(TYLER)
I am beyond shocked. I have experienced enough rogue and entitled alphas but this one was a tad bit extreme. I can't believe he just called Mason on me. Part of me is tempted to lie that I just put on weight, but Mason isn't that dumb.
"He's the one who asked me for a blowjob, and he's now being all pissy because I refused." I blurt out.
Mason's glare darts between me and the alpha. I'm so rid of fear that I'm hoping he doesn't bring up my pregnancy issue. How am I supposed to help myself if I get fired?
"That's not cool," Mason says, shaking his head in disappointment.
"That's not the point either." The alpha blurts out immediately. "I came here to get away from my pregnant omega yet here you are making one serve my drinks. I can't believe you both. This is disgusting."
I roll my eyes so hard that they almost fall to the back of my skull. Turns out he is indeed a slob. Of course, we are expected to bow to every one of their wishes, and thanks to them, some of us get pregnant. And yet they still find reasons to blame us for being pregnant.
"Of course you do." I blurt out, unable to control myself.
The alpha's eyes widen like saucers, and I know for sure it's just an act he's putting up. "You're going to let him talk to me like that?" He asks, turning to Mason.
"No." Mason wills. "Calm down, I'm not going to let him talk to a customer like that." He shoots me a dirty glare.
I'm trying my best to stay calm, but it is not working, partly because of this arrogant alpha, and partly because of the pregnancy hormones-I think.
I'm well aware that Mason is doing everything possible to keep this bar running, and I'm also sure he does not fancy me hurling at his VIP customer. But he can't just pick sides. This isn't fair.
"And you're okay with him asking me to handle him in the bathroom?" I shoot back.
"I didn't say that either. The fact is you lied to me Tyler. You didn't come clean about that pregnancy." Mason says, pointing at my belly.
Come clean. Right.
Had I come clean about my pregnancy, would he have given me the job? Would he have even considered it? I'm sure he would have sent me going even at the mention of it. Let's not kid ourselves, that's what he would have done. So no, coming clean was out of the question.
"I...I needed the job." I stutter.
The alpha looks at me and lets out a loud condescending laughter. It almost gets to me but I decide not to be in my feels. This isn't the time nor the place. My business right now is to control the damage he's done and see if I can convince Mason to let me keep my job.
"See, he's even rude to his boss." The alpha says.
"Oh, shut up already." I facepalm myself.
The alpha turns to Mason. "See, this whole bar is a joke. I'm going to make sure everyone has word about you making pregnant omegas serve us and talk to customers rudely. I've never felt this insulted in my entire life."
Mason thinks for a second and I already don't like how he's scowling. He looks like he's contemplating a disappointing reply for me. Mason would do anything for money, and I'm hoping my thoughts are just what they are. Thoughts.
"You're fired, Tyler. Leave."
"What?" my eyes widen. "Are you serious, Mason?"
"Yes."
"Please, Mason, I need this job. Don't do this, I'll starve to death if you fire me, please." I plead, hating how needy I sound.
"You know I don't hire pregnant omegas. You knew that. Why else would you hide it?"
"Please, I'm begging you." I implore, desperation and fear both nudging at me at the same time. I don't know how I'll raise enough money in time if I fail to get another job soon, which is almost guaranteed given my growing bump that even baggy clothes can't hide now.
"Sorry Tyler, you have to go." He says, gazing at me with an icy stare.
When he doesn't break the stare, I know he means it. I almost slump to the ground, but I spread my hands on the counter to keep steady. The alpha looks at me and smirks with satisfaction, proud of finally getting me fired. Weak as I feel, I summon all my willpower not to punch him in the face.
I know for a fact that Mason won't take me back no matter how much I plead with him, especially if I'd be the reason for his business finally tanking. I swallow thickly, coming to terms with the situation. I rip off my name tag and throw it at Mason, and it darts on his chest then falls on the floor as I make my way out.
Once outside, I walk into a series of laughter and catcalls. Every last never in my body is burning with need for drugs. I crave the oblivion I know I'll have if I get my hands on just a bag of heroin since I have no better idea to handle the stress, but I know better than to go for drugs. I swallow hard and keep walking, ignoring the noise.
Instead of going to the homeless shelter I usually crash at, I decide to go to a rundown diner down the street that I always frequent. I can't feed my heroin addiction, but I can feed my coffee addiction. At least I can afford that without burning a hole in my pocket.
I get inside and one of the waitresses, Reign walks towards me. Sometimes after work, I pass by the diner to unwind. Reign is nice, she lets me sit for a while if the diner isn't busy. It isn't as busy, I hope she lets me nurse my anger for a bit.
"Hey, Tyler. You're eating tonight or should I just bring your regular? She asks, smiling warmly at me.
"Just the coffee will do." I force a smile, nodding.
"Sure." She replies. "I'll be right back with your cup of coffee. She says and disappears behind the counter.
I am so angry that I can barely think straight. Feeling dejected, I slump into my seat, looking blankly around the motel and taking in the surroundings, the unnecessarily colorful ceiling, the neon lights, and the walls adorned with pictures of Michael Jackson and Marilyn Monroe.
