Epilogue: Ross

4 Months Later

"I am not taking $500!"

"Suck it up, sweetheart, it's what you're getting."

"What the hell do I need $500 for? Hans and I are checking out some souvenir shops. We need like fifty bucks asshole."

"Minimum of $500 is my final offer. Take it or leave it, Con."

"I'll leave it, dickwad."

I could feel the corner of my mouth quirk up. Lowering my sunglasses, I peaked over at the spunky little delta as he glared up at Joe. 'Little' was a bit of a misnomer. Conrad Fitzroy was a beautifully handsome man in his own right. Still, he was a feisty little kitten compared to Joe and I. Even Misha had a bit more of a lean, athletic grace. Speaking of whom.

"Should we intervene?" Misha asked as he looked up from where his head was resting on my  chest. He seemed concerned and not a little unperturbed. I didn't blame him. One would think a day at the private area of the beach was just what the doctor ordered for a squabbling pair such as those two. Some peace, quiet and the rhythmic waves of the ocean in the distance. Of course, we should have all known such an idea was but a fantasy. I personally didn't mind. Joe's antics and the intriguing delta were nothing short of an endless source of entertainment. I was content to watch them from where Misha and I lay on the comfortable towel on our section of the beach.

Nonetheless, I forced myself up do to Misha's urging. Worry-filled pine green eyes seemed to be a weakness for me.

"Mind if I take sparky off your hands?" I asked. My arm wrapped up around Conrad's bare waist as I slid up behind them. The delta jumped and shot me a glare that was less intense than actual hatred. I smiled back, knowing I was giving him my best shit-eating grin. What could I say? His skin was nice and smooth and a lovely velvet against the palm of my hand. My grip tightened.

Joe huffed. "Yeah, if you teach him some manners in the process, praise be."

"Shut up," the red-head nearly growled. It was the growl of a cat against a tiger but Joe and I humored him. I mean, the kid had a back-bone! And dignity. Accepting even a little money from us was too egriguous for him but we'd slipped a few bucks here and there if he needed it or if we had a good enough excuse. I'd managed to convince Conrad to take a small (but what seemed to him an ungodly) allowance monthly. Joe, unlike I, however, was not the best salesman and his pitches only managed to irritate the fiercely independent delta.

I smiled and began dragging him to the pier.

"Hey, what about Hans?"

"Joe's going to teach him to surf," I said. I eyed the souvenir  shop Conrad had been looking at since we'd come. I'd convince the delta to treat himself.

As we entered the shop, Lilian Gallahan, a dear childhood friend and fellow business associate passed by. The week-long trip to LA and it's beautiful sunset beaches was also a grueling business trip. I could only stand it with her.

"Conrad! There you are! Say, you never introduced me to that Elise friend of yours you were talking about..."

I left them to talk for a bit as I scoured the shop. My eyes landed on a beautiful carving knife only a few feet away.

"Yeah, shit, I'll give you her phone number..."

I considered the different snow globes of LA and a few fancy shot glasses. Conrad had mentioned off-hand to Hans that he had been planning on bringing back souvenirs to his friends in Tulach. How to tell him I could have paid for their stays in California as well? Smiling to myself, I considered the idea. Yes, this summer would be the perfect time. After all, I had to apologize for threatening to close down his friend's pub. The point was moot. Ross Edwards, however, hardly left his integrity to the wind. Especially not for sexy young men like Conrad. On that note, I looked over to the two again.

Lilian was by all accounts a stunning woman, probably. I couldn't really tell but men liked her enough for her good looks and her omega charm.  That was beside the point. Hans was the only omega to ever catch my eye and my heart. No, the only one here that had to take my breath away was Conrad. He was lean muscle and stood in his swimming shorts and flip flops with a casual stance and a boyish smile. His hair was damp and beautifully red. How would it be to run my hand through it as I took him on the satin silk sheets of my hotel room bed?

"Well, hey, see ya tomorrow!" Lilian chimed up. She waved to me as well and set off.

By the time we'd picked out souvenirs and presents, the sun was starting to hit the horizon. Glancing at my watch, an idea popped into my head.

"We're eating seafood for dinner at the one restaurant overlooking the cruise ships," I said as we left the shop. Conrad frowned.

"I thought Hans wanted to try the Mexican restaurant."

I smiled as we headed the other way. "It'll be just you and me. Watching the sunset like in those cheesy rom-coms Hans collects."

Conrad snorted. "You sure it's not Joe? Saw him watching Pretty Woman the other day. Pretended he was doing it for Hans but I highly doubt that."

It didn't take long to arrive and it didn't take long to be seated. When I ordered the most expensive items, his eyes bulged and he began to protest but I quickly interrupted.

"Joe's told me your the Marx kind of guy. I'm merely spreading the wealth like a good comrade."

Conrad leaned back in is chair, crossed his arms and gave me a level glare. "Charity won't save you from the guillotine you capitalist pig."

It took a minute but we both laughed.

"Oh god, this is so weird."

"What's weird?" I asked as the waiter set down our drinks.

"You. Me. This. All of it. I never thought I'd be with, well, y'know. Fuck, some people are looking at us. They probably know who you are. You sure you wanna be seen with me-"

"Yes, I'm sure, Fitzroy." Without a single hesitant thought, I reached across the table, grabbed his hand and kissed it. Red fanned his face and he tried to pull back to no avail. I liked the feeling of his palm against mine and kept his hand firmly in mine as the waiter dropped off our orders. I mouthed "mine now" and he seemed hardly amused.

"You need more self-esteem," I said.

"And whose fault is that?" He shot back. Fair enough, I thought, but he'd have to eat his food with one hand. I was a stubborn bastard who'd dealt with stubborn peers, step-dads, clients and business partners all his life. What was another? And this one was a sexy red-head!

