Page 48 of A Promise of Forever (The Vallaverse #3)

Forrest

Genuine anger doesn’t even begin to cut it.

I'm absolutely pissed off after the discussion with one of the Beta fighters went completely sideways.

The guy tried to pull rank with Caelan, suggesting that my brother couldn't make decisions about fighter placement because he's "just an Alpha" managing other Valla.

The disrespect was unacceptable, and I nearly raged at him right there in the locker room.

The Beta had the audacity to turn his attitude on me when I intervened, saying I was just a Valla who couldn't hold his temper and that my reputation for violence was overblown.

That's when Caelan put him in his place with a perfectly executed punch that broke the fucker's nose and sent him sprawling on the concrete floor.

Now the Beta has a choice: fight Heath, one of our largest and most skilled fighters, in tonight's lineup.

If he wins, he stays and earns respect. If he loses, he forfeits any payment he was promised and isn't allowed at The Forge ever again.

It's a harsh consequence, but necessary to maintain order and respect within our organization.

But there's a much bigger problem developing, and it's making the Beta situation feel insignificant by comparison. Wilson is standing just outside my office, dressed in an expensive suit worth more than most people’s salaries, while radiating confidence that makes my skin crawl.

And through the bond, I can feel Sterling's terror and anguish so strongly that it's making my own chest tight with sympathetic distress.

I look up at the viewing box just in time to see Sterling slide out of sight.

The knowledge that Wilson's presence is causing my Omega that level of distress makes violence surge through my system with dangerous intensity.

I stalk over to where Wilson is standing and gesture toward my office, silently offering a private conversation.

But Wilson shakes his head, his expression carrying smug satisfaction that makes me want to rip his throat out.

If I were a lesser man, I would.

"You wanted to talk to Thatcher and you've got him," Wilson says, his voice carrying enough to be heard by nearby staff and fighters.

"But I'm not going to be bullied into a corner while you get to steal my Omega and try to take over my business territory.

So tell me, are you actually moving into the drug distribution arena, or was that just a ploy to get me here?

Because I can tell you right now, it's not going to end well for you either way.

" His confidence is infuriating, built on years of using his badge to avoid consequences.

"Everyone here might know me as Thatcher," he continues, gesturing around The Forge like he owns it.

"But the police outside these walls know me as Detective Wilson.

All I need to do is make one call about what's truly going on in this establishment, and you'll have federal agencies crawling up your ass for months. "

I'm not even phased by the threat. I've dealt with worse intimidation from people with far more power than one corrupt cop. Caelan plops into a nearby chair with a wicked grin on his face, clearly recognizing that Wilson has badly miscalculated this confrontation.

It makes no sense that he would willingly step out into the limelight after years of operating in secrecy.

Then again, it’s probably just another power grab for the Alpha.

"I actually called you out here to talk without the goddamn police presence," I say calmly, letting my voice carry the authority that comes from actually owning power rather than just borrowing it from a badge.

"You were so adamant about filing charges against me for supposedly kidnapping Sterling from under your grimy fingers.

Wilson, did it ever occur to you that you're not the top dog in this situation? "

Wilson growls at me, a pathetic attempt at intimidation that just makes him look weaker.

"I dare you to try that again," I tell him, folding my arms across my chest. "Your friends with badges might be outside these walls, but inside these walls, everyone respects me and my rules.

Even if I were to allow you to sell drugs in my club, which I absolutely wouldn't, you would still have to answer to me about every aspect of your operation.

" I step closer, deliberately invading his personal space.

"The real problem here is that you've disrespected my Omega.

Everything else is just business that could potentially be negotiated.

But touching what's mine? That's unforgivable. "

"He's not yours," Wilson spits out, anger making his composure crack slightly. "Sterling belongs to me. I invested time and resources into training him properly."

The way he talks about Sterling like property, like an investment rather than a person, makes my blood boil.

