Ch 13: Bastard

Life is surreal. One could suppose that's one way of saying that life is an all together awful experience. Or one could argue that as painful as the experience is, in between are the flashes of joy and excitement that bring down the opinion of life being completely awful to it being only mildly awful. If you want to be especially pretentious, desperate, naive, unbearably optimistic, or all four, you could say there's light at the end of the tunnel. All the pain is the plan of some cosmic being or the Laws of Physics coming together to bring about the perfect happy ending to it all, no, but really, truly, all the pain will pass.

Well, to said cosmic being or to the Laws of Physics, I say, fuck off. Take your destiny or fate and kindly shove it up your ass (preferably) or a black hole so dense one can't see it before being sucked into the void and stretching to impossible proportions.

That bastard. I couldn't seem to get him out of my life. Whether it was through driving Vinnie out of business, moving to New York and setting up ventures rivaling Seraz, or fucking my ex during our relationship, Ross Edwards just couldn't leave me the fuck alone and part of me was starting to think that some sadistic Divine Intervention was at play. We hadn't even met. I barely said a word to him. And I wanted to punch his face.

"You're sure that was Ross Edwards...?" Hans asked slowly. I couldn't tell if he was being patronizing or if running away from your mobster father somehow correlated with an increase in emphasizing each word of a sentence. I raised an eyebrow.

"Jet black hair, gray eyes, nice, angular cheekbones, a punchable face? That was the same bastard. I knew it when I saw it. S'not like Mish-Mikhail contradicted me when I pointed out that he was fucking the richest man in New York."

There was a silence from the other seat as we drove. I glanced over. I saw pity in his eyes. I grit my teeth. It didn't hurt as much as it used to. Relationships just weren't for me. That's all. The only possible way anyone would date a poor delta like me was if they were a secret agent. Or if it was a fling. That's all. No need to cry over it anymore. Relationships were something I had to stay out of. I had to make my own money, support myself. I had my friends and I had some family. Now I had an omega to take care of. I didn't need relationships. I just didn't. That's all.

I drove on, and there wasn't much we talked about. The Upper East side. That's where we were going. It was for the richest in Manhattan, arguably the richest in New York. Business tycoons and celebrities. The Ross Edwards of the world probably congregated here. Good old gentrification ensured that I hardly considered this part of Manhattan as an ideal place to live. Never-mind that the personalities weren't the types I'd find myself around willingly. Until now.

"We don't have to do this." Startled, I looked over at Hans. His soft voice was still enough to cut through the pin-drop silence. The omega looked small in the passenger seat. He was leaning on the window and disappearing into his trench coat. I gave him a tired half-smile.

"Hey, it's either asking for help from a rich asshole alpha who my ex cheated on me with or probably, literally dying. Now, those options both sound like shit but I happen to value your life just a little bit more than my dignity."

Hans turned to me, and I swore I could see the signs of a small smile, the first smile he'd have given me. "What if it was just your life?"

I shrugged. "Then it's a bit debatable."

I smiled a little more when I heard a quick chuckle. It'd only been a night and another day but I could already feel myself growing fond.

-8-

I whistled when we pulled up. It was a fancy hotel, too fancy for my tastes which really meant it was too expensive for my bank account but that was beside the point. I looked over to Hans as I parked between two cars on the street further down. There were cars all along the street, expensive cars. The parking garage was full, apparently.

"How exactly do you know he's here? Did he finally respond?" I asked.

Hans shook his head and then pulled out a phone with a news website.

"Ross Edwards: a Carnegie of his time. A tycoon and a philanthropist giving back to the City." The article headline read. It went on to talk about a charity ball Edwards was hosting tonight at the ballroom of the hotel we were currently parked in front of. Looking at the time, the ball had to be in full swing by now.

"How the hell are we supposed to get in? I highly doubt we have the money or the prestige." I pointed out dryly. Hans hopped out of the car just as I jumped out and locked it.

"Just follow my lead. I know a woman."

The check-in area was all marble and granite. Chandeliers, an elaborate fountain in the middle, a high-end looking cafe all greeted us as we walked in. So did the indignant face of the young clerk and an older looker manager type. It made sense. Hans looked much more cleaned up in his white trench coat, black gloves, and hair styled to the side. Besides, the alpha manager was already fawning over the omega. I, on the other hand, was dressed in jeans, a paint stained flannel, a t-shirt, and some ratty converse.

