Page 52 of Dubious Match
It’s been a long time since I’ve had to sleep in here due to not feeling safe, and I fucking hate Emilia for that. My knife is in here too, right within reach in case I need it.
The sound of my heart beat follows me even into my dreams in the form of people chasing me, and I wake up the next morning unsettled and twitchy.
I hope Emilia trips over a butt plug and falls on it.
Eleven
HOLLIS
The wind plays with the stubborn wisps of my hair that refuse to stay in my braid as I cross the parking lot of the botanical gardens. I feel frazzled and tired, clutching my coffee as if it’s my lifeline.
Since Emilia’s call, I’ve been sleeping in my nest with my sound machine, mouth tape, and a knife. I keep having nightmares of her, despite knowing that I can defend myself. She’s like the boogeyman in our society.
I suppose that forcing myself to also listen to her podcasts where she calls me a whore and a madam for omegas who want to spend their heats with alphas due to not having a pack doesn’t help either. I fucking hate that she’s cheapening what I do, and I’ve begun getting messages from packs on my business account asking how much it’ll cost to fuck an omega.
God, she’s such a fucking bitch. Caelin and Evan came in clutch and said that my security couldn’t be bypassed by either of them, but did insist on adding extra video cameras at both myoffice and the elevator of my high rise. Apparently Caelin wasn’t pleased that he couldn’t see me once I entered the elevator.
While I’m grateful for the extra security measures, I also hate having to have them at all. I’m used to being independent and quite frankly, one of the most dangerous people on the street. However, I’m not invincible.
A blow to the head I’m not expecting, getting squeezed until I pass out by someone much bigger than me, or anything of the sort would put me out of commission. These are things that live rent free in my nightmares and why I’m sleeping like shit.
I’m armed with a checklist, spreadsheet, and a plan to make sure I don’t need to come back before the event. I’m limiting how much I am out in the open. I feel suspicious at every shadow. I was so excited for this event, but Emilia is sucking the life out of it.
Did I mention that she’s called me twice more, and I’ve let it go to voicemail? I saved the unknown number asEmilia the Bitchso I’ll remember it’s her.
“Hollis!” Malcolm calls out as I power walk.
Turning, I raise my brow as the guys hustle to catch up to me. I didn’t actually think they were serious about helping. I know I’m being silly, but several days of not sleeping well are wearing on me. I need a nap where I’m not woken up by an anxiety induced nightmare.
Get it together, Hollis.
“Hi,” I say with a small smile as they surround me. Just their scents help put me at ease. I’m desperate enough for good sleep that I want to ask them to come snuggle me after this.
Damn omega instincts.
“That’s a really big cup of coffee,” Remy observes.
“It’s going to be a very long day,” I reply.
“Are you sleeping okay?” Malcolm asks, falling into step as I begin walking again toward the entrance.
I have to meet with Aster to get a map before I can begin my obsessing over where everyone and everything will go. I have room in my budget for food as well, so I need somewhere for the caterer to set up food that people can easily eat while connecting with each other.
You’d think that wouldn’t be as difficult as it was to choose a menu, but my need for perfection is snapping at my heels like a rabid, annoying dog.
“Hmm. Maybe an hour or so a night,” I admit as I walk.
“What? Why?” Felix asks, horrified.
“Guys, I’m exhausted, and I just want to get this done. I can’t do the questions today, please,” I say. God, now I feel like I want to cry.
If I see Emilia anytime soon, she should run because I plan to stab first and plead temporary insanity after.
“Okay,” Brice says sharply. “You heard her. No questions. We’re here to help her instead of bothering her, guys. What's in your bag of tricks, Hollis?”
My lips curl slightly as I feel a wave of gratitude toward the alpha.
“A checklist and spreadsheets,” I say. “I need to be able to tell the tent vendor exactly where they’ll be setting up and where the space heaters will go. I also need to decide where the signage will be placed to help direct everyone as well.”
