Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

TOMMY

I won't ever leave anything to chance, not since my bored words treated Bluebell to a night of Arthur's special form of terror. I protect the people who are mine, and that's what the little omega is.

Mine.

I've fucked up in the past, but I can change the course we're currently on.

The future isn't written yet, which is the beauty of life. Some people think that's scary shit, but I fucking love it.

While driving down to the leasing office, I call David and start down the running list in my head.

"David," I greet as I turn out of Bluebell's apartment parking lot. "So I have some updates, one of which looks to be a change of address. I need about an hour of your time."

Sitting in front of the leasing office, I update my second in command, explaining why I'm not in Illinois. Some of our conversation is in code, though David doesn't bat an eyelash, because he's used to it.

"So you want to open a gym in Minneapolis, and begin your empire there," the alpha says slowly. "What will happen with our pharmaceutical side of things?"

Smirking, I nod as I can practically hear the wheels turning. I don't enjoy drug running very much, and only do it because there's a need for it in Chicago. If I don't do it, a punk gang will attempt to move in.

The mafia crime family I run may not be upstanding citizens, but most of the men have integrity.

"I'm considering gifting it to you," I grunt. "Want a promotion? I'd like to expand in a different direction here in Minneapolis, but there's a need for our continued presence in Chicago. I have to call some people to make sure it won't be an issue to expand this way, however as with anything, I am running shit by you first."

"I… holy shit, boss," he rumbles. "I'll take care of it with one caveat."

"Yes?" I ask, interested to see what it is.

"If you ever decide you want it back, you let me know," he mutters. "I'll take care of it all until that day should come. I know you didn't really care for it."

"You're right," I sigh. "I haven't been a fan of it, but we can't have anyone else moving in and creating issues."

People die in turf wars, and that's absolutely unacceptable to me.

"You're a good man," David says. "What else do you need me to take care of?"

Discussing the last items on my list, I let him go and climb out of the truck to walk up to the leasing office. Whistling to myself still in my running gear, I open the door and walk up to the receptionist.

She's a beta with big red curls and a bored expression on her face as she stares at me.

"Hello, Sir, may I help you?"

"Yes, Ma'am, I'd like to speak to Marty Stone, please. We had a great conversation earlier, and I want to make certain we're still in agreement over everything," I tell her with a benign smile.

My words are true, but I also want to make sure things are in motion for what I need. Then, I'll wire the money to his account. I'm a man of my word, and he's had over an hour to do what I asked. I'm not impossible to work with, I just expect people to have integrity.

I know that sounds a bit silly as a made mafia man, but my mama instilled old school values in me. Rest her soul.

"I don't know if he's in the office, Sir," the receptionist says nervously, though her eyes cut over to an office to her right.

Smirking, I tap my knuckles against the counter before I step back.

"No worries, I'll check for myself," I tell her, giving her a wink as my long strides take me to the office door.

"Sir, you can't go in there," she complains, standing with wide eyes.

"Oh look, I am though," I say, opening the door to the manager's office.

My lips twitch with amusement as I find him fucking a girl over his desk.

"Well this is fun," I grunt as I step inside and close the door behind me. "I hate to break this up while you're almost knot deep, but I want to make sure I'll be able to move into that apartment we discussed earlier today."

Marty's eyes widen but his hips continue to piston as he fucks the girl underneath him. Glancing at the girl, I see she's still enjoying herself and seems to be here because she wants to be and shrug.

"I'm a little busy," he mutters, eyes rolling as his knot bumps against her pussy. The girl appears to be a beta, so she may not be able to take it all, but she shivers at the feeling of the thick knot.

I admire a girl with a go-getter personality.

"I have things to do, and watching you rail someone during business hours isn't really on my list," I mutter. "Have the tenants received their eviction notice yet?"

"I'm giving it to her now," the bastard smirks as he thrusts up into the beta. Snorting, I watch the girl's eyes go wide as Marty drops the notice down in front of her. "Figured I'd feed her my dick one last time."

"Are you fucking serious?" the girl wails, but that may be because Marty is pushing his knot into her pussy. It's hard to tell.

"Extremely. I'll give you two thousand dollars for your trouble," I tell her. "I want the apartment, nothing else."

