12. Jaxon

Jaxon surveyedthe exclusive restaurant located within the club"s lavish headquarters. He and Colton were seated at a prime table near the expansive dance floor. The crystals dripped from the chandeliers above, and the dark wood furnishings and velvet curtains oozed old money sophistication.

Waitstaff in crisp uniforms weaved between the tables, catering to every whim of the club"s privileged members. Jaxon noted that some of the city"s most influential figures were in attendance, recognizing prominent politicians, CEOs, and celebrities. Many had their treasures beside them, beautiful men and women adorned in the finest designer clothing. The pairs gazed adoringly at one another, whispering intimacies and feeding each other morsels from their plates.

Jaxon turned his focus to his brother. Colton"s mood was decidedly gloomy, his responses clipped as he picked at his food. Jaxon knew Colton had been on edge all day at the office, putting the staff ill at ease. He suspected the troubling nightmares of yesteryear were haunting him again.

Jaxon regretted not ordering coffee from Brewed Dreams. Encounters with Delcy typically brightened their moods. He, however, had opted out, concerned about imposing on her too frequently. Requesting her delivery services to their workplace was probably intrusive as it was. He aimed to avoid seeming overbearing. This was particularly important considering he and Colton hadn"t yet treated her to an official second date.

Jaxon turned his focus back to the club"s surroundings. He didn"t feel fully at ease here, despite the luxury and indulgence on display. Most members treated it like a hedonistic playground, parading their treasures about to feed their egos. Jaxon found it all rather performative and hollow. He much preferred the simple joy of Delcy"s company, her genuineness and quiet strength. With her, he could let his guard down.

Jaxon noticed Trenton and Lydia making their way to their table from across the eatery, Lydia"s heels clicking rhythmically on the marble floor heralding their presence. Trenton, ever the picture of sophistication, wore a custom-fitted suit, his graying hair perfectly coiffed. Lydia appeared graceful, donning a sleek crimson dress that hugged her contours, her golden locks tumbling down her back in gentle waves.

They greeted Jaxon and Colton cordially before taking their seats. A server promptly appeared to take drink orders, a martini for Lydia and scotch for Trenton. Once served, Colton cut right to business.

"Miss Charlton"s contract. What are the terms and for how long is she engaged?" he asked, his eyes trained on Lydia and Trenton. Though his words were diplomatic, his commanding presence and the intensity of his gaze made it clear this was not merely a request.

Trenton withdrew a document from his inner suit pocket and passed it over.

"As outlined in the contract, Miss Charlton is contracted to the club for a period of one year from the date of signing. Her first appearance, of course, was at the gallery event."

Jaxon watched his brother"s eyes scan the document. Colton"s face was stoic, his expression giving away nothing as he thoroughly read through the terms. After a moment, he looked up, his gaze settling on Trenton and Lydia.

"My brother and I are interested in becoming Miss Charlton"s sole patrons for the remainder of her contract. Exclusively. What would that arrangement cost?" Colton said, his deep voice commanding despite his polite words.

Jaxon studied Trenton and Lydia closely as they absorbed his brother"s proposition, eager to gauge their reactions. Though Colton"s words had been diplomatic, his self-assured tone and the intensity of his stare made it clear this was not merely a request. The inherent authority and confidence Colton exuded as an alpha from their prestigious family shone through. Now, they awaited Trenton and Lydia"s reply.

Trenton smiled thinly.

"An exclusive patronage of Miss Charlton"s remaining contract would come at a cost of five million dollars. Per the terms, forty percent would go directly to Miss Charlton. Thirty percent to the club for the release of exclusivity. And the final thirty percent to Miss Hamill as her agent."

A gleam of avarice flickered in Lydia"s eyes as she registered the substantial figure that would line her pockets. Thirty percent. One and a half million dollars for merely leveraging Delcy"s situation. It was a windfall procured with cold calculation. The delight that curved her lips was sullied by the unsavory ethics of her gain. Jaxon"s observation of her reaction only cemented his impression of her character, a woman whose moral compass was easily swayed by the luster of wealth.

Contentment settled over Trenton like a well-tailored coat, the club"s portion of the deal meeting his approval. His satisfaction was not merely a reflection of personal gain but of the affirmation of his adept negotiations, ensuring the club remained a sanctuary of affluence and influence.

Colton"s head dipped in a measured gesture of assent, his contemplation palpable in the air between them. Jaxon, ever observant, watched the gears turn behind his twin"s steady gaze, the slightest furrow on his brow indicating the meticulous assessment underway. After a brief pause, laden with the gravity of decisions that could shift fortunes, Colton"s voice broke the silence, authoritative and resolute.

"That amount is acceptable. Draw up the paperwork for the exclusive rights and we"ll finalize this evening."

Trenton nodded, the gesture smooth and deliberate, conveying both respect and acquiescence.

