Page 113 of Two For the Show
“As Matteo Shields, Dr. Shields’ Beta,noted in his statement, Dr. Smith was being considered for the position of Designation Director. This was after multiple conversations with his previous employers, and yes, a recommendation from my son, his packmate. I was unaware of the promise of an Omega to my son for his assistance in getting the position. I would never place someone in a role who is unqualified, nor would I trade any role in my administration for goods, services, money, or people. It is abhorrent to me that my own child cares so little for the Omegas, especially when his mother and brother are Omegas.
“I ran on a platform that promised to protect our Omegas and bring family values back to Florida. This is not what I stand for, and I will not stand in the way of the FDLE’s investigation into his pack and their crimes. I commend Dr. Shields for sharing her story. All pack registration documents for Dr. Alex Shields regarding Pack Smith have been dissolved. I wish her well in her healing journey.”
I stare at the TV long after the governor walks away, declining to answer any questions from the media.
Rich, Tripp, and Greg are no longer my pack. They have no claim on me.
A weight has been lifted from me. It’s not enough, of course. I need to know that they cannot harm anyone again. But for now, I can legitimize my pack in the eye of the law and know that no one can take me away from them.
“How do you feel?” Jude asks, pulling me tighter against his side.
“Free.”
Chapter 45
“Right this way,”the pretty Beta waitress says, leading me through the beautiful, softly lit restaurant.
Being back here is strange, but it feels right. I once thought this was the place Rich would propose to me. Instead, it was the place where my life changed forever.
The guys weren’t quite sure how they felt about bringing me here, but it felt like a healing step that I needed to take—rewriting a dark history into something beautiful. We pass a wall of expensive wines, and I remember the time I thought I’d be ordering one of them to celebrate taking that next step in my relationship with Rich.
There will be no wine tonight, but we’re still going to be celebrating.
We completed the paperwork to formally recognize our pack in the eyes of the law at the courthouse today. The press somehow got tipped off that we were there, and they were waiting outside to snap a photo of the six of us. It was annoying, but I can understand why they did it.
It’s not that we’re public figures or celebrities, but we’restill being talked about in the media as the investigation into Tripp, Rich, and Greg continues. They haven’t made any arrests, and I don’t know if they ever will, but at least their names are being dragged through the mud.
The waitress leads us to a round table in a quiet corner, and we find our seats. Our server comes over, places our napkins in our laps, and hands us menus before presenting the wine list. Quinton waves it away.
“We don’t need it,” he says kindly. “We don’t drink.”
I know Jude doesn’t need all of us to be sober for him. But a pack supports one another, and we’re not going to do something that could make Jude uncomfortable or risk his sobriety.
The server returns with sparkling mineral water for all of us, sweet tea for Quinton and Dario, and cola for Jude and me. We place our orders, starting with several appetizers, and Quinton holds up his glass, clearing his throat.
“To Alex. Our Omega. The smartest, most perfect, most beautiful, and kindest Omega there ever was. Thank you for putting up with a bunch of carnies.”
“Not carnies,” Jude grumbles, but he clinks glasses with all of us as we take a sip.
The food is delicious, which I hadn’t noticed last time, since the revelation of Rich having a pack made everything taste like ash. Being here with the men I love, rewriting an ugly history into something memorable, is a gift. After tonight, we’ll head back to California and get ready for the next tour circuit with the troupe. Tony and the guys left two days ago with the trailers, and we’ve been staying in a hotel since then. We fly out tomorrow afternoon.
I’m excited to experience traveling the country without this millstone over my head. I’ll be able to enjoy all of the places we stop with my pack.
Things will be drastically different this time, and notonly because I can utilize rideshare apps again. It’s not the best part of getting free of Rich, but having access to money again is nice. Dissolving the pack means I will receive a third of the pack assets.
We’re waiting for the deposit to be credited to my account, as their lawyers have opted not to litigate for a smaller settlement, considering the reasoning behind our separation. They didn’t want to risk my taking them to court and getting a larger portion.
The evening is winding down, and the server drops off our coffees and desserts. As we tuck in, Dario starts to tell us a hilarious story about when he and Dexter switched places for an entire day at school and no one noticed.
He’s interrupted by a commotion in the restaurant. There are loud crashes and several shouts before a person I never wanted to see again comes stumbling into view.
Rich is a mess, his shirt untucked, his usually charming demeanor shed for a sneer full of malice.
It’s the Rich he hid from the world, but I became intimately acquainted with. I can smell the curdled milk and rotten berry scent that wafts after him.
I thought I’d be afraid to see him again, but surprisingly, I’m not. He’s a pathetic excuse for an Alpha, and he can’t hurt me anymore.
“You fucking bitch,” he seethes. “You ruined my life.”
