Page 7 of Escalating Alpha (Seraphine Thomas #18)

Maya of all people showed up with the food I’d ordered. I sighed and stepped aside to let her in. I let the door slam behind her, saying a lot with that especially since she was a fairy and could sense a lot from me.

But then I felt like a bully since she worked for me. She was hurrying to fuss about and get dinner set up for me.

“This isn’t fair,” I grumbled.

“No, but I accept your valid anger that I’m butting in,” she said as she kept going. “And I won’t stay. I simply want you to hear a few things from me and I’ll leave you to your night. I would also like to point out that I never get involved.” She cleared her throat. “And the groceries were my idea, so I feel responsible.”

I sighed and grabbed two pops, not caring about the extra sugar or calories right then. I sat down and nodded for her to go ahead. If I had to be subjected to whatever her involvement was, I just wanted to get it over with.

“He was broken so young, Sera,” she whispered. “They—you have no idea how that family broke him. The pain and depth of the suffering he experienced. And then to serve at court for so long—there aren’t words for it. It cannot be put into words.”

“I get that. I get being broken,” I argued. “But he’s hundreds of years old and has had time to—”

“No, but—”

“I suffered too!” I snapped. “But I still fucking listen to him and what he needs. I don’t dismiss him and treat him like a child!” I swallowed down what else I might have said when she flinched.

“No, you don’t, and I would never, not ever dismiss or be dismissive of all you suffered. You went through more than any should.” She waited until I reached for my sushi, getting that was my acceptance of what she’d said. “But you had years out of it, Sera. You suffered it for sixteen years before you were free. Yes, into another kind of hell, but you were free to learn yourself.”

I took a few bites and met her gaze, confused.

“He was still trapped until you rescued him, Sera. That’s six hundred years being broken. Hundreds of years with his family— that family is—the damage is… And the court is—it’s so much better now. It was better when our queen took over, but he was never free. Every second of every day was court games and him being tossed around like a servant and worse.”

I thought about that as I stuffed a whole maki roll in my mouth. “All I can compare it to is when friends come back from deployment and can’t adjust back or…”

“Except this was a life Dain has never lived. It was all too foreign and—”

“Then he should have fucking asked for help,” I seethed. “All the lectures he gave me about not knowing when to get help and—”

“Yes, he should have,” she agreed, her tone absolute. She let out a slow breath when I backed down. “You are completely right, and I begged him to when even I knew about the kale jokes and heard your comments about your dad was going to yell at you for not eating your lunch. I saw how sad you were looking at him. How heartbroken you would be.”

I looked away and blinked back tears. “I thought he saw me, Maya. I don’t think he ever did. I don’t know any of them did. It all hurts so fucking much that I can’t breathe. I can’t go on and keep moving. He only finally got it when all of the guys ganged up on him? Not everything I’ve said to him? All the times I’ve asked him to cook with me instead?”

“I’ve never heard you ask that,” she admitted.

I chuckled darkly. “I probably gave up by the time you came in the picture.” I frowned. “No, I did when we started having sex again. I offered to make him my mixed burgers and he told me not to bother because he’d had the chefs cook for me.” I met her gaze. “I try. I try more than most realize because I don’t always talk about it or brag.”

“I believe that.”

“I do tell them things, but they never listen,” I choked out. “I’m always that kid standing there ignored or dismissed and a bother to people. He makes me feel that. I’m a bother. A chore. Something to check off his list because we’re mated. It was never fun. It was never…” I covered my face and cried. “I thought he was my soulmate and he saw me. I feel so played.”

“No, I swear it’s—Dain doesn’t have it in him to play someone, child.” She hugged me to her and pet my hair as I cried. “He’s just so broken.”

“I am too, and I got help so I never hurt them. Why can’t they do that for me? Why—he always makes me feel—I’m not always the problem. Even when he walked away from me after he was magically drugged. Everyone told him what I thought and the damage he’d done to us. Why didn’t he learn from that? Why didn’t that cut through his pride or—”

“He is in the wrong and a stupid, stupid man,” she promised me. “I’m not defending him. I’m giving you insight. Also—he loves you, Sera. He has failed to show you that the right way, but he loves you. Everyone knows how broken he was when you were taken—”

I slammed my fist onto the table. “I cannot keep giving them unlimited chances or all the passes to mistreat me because I was abducted.”

“No, no you cannot,” she agreed, her eyes a bit too wide.

“Sorry,” I mumbled and went back to my food.

There was a quick knock on the door before it was unlocked and Dain flew inside with Topher on his hip and darted past us… Our son squealing at the fun.

“You had to see this,” he told me as he was already turning on the TV. “I believe I will need to fly out soon instead of in the morning.”

I dropped the sushi in my hand as I saw there were protestors at the White House. My official FBI photo was on the screen.