"Very good, Mr. Sterling," he said with a practiced ease that spoke of years navigating the upper echelons of power. Rising from his seat with an air of deference, he extended his hand, firmly grasping theirs in turn. "I"ll have the documents prepared right away," he assured them, the promise laced with the efficiency of someone who never faltered on his word. With a final nod, he added, "A pleasure doing business with you," his voice imbued with the sincerity reserved for transactions that were both lucrative and promising. With a parting nod, Trenton departed to tend to the requested paperwork.

Lydia lingered, freshening her lipstick.

"I must say, Delcy will be thrilled at this outcome. Financial security means everything to a girl in her position." She smiled coyly. "I"m sure you two will take excellent care of her."

Jaxon forced a polite smile, resisting the urge to frown. Lydia"s opportunistic nature grated on him.

Colton merely nodded. "You"ll see she"s justly compensated."

"Of course," Lydia purred.

Jaxon wondered how Lydia would explain to Delcy the enormous sum of two million that would suddenly appear in Delcy"s bank account. A gift from a dear friend?

He studied Lydia closely. Her coy smile and the gleam of greed in her eyes left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He said, "I wonder, does Delcy truly comprehend her position in the club? She certainly gives off the impression she doesn"t."

Lydia"s smile froze, morphing into a look of outrage.

"Mr. Sterling, I can assure you Delcy is well aware of her position in the club. She signed the contract herself. I would never mislead a client. In fact, she"s more than a client. She"s my best friend."

Jaxon held her gaze steadily. "Does she understand that my brother and I intend to become her sole patrons? That would mean suspending her engagements with other club members for the remainder of her contract. Has this been clearly explained to her?"

Lydia bristled, her polite veneer slipping. "Of course it has been explained to her," she bit out. "Honestly, the presumptions you are making are quite insulting." She took a deep breath, composing herself. "Delcy is fully on board. This arrangement will provide her with more financial security than she"s ever known. The money will allow her to pay for an important surgery her grandfather desperately needs."

Jaxon and Colton exchanged looks. This was the first they heard of Delcy"s family situation or medical needs. A twinge of guilt pierced Jaxon that they hadn"t learned more about Delcy"s personal life. But he and Colton had been cautious, not wanting to pry or make her uncomfortable. They might have employed a detective for further insight, yet their respect for her confidentiality was too great to consider such a measure.

"We weren"t aware of her grandfather"s health issues," Jaxon said carefully. "What surgery does he require?"

Lydia waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, it"s his heart. He needs some complicated operation. Delcy has been fretting over the costs for months. Your patronage will cover it nicely."

Though Lydia spoke casually, a hint of evasiveness in her tone gave Jaxon pause. He made a mental note to delicately ask Delcy for details.

Jaxon nodded slowly. "Very well. Please have Delcy sign documentation that she fully consents and understands the parameters of our patronage. We want no confusion."

Lydia"s eyes flashed with annoyance at the request, but she quickly smothered it with a saccharine smile.

"Of course, I"ll have her sign a statement right away." She stood gracefully, smoothing her dress. "Now, if you"ll excuse me, I should go tend to the paperwork. I look forward to finalizing this profitable arrangement."

With a parting smile and the click of heels, Lydia departed. Jaxon watched her disappear into the crowd, his eyes narrowed in contemplation. Something about her evasiveness left him uneasy. He turned to Colton.

"What do you make of all this?"

Colton looked thoughtful. "It"s difficult to say. Though I want to take Lydia at her word, something feels... off. We should proceed with care where Delcy is concerned."

Jaxon nodded in agreement. "I suggest we subtly inquire Delcy about her grandfather"s condition."

"Mm-hmm," Colton agreed. "It"s best we hear any important details directly from Delcy. I don"t like relying solely on Lydia"s account." His jaw tightened.

A fierce protectiveness emanated from Colton, mirrored in Jaxon"s own chest. Primal instinct compelled them to safeguard her interests.

* * *

The Sterling Enterprisesoffice was a whirlwind of activity, the hum of high-stakes business dealings filling the air. But by three in the afternoon, Jaxon felt the walls closing in on him, a restlessness nipping at his heels. He needed an escape, a moment to breathe and clear his head.

"Mike," he called out, "I"m stepping out for coffee."

Mike looked up from his desk, cluttered with papers and two blinking monitors. "Sure thing, sir."

Minutes later, he pushed open the door to Brewed Dreams, the familiar jingle of the bell above announcing his presence. The cozy ambiance of the café wrapped around him like a warm embrace, the scent of freshly ground coffee beans lacing through the air. It was a stark contrast to the sterile precision of his office, a welcome change.

Striding into the café, he approached the counter with easy confidence, exuding the aura of power and affluence that came naturally to him. His gaze swept the room, searching for the object of his desire.