"I'll take it," the girl moans as Marty fucks her. The manager nods in agreement, and I decide my business is concluded here.

"Don't be an asshole, Marty. Make sure the girl comes," I mutter, walking out of the office.

Nodding at the wide eyed receptionist, I leave the leasing office to get showered for the day. I've been quite productive, but I need to set up a meeting for later.

Getting into the truck, I dial Corbin, the leader of Pack Murphy, even if he's the only one left now. It was tragic what happened to his wife, and senseless. It broke apart her pack. The brothers were never the same afterwards.

" Hello ," Corbin says gruffly as I turn over the engine with a wince. I need an oil change soon.

"Hey, Corbin, it's Tommy. I have some interesting news, and wanted to see if you have time for a meeting later today?" I ask.

I rarely ask for anything, and our businesses have always run well without an issue. Unfortunately, my moving to Minneapolis could ruffle some feathers, so I want to discuss what it means with him.

"Yeah, I have time ," he says carefully. " I'll text you the address. I'll probably have Pack Mohan sit in on it if it makes no difference to you."

"None at all," I say amicably, because I figured he'd do this. "What time are you thinking?"

"Four or so ?" he grunts, making me nod. I need a shower and to wash my hair something fierce, so that'll work for me. I'm not high maintenance, but my hair is a point of pride for me.

"Works for me. See you later," I tell him, hanging up as I back up the truck and drive to Bluebell's apartment. Soon, this will be my apartment complex as well, though I don't plan to tell her quite yet.

Listening to the radio of a new up and coming artist who is an omega and has been taking the world by fire, I go through my list yet again until I pull into a guest parking spot. I'll have a permanent spot soon, and it won't be such a chore every time I leave.

Climbing out, I walk slowly up the stairs to the apartment. Knocking, I raise my brow when Cerenity herself opens the door.

"Oh darn, I thought you'd left forever," she deadpans, stepping back to let me in.

"I am forever," I counter as I step forward. "I'm not going anywhere, so it would be easier if you accepted that."

Cerenity breathes me in as I close the door and walk closer to her, nostrils flaring.

"You seem very certain about that when I've done nothing but show you it's the last thing I want or need," she growls, making my cock hard.

Fuck, I love her spirit. The fire in her, even when she's been knocked around, is inspiring.

"Such a bratty little omega," I rumble, my lips pulled into a smile as I rub my thumb over the pulse in her neck. It's jumping wildly, though I'm not sure if it's due to terror or desire.

Her pupils are blown, her pussy slicking, because I can smell its delicious scent, so I know what I want it to be. Assumptions lead even the best to ruin, so I choose to avoid them.

"Fuck off," she mutters, though she doesn't look away. Cerenity is wearing a pair of cut off shorts, a green midriff tank-top that says ‘not today, Satan,' and knee high socks. I don't think she knows how delicious she looks, and I roll my lips inward, so the words won't escape.

"I would love to, after I take a shower," I murmur, continuing to stroke her pulse. I can almost feel the building whine she's holding back, and it's absolutely beautiful. "What are your plans today?"

"To not kill the insufferable alphas who won't leave me alone," she sasses. "I swear you're everywhere."

"Maybe, but we're yours," I growl, feeling the goosebumps rising along her skin.

"By force," she grunts. Her words hurt me a bit more than I thought, even though I deserve them. I didn't think through the handcuffs, and her wrists are still wrapped. Fuck, I hurt her.

"Eh, the ball is in your cart, baby girl," I say. "You need to decide what to do with it. Are you going to finally break down and admit you know what I smell like?"

Cerenity shakes her head and sticks out her tongue, making me bark out a laugh. This is more progress than I expected. I am still going to make my moves in the meantime, while she finds her way. That's the best I can do to keep her choices in tact.

"It was worth a try," I tease her, tapping on her pulse and getting the gasp I wanted from her. Picking up a few articles of clothing from the bags on the couch and a hair brush, I head to the bathroom to shower.

Humming the song I heard in the car, I turn on the light and pop my head in suspiciously.

"Pranks only work the first time," Cerenity sing-songs as she walks by me. "I'm headed to the club in a bit."

"Alone?" I ask, brow raised.

"Well, my car is totaled, so no," she says, turning to face me. "Ugh, I need to call the car insurance too while I'm down there. The club is opening tomorrow and I want to make sure everything is ready to go."

