide down to the floor. “Fuck.”