"Hey there, Mr. Sterling! The usual?" Blair asked while wiping down the counter.

"Yes," Jaxon said, glancing around the space. The absence of one particular omega was palpable. "Delcy?" He tried to sound casual but there was an undercurrent of disappointment in his voice that he couldn"t quite mask.

Blair tilted her head, her expression softening with understanding.

"She"s on break." A pause lingered between them as Blair assessed him, her gaze sharpening with curiosity. "You wanna talk to her?"

A flicker of hope ignited within Jaxon. "Yes."

With a nod, Blair left the counter and disappeared into the back. Moments later she returned with Delcy following behind her, a mug of coffee in her hand.

The sight of Delcy brightened Jaxon"s mood instantly. Her presence seemed to fill every crevice of the café. He offered her a smile as she approached.

"Hey," he greeted.

Delcy smiled shyly, her cheeks flushing a delicate shade of pink. "Jaxon," she said in response.

Blair motioned to a snug nook within the café. "How about you both take a seat over there?"

Jaxon and Delcy sank into the plush seats, opposite one another. The café bustled with life, the murmur of chatter and the clinking of utensils forging a vibrant ambiance. Yet for Jaxon, the world seemed to fade away as he focused solely on the woman in front of him.

"I"m glad you"re here," he said.

Delcy looked up from her coffee with a shy smile.

"I"m on break for another fifteen minutes," she shared quietly as if granting him a treasure.

Jaxon nodded and leaned back in his chair. "Perfect."

Just then, Blair arrived with his coffee.

"Thank you," he said gratefully.

Blair smiled. "Enjoy," she said before sauntering away.

Jaxon took a sip of the blend, savoring the rich, bitter flavor. But even the delicious brew couldn't compare to the sweetness of Delcy's presence. He glanced at her, watching as she took a dainty sip from her own cup, her lips forming a perfect O.

Casually stretching his arm across the table under the guise of reaching for a sugar packet, Jaxon let his fingers graze Delcy"s hand gently, an electrifying touch that said more than words ever could.

From nearby came muffled giggles. Anna was smirking behind her hands at this display of affection.

Embarrassment should have crept up on him. Instead, pride swelled within Jaxon"s chest as he turned back to Delcy and found her blushing deeply but not pulling away from his touch.

"How has your day been so far?" he asked, wanting to draw her into easy conversation.

Delcy"s eyes lit up, clearly pleased by his interest.

"It"s been good. Busy morning rush but it"s calmed down now." She glanced around the café, dotted with a few patrons nursing coffees and typing away on laptops.

Jaxon nodded, hanging on her every word. "No troublesome customers?"

Delcy let out a melodious laugh. "Oh, we get those sometimes. But no, today has been smooth sailing."

"Good," Jaxon said, relief seeping into his tone. He reached across the table again, lightly grasping her hand. Delcy didn"t pull away.

"I know it"s still a couple days away, but I wanted to tell you about our next date," he said. "There"s this new French restaurant that just opened downtown. Very exclusive. I made reservations for Saturday night."

Delcy"s eyes widened slightly. "That sounds lovely, but as I said before, it doesn"t have to be such a fancy place."

Warmth bloomed in Jaxon"s chest. "I know. But I want to spoil you, Delcy. You deserve to be pampered."

She ducked her head as if unaccustomed to such treatment. But she would learn. Jaxon would make sure Delcy knew just how cherished she was.

"I"m looking forward to it," she finally said.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, savoring the warmth of their connection. Jaxon"s mind drifted to thoughts of the future, of a time when Delcy would be more than just his and Colton"s date—when she would be their mate, their partner, their everything.

He imagined her living with them, sharing their space and their life. He imagined waking up in the morning to the smell of her hair, the sound of her laughter, the warmth of her body next to theirs. He imagined them cooking breakfast together, sharing stories about their day, and simply enjoying each other"s company.

The thought of it filled him with a sense of peace and contentment that he had never experienced before. He knew that he had found something special in Delcy, and he was determined to do everything in his power to make her theirs.

They chatted for a few more minutes until her break ended. As Delcy stood, Jaxon pulled her in for a brief but heated kiss. When they parted, her lips were kiss-swollen and her eyes glazed. Jaxon smirked, immensely satisfied.

"I"ll see you Saturday," he said.

Delcy nodded mutely before returning to work.

Jaxon left the café feeling lighter than air. The future with Delcy shone brightly in his mind"s eye. He imagined lazy weekend mornings together, wrapped in each other"s arms.

Returning to Sterling Enterprises, he dove back into his workload. But Delcy was never far from his thoughts. He couldn"t wait for their next date when he could continue courting her in the lavish style she deserved. For now, he relished the glow of new love that seemed to surround him. The threat of future storms seemed very distant indeed.