11. Henry

It's getting late, but I've finally gone over Ben's financials with a fine-toothed comb.

It's not looking good. Without her income and interest rates going up, he's going to run into some trouble, especially with the drop in his own income from all the time he's taken off since that bitch walked out. I never liked her, but Ben wouldn't listen. She was self-centred from the start. But I'm not going to tell him I told you so. There is no point, and it would only make both of us feel worse.

Still, it's happened, and now things have to change. I don't believe getting rid of Zara is the answer, either. He needs her there so he can go and work. It's a bit of a tricky situation.

Picking up the phone, I dial Ben.

He answers straight away. "Hey."

"Hey. So, I've gone over the statements. It's not looking good, mate." Why beat around the bush? Pleasantries aren't going to make the money issues go away.

"Fuck," he sighs. "How bad?"

"Pretty bad. There's got to be cutbacks, but I don't think Zara is one of those."

A silence that is almost deafening.

"It's a lot of money," he mutters.

"I know, but without her, you can't go to work. So, we have to be practical here. She gives you the time to get back on track. Yes, it might end up a lean month or two while your salary catches up again, but she is a necessity you can't afford to lose."

"So where then?" The desperation in his tone rips at me.

"I need to dig deeper. In the meantime, don't be reckless. Stick to the basics. Yeah?"

"Yeah," he says. "Thanks, Henry. I know you've got better things to do with your time than help me figure this shit out."

"No, actually, I don't," I chide him gently. "I've got the expertise to do this, and you need someone who can see the wood for the trees."

"Thanks," he whispers and hangs up.

I sigh. I wish I could've given him better news. He needs a second income, but from where? Christ only knows.

I blink, focusing on the picture of me, Liam, and Benjamin down by the lake before Mia was born. Thick as thieves, even after she tried to undermine our friendship. I refuse to call her by her name. She doesn't deserve that respect. What she did was despicable, and if I ever see her again, I won't be responsible for my actions.

Tamping down the anger I feel over this situation, I inhale deeply, and then I have a Eureka moment.

"Fuck!" I snatch up my phone again and dial Liam on video call.

"Yeah?"

The TV is on in the background, too loud, and he's staring at it, not me.

"Give me your full attention, dickhead, this is serious."

He picks up the remote, turns it down, and faces me. "Who died?"

I grimace at him.

"Oh, fuck. Who died?" he asks, panicking.

"No one, you idiot. But Ben is in deep shit."

"Why? Did that cunt come back?"

"No," I growl, "and she'd better fucking not."

"Then what?"

"I have a proposition for you. Hear me out before you say no, okay?"

"I don't like the sound of this."

"Hear me out?"

"Okay," he capitulates.

"You are currently in a one-bedroom rented flat, a two minute walk from Ben's house. I'm your accountant, so I know your lease is up next month, asshole, so don't try me, okay? You are going to give up your lease and move in with Ben, giving him that second income he desperately needs to keep his house."

"What? Fuck off."

"No, listen to me. Shit is bad. Really bad. I've told him, and he wants me to see where he can cut back, but it's like trying to get blood out of stone, man. There is nothing else to cut back on, unless they all give up eating. Zara is non-negotiable, before you say it. He needs her so he can work."

"Oh, she definitely needs to stick around," Liam says with a salacious grin. "She is hot."

"Stop thinking with your fucking knot and be serious. You need to move in with him. Tell him your landlord isn't renewing your lease. He won't be able to refute that and will give you a roof over your head. Temporarily, which will become less temporary when he realises he needs you there."

"So you want me to move in with Ben and his hot nanny that smells of lavender with honey undertones and whose pussy I want to ride during my rut, hoping she can ease my poor suffering?"

"Jesus," I growl as he laughs. "Liam!"

"Oh, lighten up, dickhead." He goes completely sober, which is rare for him. "It's really that bad?"

"Yeah."

"Then, of course, I'll do it. I'll tell Vic I'm moving out and confide in Ben tomorrow about how I'm being thrown out."

"Don't overdo it," I warn him. "Just say Vic wants to sell up in this economic climate."

"Got it, boss," he says. "Suppose I'll start packing up my shit. Can't wait to get under the same roof as Zara."

"Hands off the nanny, asshole. She isn't there for you to harass."

"Who said anything about harassing her? I asked her out."

I groan into my hand. "You didn't?"

"I did. And I think she'll say yes. Don't tell Ben. Not yet. He will probably freak."

"Probably? Make that definitely. Liam, you're playing with fire here."

"I know, but have you seen her? Fuck, I can't stop thinking about her."

"What a shock. You thinking about an omega," I say dryly.

"No," he says, drawing out as if I'm thick. "This is different. She has bowled me over."

"God help us," I mutter, re-thinking my grand plan.

Liam chuckles. "So, not that I really mind this order from you, Your Highness, but what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Why don't you pack up and move in with him?"

"I own my house. It'll take longer to sell it or find someone to rent it out. Although three incomes will make it easier for him, for all of us, really…" I trail off, contemplating the idea of giving up my house to move in with Ben and Liam. It's not that off-putting. My house is a two-bedroom terrace on the main road. It suits my needs. I don't need anything bigger, but I'm at that point in my life where I want to start actively looking for an omega to settle down with. I can hardly do that under Ben's roof.

"What?" Liam asks. "What's making you pause?"

"I want to settle down," I say with a sigh. "My business is doing well, I'm thirty-one, it's time."

"Yeah, well, when you find the one, please make sure she isn't a cunt. I only have enough hatred in my heart for one."

Snorting as I know exactly how he feels, I reassure him. "I'll do my best. Thanks, Liam. I know I'm asking a lot."

"Fuck off. This benefits me way more than it'll benefit Ben, anyway."

"Doubtful, but good of you to say."

"No, really. I'm getting bored of my life."

I raise an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah." He slumps back, holding the phone up. "It'll be nice to have the company."

I glance around my empty space and sigh. "Yeah, I know what you mean."

"I'll let you know what Ben says then," Liam states, clearing his throat. "Hopefully, he doesn't expect me to live in a box on the side of the street. Maybe I'd better wait to tell Vic and speak to Ben first."

"I doubt he will make you live in a box, but do what you need to do. I'll speak to you tomorrow."

"See ya."

We hang up, and I sit back, feeling relieved. My approach with Liam was harsh, but he responds better to being told what to do rather than leaving it up to him. He's a bit wishy-washy at decision making and we'd still be here next year if I'd left it to him. Sitting back, I rub my hand over my face, tiredness pulling on me. I need sleep before I look through Ben's finances again. I don't want to make a mistake that could end up costing him. He's dealt with enough setbacks to last him a lifetime. I won't be the cause of anymore.