Page 51 of A Promise of Forever (The Vallaverse #3)
Forrest
I leave Sterling after making sure he eats something, the poor Omega falling asleep seconds later, unable to stay awake. Not that I’m complaining. I’m not entirely sure I want him to see what I’ll do to Wilson once I step into that ring.
Caelan is waiting outside the door when I emerge, nodding at me with understanding written across his features. He knows what's about to happen, knows that tonight marks a turning point for our family and our organization.
We walk out to the main floor together, descending the stairs as the last scheduled fight dies out below us.
The crowd is restless, energized by the violence they've witnessed tonight but sensing there's something more coming.
The announcer looks up at us with confusion, clearly not expecting the owners to make an appearance at this point in the evening.
Everyone gets silent as we approach the ring, the sudden hush eerie after hours of shouting and cheering, hundreds of people holding their breath to see what's about to happen.
Caelan makes a show of climbing into the ring first, gesturing for a microphone with the practiced ease of someone who knows how to command attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Caelan's voice booms through the speakers, carrying to every corner of The Forge.
"We have a very special guest fight tonight.
My brother, Forrest King, will be stepping into this ring against a longtime opponent who's been causing problems in our city.
" He pauses for dramatic effect, letting anticipation build, a wild smile playing on his lips.
"Some of you might know him as Thatcher.
But tonight, we're going to introduce you to his real identity.
Our opponent tonight is none other than Detective Wilson Cromwell himself. "
Everyone hushes even more intensely, shock rippling through the crowd. Then someone shouts from the back, "Wait, you’re fighting the goddamn drug dealer everyone's been trying to track down?" Another voice joins in, "The cop is Thatcher?"
The revelation sends murmurs cascading through the venue, fighters spilling out of the locker rooms to witness what's about to unfold. This is bigger than just a fight now. This is about exposing corruption and protecting our territory from someone who's been playing both sides.
I hold my breath as I look up to the clock that sits across the venue from the box.
The hour hand hits the twelve, nine pm coming and going without so much as a sound.
No one enters The Forge. No one makes a point to leave.
Everyone's eyes turn toward the entrance, waiting for Wilson to make his dramatic appearance.
But nothing happens. Seconds tick by, then a full minute, and still nothing.
Caelan grins at me, and I hold out my hand for the microphone.
My voice bellows through the crowds, realizing that Wilson is playing a different game.
"It seems that the little Alpha cop has decided to run rather than face me like he promised.
This is the same man who's been making false statements about Sterling King, my rightfully bonded Omega. "
More gasps sound around the space as people process the information. The fact that I'm publicly claiming Sterling, that I'm willing to fight for him in front of hundreds of witnesses, makes a statement that can't be ignored.
"We agreed as men to step into this ring tonight to settle our dispute over the person I love," I continue, letting my emotions bleed into my voice.
"There is no chance of me losing because I have something precious to protect.
That waste of space only has something he wants to control, to possess, and to hurt.
" I pace the ring like a caged animal, violence radiating from every movement.
"However, the fear he's spread and his reign of corrupt power stops tonight.
I will not allow him to continue operating in my territory, threatening my family and hurting vulnerable Omegas.
He will no longer be my Omega's nightmare, will no longer haunt Sterling's dreams and steal his peace. "
The crowd is completely silent now, hanging on every word.
"Tonight, I am going to uphold that fight Wilson asked for, regardless of where it takes place.
And the first person who comes to me or my brother with information about Wilson's location will be generously rewarded.
" I let my grin turn evil, showing teeth in a way that makes several people in the front row step back.
"Tonight, there will be blood. Justice will be served.
And Wilson Cromwell will learn what happens when you threaten a Valla's family. "
The venue erupts in cheers, voices overlapping as people shout their support. "The king is back! The king is back!" The chant builds, growing louder with each repetition until it's shaking the walls.
