Page 23 of All That We Keep (Always Yours #3)

Luther

I sit in the driveway with the engine off, my hands knuckled white around the steering wheel as rage courses through my veins. I can't bring myself to go inside yet. Not when I'm this angry, not when I can still feel the urge to tear something apart with my bare hands.

The meeting with the board replays in my mind, but it's what happened after the formal meeting ended that has me seeing red. Gerald had the audacity to follow me back to my office, closing the door behind him like we were old friends about to have a private chat.

"There are also some issues regarding Blake's attendance," he'd said, settling into the chair across from my desk like he owned the place. "How he comes and goes as he pleases, how he's running the company. Some concerns about his leadership capabilities given his... condition."

I'd nearly lunged across the desk at him then, but something in his expression told me he was baiting me, waiting for exactly that reaction. So I'd forced myself to remain seated, hands flat on my desk to keep them from wrapping around his throat.

"It's Blake's company," I'd said through gritted teeth.

"It's in my name because investors like you wouldn't support an Omega CEO to begin with.

Every idea, every innovation, every dollar you've made from this company exists because of Blake's vision.

There would be no money if Blake didn't create the concept to begin with. "

Gerald had just smiled that condescending smile that made me want to rip his face off. "Be that as it may, there will be a vote soon about whether to keep Blake on as CEO. The board has concerns about stability, especially with everything going on in your... personal lives."

"You can't do that," I'd growled, my Alpha presence filling the room with enough menace to make a weaker man back down. "This is his company. It's funded by my money and registered in my name. Yes, you're investors. Yes, you're on the board. But when it comes down to it, we don't need you."

His laugh had been cold. "You don't mean that."

"Try me."

"We'll see who's still sitting in those big offices after the Starfalls expansion release," he'd said, standing to leave. "The vote is scheduled for right after launch. We'll see who's really in charge then."

That's when I'd lost what little control I had left. I'd told him exactly where he could shove his vote, exactly what I thought of him and his concerns, and exactly what would happen if he tried to push my family any further.

But he hadn't been done. As I'd started to usher him toward the door, he'd delivered the final blow.

"You're on the docket for discussion as well, Luther. Everyone understands that people have packs, but the fact that you think you're above everyone else, that your personal drama should affect company operations..."

I'd slammed him against the wall before he could finish the sentence, my forearm pressed against his throat as fury consumed rational thought. The memory of his wide, frightened eyes gives me a dark satisfaction even now.

"I want you to take a real good look at what's happening right now," I'd snarled, my face inches from his.

"I pay your salary. Yes, you invested in my company, but my mate has made you that money back ten times over.

You're still here because he likes what you're supporting.

Now let's get this straight. My family is having some issues, and while you may not support what's going on, I will be there for them regardless of your opinion. "

He'd left after that, but not before promising that the board would be hearing about my "inappropriate workplace behavior" as well.

I let out a shaky breath and force my hands to release the steering wheel. The rage is still there, simmering just beneath the surface, but I can't take this energy into the house where my pack is waiting. They don't need to deal with my anger on top of everything else they're facing.

But there's more than just anger eating at me.

The financial situation is worse than I initially thought.

When I'd dug deeper into the company accounts after the meeting, I'd discovered that one of our main operating accounts had been completely cleaned out.

Not just misappropriated funds or questionable transactions, but completely emptied.

The other accounts were fine, which told me this was a targeted attack.

I had spent the rest of the afternoon moving money around, transferring funds from personal accounts to ensure we had enough liquidity for the Starfalls launch. The irony wasn't lost on me that I was using my own money to keep Blake's company running while investors questioned his leadership.

With a deep breath, I shove down those overarching emotions and head inside.

Maceo looks up as I enter, and I'm surprised to see two glasses of whiskey sitting on the table between us.

He's not in the usual suit I tend to see him in, the comfortable clothing telling me that the domestic life suits him in some way, his expression carefully neutral as he watches me approach.

"I might not have always been one of your mates," he starts, "but you forget that I spent many nights staying up with you while your pack was sleeping to discuss legal matters or anything else that was going on."

I shrug out of my suit jacket and hang it over the back of the chair before settling beside him. The whiskey burns pleasantly as it goes down, some of the tension in my shoulders starting to ease.

"Grayson explained recently that we all have different roles in this pack," Maceo continues.

"Where we fit, what we feel comfortable with, who we look to for different things.

When I found out I was a Gamma, Grayson knew that I would need to hear certain words from you rather than from him.

And there are times when Grayson needs me versus you. "

He gestures toward the living room where our mates are nested together. "So, I'm offering this conversation, or we can go cuddle up with the rest of our pack in that really colorful nest."

I can't help but chuckle at his description, some of the darkness lifting from my mood.

"No, I like this. Thank you." I take another sip of whiskey, savoring the burn.

"Grayson was never much for the heavier topics, and I love that about him.

I love the optimistic part of my Alpha mate.

But knowing there's someone to discuss the deeper issues without judgment.

.." I trail off, looking toward the couch, then back at Maceo. "How is Grayson?"

"He's a bit frazzled, but those records were definitely doctored," Maceo says. "The timestamps don't match, the transaction codes are wrong, and half the vendors listed don't even exist."

"I know," I say, taking another sip. "I absolutely know that. And I know one of our employees alerted the investor about the supposed irregularities. I'm not sure why they're in contact, but I have a meeting with her tomorrow."

