Chapter 3
Chapter Three
TOMMY
" T his can't stand! The asshole who fucked me up needs to pay," Arthur snarls. He smells like sewage when he's angry, and all I want for him is to get the fuck out of my office.
Leaning away in my chair, I cross my heavily tattooed arms over my chest.
"From the top, explain to me what happened," I command.
Holding back an eye roll that he knows won't fly with me, he takes a deep breath.
"I was finishing up a job with Oscar, picking up car parts, when I decided to hit a club for a drink," he explains. Arthur does a lot of side jobs I don't approve of, and boosting cars and selling them for scraps is one of them. It's supposed to keep him out of trouble, which is the reason I studiously ignore it.
Unfortunately, this alpha is always getting into some kind of trouble, so I raise my eyebrow at him.
"It was a strip club, and there was a misunderstanding," he admits, making me sigh in annoyance.
"Explain," I grunt. "What was the misunderstanding?"
"I squeezed the dancer's tit, and the owner beat the tar out of me," he grumbles. It did not escape my notice that he's wheezing a bit and limping. Looks as if the owner got more than his fair share of swings on him. His scent changes again, making me think there's a bit more to the story.
"If you went to a titty bar in Chicago, this probably wouldn't have happened," I rumble with a sigh. "What do you want to do? I draw the line at setting fire to his business."
Arthur's eyes light up, and I know he's happy with my response. I'm going to need to open the windows to air out my office, I'm so fucking ready to send him on his way.
"I want to pick him up with some of my boys and show him a lesson he'll never forget," he growls. There's something shifty about him as he glances to the side, and again I feel as if I'm not receiving the entire story.
"Is there anything else I need to know?" I ask. "Don't kill him or bring the police to our door, Arthur."
I keep the alpha around because he's quick on his feet, and follows directions for the most part. He's also part of my father's old guard, so there's a sentimental reason for it as well. My issue with him is he follows his cock too often on his down time instead of his brain.
"No, Sir," Arthur says with a smirk, knowing he's about to get his way.
"Great, go away then," I grunt, done with his ridiculous antics.
Face falling, he nods as he walks out the door.
Did he think I was going to entertain him with a little jig? Absolutely not.
Rolling my eyes, I stand, needing to stretch my legs. My office isn't in a warehouse as some might think, but rather at a fighting gym. A large amount of my income comes from the illegal fights I host, with idiots trying to pit their boxers against mine.
It's a lost cause, because I only back the best, and Jasper trains them all.
Strolling through the gym, I stop here and there to watch fighters sparing together, spotting a weakness here and there. Jerking my chin at the trainer working under Jasper, I mention my concerns before moving on. I know my views will be passed on, because once upon a time I was also a fighter before I took over the Firm.
I watch tapes, I can see weaknesses and strengths, and it makes us stronger, so we can pivot as needed. There's an element of excitement in the fighting ring during a big fight as everyone roars for blood, knowing each man who fights will leave it all in the ring. Fighters are paid well for their blood, sweat, and tears, and in return, it keeps my outfit running and my coffers fat.
Continuing through the gym, I see Gabriel sparring hard against another fighter we brought in to stretch his abilities. He's set to fight someone in a larger weight class than he's in, and I want to make sure he's ready for it.
Stopping short so I don't distract them, I watch as Gabriel ducks and jabs, using his slightly smaller size to his advantage. Eomon is an older fighter, but that means he has more tricks up his sleeve.
I watch with rapt attention as Eomon attempts to swipe Gabriel's feet out from under him, but instead his opponent jumps and bends backwards as he throws a punch. My jaw drops as I watch as Gabriel purposely tangles his legs in Eomon's to force him to the ground. The fight gets fierce as they grapple and attempt to pin the other as they throw punches.
They're a lot more evenly matched than I thought, they just have different styles when they spar. Jasper calls it when Gabriel wraps his strong legs around Eomon's throat, forcing the man to turn redder than a tomato as he attempts to force him off but can't. That's the only reason why a fight should be called in my opinion.
They're practicing, not literally attempting to knock each other's block off.
