And now, I'm finishing up some of the final touches on the Starfalls expansion before it goes through Grayson's old team with Riley supervising the artwork. It feels bittersweet without Grayson there to oversee the creative process, but I know he trusts his team to execute my vision.
The video call whirs to life, my team crowded around a small table as they all talk over each, asking questions about Addie and Grayson and the future state of Keller Industries.
I just shake my head, knowing that they were all going to ask. "It's all still under investigation," I tell them. "But I'm getting ready to go to the gala for Hearthstone to figure out what's going on and hopefully put everything regarding Luca to rest."
"Good luck," Miri says earnestly. "We support you, and we want everything to work out. You’ll be at the expansion party tomorrow night, right?" I nod, because that is the plan.
"The expansion is going to be incredible," Jules adds. "Grayson's designs are some of his best work."
"He'll be back," I say with more confidence than I feel. "Once we clear his name and figure out who's really behind all this." I manage a quick smile before ending the call and leaning back in my chair to survey our makeshift office setup. Luther and I are working at the dining table, laptops and documents spread between us, while Maceo sits at a smaller desk across from us, working through legal documents and putting together a packet that will be submitted to the board to prove Grayson's innocence.
I have other plans for the board as well as additional plans for… the future, all to be revealed at that expansion party because everything is changing. I’ve lost sight of my original vision and now that I have absolutely everything that I want, it’s time to take it all back.
Maceo suddenly speaks up, breaking the focused silence. "Damien found a few connections with who had access to that account. The names would surprise you."
Luther looks up from his laptop, raising an eyebrow. "Go on."
"Obviously Blake, Grayson, and you had authorized access," Maceo continues, consulting his notes. "Addie had access from her previous finance role that was never revoked as well as thefinance director, Octavia. But there was also a backdoor access code that had been used by one of the finance employees, who actually has an Omega from Hearthstone."
"How did I not know this?" Luther growls out.
"Because people who get their Omegas from Hearthstone don't generally wave it around," Maceo explains. "They just take their Omegas and keep moving. It's a very hush-hush situation. He also wasn't on the donor list at all, so it must have been a private pack joining."
The implications make my stomach turn. "I hate all of this. The idea that there are people in our own company who are connected to that place, who might have been complicit in what happened to Luca or the Omegas who are still suffering without a pack."
Before anyone can respond, there's a knock at the door. The sound puts me on edge, my gaze darting to the couch where Luca’s nest is just beyond. "What is that?" I ask, already pushing back from the table. I rush over to the living area to check on Luca, finding him peeking over the back of the couch with wide, concerned eyes. Maceo is already moving toward the windows to see who's outside.
Then Luther starts laughing, the sound so unexpected that we all stare at him. "It's just the suit outfitter," he muses. "I thought it might be better to have them come here than all of us walking into a store with the current state of things."
Relief floods through me so suddenly that my knees almost buckle. "Oh right, I forgot about all of that." Between all the doctor appointments this morning and finishing up the game, I kind of forgot about dressing up for the gala. I run a hand through my hair, trying to calm my racing heart. "Can't we just wear what we have?"
My Alpha tilts his head to the side, silent laughter rumbling through his chest. "You own a damn multimillion-dollarcompany. No, I can't have you walking into this event in a random suit. You need something that's fitted, something that not everybody has seen. You need to stand out."
"Or I could just wear my pajamas," I suggest hopefully.
Maceo chuckles. "I don't think that would work for infiltrating a high-society gala. Let's see if we can't find something that works for you, and then I promise to peel it off of you when we get back."
Heat flashes through me at his words, and I meet his eyes with renewed interest. "I'm holding you to that, because I'm going to be uncomfortable as fuck. I don't even want to go to this thing."
The doorbell rings again, and Luther goes to let in the design team, one that I know full well from hours of fittings in my office over the years. They enter with garment bags and equipment, making an immediate beeline for me with the kind of enthusiasm that makes me want to hide.
I groan audibly as they start circling me like sharks, taking measurements and discussing fabric choices in rapid-fire technical language. Then one of them spots Luca on the couch and his eyes light up. "Oh please, let me make clothes for your pregnant Omega as well. Damn, he's gorgeous."
"I'm off limits," Luca says immediately, his hands moving protectively over his belly. "I don't want any kind of clothes at all whatsoever." More laughter fills the room at his vehement refusal.
"Hey, I'm out of this too," Grayson announces from his position near the coffee table where Luca was curled up a few moments ago.
"I'll be needing two other suits as well," Luther tells the designers, "Three total for Blake, myself, and Maceo."
"Wait, I have to go?" Maceo asks, looking surprised.
"Absolutely. Why wouldn't you be coming? I need you as backup," Luther says firmly.
"Great, more people who are going to be uncomfortable," I mutter. "The better."
Luther's eyes flash with heat as he looks at me. "I can make you very comfortable."
"Absolutely not," I say quickly, pointing a finger at him. "Keep hands and toys away from me until this is over. Thank you."
