Chapter 11

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Artemis

T he strangest mix of feelings pulsed through me as I drove back to Barrington. I felt light and happy, like I was having the best day of my life and everything was going my way. I also felt a twinge of anxiety as my bond with Fletcher pulled tighter and tighter as I put distance between us. I didn’t think it was possible for those two feelings to exist side by side in one person, but as I pulled into the parking garage of my building, I definitely felt both things.

It was frustrating, really. I wanted to embrace the happy, embrace the sense that I’d done something right and the world would be a better place because of it. The niggling worry kept poking at me, though.

As wrong as it seemed, I tried not to think about my bond with Fletcher as I rushed to change into a business suit for my interview. I didn’t like the fact that if I ignored it, I could almost forget about the bond. It was like some sort of rubber band I’d put around my wrist earlier that had left my conscious thoughts as I went about my business. It was there, but not prominent.

My alpha wasn’t happy. My omega should be prominent. Gideon should be prominent, too, though he was mostly in my head and heart, and not under my skin, like Fletcher was.

Case in point, as I strode quickly through Barrington’s busy streets, grateful I could walk to the building that housed Arise Financial, I stopped dead when I crossed in front of a bookstore’s dazzling window display. The person walking behind me nearly crashed into me, but after an apology, I moved closer to the window.

There was an illustrated copy of The Captive Omega Princes and Their Secret Dragon Princes sitting on a raised stand. The book was thick and as far as I could see from the cover, the illustrations were gorgeous.

I was supposed to be at Justice Goode’s office in less than ten minutes, but I couldn’t resist the book. I dashed into the store, grabbed one of the copies from the window display, then rushed to the counter to pay for it. Gideon would love this book. Just thumbing through it, I caught glimpses of the story he’d mentioned, about Azurus and Misha, and more. It was perfect.

“Would you like a bag for that, sir?” the young woman behind the counter asked me. When I glanced up at her, she gave me an apologetic look and said, “We’ve just run out. It’ll take me three minutes to run to the back and get some more.”

“No, I’ll just carry it,” I said, then nodded and strode out of the store.

The book was oversized and designed for children, but it felt right carrying it under my arm as I rushed on to the building with Arise Financial. I got a grin from a cute omega in the elevator on the way up to the twelfth floor, then another smile from the receptionist at Arise Financial.

“Mr. Goode is expecting you,” the middle-aged beta said with a professional smile. “If you would come this way.”

I hardly broke stride as I followed the beta down a side hall, past a few offices that reminded me of every other financial-type office I’d ever been in. The only difference was that instead of generic, abstract art on the walls, this office had what looked like handmade, calligraphy quotes with illustrated flowers and vines in simple frames. My mind was too scattered to think much about the quotes, but I did vaguely register that one was a Bible quote as I passed it.

We reached a closed door, and the receptionist knocked softly on it. At the curt answer, “Yes?” she popped her head in.

“Mr. Montgomery is here to see you, sir.”

“Oh, yes. Show him in, please.” Goode’s tone changed to the friendlier way he’d sounded on the phone.

The receptionist opened the door all the way, stepped in, then gestured for me to follow.

“Mr. Montgomery, I’m so glad you could make it in on such short notice,” Goode greeted me.

He’d been standing behind his desk, fiddling with what looked like an old paper map on the counter behind him. He was dressed in a suit, but he’d taken the jacket off and his shirt had come untucked in one place on the side. His tie was a little loose, too, and if I wasn’t mistaken, he was slightly flushed. I couldn’t quite put my finger on why, but I immediately felt he was angry and agitated about something, despite his smile.

“Mr. Goode,” I said, shifting the book to my other arm so I could shake his hand when he reached me.

The receptionist quietly left, shutting the door behind her.

Goode’s face lit up a bit when he saw the book in my arm. “Omega fairy tales,” he said, still shaking my hand firmly.

“Yes, I just saw it on the way over here and I had to buy it,” I said, wishing he would let go of my hand already. “I, um, my omega really enjoys them.”

I wasn’t sure why I lied like that. Not about Gideon enjoying the fairy tales, but about him being mine. Then again, it didn’t feel like a lie at all.

“Mine, too,” Goode said, as though delighted we’d found something in common. He let go of my hand at last and gestured for me to have a seat at one of the chairs in front of his desk while he walked back around it. “My omega is mad for them, actually. To the point where I had to ban him from reading any books.”

I faltered a bit in the middle of sitting. “Ban him from reading?” I asked, tense even after I’d settled into the chair.

“An omega’s sole focus should be on his alpha,” Goode said, still smiling. “God gifted them with obedience and the ability to bear children. To give their focus to anything else would be anathema.”

He spoke so easily and smoothly, but my heart beat faster, as if he’d threatened me.

I cleared my throat and settled the book on my lap, keeping my hands on it like I was protecting Gideon. I searched for my bond with Fletcher as well. For some reason, it seemed more stretched and farther away than ever.