Moving closer, I listen to the tips Eomon gives Gabriel, even as he coughs from the lack of air he had earlier. Jasper glances at me as he sees me walk up, smirking as he inclines his head.
The man is a legend in the underground fighting circuit, and I have no problems giving the smug bastard his props.
"Think he'll be ready for next week?" I ask, my gaze on the beta in question.
"Absolutely," Jasper grunts. "He's been training hard, and is a natural. There's always something he can learn, though. Gabriel is coachable."
That's what I want to hear.
"Did I see Arthur leaving earlier?" Jasper asks quietly. I know he doesn't get along well with the alpha, and with good reason.
"Yep," I mutter. "He had his knot in a twist about something. I told him to sort it out without killing anyone."
"I guess that's the best you can ask for," he says, chuckling quietly as Gabriel approaches us.
"Good work," I praise him. "I almost thought he had you for a second."
"Me too," he admits, flushing. "My body was moving from muscle memory at one point and instinct."
"That's why you train," I tell him. "What's next for you?"
"Some cardio, weights, and then a cool down," Gabriel reports. "I plan to take my ass home to nap after that."
Chuckling, I have to admit I would too. "Good man. Get to it, I think you'll earn your down time today."
Gabriel is very focused, and doesn't party or drink as some of my other fighters do. He eats well, trains hard, taking this life seriously.
Smiling, he says his goodbyes as he strides off, drinking water as he goes.
"He knows what he needs to do," Jasper grunts. "I think I'll go torture someone new, since I know he's good."
"May I suggest Gordon?" I ask, my lips spreading into a wicked grin. "He parked in my parking spot today, and I almost had him towed. I like this form of vengeance more."
"Yes, Sir," Jasper says with a wink, his ice-blue eyes appearing odd with the familiar action. "You going to be walking the floor for a bit so you can enjoy the torture?"
"I think I will," I say with a chuckle. "I'll be around before I head out."
While I have no problems busting heads and meting out punishments, sometimes it's just as satisfying to be petty.
GAbrIEL
I'm exhausted. Today was brutal, and every single muscle in my body is screaming. I'm kind of glad Augustine is coming in from Minneapolis, because I'm going to need a massage after this.
Driving home, I know I'm going to need to ice my shoulder, since it's feeling really tight. My phone buzzes, but I ignore it until I pull into my apartment building. While I make really good money as Tommy Madden's fighter, the truth is I don't need much else than a roof over my head, so I live in a one bedroom apartment near the other fighters I work with.
The two things I splurged on was my couch and bed. Augustine was adamant that he needed a comfortable place to sleep for when Cerenity kicks him out during her heats. I don't understand the hang up she has about alphas and knots. I can't take all of his knot, but fuck does it feel good when he uses me.
It makes me sad that he's left to pine for her, but it's not my place to say anything. I know she's his scent match, and I keep waiting for him to choose her over me.
Picking up my phone, my lips twitch as I see it's from Augustine. It's been about seven hours since I hung up with him at the gym, so he's been in Chicago for about an hour or two.
Auggie: Hey, are you about done beating the shit out of people and being amazing yet? I'm almost done shopping for a certain blue-haired omega.
Yeah, I'm home. I just pulled in. I'm in training, so you know what that means.
Auggie: No junk food and no sex?
Snorting, I shake my head as I get out of my truck. It's true, I get a little crazy when it comes to training, but it's been awhile since I've seen Augustine, and neither of us have sex with other people.
It's an unspoken rule, even though we tend to be on again, off again. Over the years, I've pushed him away to give him the space to be with other people, because I'm a glutton for punishment.
My insecurities are showing, and we didn't speak for almost two years after a huge fight about how he needs an omega to make him happy as an alpha. I'm not interested in dating, because my life is the ring, and the hanger-ons at the fights are pathetic.
They don't have anything I want or need, and easy pussy isn't something I'm interested in.
If you're offering, I'll take a blow job and a massage, baby.
That's the second time I've said that word, and I wait for him to correct me. I know he's waiting to be able to break the news to Cerenity that he's her scent match. He has visions of making the three of us work, but I just don't know if that's going to be possible.
