Page 101 of Lilacs and Leather

“I love you, Lydia. I will never let anything happen to you, not so long as I have breath in my body,” I vow, words a reverent whisper.

“I love you, too. So much it hurts. I don’t want to lose you.” Her voice breaks, and I hold her closer, tucking her head into the crock of my shoulder.

“I’m here, and I’m not leaving. I promise.”

It will take a lot more than one cowardly omega or piece of human filth alpha to tear me away from Lydia. I’m hers, and she’s mine, as deeply engraved on my soul as Lucas or Mateo or Lex. And I am never letting her go.

Thirty-Nine

Mateo

As I wait for Lex to be done inside of the St. Clair Foundation office, I stare out of the window of my SUV.My elbow is braced on the edge of the open window, hand over my mouth. The smell of smog and gasoline and grease fills the air, the unique bouquet of a city that I’ve grown to love as my home. A place I’ve picked apart for all of its hidden gems and diamonds in the rough. Traffic races by on the busy street, but I hardly hear the sound of tires on pavement or the whir of engines. My thoughts are consumed by Lydia and everything that I’ve been told happened on this God-awful day.

When we negotiated the terms of our truce, we made it abundantly clear that Lydia was to be left out of this. We have every right to date whomever we please, so Seth has absolutely no reason to talk to, look at, or be anywhere near her. But he violated yet another boundary, pushing us to the limit. But I’ve reached the end of my rope with Seth. I’ve made my choice, and I want out. I don’t care what happens to the St. Clair Foundation or C&H Designs. I want my life back.

The passenger door opens, pulling me from my thoughts. Lex climbs into the seat, nearly slamming the door closed behind her. Her hair is loose, but the humidity is starting to make her natural curl more pronounced. She shoves some stray pieces away from her eyes, sighing deeply.

“Let’s go home. I’m so fucking done with today,” she drones, buckling her seatbelt and settling back.

I put the car into gear and take off, my teeth clenched. I have so many questions, but I’m not sure where to begin. Thankfully, Lex starts talking, saving me the choice.

“Edgar was surprised to hear from us again so soon. We caught him on the back foot, so I think we’ll actually get something accomplished this time,” she says, tone flat.

“Will we? Or will you cave again when Seth pulls out the blackmail card?” I snap, unable to hold back the venom racing through my chest.

“Mat, that’s not—”

“Not what, Lex? Not fair? Because you know what I don’t think is fair? Subjecting Lydia to harassment and potential exposure to her abuser all because we keep pussyfooting around with this sociopath,” I say, nearly shouting over her.

“Whatexactlywould you like me to do, Mateo?” Lex returns, ice cold.

“Stop letting him get away with violating court orders, for a fucking start,” I growl, eyes narrowing on the road.

“He’s not getting away with it. He’s giving up—”

“Fuck the stipend, Alexandra. I don’t care how much hush money you and your father pay him. I want him gone. I want this bond gone. I’m done.”

“You don’t think I am, too? But it’s not that fucking simple,” Lex spits, voice rising to nearly shouting.

“Has he hurt you? Put his hands on you?” I demand, taking a turn a little sharply in my anger.

“What? No—”

“Is there a sex tape? Did he film you beating him bloody or whatever other kinky shit y’all got up to?”

“No, he didn’t. Not that I know of. What the fuck are you playing at, Mateo?”

“I’m trying to figure out what that ’roided-out psycho has on you that’s turned my badass prime alpha into a fucking coward!”

My words ring in the air, and it feels like the entire city has stopped as she glares at me. I don’t take my eyes off the road, but I can feel the heat of her hazel stare as it bores into the side of my face. I don’t regret the words, even if they hurt. When I don’t continue, she finally looks away, going quiet. I let out a long, slow breath, trying to regain my patience. I pull up to the gate and swipe my access badge, closing my window as the fence slowly rolls open.

“If I could rip out your bond and take it myself, I would. You don’t deserve this,” Lex whispers in the silence.

I look at her with wide eyes, my anger disappearing. She’s looking out of her window, but I can see the silver lining her eyes. I’ve never once seen Lex cry, or even come close, and I can’t look away. She blinks a few times, and the moisture disappears, and she breathes in deeply. Her shoulders bunch, and she rubs her palms on her thighs, still not looking at me.

“And you do?” I ask gently, not sure what I want the answer to be.

She shrugs but doesn’t speak. I sigh and start forward driving a little slower than normal. For all of her faults, Lex deserves better than Seth. We all do. I can’t stop myself from wondering how Seth Douglas got the better of Alexandra St. Clair, what he could possibly know or have that can scare the strongest woman I know. But my mind can’t fathom what could be bad enough that she’d go through all of this trouble to keep it a secret.

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