"Excuse me," Hans began politely while I stood awkwardly off to the side with my hands in my pockets. "I'd like to talk to a Miss Lorie? I believe she's welcoming attendants to the drive."

The clerk looked skeptical and the manager was glaring at me. Before anyone could say anything, a cry sounded out.

"Hans! I can't believe it's really you!" Out of the wide hallway that lead to the elevators burst out a plump, middle-aged woman. Some bystanders turned to look as she cried out a little too loudly and ran towards us.

The manager stepped back as the woman practically engulfed Hans in a hug that was a little too big and tight looking. I took another step back as she started talking at fifty miles a second and completely ignoring the manager behind her. She went on about her cat or whatever when she slung an arm over Hans' shoulder and began dragging him towards the elevators. Startled, I followed.

"Oh, sweetie, it's been so long!" She finally said after taking a break from talking about some Sunday brunch she had. We hopped in the elevator going up one floor to where I presumed the ballroom was.

"It's good to see you too, Lorie," Hans squeaked out. He seemed comically small in comparison to her and looked like he might get crushed.

"I wanted to speak to Ross if he's here-"

"Oooooohhhhhhhh," the woman seemed even more excited and a bit high if that was even possible. "Yes, yes, the man is definitely here, but you've been gone for two years deary, and I missed you so much! Not even a call or anything! Just dropped off the grid, didn't you? Do you know how much I begged that overgrown man-child to find you? But nnoo, he was on and on about 'business this, business that'. Don't even forgive him! He doesn't deserve it! I-"

The elevators dinged open. Thank god. I had heard some stuff Hans' face was telling me he didn't want me to hear. We climbed out and faced dark oak double-doors wide open to reveal a beautiful ballroom.

It was spacious, elegant, and screamed "I'm  rich!". The carpeting was a nice, scarlet red, the walls an ethereal ivory marble. A baroque chandelier of crystals and  what looked to be sapphire tied the space together. As one would have expected, it was  filled with only the "finest class", y'know, the bougie elite. Beautiful dresses, smart suits, expensive jewelry flashed before my eyes. It didn't surprise me that most were alphas and omegas with a few betas and even fewer gammas mixed in. I felt apprehension creep its way up a little when I realized I was the only delta.

As we followed the boisterous Miss Lorie in, heads turned. They were followed by grimaces, confusion, disgust, and whispers.

What is someone like that  doing here?

Look at what he's wearing.

Maybe he's supposed to be a showcase for the charity, someone snickered. I grit my teeth but kept my gaze on Hans' back. He turned to give  me a sympathetic look but I grinned to show the words didn't mean anything. I was here to help him.

We both stopped as soon as  Miss Lorie  was stopped. It  was a security guard apparently. Miss Lorie smiled up at  him. "What's the matter deary? I need to let these boys through."

The guard looked us over. "That one can stay," He pointed as Hans. Then he looked at me. "He's gotta go."

Miss Lorie looked back over at me before looking up at the man and frowning. "No."

The guard looked surprised. "No?"

She crossed her arms and gave him a glare. Credit to her. I was drowning in my own sweat at the moment.

"Sorry ma'am, but some guests called and  they're worried about-"

"Mr. Edwards!" Lorie suddenly cried out. If it was possible, I felt another set of a million eyes descend upon us as everyone turned to look at what all the commotion was about. Everyone including Ross. Lorie must have seen him. He was only 15 or so feet away from us with an entourage of some  beautiful omegas and some important looking alphas. On his arm was a young, blond haired beauty he'd probably been talking to  before he turned to us. He looked at us over for a bit before indicating something  to the guard. The man instantly backed off.

Miss Lorie walked up to him with a cheery air. They talked for a bit. "Some  guests wanted to speak with you!" Was  all I heard. Hans jumped behind me when he turned back to us again. I wanted to ask what was wrong but felt myself being drawn in as soon as  I made eye contact with the man.