I throw out one more wicked grin before handing the microphone back to the presenter and stepping out of the ring. Caelan is right behind me, his expression carrying satisfaction mixed with concern. Lorcan meets us at the edge of my office, his face unreadable as always.
We step inside and Lorcan immediately turns to me with something like disbelief in his voice. "Boss, did you really just announce to hundreds of people that you're going to hunt down a fucking cop?"
"And kill him," I confirm without hesitation. "I'm going to get rid of Wilson permanently. I just need to make a call first."
I pull out my phone and dial Sterling, needing to hear his voice and confirm that he's truly okay with what I'm about to do.
His voice comes through small but steady, and through the bond, I feel acceptance and love and complete trust flowing toward me.
"Tell me you're okay with this," I say, needing explicit permission even though I can feel his emotions.
"Tell me you want me to end this threat. "
"Just come back to me," Sterling responds, a soft whimper hitting my ears. "Promise me that you'll come home safe."
"I fucking promise," I vow, meaning it with every fiber of my being.
"Then make him go away. Do whatever you have to do. I don't want to be scared anymore, Valla. I'm tired of looking over my shoulder and waiting for him to destroy everything good in my life."
"I've got you, little dove," I promise. "Always."
I hang up and immediately turn to business mode. "I need eyes and ears on the ground throughout the city. I have no fucking clue why Wilson chickened out of the fight or where he's disappeared to, but he doesn't leave this territory. Nobody gets out of here without us knowing about it."
I call up one of my drivers to bring the car around, then head outside to where the vehicle is waiting.
The driver starts to get out to open my door, but I wave him off.
"I'll be fine alone. Hand me the keys." He does as he’s told, as I wait for Caelan to return to the box, Bryn coming down in his place.
Both of us agree without needing many words that if anything gets too dangerous, if the situation starts spiraling out of control, we retreat and come home.
We're not dying tonight, no matter how satisfying revenge might be.
I pull out my phone again and call the St. Clairs, knowing they have access to security camera networks throughout the city through their various business interests. Moses answers on the second ring.
"I need a favor," I spit out. "Can you monitor cameras around the city and let me know if you spot Wilson? He bailed on our fight and I need to track him down."
"Already on it," Moses responds, and I can hear typing in the background. "We figured you might need help when he didn't show. Give us a few minutes to scan recent footage."
I'm barely able to control my anger as I hang up and immediately dial the number I have saved for Thatcher. The line rings once before switching to an automated message: "The number you have dialed has been disconnected."
Cursing under my breath, I try the number I have listed for Wilson. It goes straight to voicemail, his professional greeting playing with infuriating normalcy. "This is Detective Wilson Cromwell. Leave a message and I'll return your call as soon as possible."
Frustrated, I call the contact I have within the police department, an officer who's been on my payroll for years, providing information about investigations that might affect my business.
He answers quickly, his voice carrying urgency.
"Forrest, I was just about to call you. Wilson's got himself in a heap of fucking trouble here at the station. "
"What happened?" I demand, my grip tightening on the phone.
"The bastard came storming in about thirty minutes ago, asking for a protective detail to raid The Forge," the officer explains rapidly.
"He wanted us to arrest you for kidnapping and assault, wanted a full tactical team to storm your establishment like we were just going to take his word for it without any actual evidence.
" The officer pauses, and I can hear other voices in the background.
"But you already showed us that you've laid claim to Sterling through a mating bond, which gives you legal standing.
Based on the filing Wilson made earlier, you've got a week to provide additional proof of consent, but the bond mark is sufficient for now. "
"That doesn't explain why Wilson isn't here fighting me like he promised," I growl into the phone.
"It does if you add in the fact that his luck just ran out spectacularly," the officer says with barely suppressed satisfaction.
"One of our K-9 units was doing routine vehicle checks in the parking lot and their dog alerted on Wilson's personal car.
When they searched it, they found multiple vials of Bloom hidden in a compartment under the passenger seat. "