Page 44 of Vegas Baby!

Maybe he would be, but I couldn’t make a choice as important as this based on what he would think. I kept walking, going straight back to my office, asking one of the admin assistants to collect a few file boxes for me. I immediately began stripping down my personal effects from the office, numbness settling over me. I’d given a decade of my life to this place, but if this was how it had to end, it was what needed to be done.

Coworkers watched on curiously, but none of them were brave enough to come and find out what had happened. I wasn’t sure if I would’ve told them even if they had.

I ordered the car service, and the admin assistants, who I’d always had a positive relationship with, helped me carry my boxes down and load them into the vehicle.

“Good luck,” Jane told me as she passed over the last of the boxes. “You don’t have to tell us what happened, but I hope wherever you end up, you’re happy.”

“I will be.” I fished a handful of bills out of my wallet and passed them to her. It was enough for the group of those who had helped me to have a decent meal. “Take yourselves out for a long lunch on me.”

They stood there waving to me as the car pulled away.

My phone rang before we were halfway back to the apartment, my father’s name popping up on the screen. I opened up the video call with a sigh, revealing his flushed face. We didn’t look very alike, most of my features coming from my mom, like my brown eyes versus his blue, and my black hair versus his brown sprinkled with gray strands.

“Hi, Dad.”

“What the hell is going on? Why is Ralph telling me you quit?”

“Because I did.”

“Are you high? Why the hell would you quit?”

I spilled out everything, telling him about Vegas, about Ava, about my status as a bonded alpha and impending parent.

“You’re seriously throwing everything away for a little gold digger?”

My blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?”

“She finds out her sugar daddy is married and latches on to you immediately after?”

I bit down on a growl. “If you were paying any attention to that story, you’d know I was the one who latched on to her.”

“And she didn’t push you away, did she? You don’t find that odd?”

“She’s a scent match,” I insisted.

“Technicalities. You turn around right now and tell Ralph you’re taking that promotion. Keep the omega around until the bond calms down, pay her off, and continue your trajectory.”

“Don’t speak about my mate that way,” I snapped.

My father sighed. “Bryce, I’m not going to financially support this nonsense. The stronger you let this bond become, the worse it will be when?—”

“Stop.” Rage fizzed in my blood.

“Don’t let her ruin your career. You need to?—”

“No.” Omegas were meant to be treasured and cared for, and I was going to do that with mine.

“What do you mean no?”

“I’m not putting work before Ava. I’m honestly disgusted you would’ve even suggested it. I know you’ve been struggling since Mom?—”

“Don’t you bring your mother into this.”

He hadn’t been the same since she died. It was almost twenty years ago at this point, but I knew it still weighed heavily on him.

“She’d be so disappointed in you.”

My father growled. “Shut up.”

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