It was a smirk. A slow, condescending, vainglorious little smirk that snaked its way up his face. If I was forced to describe him as something more than "a punchable face" it would be two words; sleek and smooth. A fitted black suit and red tie, perfectly tailored and with a price tag worth more than everything I'd bought in my entire life put together. His jet black hair was slicked back and his beard and mustache perfectly trimmed down like he was a walking Dolce & Gabbana ad. Steely gray eyes traveled over my form. I tried not to feel too self-conscience about my disheveled red hair and close-trimmed facial hair that was a bit uneven. Half of me was beating myself up for only wearing an old T-shirt and a rumpled blue flannel with some worn converse.

He set the wine class down and leaned into the woman, a little too closely, and whispered something into her ear that made her giggle. She was still looking at us but now it seemed she too was infected with the condescending smirk. I rolled my eyes. What a wonderfully painful evening this was going to be.

By the time he sauntered over, I was scowling and Hans remained firmly stationed behind me, although I could feel him peeking over my shoulder. Ross raised an eyebrow as he looked us over once more. I didn't think it was possible but his smirk grew even more condescending.

"No offense, gentlemen," he began. His voice had a nice deep cadence and it came out silky and sophisticated. "But I don't believe I ever invited the likes of you to an event like this."

He was really raking me over, taking a moment to raise an eyebrow at the paint on the right side  of my flannel. I'd gotten it stained while painting a carving of a small town. It was one of my best works but under his eye, I felt an involuntary need to hide the stain. Part of me had the urge to tell him to fuck off and then leave after spilling some wine on this precious suit. Of course I wouldn't but Hans seemed to understand that I wasn't feeling up to taking shit from the smug alpha. Before anything could happen, he slipped in front of me.

"Ross-I, erm, I mean Mr. Edwards, we would really like to speak with you. It's of an urgent matter. I...I wouldn't be here otherwise and you know that. It shouldn't take long to discuss."

Ross blinked. The smirk was gone. Although he hardly looked intimidated, I could catch a glimpse of his face paling like he'd seen a ghost. The two stared at each other. Hans with a pleading look and Ross with a stunned confusion.

I thought they'd go on forever. I was ready to butt in when the alpha tilted his head over to a room on our right. Not too far from us, it was blocked by two intimidating security guards.

"We'll discuss it in there. Head over. I'll be with you in a few minutes." His voice didn't convey any emotions. It came out flat if slightly perplexed. I watched him draw on a confident smile as soon as he turned back to whatever entourage he was entertaining before I followed Hans to the room.

It looked like an elegant if small meeting room. A large mahogany table with intricate carvings was placed in the middle and pulled up to it were a few chairs with red cushions. Other than that and a few pretentious paintings, the room was bare. There were empty dishes, plates and wineglasses for us that I tried to focus on as we sat down.

"He seems like a grade-A privileged asshole," I said as I turned to look up at an overly-extravagant but smaller chandelier above us.

Hans seemed surprised by my words. He sat across from me and leaned in. "I've never heard anyone talk about Ross Edwards that way before...usually they're worshipping him." The way he said it, you'd think Hans was in awe of my words and maybe even a little nervous. I smiled.

"Don't worry kid-" Hans scowled at being called kid-"I'm not exactly the type to grovel to assholes like that but I won't ruin this for you."

Hans nodded and then sighed. His head in his arms, he muttered something about not knowing if Ross would even agree. I wanted to ask. They knew each other obviously. But I could tell he didn't seem up to talking about it.

The next few minutes passed in silence as we ruminated over what to say. Hans had let me know he'd be doing most of the talking but seeing as how he had jumped behind me as soon as Ross had lain eyes on us, I wasn't so sure about his conviction. I knew I couldn't talk. I'd punch the bastard in the face.

Truth was, it was hurting a little to see the face. Ok, a lot. It hurt a lot. Flashes of that night poured over me as soon as I had spotted him. It was like Portland all over again. I shook my head. I couldn't think about it again. The rule. I had to stick to the rule. Love just wasn't for me.

"Gentlemen." It still irked me to hear that voice and look into those condescending gray eyes. It was even more frustrating knowing he basically had Hans's life in his hands but that he'd probably taken his time drinking up wine with that omega woman.

"Mr. Edwards-"

"Ross. I'm Ross to you Hans," Ross took a sip of his wine before snapping his fingers. Out of a side room I had completely missed, two servants ran out and poured us something white before leaving. Hans stuttered but I assumed this was a good enough start as any. He hadn't asked us to kiss his feet yet or anything.

