“Nothing. Just thinking. Is it wrong that I don’t feel as terrible about tonight as I probably should?”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s like when we were trying to hide being poly. The hiding and worrying about people finding out was worse than when itactually happened. I’ve been curious about Ryde’s birth parents for so long, it’s a relief to finally have some answers.”
“Even if it opens up a whole new set of problems?”
“Even then.” Assa slid under the covers and snuggled into Wes. “One thing I’ve learned in life is that there’s always another shoe waiting to drop. If Zeller shows up, we’ll handle it. I believe that.”
“Me too.”
“And in that spirit—” Assa glided his hand up Wes’s thigh. “We should text Valentin. Ask him to get together again.”
“You think so? He hasn’t reached out to us.”
“I doubt that’s because he’s not interested. He’s probably leaving the ball in our court. Or something came up for him. But one thing I’m sure of is that he wasn’t pretending that night.” Assa kissed Wes’s neck. “And I can’t stop thinking about how hot it was.”
Wes shivered. Truthfully, he hadn’t been able to get the alpha out of his head either. But he was also a practical man. “We have a lot going on. With Ryde’s birthday. And now thisnewsfrom Asher.”
“We do.” Assa pulled back to look him in the eye. “But maybe tonight was a reminder that nothing is guaranteed. I don’t want to stop living our life because something badmighthappen. I’m finally not constantly worried that everything’s going to be taken away, and I won’t go backward.”
“You’re right,” Wes said, awed by Assa’s ability to turn the lessons learned from his shitty childhood into strength. “Let’s text Valentin tomorrow.”
Wes pulled them into a spoon position. He’d never felt so in sync with his husband, and he had a feeling they would be relying on that strong bond to guide them through whatever came next. He thought of Asher’s reaction to seeing Ryde. It wasa little disconcerting that there was an omega out there, maybe even in this province, who looked exactly like his son.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Valentin
Valentin glared at Xan as the guard gathered money from the safe and slipped it into a locked bag.
“Hey, sorry for disturbing your peace, but if the staff are gonna get paid, this cash has to make it to the bank.”
“I never said you couldn’t take the money, but did it need to be now? I told you I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
“Why not?” Xan sat down on the opposite side of the desk. Even though the club wouldn’t open for two hours, he already had his dark suit and security badge on. “You’re not busy up here. You’re doing the same thing you’ve done for the past eight days. Sulking.”
“Watch it.”
“Just calling it like I see it, boss.” Xan crossed his arms over his chest. “And from my bird’s-eye, you’ve been grumpy since that night, so you better just call those betas again.”
Valentin’s jaw ticked. “I can’t.”
“You can.”
“No. You know it’s complicated for me right now.” Valentin leaned back in his chair, folding his hands in his lap. “I can’t give Bergam anything he can use for leverage.”
“Bergam’s been quiet for months. Maybe he accepted reality.”
Valentin shook his head. He was confident the little dipshit would give up eventually, but not without more of a fight. A fight he planned to make sure Assa and Wes were not in the middle of.
“You’ve got the cash. You can go now.” Valentin waved at the door. “Next time, call me on the walkie if you need to visit up here.” He stood and observed the empty dance floor.
Xan refused to be so easily dismissed. “Look, I realize I’ve only known you a few years, but I like to think we’re friends.”
Valentin stared at him.
“And as your friend, I’m giving you permission to be happy. Call the betas. Get laid.”