As I walk up the stairs to my apartment, my thoughts turn to the problem Augustine mentioned. I need to make sure that he tells me what happened, so I can do a little digging. My phone buzzes again in my hand, making me roll my eyes as I hike my gym bag up on my shoulder.
I need to take a shower and do some laundry before he gets here.
Thank God my apartment included a washer and dryer, so I don't have to worry about having to fight to use a shared laundry room. Blowing out a breath as I let myself into my apartment, I allow myself to check my phone.
Auggie: Only if you make me dinner first. I'm fucking starving.
That's the second time I've said that word, and I wait for him to correct me. I know he's waiting to be able to break the news to Cerenity that he's her scent match. He has visions of making the three of us work, but I just don't know if that's going to be possible.
As I walk up the stairs to my apartment, my thoughts turn to the problem Augustine mentioned. I need to make sure that he tells me what happened, so I can do a little digging. My phone buzzes again in my hand, making me roll my eyes as I hike my gym bag up on my shoulder.
I need to take a shower and do some laundry before he gets here.
Thank God my apartment included a washer and dryer, so I don't have to worry about having to fight to use a shared laundry room. Blowing out a breath as I let myself into my apartment, I allow myself to check my phone.
Chicken and quinoa or salmon and broccoli?
He wasn't kidding when he joked about my being on a high protein diet. I'm going to make him go for a run with me tonight too if he's staying here. It'll be good for him.
Auggie: Salmon and broccoli. Thanks, Pookie.
God, he's such an idiot.
Spending the next hour showering, doing laundry, and icing my shoulder as I cook, I find myself winding down from the adrenaline rush of training. When the door opens behind me, I twist my body to make sure it's Augustine before continuing to plate the food.
"Did you take the long way?" I tease him as I bring the plates to the small dining table that I have, along with a beer for him and water for me.
"I found a marshmallow store, and stopped to grab some of Cere's favorites," he admits with a slight blush. He's got it so bad for her. "I left the cooler in the truck on ice. I made a meat run too."
My lips curve even as I feel a little disappointment. He'll be back during Cerenity's heat this week, we both track her cycle, though for different reasons. I don't know her well, but I'm fairly certain she wouldn't appreciate me knowing that her heat is due soon.
"So this was a productive trip," I guess, tucking into my food. I am freaking starving.
Augustine nods as he takes a bite and moans happily as he eats. My heart flip-flops at his appreciation, because I didn't do anything special. This man just makes certain the people important to him know they're appreciated. It's not his fault I want more.
"It was," he murmurs. "Cere's birthday is coming up, and I found her wearable throwing knives for her hair. I also bought her a dress to take her out to dinner."
"She's so not the typical omega," I say, amused. "I don't know her well, but I like how she is perfectly capable of taking care of herself."
A shadow passes over Augustine's face, reminding me again of the trouble they had last night.
"Yeah, about that," he sighs. "What can you tell me about Arthur Bailey?"
"I know he works for Tommy," I tell him, taking a sip of water. "Arthur is a bit of a hot head, and likes his whores. I didn't see him today at the gym, but it doesn't mean he wasn't there mouthing off to the boss. Is he the one who was messing with your dancer?"
"Yeah," Augustine grunts. "Cere embarrassed him and beat him up, then had him thrown out of the club. She was pretty pissed off about it, and I don't blame her. Róisin and the other cage dancers depend on our security to walk them to their places so no one gets grabby."
"So what happened?" I ask, pushing my plate away as I finish. I absolutely inhaled my food.
"Someone fucked up and Róisin, one of our cage dancers, didn't want to be late to hit her mark," he explains. "She decided to take her chances, and even though she kept trying to say no, he wouldn't let her go. Arthur got a bit handsy with her, which is unacceptable."
"Looks like Cerenity took out the trash," I tell him with a smile, carefully rotating my shoulder as I take the ice pack off. This particular pack has Velcro so I don't have to hold it.
"She did. Look, I promised you a massage, let's loosen some of those muscles. I have a bit before I have to go," Augustine says, his eye on my shoulder.