"Oh, they haven't told you yet?" I ask with false sympathy.

"Your cop friends came to my house to check on the validity of my claim.

And guess what they found? My bond mark right there on Sterling's gorgeous bottom lip, front and center, where everyone can see it.

He's all mine, Wilson. Permanently and irrevocably mine.

" I let my satisfaction show in my expression.

"And I don't let people mess with what's mine.

Not cops, not other Valla, not anyone. Sterling is under my protection now, which means you lost."

Wilson laughs, but it sounds forced and slightly unhinged. "Oh, I saw how you left Dorian after your little enforcement session. Sterling will leave you the moment he realizes what kind of monster you really are, what you're really capable of when someone crosses you."

The attempt to undermine my relationship with Sterling is pathetic in its transparency.

"Sterling is stronger than you've ever given him credit for," I respond with complete certainty.

"He knows that I would never treat him the way you or any of your friends have.

I will never touch him without his explicit consent.

I will never use my strength to hurt him or make him feel small.

And I will give him whatever world he asks for, whatever makes him happy and fulfilled. "

I look up at the viewing box again, worried about Sterling's emotional state.

The despair coming through the bond is so strong that it's making it difficult to concentrate.

As much as I want to finish this confrontation with Wilson right now, I feel myself being called back to my Omega, who clearly needs me.

I twist around to see Caelan on his phone, and he looks up to gesture toward the stairs with obvious urgency.

Something is seriously wrong with Sterling beyond just fear of Wilson's presence.

I nod my understanding, but before I can move, Wilson takes a step forward like he's going to physically stop me from leaving.

I put my hand firmly on his chest, stopping his forward momentum with ease. "I'm not sure what your plan was coming here. Coming into my establishment and trying to steal Sterling away? That's not a fucking option. He's bonded to me, which means he's legally mine in every way that matters."

Wilson's expression shifts to something uglier, his face contorting with anger. "Where's all that Valla bravado I've heard so much about? I was sure you were just going to charge at me and beat me up like you did to Dorian. Or are you going soft now that you've got an Omega to protect?"

The taunt is designed to provoke me into doing something stupid that could be used against me legally. But I've spent years learning control, years channeling my violent instincts into productive outlets rather than just reacting to every provocation.

"It's called control, Wilson," I say calmly, though my hands are itching to wrap around his throat.

"Something you clearly know nothing about. Dorian knew the risks of stealing from me. He had a debt to pay, and instead of coming to me, he tried to figure out some way around it. He was dealt with and I won’t apologize for that.

However, if you want to step into that ring with me, I'm more than game.

Any time, anywhere, and I will be right fucking there to wipe the floor with your sorry ass. "

Wilson's eyes widen slightly, like he didn't expect me to actually offer the opportunity. Just because I don’t fight anymore, it doesn’t mean I won’t make an exception. "You wouldn't do that. I'm a police officer. Fighting me in your ring would give me grounds to press assault charges."

I grin, letting him see exactly how much I'm going to enjoy this.

"Actually, in here, you're just Thatcher.

A drug dealer who came into my establishment and challenged me.

Everything that happens in the ring is sanctioned and legal under the fight club regulations.

No badges, no special protections, just two people settling a dispute the old-fashioned way.

" Not all of that is true, but I have enough police in my back pocket to keep anyone from trying shit with me.

Wilson's face flushes with anger and what might be fear. "Fine. Get the fuck in the ring right now, and when I beat you unconscious in front of everyone, I will take what is rightfully mine."

I consider his demand, weighing the satisfaction of immediate violence against Sterling's need for my presence upstairs.

"Do you really want to do this right now?

" I ask, making sure he understands what he's agreeing to.

Wilson nods vigorously, clearly thinking he has some advantage I'm not aware of.

"I'll do you one better," I propose. "We'll make this the final fight of the evening.

Give me time with my Omega to make sure he's secure and comfortable, and then the ring will settle our dispute properly. How about that?"