He didn’t give him much of a reply, just a sharp nod. He couldn’t, could he, because inside his sanctum sanctorum, he was quietly losing his fucking shit.
“If she didn’t prove to be interesting, he wouldn’t be back again in the same day.” Be reasonable, Dad, Theo’s tone said.
“I was in two minds whether to allow that,” Dad snapped back. “But I could hardly say no to the man. If we can’t use our usual tactics of familial commitments to keep the two of them apart, what do we do? C’mon, Theo, one day, it will be you behind this desk, ensuring the family’s fortunes stay on an even keel.”
“As I did in my time.”
A voice had us all turning around, a smile spreading across my face when I saw who it was.
“Grandpa!”
I ran across the floor, throwing myself into his arms, just as I used to as a kid.
“Oof! You’re getting much too old for this, young lady,” he told me mock sternly, but those big strong arms swung me around in a circle before setting me back down on my feet. My grandfather stood a little more stooped than before, but he was still the tall figure that had so dominated my life. “Now, what’s this I hear about you catching the eye of a Chadwick? You always were a clever girl, my Kit.” My eyes fell closed as I felt his hand cup my cheek, giving it a little pinch before pulling away. “But as for plans to manipulate young James, I’d advise against that, son.”
“Of course you would,” Dad muttered, and I caught my second favourite thing about my grandfather being around. “Didn’t know you were coming in for a visit, old man?”
“Greta Chadwick informed me of her grandson’s intentions, so I pretended I knew all about it and would, of course, be at their soiree at the end of the week.” Pa’s steely eyes fixed on Dad’s. “Would’ve played a lot smoother if I’d been kept up to date with recent developments.”
“I had it handled,” Dad replied stiffly.
“Of course, which is why you’re haranguing poor Theodore for ideas. How are you, boy?”
“Good, Grandfather,” Theo said, moving to embrace our grandfather. Pa thumped him on the back a few times before they pulled apart.
“The simplest approach will be the best in this case,” Pa continued.
“And what would that be?” Dad asked.
“Let the boy have free rein with Kit. Let the two of them have the time to do what alphas and omegas are inclined to.”
“You can’t be serious?” Dad’s head jerked like he’d been slapped. “Why buy the cow if the milk is free?”
So I was a cow now? Good, fine.
Pa’s mouth split into a wide grin, revealing white teeth only marred by a few gold fillings.
“Well, son, that might be true amongst betas, but you and I both know what happens if an alpha gets an omega’s scent in his or her nose. He becomes rampant, his well-bred prick aching every day and every night until he either gets the omega out of his system or…”
The gold in Pa’s teeth glittered as he let everyone fill in the gaps.
“That might just work,” Dad said in a hushed tone. “Cress is busy with her career, and Theo…” His eyes sharpened as he looked over my brother. “We’ve always discussed Tristan becoming your mate, and I think now’s the time to consolidate that bond. Chadwick expressed a desire to court him as well, but we’ll need to put an end to that quickly. This fits very nicely with our plans. He can’t see Tristan, as he’s all but promised to you and—”
“Um…Tristan is already exploring something with another alpha.”
I don’t know where I got the balls to let that out, but out it came, and for a second, all I could hear was the rapid rasp of my breath.
“What?” Dad said.
“Tristan met someone. They’re exploring things.”
I felt the need to say more but couldn’t, my lips now welded together. Then Dad did what he always did when something didn’t go his way, giving Theo a scalding look filled with anger. My brother, he squared his shoulders and took what my father dished out, just as he’d been taught. Pa nodded slowly, seeming to take everything in without anyone saying a word.
“Well, then if you’ve cleared the floor of competitors and Greta brought her tribe to the manor, then there was probably no need for this meeting at all. Now, darling Kit, get your poor old pa a Scotch, will you? The drive down was bloody awful.”
“Of course, Pa,” I said, moving over to Dad’s liquor cabinet and pouring out a measure for him and Dad, handing them the glasses before turning to my brother. “Theo?”
“No, thank you,” he replied stiffly. “If you have no further need of me?”