"It's a lot better than it looks," I say with a shrug, picking up the dishes.
Augustine raises an eyebrow as he follows me, stealing the plates from me and washing them.
"Now, march to the bedroom and be a good boy for me," Augustine growls.
"Fuck me, really?" I groan. My cock is rock hard. I've been trying so hard not to think about how good he smells. It's like cinnamon bark and grapefruit had a baby together.
My feet are already moving when Augustine flicks the towel, smacking my ass with it as I hiss.
"Good boys get fucked, and I just see a brat who doesn't deserve my cum," he grunts as he follows me.
Ugh, he's going to make me beg, and even then I'm sure he'll leave me wanting. Walking into my bedroom, I shuck off my gym shorts, since it's the only article of clothing I'm currently wearing.
"I swear I could bounce quarters off that ass," Augustine groans, biting his fist as he gestures for me to get on the bed.
Shaking my head at his antics, I climb onto the mattress, knowing I look good. I work hard on my body and health because it's my job to be in the best physical shape I can be.
"Argh, just lay on your stomach, and stop wiggling your ass at me already," he mutters, making me chuckle because I really wasn't.
Getting comfortable on the bed, I wrap my arms under my pillow, enjoying how cool it is. No matter how warm you are, it'll never heat up, which makes it my favorite.
Augustine riffles through my nightstand to find a massage oil before positioning himself over me, so that he's straddling my waist. He's fully dressed in a pair of jeans and a tank-top, looking fucking edible.
His oiled palms rub slowly over my muscles, making me sigh as I breathe out. Slowly, the tightness begins to unravel, his expert hands finding every problem area.
"Why didn't you hit the jacuzzi after you were done in the gym?" he breathes in my ear as he massages my body.
I have to swallow a whimper as my hips begin to rock against the bedspread, looking for friction.
"I was excited to see you," I tell him, flushing as he kisses behind my ear.
"Good. It's been too damn long," he growls. "Turn over so I can suck your cock before I go."
My heart is pounding as I turn, my gaze caught in his green eyes.
"With a mouth like yours, how could I say no?" I ask before he robs the air from my lungs as he kisses me. Auggie does everything full throttle, and kissing is no different.
His large hand wraps around my cock, making me grunt as my fingers get tangled in his hair. He'll need a haircut soon, and it's a toss up between whether it'll be Cerenity or myself who will get to cut it.
She swears she eschews intimacy, but I know the rules are different with Auggie.
I can't really blame her there. Something about him just feels safe.
Auggie's fist tightens as it slowly begins to stroke me, making my hips rise off the mattress.
"Shhh," he murmurs against my lips, nipping them hard enough that I can feel the pain. It does nothing except stoke the fire raging inside of me, because I get off on pain.
You can't exactly put your body through what I do and not enjoy it.
"Auggie," I gasp as he kisses and bites his way down my body.
"Say it again," he growls, his eyes pinning me to the mattress before he opens his mouth and swallows my already weeping crown.
"Auggie!" I scream, my fingers clenching together as I pull on his hair.
Unbothered, he forces more of my cock down his throat, groaning as if I'm the best tasting dessert that he's ever had. I'm a beta, and there's nothing special about me, but I feel like so much more when this alpha worships me.
Augustine groans as his tongue slides down the underside of my cock, making my eyes roll as his throat works around me. His nose is grazing my hip as he bobs up and down on my shaft, and my control is close to snapping. A tap on my hip is all I need to spread my thighs wide, placing my feet flat on the mattress as I fuck up into his mouth.
Auggie takes my cock perfectly, the wet sounds as he sucks me off making my balls draw tight. As if that wasn't enough, he pushes his fingers into my tight asshole, fucking me with them as I cry out. His answering noises as he enjoys torturing me makes me shudder, and I explode a minute later.
We're both breathing hard as he pulls off my cock with a smug smile, crawling up my body as he opens his mouth. My cum lays on his tongue, and his finger taps on my lips to gain entry, which I do without a second thought.
