Page 35 of Their Alpha

He smiled and flashed his perfect white teeth. Everything on the outside was smooth and confident. Goode had even straightened his shirt before sitting. He looked like the ideal executive seated as he was now.

“What sort of duties and responsibilities does the CFO of Arise Financial have?” I asked, throwing my concentration into the interview.

“They would start by learning our systems as they exist now,” Goode said. “We have a distinct work culture here that includes a sense of family and the importance of cohesion. Our new CFO would be expected to comply with our standards. We have a broad portfolio of investment and an elite client list which he would manage, but we’re also looking to expand into new areas of business.”

It was all standard and expected talk. As Goode went on, I nodded and felt confident about my ability to dothe job he needed someone to do. I was definitely qualified, and everything he said as he explained a bit about the company’s past and where he wanted it to go told me that this would definitely be a step up in the world for me. The salary he mentioned was almost double what I was making at Victory Holdings, and it came with perks.

Other things about the interview set my teeth on edge, though. I started to take in the décor of the office, for one. In addition to another calligraphy quote about how the alpha was the head of the home and omegas had been created to submit, he had a print of a painting I recognized as a very famous rendering of Jesus as an alpha and the disciples as omegas who served him. That particular painting was a favorite with religious reactionaries who believed alphas were entitled to keep harems of omegas because God said so.

More things bothered me as the interview went on.

“I assume you’re married?” Goode asked me at one point. “We here at Arise Financial believe in traditional values of marriage and family.”

I hesitated, not knowing how to answer. I’d already implied Gideon was my omega, but the sharp scrutiny in Goode’s eyes as he studied me now made me wonder if it would be better to protect him by coming clean.

“Of course,” I answered. He could take it to be a yes to me being married, but I could say it was in answer to the company’s values about family.

“And your omega stays home with the children?” he asked on.

I squirmed, deeply uncomfortable with the question and its implications.

I was saved from answering as Goode’s cell phone rang.He immediately tensed, and for a second, I felt like I had a glimpse through the smiley mask he was wearing.

“Excuse me a moment,” he said, picking up his phone. “This has to do with the urgent family business I’m dealing with.” He swiveled his chair to mostly face away from me and answered his call with a curt, “Hello?”

I wanted to get out of the room as fast as I could. My senses were pinging, telling me this was a bad place and Goode, despite his name, was a bad person.

“I already know that,” he snapped at the phone. “Does he know I’m coming?” There was a short pause before he said, “Good, good. And keep it that way. What about the correction house, is that prepared?” There was another longer pause before he said, “Perfect. I want everything ready. We should be there tonight as soon as I fetch him.”

My skin crawled, but more than that, a dozen small things that either Gideon or Fletcher had said to me in the last three days kept rising to the top of my thoughts.

“He’s unimportant,” Goode said, as if answering a question. “No, strike that. He stole from me. He’s an adulterer who took what was mine. I’ll deal with him the way he deserves.” Another short pause, then Goode said, “He’s just an omega. What can he do?”

I pulled in a breath, my alpha suddenly very much awake and growling.

“I’m nearly finished here,” Goode went on. “I’ll meet you at Parson’s, then drive out to the farm to get him.”

I nearly launched out of my seat as everything fell together. The pictures on the wall, everything Goode was saying, even his name made it clear he was one of The People. The mention that his omega liked fairy tales, the farm, and what could only be talk about another omega were definitely references to Gideon. I was ninety-ninepercent certain Goode was the abusive alpha who Gideon had escaped from years ago.

Only it sounded like Goode had figured out where Gideon and Fletcher were.

I had to reach them before Goode did. I had to save my omegas.

“Alright. Yes. I’ll see you shortly,” Goode said, ending his call.

I forced myself to breathe and to fake boredom as Goode twisted his chair back to face me. “Sorry about that,” he said, back to appearing completely affable. “You know how family business is.”

Miraculously, I made myself chuckle like I figured another horrible alpha would. “I do know,” I said.

I had to convince Goode everything was normal and I didn’t know exactly what kind of a monster he was. I had to walk out of his office unimpeded and race to the farm before he could get there.

“So, Mr. Montgomery,” Goode said with a smile, radiating tension. “What do you think about joining our team here at Arise Financial?”

“You’re presenting me with an amazing opportunity,” I answered the way I would have at any other interview. “I’m definitely leaning towards taking you up on your offer. I do need to give it a little bit of thought.”

Goode’s smile turned brittle. “I can’t promise that the offer will still be available tomorrow,” he said.

“Oh, I’m sure, I’m sure. And I don’t think it’ll take me that long to make a decision,” I said, feigning enthusiasm. “Honestly, I just need to head back to Victory Holdings, present this offer to Vivien Woodbury, see if she comes up with a counteroffer, and then I’ll sign on with youby the end of the day.” I winked as if sharing with him that’s how business deals like these worked.

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