Page 2 of Such a Delicious Omega

“Just thinking.”

Over lunch, we kept the subject light until Amber asked how the trip went. All my friends were fixated on the last thing on the list while I was scrambling for things in my head to fill the void—adding to the list. More running toward goals meant sprinting away from what happened to me and the aftermath.

“So…let’s talk about the dungeon,” Zack said, swirling the last of his wine in his glass.

“I’ve got to start researching. The last thing I want to do is to go to a sleazy place. I want to find an upscale club. One that’s safe.”

“Oh!” Cam, another one of my friends exclaimed. “I know of a place. My last date brought me there. It’s not something I’m interested in, but it is definitely a good one. It is called Cuffed. Google it. It’s only a short rideshare away.”

I sighed. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

Chapter Two

Samuel

I never thought I’d be an owner.

I’d worked hard every day of my adult life and most of my teens, but the buy-in for Cuffed was still miles beyond my budget. As I signed and initialed a hundred times it seemed then handed the iPad to Alex on my left. He and the other owners had been bosses but also friends in the few years since Cuffed opened. It was an honor just to work there, and I’d have gladly stayed in my position as long as they were willing to have me. Not bad for a guy like me who grew up on the wrong side of the tracks and got my GED so I could leave school early and help my mom support my younger brother and sister during my dad’s long, final illness.

It was a lot for a kid, but I never resented it. Pops had been sick as long as I knew him, but he never failed to have a good word or a smile for us. Even when he could barely lift his head from the pillow, he wanted to hear about my brother’s debate or my little sister’s basketball game.

He passed before they finished high school, but it was my honor to see to it they went to college and got started in life. Mom remated, the kids were launched, and I was finally able to explore the lifestyle that had called to me all along.

From the first night Cuffed was open, I knew I’d found my people. The only question was how I’d managed to get along for so many years without it. Well, I knew how. Family came first; my father counted on me. My eyes still welled up when I remembered the look in his eyes on that last day, when he no longer had the power of speech, but I knew what he was asking.

“I’ve got this, Dad. It’s no trouble to take care of the people we love.”

“Samuel?”

“What?” Hell. I’d nearly missed one of the most important moments of my life woolgathering. “Sorry. I was just thinking of my dad and how he’d be so proud of me for becoming an owner of such a successful business.”

“Even this one?” Bronson chuckled. “He must be a very enlightened male.”

“He was, although we never talked about lifestyle matters. But he never failed to support any of us.”

“Was?” Bronson patted my hand. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your father was no longer with us.”

I shrugged. “I guess I never mentioned it.” It was a difficult subject for me.

“Well, wherever he is, he’s proud of the way you helped the business succeed from day one, and we couldn’t be happier to have you as a partner.”

The others passed the iPad from one to the next, electronically signing the contract that made me an equal owner with the rest. No, I couldn’t afford it on my own, but the grandfather, the pack alpha my father had never so much as spoken of, had left me an inheritance. One large enough to buy into the business and live comfortably for the rest of my life. The alpha position was mine, as well, if I chose to fight for it, but why would I do that? I didn’t know anyone there, had only visited once for the reading of the will, and nothing about the others who showed up for the occasion made me want to be in charge of them.

When the document was signed by all, they handed the device back to me to hit send. Although at least one of the owners was a member of the Bar, we—wasn’t that a great word, we?—used an uninvolved attorney for our legal matters in most cases. He would file all the relevant paperwork adding me into the corporation and whatever else was needed.

“Okay.” I sat back, feeling a little stunned by how fast it had all happened. “I guess I’d better get to work.”

“You sure you want to do this?” Alex asked. “If you’d rather not, we can hire a bar manager.”

“Like what?” I considered. “You all use your skills to handle a share of the load around here, and what else would I do? Unless you don’t think I’ve done a good job with the bar?” I thought I had, but probably most people felt as if they handled their duties well. The owners—the other owners—might have held back from commenting while I was a lowly employee, but I hoped they would feel free to comment now.

“Anything you think you might enjoy.” Talon offered me a stern look. “That’s the point of being an owner. Of course, you did an excellent job as bar manager, but it’s up to you.”

Studying the conference table in front of me, I said, “I like the position. So, if it’s all the same to you, I’ll stay in it.”

A whoosh of air had me jerking my head up to take them all in. “What was that?”

“Relief,” Alex replied. “You’d be tough to replace, but we didn’t want you to feel compelled to stay as bar manager. Not only are you great with the customers and planning special events, but the employees are devoted to you.”

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