And then the news showed the promo for my interview that night. The focus was far from my nakie pictures. They clipped it together where I said someone took a hit out on me and my son and Summer asked if it was really the First Lady and I said I didn’t know but the timing was a problem. It wasn’t clickbait and was accurate.

But it was meant to start trouble.

“Fuck,” I whispered, but also was kinda thrilled? Maybe? I felt a bit faint but also touched when the protestors—human and supe—were demanding the First Lady recant her statements and apologize to me. “The head of the CIA is going to call me in ten seconds demanding the information I have. I was—I thought the interview was going up tomorrow?”

Dain gave me a look like I should know they would have pushed it up.

Fair.

I was thinking of who to call when there was a knock at the door and I felt who it was. I darted over there and opened the door, glad when I saw it was Lewis, the team lead of Enzo’s vampires who were now part of my ancient coven.

“Okay, so I was rash and about to be backed into a corner,” I admitted, confused when I saw Niall was there.

“My former master is willing to be named as one of your sources and will even share where the hitman was apprehended,” Niall told me. “He called me and said hopefully you would be willing to accept it as a down payment on his apology for his bad behavior.”

That was surprising.

“And the rest,” Lewis told me, handing me over some pages.

Relief filled me as I read over the backstory to put the pieces together. My phone rang and I blinked at Lewis. “He has a spy in the White House, doesn’t he?”

Yes. It was all over Lewis’s face, but he wouldn’t out Enzo.

And I really didn’t want to know that answer to lie.

“I was going to call you,” I said in way of greeting to the head of the CIA. “But if you’re in the room with the president or any of his people, that’s seriously out of line.”

“I agree, but I am in the White House, and it was made clear to me that you better have something to back up the claims or your ass is grass. You and Galvin will both be out if you took a shot without anything—”

“Like she did? All she’s been fucking saying and now they think it’s important to be accurate?” I seethed. “How very Christian of them to be contrite and sorry that her words could have led to my son being fucking killed!”

“Shit, this is real, isn’t it?” he whispered. “I knew you wouldn’t talk out your ass, but I really didn’t think—”

“You didn’t think they’d go this far or you didn’t want to think they would go this far? Be honest with yourself, Director,” I pushed.

“You’re right. Neither of them see you as a person,” he whispered sadly. “I’m sorry. I’m really sorry, Thomas. We might never be friends, and I have beef with you for some things that maybe are petty or—but you are a damn good operative and good for this country. What the former director did and—let me help you on this. I’m on your side. Always Galvin’s.”

I knew that of him. He’d worked really well with Galvin, and Galvin was thrilled when he’d taken over the CIA.

I sent him a couple of the screenshots from the blocked number and just the pictures of me holding Topher and the scout locations. “Do not let those monsters see my son’s face or give them ideas of where to shoot me from. That’s what I received. You can see the time and date stamp. That was it. We freaked. I freaked.”

“Shit, I would too. My kids and—fuck, Thomas. I’m so sorry.”

“Thanks,” I whispered. “I don’t know much, but a known hitter was caught in Santiago. I have someone in my coven from that coven. Word reached that coven leader that a dead known hitter had those pictures on him and some communications that couldn’t be traced saying I was evil and it was for the good of the US that I be taken out—for all humans.”

“And today?” he asked.

“That someone tied to the US government had taken a hit out on me and my son because I’m ‘evil and will bring the end of everything and ruin humanity.’ It doesn’t take a leap to know where we’ve heard someone saying that.”

“I’m going to need a source,” he mumbled. “Someone to—”

“Councilman Enzo Dubois,” I told him. “I checked and he’ll go on the record with you and Galvin. He is not giving his name to the president to be next or the First Lady to be torn all over. I’m assuming he got this from French intelligence, but he wouldn’t tell me that. All I know is they’re worried I’m going to be shot in the back or my son could be abducted from here by you guys.”

“I would never —”

“I believe you. I do. My adopted mother is already meeting with the council to get answers and try to figure out what is really going on. But this is very, very real.” I thought of something and swallowed loudly. “Apparently, the head of the council is sending one of the vampires he personally turned—someone seriously old to protect me and my son. That kind of real.”

I was glad when Lewis and Niall both gave me a thumbs-up that it was a good plan, Lewis already texting.

“You’ve closed the gaps on this location?” the CIA director checked.

“Yeah, not ethical, but we put sensors up there and—we’re covered. Also, the elder is putting up magic. I don’t know. I’m a bit buried too and waiting for the next fucked case for me to handle. Every time they say someone took a plea deal in the DeKalb case I do a cartwheel; otherwise, I would have been testifying for a decade.”

“That shit gave me nightmares and I officially put in my calendar to take my kids out for ice cream and something fun once a month. I never—nightmares.”