Soon after, a doorbell jingles, and a some bulky man walks inside and makes himself comfortable at the corner. He's too well dressed for this dive and looks out of place. A thought immediately creeps in my head, he works for the Triple Triad syndicate.
It's not easy to tell who works for the mafia, but they tend to be quiet and overdressed like the one at the corner. Mason once mentioned that they were involved with the shady underground dealings, and I try to forget that bit. I make it a habit to distance myself from anyone who feels dangerous to me, and I'm going to do that exactly and not give heed to whoever the man is.
Shortly after, Reign comes back with my coffee, and I put lots of cream in it. I squint, sipping in the bitter brew as I try to figure out my next move.
I already have enough trouble as it is. With my growing bump, I doubt I'll even land a job soon. I can't escape being noticed wherever I go now, and I hate that. Worse, I won't be able to get rid of this baby if I hit the 6th-month mark. I'm running out of time, and I need to get that money as soon as possible. This spawn needs to go.
(SASHA)
"I told you that the last time we talked about this." My father says, biting his jaw.
"I didn't think it was this serious," I say, looking for a trace of a joke in his face only to find none.
"Well, it is." He responds in a firm cold tone. "You have a few weeks to find a mate. If you don't, I'm afraid Angelo is gonna have to take your place."
"Angelo?" I hiss. "Why the hell would Angelo be the next in line?"
"Because your brother Jericho is way younger than you. If the men are worked up about someone as young as you taking over from me, imagine how much more they would be disappointed if they will be with Jericho stepping in." He clears his throat. "He's also single, that wouldn't help much. Angelo is older and married. The men may not like him but they will consider him stable."
Stable.
"Stable?" I retort, not realizing how my voice rises. "How is Angelo stable? He's a fucking moron and we both know that. How is that stable?"
My father stares at me for a beat then rubs his eyes. "Sasha, you keep acting like I want a part in this when the only thing I want here is for you to take over from me. That has been the plan all along, and nothing about it changed. Now you have to understand that this is what they require you to do. If you want to keep the job, then you'll have to get married before I die. There is no other way." He clears his throat and looks paler than he did when I first entered here.
I know certainly that I'm causing him extra strain, and for that, I feel a pang of guilt. But how am I supposed to help the situation? Of course, I don't want to get married. I haven't thought of it in what feels like forever. The very idea makes my skin crawl. What am I supposed to do with an omega who'll hang around me all the time? Especially one that I'm supposed to interact with as my husband?
"I've done all I can, son. Now it's your turn to do the rest. The best I can do for you now is to try to hang on for a bit longer. I don't know how long, but my state doesn't look promising." I can see his hands tremble and it then hits me that he's weaker than he lets on. "You have three weeks. Three weeks." He repeats as if I didn't hear him the first time.
The mention of that makes fear course through me. My father is the strongest man I know. He has always been. His presence always protected me, shielded me from the realities of our world. Much as I've been trained to be the next don, he's never left my side even for a day. The men did what I ordered them to do because my father backed me, well, for the most part.
The men know that disrespecting me will bring down the fires of hell on them. But with father gone, there will be nobody else to keep them in line except me. The fear he instills in them won't be here to shield me anymore. The men must learn to fear and respect me, or else, I'll fail miserably at my job and probably get killed in my sleep. My father has worked so hard, for so long that it would disgrace him if I threw all his efforts away just because I can't bear having an omega around me.
As the family rule dictates, the firstborns inherit the job. I'm sure nobody asked him if he wanted to, and I'm certainly sure no one will ask me. I have to inherit it from him, just like he did from his father and many generations back. But when I come to think of what he's saying, it means that there won't be peace if he dies before I find an omega and get married.
There will be chaos, bloodshed. That's obvious even. I don't want a simple act of selfishness to cost everything that my father has worked for to make the Triple Triad syndicate what it is now. In my years of experience, I know there's nothing as dangerous as an organization that has no leader. I have seen it happen before. I have heard of it from the more experienced men. It's heedless and many good people died while at it.
I sure don't want that for me, for us. If I fail at my job, it would put my whole family's lives in danger. The fate of the Triple Triad Syndicates lies in my hand. It is already a crushing responsibility as it is, not to mention that I don't even have a remote desire to take a mate.
I don't want to go down as the coward who couldn't see his term through. One who was raised and given the training needed and only ended up sabotaging it because I want to put my own needs first
"So, what will it be?" My father's voice startles me from my thoughts. I look at him, and much as he doesn't show it, I can see the anxiety emanate off of him like a fever. He needs me now, and I can't disobey him or turn my back on his request.
"Alright, father. I'll do it."
When I mention that, I see his shoulders slump with relief. Much as it has put me in a tough position, I appreciate that it has relieved him of some stress since there's not much that I can do to help the situation. If this is what he wants―they want, I'll do it.
In truth, I know for sure that it'll be a miracle if he survives the next few weeks. The thought causes grief to clutch at me, but I stifle its head, not daring to show any emotions. I know that's how he wants me to be, and if I'm going to rule the syndicate, I sure know that's the way to go.
No weakness or sympathy.
He wants me to be the strong man he bred me to be, and do what I was raised to do.
And that exactly is what I'm going to do.
Because I'm Sasha freaking Adonis and I'm not going to let Angelo, or anyone steal my inheritance from me.
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GOT IT