“Enough about omegas,” Goode laughed as he leaned back in his chair. “I don’t have a lot of time this afternoon. Family matters, you see. I’m sure you understand, if I am correct in assuming the reason for your unavailability over the last few days.”

“Yes,” I said, loath to say more.

“Family matters are the reason I need to make certain Arise Financial has the perfect CFO as quickly as possible,” Goode said. “I have something to resolve with my omega that will take me away from the office for several weeks. But having taken a look at your CV, consulted with my recruiter, and, I have to admit, investigated your work with Victory Holdings over the last few years, I think you would be an ideal candidate to temporarily man the helm here at Arise Financial.”

He smiled and flashed his perfect white teeth. Everything on the outside was smooth and confident. Goode had even straightened his shirt before sitting. He looked like the ideal executive seated as he was now.

“What sort of duties and responsibilities does the CFO of Arise Financial have?” I asked, throwing my concentration into the interview.

“They would start by learning our systems as they exist now,” Goode said. “We have a distinct work culture here that includes a sense of family and the importance of cohesion. Our new CFO would be expected to comply with our standards. We have a broad portfolio of investment and an elite client list which he would manage, but we’re also looking to expand into new areas of business.”

It was all standard and expected talk. As Goode went on, I nodded and felt confident about my ability to do the job he needed someone to do. I was definitely qualified, and everything he said as he explained a bit about the company’s past and where he wanted it to go told me that this would definitely be a step up in the world for me. The salary he mentioned was almost double what I was making at Victory Holdings, and it came with perks.

Other things about the interview set my teeth on edge, though. I started to take in the décor of the office, for one. In addition to another calligraphy quote about how the alpha was the head of the home and omegas had been created to submit, he had a print of a painting I recognized as a very famous rendering of Jesus as an alpha and the disciples as omegas who served him. That particular painting was a favorite with religious reactionaries who believed alphas were entitled to keep harems of omegas because God said so.

More things bothered me as the interview went on.

“I assume you’re married?” Goode asked me at one point. “We here at Arise Financial believe in traditional values of marriage and family.”

I hesitated, not knowing how to answer. I’d already implied Gideon was my omega, but the sharp scrutiny in Goode’s eyes as he studied me now made me wonder if it would be better to protect him by coming clean.

“Of course,” I answered. He could take it to be a yes to me being married, but I could say it was in answer to the company’s values about family.

“And your omega stays home with the children?” he asked on.

I squirmed, deeply uncomfortable with the question and its implications.

I was saved from answering as Goode’s cell phone rang. He immediately tensed, and for a second, I felt like I had a glimpse through the smiley mask he was wearing.

“Excuse me a moment,” he said, picking up his phone. “This has to do with the urgent family business I’m dealing with.” He swiveled his chair to mostly face away from me and answered his call with a curt, “Hello?”

I wanted to get out of the room as fast as I could. My senses were pinging, telling me this was a bad place and Goode, despite his name, was a bad person.

“I already know that,” he snapped at the phone. “Does he know I’m coming?” There was a short pause before he said, “Good, good. And keep it that way. What about the correction house, is that prepared?” There was another longer pause before he said, “Perfect. I want everything ready. We should be there tonight as soon as I fetch him.”

My skin crawled, but more than that, a dozen small things that either Gideon or Fletcher had said to me in the last three days kept rising to the top of my thoughts.

“He’s unimportant,” Goode said, as if answering a question. “No, strike that. He stole from me. He’s an adulterer who took what was mine. I’ll deal with him the way he deserves.” Another short pause, then Goode said, “He’s just an omega. What can he do?”

I pulled in a breath, my alpha suddenly very much awake and growling.

“I’m nearly finished here,” Goode went on. “I’ll meet you at Parson’s, then drive out to the farm to get him.”

I nearly launched out of my seat as everything fell together. The pictures on the wall, everything Goode was saying, even his name made it clear he was one of The People. The mention that his omega liked fairy tales, the farm, and what could only be talk about another omega were definitely references to Gideon. I was ninety-nine percent certain Goode was the abusive alpha who Gideon had escaped from years ago.

Only it sounded like Goode had figured out where Gideon and Fletcher were.

I had to reach them before Goode did. I had to save my omegas.

“Alright. Yes. I’ll see you shortly,” Goode said, ending his call.

I forced myself to breathe and to fake boredom as Goode twisted his chair back to face me. “Sorry about that,” he said, back to appearing completely affable. “You know how family business is.”

Miraculously, I made myself chuckle like I figured another horrible alpha would. “I do know,” I said.

I had to convince Goode everything was normal and I didn’t know exactly what kind of a monster he was. I had to walk out of his office unimpeded and race to the farm before he could get there.

“So, Mr. Montgomery,” Goode said with a smile, radiating tension. “What do you think about joining our team here at Arise Financial?”

“You’re presenting me with an amazing opportunity,” I answered the way I would have at any other interview. “I’m definitely leaning towards taking you up on your offer. I do need to give it a little bit of thought.”

