Page 86 of Laurels and Liquor

Jason sucks his teeth and rubs his lower lip with one thumb. “My word, I suppose. But of the two of us, I’m not the one who’s committed fraud, so…”

“Bastard!” Diane shouts, trying to lunge for her son.

“Apologize, Omega,” Mateo orders, the force of his command slamming her to the floor on her belly.

Diane shakes her head and fights hard, and I struggle to maintain my hold. She has to be in agony, ignoring a direct order like this, but it doesn’t stop her from flopping around like a fish out of water.

Samuel Sr. looks at his youngest son, really considering him for the first time. I can almost smell the smoke coming out of his ears as he tries to find a way to make this come out in his favor. But after spending several long nights with Jason poring over the documents, I know there isn’t a happy ending in this for the patriarch. But then his next words catch me entirely off guard.

“What if I gave you the company? Would you sign a contract then? My company and promise to leave you and Lydia and this pack alone until the end of my days, and you’ll return the documents and any copies, and promise to never speak a word of this?” Samuel asks, sounding desperate now.

I blink several times. Of all the counterarguments, that wasn’t one I expected. But clearly, his son did. Jason hums like he’s considering, then looks to Lex. But she doesn’t have a sympathetic line in her expression anymore. He’s on his own with this deal.

“You’ll sign it over to Sammy, make a show of retiring early. And you’ll get the McLaughlins under control. No lawsuits, gag orders—”

“I can’t speak for Pastor Joe, son,” Samuel hedges.

Jason shrugs. “I wonder if Thom is in the office on Saturdays,” he wonders idly, pulling out his phone.

Samuel Sr. growls, and I can’t help but feel a little bit of affection for Lydia’s brother. If he weren’t blackmailing his own father, I’d almost have to admire his negotiation skills.

“I’ll do what I can. But you’ll have to talk to them on your own to get something better,” Samuel spits after a minute.

“I’m sure Pastor Joe and I can come to some sort of agreement. I’m sure he’ll find my spreadsheets and balance statements just as fascinating as Thom did,” Jason returns with a chuckle.

“Wait, what? I thought—”

“I had to show them something, Dad. But don’t worry, you’ll be able to afford the fine if you sell a few of the cars and boats,” Jason replies.

He turns on his heel and starts toward the door, hands in his pockets as he whistles cheerfully. The room is silent for several minutes after the front door slams shut, with none of us sure what to do.

“You’ll be hearing from our lawyer, Mr. Anderson. I’ll have the agreement to you by end of business this week,” Lex says smoothly, her heels clicking decisively on the floor as she heads toward the door herself.

“Is your city-slicker conman used to drawing up blackmail deals?” Samuel snarls.

Lex chuckles ironically. “My personal attorney? No. But I’ll be recommending a family friend to handle this personally. He’s much more familiar with this sort of thing,” she says.

I blink, curiosity blooming. I wonder who she’s going to ask to draw up a vaguely legal contract like this? But as the question floats across my mind, I already know the answer. However, my thoughts are interrupted as Diane howls on the floor. I look down just in time to see Lex pulling her foot back, and I see the bloody red puncture wound on the back of Diane’s hand, the same one she used to strike Lydia. It isn’t lost on me that the hole is about the same size as her stiletto heel.

“Oops. Didn’t see you there. You should really be more careful where you put your hands. You never know what can happen,” Lex says mildly.

Lex walks away with Lydia at her side, their hands still intertwined. My omega doesn’t spare a glance backwards as she holds her head high, and I couldn’t be any prouder of her. Lucas moves next, the bodyguards following right after, leaving me, Mateo, and Caleb alone with the two Sams, and Diane. Father and son lock eyes and the air crackles.

“Were you part of this?” Samuel Sr. asks in a low rasp.

Sammy shakes his head and looks to Mateo and me. I look between them, the resemblance even more pronounced with proximity. Diane is still frozen between all of us, her hand bleeding rather profusely now. I’m not exerting much willpower to keep her pinned, so it must be Mateo that’s preventing her from staunching the flow of blood.

“Your daughter deserves better than what you’ve given to her,” Mateo says, low and dangerous.

Samuel Sr. swallows, and I’m glad he looks uncomfortable. I shift, drawing his attention. I look him up and down once more, not bothering to disguise the disgust and disrespect in my expression.

“She’s been through the absolute worst life can throw at a person, and is still the most beautiful soul I’ve ever known, not because of your rearing, but in spite of it. Your son has more restraint than I ever will. But I promise you this: come near Lydia again, try to contact her again, and everything you love will be ash. Am I clear?” I ask, speaking slowly so there can be no misunderstandings.

Diane whimpers, but before Mateo or I can react, her mate snarls, silencing her last protest.

“Crystal,” Samuel responds promptly.

I nod and look to Mateo, jerking my chin toward the door. I’m ready to put this place in the past once and for all. He nods, but then moves to crouch down in front of Diane. He surprises me by tilting her chin up to look at his eyes, touch gentle and almost tender. Her face is ugly, makeup smeared from her tears and snot.

---