Page 81 of Puck Your Friend

“I understand.” She keeps it neutral. “I’ll answer anything HR needs from me. I won’t disappoint you.”

Richard hums. “Alright. Expect follow-up by the end of the week. Until then, you will work from home on the Bears Doc until it’s proven or disproven that you’re a liability to the company.”

She swallows hard. “I understand. Thank you, sir.”

The call disconnects. She drops her phone in her lap and lets go of my hand to cover her face as she sits forward and places her elbows on her thighs.

No one speaks right away.

Tension rolls off her.

I glance at the others. They all hold the same tension I feel in their expressions. I run my hand over her back. “You okay?”

Frankie lowers her hands and sits up as she sighs. “I’m fine.”

She’s not. Her scent tells me that. It’s taken on a burnt tinge, like over-baked cookies. The kind of scent an Omega wears when they’re scared.

I continue to rub her back. “You’re not going to lose your job. You’re the best at what you do. That doesn’t change just because they learned what you are.”

She swallows hard, still looking straight ahead at the highway in front of us.

Logan touches her knee. “You’ve already proved yourself. The footage, the planning, the interviews; you carry the whole documentary.”

She nods, she hears us, but isn’t letting it sink in.

Ford twists in the front seat. “Soon you’ll be bonded. You won’t trigger anything in other Alphas. You’ll be safer at work. This won’t be an issue forever.”

Wes hums in agreement, eyes on the road. “There are protections for Omegas, even if it’s not perfect. You’ve more than proven yourself, Frankie. That doesn’t just disappear.”

Her eyes stay fixed on the dash. “They can still phase me out. Stop giving me work or options until it forces me to quit, and they don’t have to pay unemployment if they don’t fire me.” Her voice is flat.

I hate the mood went from happy and hot to this. The way Omegas are treated is horrible. I don’t blame her for hiding for so long.

I reach over and take her hand. She doesn’t pull away.

“We’re going to figure it out. If they do that to you, we’ll figure out a way to make it so that you can still do what you love without them. Start your own production company or something. I bet Doug would follow you.”

She says nothing, but her fingers tighten around mine.

Für Elise plays again, blaring in the quiet car.

Frankie sighs, already reaching for her phone.

Ford glances back. “Everything okay?”

She doesn’t answer, just checks the screen.“My apartment complex. I have a feeling I know what this is about and it’s not good.”

She presses her lips together and accepts the call. This time, she hits the speaker.“This is Fran Darian.”

“Miss Darian, this is Hannah from Park Row’s management. We’ve been made aware of the update to your designation status.” An older woman’s voice comes from the other end.

Frankie sits straighter, the muscles along her back tightening beneath my hand. “Yes?”

“As your lease was signed under falsified designation, it is now void. As per the lease agreement, Park Row is a Beta-only complex. A formal three-day notice will be emailed to you shortly. This call is a courtesy to inform you in advance.”

“I understand.” Frankie’s voice doesn’t quiver even when her body shakes.

“Future correspondence will come through your lease email.”The call cuts out.