"So Augustine is taking you to work," I press, needing to know. My instincts are going wild, even though she said she wouldn't go alone.

"Yes," she sighs. "Auggie is driving me, Daddy."

My cock twitches in my shorts as she walks away, as does my palm. So much damn sass. I didn't think I'd like it as much as I do.

"Good girl," I murmur before I can hold myself back. Cerenity visibly shudders before practically running to her room, making me chuckle. She's so damn cute and sexy.

Sighing, I turn back to the bathroom, looking around thoroughly before putting my clothes on the sink and closing the door behind me.

"Looks safe enough," I mutter as I pull off my clothes and locate two large towels. I'm not bougie, my hair just needs its own towel, since there's so much of it. Opening the shower curtain, I shrug as I turn on the water and wait for it to warm up. I hate freezing cold showers.

Stepping inside, I sigh happily as I wash my body with the masculine scented body wash in here. This must be Augustine's bathroom, though I also see hair conditioner too. I won't look a gift horse in the mouth too closely, because my mane is in desperate need of some self care.

Pouring some shampoo into my hand, I lather my shoulder-length hair. The sides are closely trimmed so I have an undercut on each side of my head to help with how hot I get more than the idea that it looks cool.

I can't wash my full beard very often, so I skip shampooing it. The damn song I can't get out of my head continues through my mind, and I get lost in the melody as I condition my hair.

Leaving it piled at the top of my head with the product, I hum as I wash my ass again and my legs. Fuck, Jasper is a tyrant for a trainer. He's the reason our fighters are in such incredible condition. I tend to forget to offer praise where it's due, so I remind myself to tell him.

Thoroughly rinsing out my hair, I turn off the water and grab a towel as I squeeze out all of the excess moisture. Gah, it's such a process to deal with this, but I'm a bit vain and would rather go through this than cut my hair. Wrapping it in the towel, I dry off before I step out and stare at the fogged up mirror.

Opening the door a little, I grab the toothbrush I have from last night and brush my teeth, hearing the front door open and close. Augustine seems to be talking on the phone, allowing me to relax. I hate apartment living. It's not fucking secure. The doors are flimsy, which is why I really want to buy a house.

Spitting in the sink, I grumble under my breath as I rinse my mouth, the mirror finally defogging.

"I should have bought a hair dryer," I mutter under my breath.

"What was that?" Augustine asks as he passes by the door.

"I'm complaining to myself is all," I say, opening the door wider. "My hair takes forever to dry, so I was just thinking that I should have grabbed a hair dryer."

Nodding, Augustine shrugs. "Cere has one. It's not a big deal. I'll go grab it."

"Thanks, man," I tell him with a grin, shutting the door to get dressed. The towels hit the ground as I pull on my clothes. Since I'm taking a meeting, I decided to go with a black-buttoned down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and black pants. Turning to grab the hairbrush, my eyes land on the mirror in horror.

"What the fuck," I mutter as I pick up a vibrantly blue strand. "Cerenity!"

Opening the door, I'm met with Augustine whose jaw drops as he sees my hair.

"She's responsible for this, isn't she?" I growl. Seeing Cerenity's guilty look as she peeks around Augustine's body, I take a deep breath. "Bluebell, if you wanted me to match you, you should have said."

This is some kind of fucked up penance, and as high as my blood pressure is and as red as my fucking face is, I'll be fine. I can handle some ribbing because my omega decided to play a prank. Blue hair it motherfucking is.

Forcing another breath through my lungs, I raise my brow before I wink at her. I'm fucking pissed, but more at myself. I should have checked the Goddamned conditioner bottle. This is my fault.

"At least no one can complain about my monochronistic wardrobe, hey?"

Leaving her open mouthed, I pluck the hair dryer from Augustine's hand. "I'll have you know that Daddy is counting your spankings, Bluebell, and you're currently at four."

"Four! Spankings are for children, not grown adults," she huffs at me as she peeks out a little further around Augustine.

"I don't know, Sweetheart, you're a brat," he murmurs, throwing me a bone. "I think your pretty little ass could do with a perfectly pink hue."