After a minute of deliberating, however, I leaned back in my seat and regarded him for a moment. Then I spoke up.

"We've put you through hell and back. So, to help with what I can, I'll let you question me now till the sun has set. Anything. Whatever you need clearing up, the heavy stuff, negotiations or, hell, we could talk about why the sky is blue."

I watched his movements like a hawk, ready to catch the smallest hair out of place. He regarded me for a moment, thinking the offer over before looking to the large window overlooking the beach and the sun. First sign that he was nervous. The kid couldn't hold my gaze. I refrained from comforting him. My attempts might just drive him off. After the minutes passed, and I took a bite of my lobster, he began to whisper out a tentative question.

"Uum..er, how long have you and Joe been dating. How'd it happen?"

I regarded the question. There was a strangely vulnerable tone to that that I'm sure he thought I couldn't detect.

"A little after he moved to New York a few years ago. It had been after some bad break-up in Oregon. We knew each other since we were kids. Something definitely hit right when he came to New York. I spent the days comforting him and it just evolved from there." I smiled fondly at the memories. My colleagues pointed out that I had "unusual tastes" that being that I hardly cared for omegas but didn't mind taking a beta and an alpha into my arms. I could hardly muster the energy to care.

"God, Misha hated him at first. The two annoyed each other. Misha thought he was immature  and Joe thought the beta was too uptight. Can't really tell you how it all worked out but it did."

I couldn't help but smile fondly. Conrad himself was supporting a sad smile. I reached across the table once again and took his calloused hand in mine where I savored the warmth and texture. The delta seemed to be ruminating on something. He looked over to me.

"He ever tell you about the 'bad break-up' in Oregon?"

I leaned forward and offered him a plate of caviar. He took it with that wary hesitance I swore I'd break away.

"Yes," I nodded. "It was only after...the shit Misha and I pulled. Joe wasn't too interested in any of Misha's missions but Misha couldn't seem to forget you. He told us about you after he ended it and then when Joe realized who you were, he also told us about your history. He was furious when he found out what Misha had done. Not that Misha was celebrating or anything."

Conrad seemed surprised. "Furious? God, I thought he hated me."

I sighed. I struggled not to pull the delta into my arms whenever he got to this way of thinking. Alphas weren't just aggressive brutes. We had a fiercely protective side. And while Conrad was nowhere near a defenseless boy, I knew he was hurting still.

"Well, as you put it, he's emotionally constipated. And terrified of his family. He's working to fix it though and I hope you know how much the moron loves you."

Conrad nodded. A nice blush overtook his handsome face. God, what I wouldn't do for a kiss.

"Alright, next question. Why were you such a jerk to Hans when we met?"

I raised a brow and frowned. "Because I also happen to be a troglodyte with mommy issues. Anyways, I thought Hans had runway, maybe even cheated like every other past lover I'd had. When he came back and explained the situation with Seraz, I practically begged Misha to punch me for being, well, in a word, a dick."

He chuckled and I followed. The sun was halfway down and we both glanced at the window in between words and bites of lobster and caviar. There was a moment where a peaceful and comforting silence took hold, where neither of us spoke and simply stared out into one part of the beauty of California. I could still feel his hand in mine and began to gently rub his palm with my thumb. He sucked in a breath. The food was mostly done.

"Want to head out and watch the sunset?" I asked in a low voice. He nodded.

The wind blew a wonderfully cool air through our hair and the sun seemed to highlight the deep orange hues in his hair. As wonderfully cliche and sickeningly romantic as it was, I suggested a walk along the mostly empty pier. Stores were closing and the beach was almost disconcertingly bare. Finally, we reached a spot where Conrad could sit on the edge of the pier and lean against the rope "fence" as he looked out into the ocean. I leaned beside him but standing on the sand below. Another moment of  serene silence followed.

"I'm scared of doing it all again." The admission was a whisper and the words were choked up and strained. He sounded on the brink of tears. Without thinking, I walked between his legs and cupped the side of his face, my fingers holding his chin up and my thumb pressing against the smooth skin of his cheek.

"It's alright," I whispered. "We'll do whatever it takes to make it up to you. And if you think you're better off going your own way..." This time, my smile was just as strained and I couldn't hide the doubt plaguing my mind. Conrad shook his head. I expected him to say something more but then he asked for a kiss, blushing all the while. I didn't wait a second.

Our lips met a bit tentatively at first. I didn't want to scare him off. My hands explored his smooth back, taking in his scent, the feel of his lean and vulnerable body pressed up against mine. I shook my head, knowing it couldn't go too far. Not yet. He pulled away at about the same time. I was a bit too pleased to find his lips slightly swollen and beautifully red.

"What's wrong?" He stuttered.

I smiled and leaned my forehead against his, letting our breathes mingle. "Nothing. I just want to get to know you better. Make sure you're comfortable."

He laughed. "I guess four months still feels kind of..."

"Short?" I finished helpfully. He nodded.

I sighed and leaned back to look at him more. "Probably doesn't help that I'm busy with work. And then there's the media. If anyone ever gives you a hard time-"

"It's alright," he said. There was a bit of hesitance in him before he spoke up again. "Alright, one last question. You don't love me yet, right? Like, c'mon."

I chuckled. "You intrigue me. And it would be problematic if I weren't even a little interested, wouldn't it? Considering Misha, Joe and Hans would gut me if I hurt you." After a bit more thought, I added on, "Love you? Maybe not right now. But I'd like to get to love you and know you. I definitely like you, foul-mouthed and short-tempered as you are."

"I take offense to that," he said dryly but with a bit of humor. I couldn't but snicker and my hands found their way around his bare waist

We shared one last kiss as the sun disappeared and the stars twinkled brighter in the sky.