Maceo's eyebrows rise slightly. "Who is it?"

"Addie."

"Isn't that one of Blake's closest people?"

"Yeah, absolutely." I run a hand through my hair, frustration building in my chest all over again.

"Which is why I need to know what's going on.

It doesn't make sense why she would be in contact with Gerald. Most of the employees don’t even know he exists.

" Maceo takes a sip of his drink, and something in his expression makes me study his face more carefully.

"Why does it look like you have something to say? "

Instead of answering, he slides a folded piece of paper across the table. I pick it up, noting the messy, scrawled handwriting across the front. There's no envelope, no stamp, nothing to indicate how it was delivered.

"Who's this from?" I ask.

Maceo doesn't answer, just nods toward the letter in my hands. I unfold it carefully, and the words hit me all once.

I bought you. You are mine. Stop hiding from me.

There's no signature, no identifying marks, nothing but those terrifying words in handwriting that looks almost violent in its intensity.

"What the fuck?" I breathe, looking up at Maceo, instantly knowing that the letter is from the buyer. "How the fuck do they know we're here?"

"I think you're right that there really is a buyer," Maceo says quietly.

"And he's been watching and waiting for Luca.

The fact that Hudson hasn't been able to deliver means the buyer is stepping in, moving around the middleman.

" He slides a business card across the table, and I recognize the name immediately.

Damien Cross, Private Investigator. It's been years since I've spoken to him, but I know his reputation.

"I'm not trying to tell you what to do, Alpha," Maceo continues, "but I think it's time we try a different avenue. "

I look down at the card, then back at the letter, then at Maceo's steady gaze. "Yeah, I think you're right." I dial the number without hesitation, and it rings several times before a familiar gravelly voice answers.

"Damien Cross."

"Damien, it's Luther Keller."

There's a pause, then a low chuckle. "Well, I'll be damned. It's been a long time since you've called me."

"It's been a long time since things have been this dire." I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs at the ankle as I twirl his card around in my head.

"All right, what do you need?" His tone shifts to business immediately. "I've been hearing a lot of things about your little pack and all the trouble you've been causing. This might cost you a pretty penny."

"We've been family and friends longer than that," I say, some heat entering my voice. "And you damn well know I would never do anything that goes against my morals."

" Yeah, yeah, I know," Damien muses. "What do you need?"

"I need you to find out everything you can about Luke Ellis, Hudson Carter, Kai Vizant, and Hearthstone."

There's a long whistle on the other end of the line. "Damn, those are some pretty hot names right now. Especially Hearthstone. What do you need with them?"

"You'll find out once you get all that information," I say grimly. "Let's just say things are twisted up. They're dealing with my Omega and threatening to take him away from me. I need them not to do that."

"Yeah, I get that," Damien says, his voice growing more serious.

The understanding in his voice has me wondering what’s changed over the years. "Hold on, are you a packed up man now?"

He chuckles on the other end of the line. "Stranger things have happened. Mind your business," he snaps playfully, before softening his tone. "When do you need this by?"

"I needed it yesterday."

"It's gonna cost you."

"Anything," I say without hesitation. "I would give you anything at this point because it's to protect my pack. I have people coming at me from all sides, and I'm done waiting and playing the nice Alpha. They're about to get the claws and teeth."

Damien's laugh is genuinely delighted. "Well, damn, it's about time. I was wondering if you were always just gonna play the family man. I got you. I'll let you know when I have something."

The line goes dead, and I lean further back in my chair, looking at Maceo as I grab my glass for another sip. Silence filters between us but it’s comfortable, the kind that comes from years between old lovers or friends, weighted with understanding rather than awkwardness.

"What do you feel about your place in the pack?" I ask eventually. "Where you want to be, what your role is?"

Maceo considers the question for a long moment before answering.

"I don't mind still being the family lawyer.

I like using my law degree, being that part of the business.

" He pauses, swirling the whiskey in his glass.

"However, I think I might also want to move into being Luca's protector until he finds where he wants to be and what he wants to do.

Right now he doesn't know what's going on with his life. "

"I agree," I say immediately. "Take all the time you need to figure out what you want.

We only have a couple weeks until the babies get here, and after that it's going to be an entirely new dynamic.

" Maceo grins, and there's something almost boyish about the expression that makes me smile in return.

"I didn't take you for a stay-at-home dad type," I tease.

"I'm not," he says, still grinning. "But I think I want to try. I know I'll have to fight Grayson for that position, but I like the different bits and pieces. I can do that with some of the legal cases I take, but watching that glow between Blake and Luca... I think I want a little bit more of it."

"You know what? Sold," I say, raising my glass in a mock toast. "Now, let's get back in that nest with our mates before one of them starts whining that they can smell us in the house."

Maceo starts laughing before cutting off the sound, his gaze darting to the couch to see if he woke them. "Alpha, with all due respect, they've already noticed we're here. Blake has more than once tried to drag me back into the nest and almost tried to get me to fuck him as well."

We both dissolve into laughter at that, the tension of the day finally breaking as we stand and make our way toward the colorful pillows, Blake’s eyes immediately snapping open the moment I come around the couch.

He waits just long enough for me to slip off my shoes and shirt before dragging me into the nest to use as a pillow.

I’ll never get tired of this version of Blake.