Auggie pushes my cum out of his mouth until it slowly drips into mine, making me gasp as he follows it down to kiss me.
My arms wrap around him as I lose myself in his, knowing my time with him is ending soon.
"I don't want to sleep on the couch next week," he whispers, making my eyes widen.
"There's always a place in my bed for you," I murmur. Augustine gives me a slow smile as he kisses me goodbye and leaves.
I can't imagine permanently saying goodbye to him, which means this is going to hurt when it eventually blows up in our faces. It's the reason we're on and off so much, and I've never formally met Cerenity.
We know of each other, but that's all. Sighing, I stand up to get dressed for my solo run, feeling much more relaxed than before.
Auggie definitely has a magic touch.
CERENITY
God, today refuses to end. Maybe it's because I know I'll be going home to an empty apartment, but everything seems to be dragging today. I watched the new dance routine for the cage dancers to have an excuse to break from the financial part of this business, and offered a few tips that they took graciously.
I love dancing, and even took professional classes before I opened the doors to the club. My end goal has always been this place, but I wanted to make sure I knew the ins and outs. I took bookkeeping classes too, even though I loathe them so I could take care of it.
I trust Augustine with my life, and no one else. He's a fantastic manager, takes responsibility for the schedules, and people rarely complain about their shifts or call out sick.
I also placed restock orders for booze, some new glasses, because we tend to go through them, since broken shit happens, and any other odds and ends that we needed. When I'm finally finished, it's almost nine at night, the sun is long gone from the sky, and I'm fucking starving.
Just about everyone is gone except Xavier, who wouldn't leave until he could walk me to my car. Augustine texted me to say he would be headed back soon, and to be careful on my way home. I sent him a heart in response, because I really wanted to tell him that I hate going to an empty apartment.
I can't say that though since he's not mine.
Smiling at Xavier as I hold my keys in my hand, I thank him once we're at my little car.
"Thank you for walking me out, Xavier," I say, opening my door.
Nodding, he stays where he is, eyes rapt as I ease myself inside.
"Are you going straight home?" he asks, frowning. I know he's worried about Arthur, but I really doubt he'll do anything. I have my knife on me just in case though, because a scorned alpha is unpredictable.
"No, I'm craving Chinese food, so I'm going to call in my order and swing by to get it first. I'm dragging ass after today," I admit with a sigh.
"Please watch your six," he grumbles. "I'm sure there's perfectly good shit to eat at home."
"I'm sure there is, but I hate making food for one," I mutter. "It's just easier to get take out."
Xavier nods, knowing that Augustine is running errands, but not where.
"I'll see you tomorrow, boss," he says as I wave and close the door behind me.
He watches as I turn on the car and get situated before he heads to his own car, allowing me to relax a smidge when nothing jumps out at me.
I'm a bit on edge as I drive, and taking a breath, I call the Chinese restaurant to place an order. They're open till two in the morning every night, so I know they'll pick up.
" Hello, may I take your order ?" Lui asks, making me smile.
He's the Huang's teenage son, and helps them run the restaurant. They're all very nice, making the best food between my apartment and the club.
I greet him and place my order, nodding as he tells me it'll be twenty minutes. Turning on the radio after I hang up, I hum with the music as I stop at a light. The area is quiet for a Monday night, and I look around suspiciously as I wait for the light to change.
Shaking my head at my paranoia, I hit the gas when the light turns green. A bright white light that shouldn't exist makes me turn my head to my left, and I scream as a huge truck slams into my car.
He could have hit me harder, but because of the size of my small vehicle, it spins like a top in the intersection as I white knuckle my steering wheel.
An embarrassing squeal escapes my lips as the car flips, and I can feel the roof crumpling around me as it scrapes along the asphalt underneath me. Breathing heavily, I shut my eyes for a moment as my car stops sliding.
I have to get out. Fuck, I'm upside down. Focus, Cere.
Swallowing hard as I open my eyes again, I shift my hips forward, so I can reach behind my back to pull my knife from the holster without slicing myself. It's difficult because the damn seatbelt is doing its job very well, and is locked in place. I can hear yelling and see the headlights of more cars, making me realize this is an ambush.