I snorted. “You didn’t see the physical state the people were in. I have all the nightmares too.”

“I swear to you that I won’t give the president what I should, and I will get with this councilman to help more than get information. You’re needed, Thomas, and anyone who goes after a fucking baby should burn.”

He already had but might as well use it for more. I thanked him and hung up, blowing out a slow breath. I met Niall’s gaze. “Tell your former master that our ledger is clean as long as he never disrespects me or mine again. We all make missteps in power plays to keep ours safe. I’m understanding, but he should never take that for weakness.”

“I think he understands that given who called him for the first time ever to ask he help you,” Niall said with a dark chuckle.

Good.

“Mama!” Topher said loudly, getting that he could now.

I went right for him with a chuckle. I kissed all over his face and sent him images but also said it out loud for the others. “Your dad has to leave tonight, so get some time with him and I’ll come for bathtime, okay?”

“Mama!” he giggled which I took as his agreement. “Okay, Mama!”

Okay, apparently, he learned that now too. It was in baby, but we all knew what he meant.

Dain moved his hand to my arm to stop me from turning away and slid it to hold my hand. “I called Queen Laila and asked for help.”

“You already told me. We have the archers now,” I muttered and pulled away.

“We’ll head out,” Lewis said, reading the room. “I’ll let you know if there are any updates, but we’ll be working in the party room.”

I thanked them and went back to my food, noting that Maya escaped while she could too.

“I asked for help for me,” Dain clarified as he sat next to me with Topher on his lap. “I asked for someone who could deprogram my noble instincts and—”

“I can’t hear this, Dain,” I whispered. “I don’t really get why you have to go to DC early but I trust you. Thank you for handling this.” I scrubbed my hand over my face.

“What? I feel your sadness and—why do you feel guilt?”

“Because I’m thinking something mean,” I mumbled. I was going to swallow what else I was going to say, but then I thought better of it. “I don’t think deprogramming or anything else will actually help at this point. You can feel everything , Dain. Even more with our bond. But you never felt my disappointment? Or annoyance? Hell, my actual disgust at all the kale or—”

“It’s overwhelming a lot,” he interrupted. “You know this. You know this with your own power and—it’s also not all your feeling. Sometimes I’m so busy trying to block things like you do so you don’t hold things against people—I tried so hard to provide for you and it never seemed enough. It hurt me. I never understood that—”

“Because you didn’t fucking listen and then I just seemed ungrateful. I get it. There are women all over the world who would swoon at their husband having chefs meal prep for them and take care of all of that. But your wife is someone who grew up without any fucking choices. I grew up being a chore and burden—an item to be checked off lists.

“And then you ignore everything I’ve said but listen to all the men around you. After all the sexism I’ve dealt with—deal with all the damn time. Were you just trying to like hit every hot button of mine and see if I’d finally beat you in sparring? Was that the goal or—”

“I’m sorry,” he rasped, trying to hold my hand. “Part of that was my jealousy that Brian always—”

“Yeah, gets away with so much. But you’re making the same mistake he does.” I met his gaze and didn’t hide my anger. “Not listening to me. I told you to leave earlier and I told you now that I can’t hear this. I’m glad you’re ready or finally willing to fix what’s wrong here, but I’ve been trying for a while and I’m exhausted. With a lot.”

“Please, please, don’t give up on us,” he begged as he stood. “I’ll figure out a way to…”

I bobbed my head, wanting to make a snide comment about having fun finishing that statement. “We’re bonded forever , Dain. What’s there to give up on? It is what it is.” I swallowed a sigh when he didn’t leave. “Have a safe trip.”

I let out a slow breath of relief when he did go and focused on my food. The coverage of what was going on was unreal. People were protesting all over the place—Chicago was actually up in arms about it all since I was from here. It was nice to see and completely unexpected given how much people loved to hate on me.

I watched the interview and tried not to cringe when I broke down crying on camera. I hated that I’d done it and people would give me shit about being weak and being too emotional as a woman—all that bullshit I did my best to sidestep.

Galvin sent me a text saying I certainly handled the situation with my pictures. I fibbed a bit and told him that hadn’t been the original plan but after I found out about Topher… Things just spun out. He was understanding and said things would be okay.

I appreciated the lie because we both knew it would get worse before it got better.

Right as I was falling asleep, the bed shifted and I felt Reagan slide in behind me. He kissed my hair and told me that he loved me. That we’d protect Topher and that people were pissed for me. That was a huge shift. That we could get through this.

That said a lot because everything was always too crazy for him. He was my strongest Beta and was at the top so I was safe, not because he wanted to. He handled so much because he loved me even if it wasn’t what he wanted.

I really needed to give him more credit for that.

Which was why we had sex in the shower the next morning even if it was a bit painful for me since it was my time of the month. I was doing my best to move past my mindset about my period, but… I was a work in progress.