"R-right. Erm...I've-I've been trying to get into contact with you for a year now actually. I wasn't sure...." Hans paused and looked up at the alpha in a way that I could only describe as submissive. It was strange for me to see. To be honest, I'd never really seen how omegas acted with alphas in such circumstances. The average person in general wasn't too caught up in the strict decorum of sub-genders (even if they were prejudiced assholes) but I could see there was some kind of etiquette we were supposed to be following now that we were apparently in the realm of some elite bastard. I wasn't sure how a delta was supposed to act, so I followed Hans's lead and bowed my head a little. It was alien to be honest and a bit annoying. Joe had never asked for me to be anything other than who I was. Well, for most of the time.

Ross leaned back in his chair, relaxed and smiling. "Crawling back to me, hm? A whole year? A little desperate, isn't it?"

His tone was suddenly vindictive. Bitter. It was kind of a slap in the face. I half expected Hans to say something because in situations like these, Declan and Elise would have definitely jumped up and said something. Of course, they weren't Hans. I turned a little to find the omega, silent and pale in his chair. Gritting my teeth, I fought the urge to jump up as Hans kept his eyes on his hands.

Ross shrugged. "It's all fine and good. I saw and listened to a few of your messages but waited for you get the balls you needed to come talk to me in person about whatever it is you wanted so desperately to talk about."

This fucking bastard. I stood up abruptly. Hans' eyes shot to me in horror. I could tell that he could tell this wasn't going to end well.

"Look here, you bas-" I stopped myself short of insulting him but the etiquette was out the window. "You basically allowed Hans here to go through mental torture just to have the satisfaction of him having to spend a whole year to come and find you? His was nearly  kidnapped by Seraz's men! Twice!"

Ross stared up at me. Again, I couldn't gage any emotion from that blank stare. Hans jumped up as well.

"I'm-I'm sorry, Ross! Conrad here is a little high-strung! This-um-this is what I wanted to talk to you about. Dominic's men have been trying to bring me  to him for a forced marriage proposal." Hans was talking a mile a minute, and making frantic hand gesture as if  to try everything he could to excuse my outburst. "I was trying to find you for protection. I had a run in with his men twice but Conrad saved me with nothing more than pepper spray. But-er, we're-we're s-still in  danger from him obviously and Conrad is too...So, we, erm,  if you're willing, we'd like your protection."

There was a moments silence.  Hans, the poor omega, was wringing his hands in little bursts of nervousness. I scowled as I looked at Ross, tired of any  formality. My opinion of him would somehow be even lower than it already was if he denied Hans a space. I could care less about  whether or not he wanted to take me  in. We waited expectantly.

After a while, Ross's eyes drew over to me. His mouth quirked up. "Pepper spraying street pushers for one of the up and coming mobsters of New York? Reckless wasn't it? Especially for..."

"A delta," I interjected. His eyebrows shot up like he was surprised I'd dared to interrupt him. "Yeah, I get. It gets old. If you're gonna be a prejudiced asshole, be a bit more creative about it. Anyways..." I suddenly trailed off, trying to think about what to say next. I was a little too high off the fact that I had just told off a cocky alpha, possibly to the detriment of him protecting Hans. Nice Fitzroy. Nice.

I was surprised when he didn't kick us out. He went back to smiling instead.

"I remember you. Yes, I was wondering who you were. Misha has told me all about you."

My brain short circuited. I was probably staring at him with my mouth agape and eyes wide.

"Wha-? Huh-?" The bastard decided to bring that up now? Now? He remembered me? Misha...talked about me? Hans was looking between us with bewilderment. The poor omega probably had no idea how to process any of this. My self-sabotage and Ross's strangely not-furious response.

"What did he say about me?" I finally blurted. It was stupid of course. Hans was worried about escaping the clutches of his mobster father and Dominic but here I was, wondering what the hell Misha had said about me that apparently had a big-shot like Ross recognize the delta whose boyfriend he'd been fucking.

Before anyone could say anything else, a scream sounded out. Then there was gunfire. Security guards started rushing in. Oh joy.

-8-

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