Smirking, I watch as she flushes the shade of pink I'd love to make her ass. "How do you feel about that?" I croon. Refraining from crowing that her precious Auggie thinks I'm right, I watch as she squeezes her thighs together.

I don't need to press my luck right now. I also may be feeling a bit petty.

"I think I probably need to get to the club," she squeaks, making me chuckle as I step back into the bathroom to plug in the hair dryer.

I need to get lunch soon, and have no idea where Jasper is. I'd rather not have to come back for him later if I can help it. Before I turn on the dryer, Augustine places an apartment key in front of me.

"Since it looks like we can't shake you off, here's a key," he says, looking bemused as he glances at my hair. Cerenity covers her mouth to hold in a giggle as she shuffles past, but Augustine doesn't bother as he snorts out a laugh.

"Fuck, she got you good."

Glancing at my hair, I run my brush through it as I sigh. "It's a good thing I'm a scary fucker and it doesn't matter what I look like when I show up for a meeting," I grumble.

"You just got into town, how the fuck are you already scheduling meetings?" Augustine asks, his voice hushed as he glances at the living room where Cerenity is puttering around. She's doing a terrible job of ignoring us.

"If she's here, then we are," I tell him, shrugging. "It's as simple as that."

"She needs some time to wrap her head around it," he says carefully. "Her anxiety is spiking, and she needs to find something to do. I'll probably take her car shopping, and try to get her into a safer vehicle."

The last bit is practically yelled at Cerenity, to which she flicks up both her middle fingers as I chuckle.

"I'm so glad I'm not the only one she's this surly to," I rumble.

"Nah, she's got a bat and knives around the apartment you'll never find. If she really didn't like you, you'd know it," he tells me.

Leaving me on that note, I shake my head as I brush my hair out. Fuck, it is so damn blue. I don't know how she managed it. Jasper returns as I'm blowing out my hair, his jaw dropping as he stares at the color.

"Cerenity strikes again," I yell as I keep going. I'm almost done by this point, and I'm starving. The world doesn't need a hangry mafia leader, so I need to take care of that immediately.

Turning off the hair dryer, I roll my eyes at him. "She's very proud of herself."

Jasper chuckles as he watches me pull my hair up into a man bun to keep it off of my neck. Fuck me, there goes my blond hair. I guess it's better than going gray early.

"How long are we going to let her do this?" Jasper asks, amusement still in his tone.

"As long as it takes. Blue hair is a small price to pay to get her closer to trusting us. It kind of feels as if she has a history somewhere with abusive alphas," I tell him as I pick up my clothes and towels.

I've noticed that everything has its place, and someone organized the bags while I was gone too. Finding a hamper just outside of the bathroom, I toss in the towels, putting my clothes in a plastic bag.

All this shit will be put next door tomorrow, so she doesn't need to deal with it.

I need to get someone in there to clean as well, and I add that to my neverending list. Blowing out a breath, I show Jasper the key.

"Augustine gave me a key to the apartment, so progress, I guess?" I ask with a wry smile. "A part of me wants to know who hurt our girl, because their death will be painful and long."

"And the other?" Jasper asks as he walks with me toward the door.

"The other part doesn't want to know right this moment, because I'm fucking starving, and food trumps torture right now," I tell him as Gabriel walks in the door.

"Who are you torturing?" he asks just as his eyes land on my hair. It's fucking awful. It's like a blue beacon, and Corbin and his guys are going to have a field day. Also, by Gabriel's secret smile, as he doesn't say a word about it, I'm fairly certain he helped her.

I can't even feel annoyed about it, because given the chance to make Cerenity happy, I'd agree to prank me too.

"No one right now, because we're going to get lunch. Want to come? I'll drop you back off after, so I can go to my meeting with Jasper," I explain.

"Yeah, I could eat, thanks," he says with a nod.

"Good, because I want you to hear my idea pitch to Tommy," Jasper says with a smirk as if this all fits into his plans.

Fuck, we're mafia men and opportunists. Why am I not surprised? Even if Jasper just runs the fights and trains the men, he's got a steel trap of a brain. Prepared for whatever he has coming my way, I open the door as I say, "Let me get a couple of bites of my damn food in, and we'll be fine."

Smelling blood in the water, Jasper nods as I lock up the apartment and we head out. Wherever it is, I'm sure it'll be fine.