Such was life.

“Something happened,” Reagan muttered as I sprayed my hair before I wrapped it in a towel.

“So what else is new?” I drawled, super helpful like that.

I thought I got a pass.

He rushed out of my room with only a towel hanging low on his hips. I enjoyed the view of his naked back and body.

Until I heard what someone said from the TV in the living room. Then I darted out there, morning routine forgotten.

“From what we’ve identified, this audio is between the president, the director of the CIA, the chief of staff, and possibly the new vice president,” the on-air correspondent said. “We warn people that it’s disturbing and you should remove children from the room.”

I blinked at the TV. What? Like… What now?

“Don’t even come back in here and give me some bullshit that it’s real,” the president said, his voice full of venom unlike I’d ever heard. It was completely different from how he normally behaved, but it was clearly him.

“The threat is real and Thomas sent me proof,” the director of the CIA said firmly. “I don’t have all of the details, but I would absolutely have made the connection to the First Lady too. We all told you she’s been going over the line and—”

“I want her fired. I’m tired of all of her—she’s gone. Supe-loving Galvin too,” the president snapped.

“You can’t ever fire Thomas now, sir,” the chief of staff sighed. “Nor Galvin. Not because of anything supe-related.”

“I can do whatever I want.”

“There are protestors outside right now who all agree the First Lady has gone too far and is the cause of this even if she didn’t hire the hit. They think she could have , and that is a serious problem, sir,” he said, struggling to keep his voice even.

“I agree,” another voice said, the one they thought might be the vice president. “The First Lady has to apologize. A real apology and stop this. A hit was taken out against two people because—”

“They’re not people ,” the president snapped. “She’s a whore dog, and I’m tired of having to pretend—who cares if she’s shot? Good riddance. It’s disgusting that she’s in charge of Chicago’s office. Galvin should be out for that, and—she gets more powerful over those animals every day. We have the reports. I want to know how to help the—”

“Her son is human,” the vice president snapped.

“According to her. You can’t believe a lying whore animal. She probably already infected the boy and—”

“He’s still a baby,” the director of the CIA seethed. “I know you hate supes, but Thomas has done a lot for this country. She’s—you don’t have to like her, but she’s one of us—a citizen that—”

“She’s an animal! ” the president roared. “And she’s gone too far daring to smear a good woman like my wife. She’s out and begs for forgiveness or worrying about some hitman will be the last of her problems. I’ll take everything from her and those beasts in Chicago. The bloodsuckers too. Everything.”

“I’m not continuing this conversation if you won’t be rational and accept how off the rails this all is,” the director bit out. “And I won’t be party to you abusing your power and taking down a good agent. You don’t even care a baby could die because of the bullshit your wife has been spewing. I don’t—”

“I expect your resignation then if you won’t have the stomach to—”

“To what?” the director yelled. “I’m CIA. We don’t go after US citizens, and Galvin is the best thing for the FBI and this country. Thomas too. I’m not quitting. I worked my whole career to get here and protect this country while you seem to want to tear it apart and set it on fire. So with all due respect, sir, I suggest you remember the oath you took and we can talk later.”

There was a pause and the door slammed, the director probably storming out.

“I want those pictures everywhere. She’s not smearing my wife as the way to hide she’s broken every ethics—I want an ethics hearing for her to address those disgusting photographs,” the president demanded. “She doesn’t get to slither away from this. And I want those pictures he won’t share. She wants to try and lie about my wife, then I’m going to show her proof everywhere and—”

“You cannot show pictures of her son, sir,” the chief of staff said firmly. “You would never recover from doxing a baby . You wouldn’t. I don’t know that you will this. Please hear me that no matter what you feel about supes, this situation is serious. We have protestors all over the country—”

“The sheep will stop listening to her once I show just how disgusting of a wolf she is and get her out of the way,” the president seethed.

“And what about Iran? Greece? Bolivia? They’re NATO countries. They have allies, and other countries are not happy about other moves we’ve pulled,” the vice president added. “Mexico is pissed at us. Canada. A list from things we had nothing to do with. The Middle East has stabilized because of the takeover in Iran. Their president is insanely popular and—”

“I don’t care what people think of the undead leech,” the president bit out. “We can worry about handling him later. The dog in charge of Bolivia too. Even Greece.”

“I know you want to send them all to Greece and blow up the country, but you have to be realistic about options, sir,” the chief of staff said.

There were a couple more minutes of recording, but honestly they weren’t much better.

“Seriously, who does Enzo have placed there?” I whispered.

Reagan didn’t say anything and simply scrubbed his hands over his head so roughly that I was surprised that he had any hair left. Yeah, this was going to get bad, and too much was going to be focused on us.

And I still had to go to work and act like nothing happened.

Fuck all the ducks, birds, and just anything that flew.