Goode’s smile turned brittle. “I can’t promise that the offer will still be available tomorrow,” he said.

“Oh, I’m sure, I’m sure. And I don’t think it’ll take me that long to make a decision,” I said, feigning enthusiasm. “Honestly, I just need to head back to Victory Holdings, present this offer to Vivien Woodbury, see if she comes up with a counteroffer, and then I’ll sign on with you by the end of the day.” I winked as if sharing with him that’s how business deals like these worked.

Goode relaxed, then stood and came around his desk. I stood to greet him, taking his hand as he shook mine.

“I’m pleased with your answer,” he said, walking me towards the door. “And I’m looking forward to a bright and fruitful future.”

“So am I,” I said, smiling.

I wanted to run. It was agony to walk casually back through the office to reception, then to wait for the elevator with the receptionist grinning at me. As I stepped into the elevator, she wiggled her fingers goodbye at me.

I waved back, but as soon as the elevator doors closed, I lost my smile completely.

I grabbed my phone and quickly dialed Fletcher. I could warn them Goode was coming and give them a head start. Fletcher’s phone just rang and rang, though, without any answer.

By the time the elevator doors slid open on the ground floor, I was coming close to complete panic. I needed to get to them. I needed to save my omegas from unspeakable horrors.

Clutching the book of fairy tales tightly in one arm, I all but ran down the city street, dodging pedestrians, to get back to my building. It seemed to take too long, but I had the feeling everything would take too long at this point.

Once I reached my building, I headed straight to the parking garage, not stopping to go upstairs and change out of my suit. There wasn’t time. I tossed the fairy tale book on the passenger seat, noticing with relief that I hadn’t taken my overnight bag with a few changes of clothes out of the back seat yet, then turned the car on and backed out of my space with dangerous speed .

My drive back out to the farm took longer than driving into the city had. It was too close to rush hour, which meant more traffic on the city streets and a bit more on the highway leading west. I growled at the cars around me in frustration and banged on my steering wheel a few times when I hit red lights. At least Goode would run into the same sort of traffic. It sounded like he was making a stop before he headed out to the farm, so I might have gotten enough of a jump on him.

I tried calling Fletcher a few more times, but I still didn’t get an answer.

“What are you guys doing?” I hissed in frustration after my fifth attempt to call.

They were probably asleep. Both of them had just gotten through heat, and they were probably exhausted. That would just make them vulnerable when Goode caught up with them, though.

Deeper worries lashed me once I finally reached the highway and could speed out to the countryside. The things I’d overheard Goode say definitely indicated he would kill Fletcher when he found him. I didn’t want to imagine the ways he would torture Gideon if he got his hands on him.

It wouldn’t happen. I wouldn’t let it happen. Fletcher and Gideon were mine now, and I would defend them with my life.

The faintest tickle of strangeness at the way I was so ready to claim both omegas as mine sounded in the back of my brain, but I ignored it. I’d reached the long drive at the farm, and I didn’t have time to worry about my feelings.

The house looked empty when I got there. Dusk had started to fall, and I was certain I should see lights of some sort on in the house. A single light over the front door was on, but it could have been on a timer. The expensive car parked out front was still there.

I parked and jumped out of the car, running to the kitchen door, where I’d entered before, and knocking loudly.

“Fletcher? Gideon?” I called through the window.

I pounded again, but was answered by silence. Panic pushed me away from the door. I dashed around the house, peeking in at as many of the windows as I could reach. The house seemed abandoned, but that didn’t mean Fletcher and Gideon weren’t upstairs.

I was on the verge of finding something to break a window when sense hit me. The bond. I could reach Fletcher through the bond.

I forced myself to take a few steps back from the house and breathe. It was probably unnecessary, but I closed my eyes and forced myself to concentrate.

Fletcher still felt so far away. The bond was stretched and faint, but it was definitely there. I slowly turned in a circle, feeling for Fletcher with everything I had. When I felt like I was facing him, I opened my eyes.

I wasn’t facing the house. I was certain Fletcher and Gideon weren’t there now. If I wasn’t mistaken, I was facing northeast.

I dashed back to my car, slammed the door, and started the engine. I didn’t know where I was going, but if I followed the sense of Fletcher I could feel through our bond, I might just find them. That meant I had to head northeast.

I drove up the driveway as fast as I could, then turned onto the road in as close to a northeasterly direction as I could manage. A black SUV was coming from the other direction, but I had plenty of time to make my turn before it reached me.

It was pure chance that I looked in the rearview mirror as I put my foot on the gas and sped on. The black SUV turned onto the farm’s driveway. Watching that felt like a rock dropping into my stomach. It was Goode. He’d found them. That was the only explanation.

Goode was too late. Fletcher had taken Gideon and run. That didn’t mean they were safe yet, but they would be. When I caught up to them, I would keep them safe and stop anyone from hurting them.