Who the fuck crashes into someone? Damn crazy people are who.
My head hurts, my vision is swimming, but I force myself to start cutting the seat belt to get free. Blood trickles from my forehead, explaining the pain I'm feeling. I hit it when the car flipped over.
The bile rising in my throat tastes like battery acid as I swallow it back down, making me wonder if I possibly have a head injury. I'm running on too much adrenaline to check too thoroughly, and I know I have to get out of here. My hands are steady as I work, which is the only positive thing I have going for me at the moment.
"Yo, Arthur, what do you want us to do with the little omega bitch now? She smells real good," a man taunts.
Shaking my head of the threatening darkness, I yell inwardly at myself to keep moving. Ignore them, cut yourself loose, and fucking run.
For God's sake, don't lose the damn knife.
Apparently I suck at pep talks.
"I hear the auctions need some fresh meat," Arthur says with a chuckle. "What do you think, boys? She's real pretty, even if she is feisty. We've already knocked her around a bit. Maybe we should take her for a ride first."
"Is Ophelia still open right now, or should we take her somewhere else?" another alpha asks roughly, as if considering it.
My breaths sound harsh and too loud as I finally manage to cut the strap across my hips. I swallow the gasp that threatens to escape as I drop a bit before beginning on the next strap. I miss whatever Arthur grunts about Ophelia, a well-known omega who runs an auction house in Minnesota.
The alphas are slowly surrounding me as I hear the broken glass crunching under their feet. That's fine, I'm wearing my shitkickers and jeans. I may get a little roughed up by the glass, but there's nothing wrong with my legs.
I plan to wiggle out and then run like hell.
Working quickly, I listen to them as they catcall across the large intersection, wondering vaguely how they're keeping it clear. I knew it felt too damn empty. Fuck.
After what feels like ages, the second stubborn strap comes loose, and I drop my hands down to save my head. My wrist twists, making me wince and I'm forced to switch hands as I slither out toward the window furthest away from me, because I can see more boots on the ground coming to grab me.
"We've got a live one!" one of Arthur's men yells with an evil laugh, bending to attempt to snatch my ankle through the broken glass.
I grunt quietly, refusing to exhaust myself by yelling, kicking at his hand even as my heart beat slams against my ribs. The windshield looks like a giant spider web from the accident, I think vaguely as glass scrapes my arms as I struggle to get away from the alpha.
No, no, no. Let go!
I must have yelled the last two words as the alpha curses and releases me. I ignore another scratch on my face that happened somehow, and the feeling of blood beginning to drip down my skin.
I get out with a wiggle, exploding into motion to get upright, even as the world threatens to tilt on me. Swiping across my eyes, I blink hard to clear the film somehow crawling along my vision, trying to orient myself.
There's no one around who can help, as most of these buildings are closed, but maybe I can lose them in one of the alleys.
Struggling to make a plan on the fly, I force my feet to keep moving. Running hard, I try to clock where everyone else is as I focus on getting away. Unfortunately, I still slam into a huge brick shithouse of another alpha, screaming as his arms attempt to squeeze the air out of me. I continue to wiggle and kick, managing to stab and slice at his side.
"Fuck, she's too much trouble, Arthur," he growls as he squeezes harder. The world is disappearing faster than it should, and I can't draw breath, no matter how many times I kick him to get some space.
My ears are ringing, his mouth moving, but I can't hear him. It can't end like this. I've avoided being caught in a position I can't escape from my entire life. I can't get sold to the auctions. I haven't told Auggie I love him. This can't be the end.
"Give up," the alpha growls in my ear with a smirk as my hearing rushes back in so quickly it makes me feel like puking. I'm so fucking disoriented between this giant and the car crash.
"I'm not against breaking your damn ribs, little omega. Especially since you have me bleeding like a fucking stuck pig."
My lungs scream at me to breathe, but I can't, and I feel my body shutting down. As the world blurs until I can't see anything, I ask for forgiveness from the one alpha who isn't here.
I'm sorry, Auggie. I should have told you I loved you sooner than this.