Page 77 of His Captor

In fact, Gloria and the kids were splashing around in the pool at that very moment, playing with Ari, Gwen, and the latest addition to the brood, Oliver.

“Do you know how cool it is that we have so many friends?” I asked Mace, turning to slide fully into his arms.

“I don’t care if we’re the most popular kids at the cafeteria table,” Mace said, closing me in his embrace. “If we didn’t have any friends but each other, I would still be the happiest man in the world.”

“Aw, shucks, boss,” I said, blushing up a storm.

Mace leaned in and kissed me. I felt that kiss down to the tips of my toes. It was filled with sunlight and promise. I could feel our entire, happy future in that kiss, and every other that Mace gave me.

Because of that, I wasn’t too happy when someone cleared their throat beside us.

Mace and I pulled away from each other and glanced to the alpha who stood waiting for our attention.

“Are you Rachel’s new boyfriend?” I asked.

The alpha looked to be close to forty, he was handsome, and he had the air of command that I knew Rachel liked in her men. He wore a full business suit, which was weird at a pool party, but maybe Rachel liked that, too.

But he said, “No, my name is Victor Woodbury.” He held out his hand to Mace. “My uncle owns Victory Holdings.”

As soon as Mace grasped the man’s hand, my stomach sank. I could feel Mace was immediately on his guard.

“I don’t think you were invited,” Mace said with a false smile.

“For which I apologize,” Victor Woodbury said.

He cleared his throat and went on with, “I’ll make this brief. Colin Gregory was not acting under our orders in any way when he…importuned your omega.” He glanced briefly to me, looking genuinely awkward. “I can’t honestly say why my uncle hired him last year. After the interview, I advised him against it.”

He paused, and when neither Mace nor I said anything more, he went on with, “I know Victory Holdings has a…less than stellar reputation, but I want you to know that I’m working to change that. My uncle and I don’t always get along. In fact, we have very different ideas of what the family company should be and do.”

“I appreciate you saying that,” Mace said slowly, as if he couldn’t quite understand the reasons a man like Victor Woodbury would show up uninvited to a housewarming party just to apologize.

Victor nodded. “Well, I truly am intruding. I’m in town for a series of meetings, and I felt I should take the opportunity to express to you in person that I regret what happened and any part my family’s company might play in it. We will do better in the future.”

“Thanks,” I said, then added. “I think?”

Victor nodded awkwardly, like he knew he shouldn’t be there, then turned to go. As he left, he nearly walked right into Simon, who was on his way over to us.

Simon mumbled some sort of apology for the near collision, then his eyes went wide. I could practically see him getting wet as he swept Victor Woodbury with a hungry glance. It had to be the suit. When Victor walked on, Simon continued to stare at his retreating back for a moment before hurrying over to us.

“Who was that?” he asked, eyes bright and voice filled with importance.

“Victor Woodbury,” I answered. “From Victory Holdings.”

“You’re kidding,” Simon said, nearly choking on nothing. He searched for Victor again, then turned back to us. “What was he doing here?”

“Coming to apologize for Colin,” Mace said, brow knit, a puzzled feeling radiating from him.

“Did he have anything to do with it?” Simon asked, his eyes going wide.

“No,” I said, just as puzzled. “He insisted that Colin was acting alone when he—” I stopped with a gasp, then turned to Mace. “I wonder if that’s who Colin was arguing with outside the door when he kidnapped me.”

“That’s right,” Simon said in awe. “You told me Colin had been arguing with someone on the phone, then in person, and you had the impression they didn’t approve of the kidnapping.”

“I bet it was Victor Woodbury,” I said. “Or someone from Victory Holdings. They were trying to get Colin to stop what he was doing.”

“I wouldn’t be so quick to cast Victory Holdings as the good guy,” Mace said. “Mr. Woodbury just told us he’s at odds with his uncle, and Martin Woodbury is the one who actually owns and controls the company.”

“But it sounded like Victor here wants to change things,” I said.

---