Scarlett's povRoman makes my heart melt with the way he treats Maya.His guards exchange bewildered glances when they see him wheeling a little girl around the room while the dye sets in and even I am bewildered because I never imagined this.I never imagined that one day Maya would have so much to talk about with someone who isn’t me, and the way she settles into comfortable banter with Roman has my heartwarming.I don’t know what they discuss. At some point, Maya looks thoughtful like she’s been given something to think about and then she shrugs and goes right back to talking.At some point, she stands on the seat as Roman wheels her about, and though my heart lurches at how close she might be to falling and getting injured, something tells me Roman would never allow that to happen.That thing tells me, my greatest fear won’t be a problem at all, that Roman won’t have me choose like Hunter did.Roman won’t have me choose between love and my child.With him, I might be able to have
“Myrtle?”My voice quakes and I ask myself what the fuck am I doing?I turn to look at Danis but he isn’t there anymore. He told me I'm batshit crazy if I thought speaking to Myrtle would get me any farther than we already are, but I just had to ask myself how far we are in terms of progress and the answer became clear to me.Threats still surround us.Still surround me and Maya and Roman. Roman and his pack.“You look surprised to see me, child.”I look at the old lady through the bars and her melancholy state and almost irritated tone surprises me. She doesn’t look like she hates it in here, but I've noticed all this before.“I have some more questions to ask you, Myrtle.”“It’s Councillor Myrtle” she directs a light glare at me “and no thank you, I've had enough questioning for one day. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours yet since the last time I was questioned.”She gives an incredulous laugh and glances at me from the corner of her eyes.“If I didn't know better I'd say you’re
“Abandon any thoughts of the mark. There’s nothing going after that will do for you.”A frown lines my face but I nod all the same.“For now you have a company to run. Roman is counting on you, so do that.”Again I nod. He’s right and I need to focus on thatDanis walks out of my room and I slip into my work outfit. It consists of a white button-up, a dark skirt, and a pair of heels.I take some time to check myself out in the mirror and I like what I see. I look young, clinical, like a breath of fresh air.A scoff escapes my lips and I chuckle right after. I am aiming to deceive everyone in the Ironclaw headquarters building, so this look should be just right. There’s no way anyone would look at me in this and think I’m a runaway Luna or a mother of one.That is what I should want, yet Roman appears in my mind’s eye with brown hair. He changed something about himself just so he could fit into the role we wanted for him.Something like that might seem simple, but it’s a compromise
“Helloo” Aria snaps her fingers repeatedly and glares at me “Haven’t you seen a pretty lady before?”Her haughty eyes stare me right back in the face and I am lost for words or what to do. Only one thing runs through my head as my body goes rigid. What the actual fuck?“To what does Ironclaw Corp owe this visit, Aria Tyson?”Fen steps in front of me and blocks me from Aria’s line of sight. The amount of gratitude that fills my heart is unrivaled but self-preservation comes first. Two options come to mind.One; I can abandon whatever this attempt at life trying to fuck me up is and just go back to the pack. The car is still outside, both the one Fen and I arrived in and the one Roman gifted to me. I should have the key somewhere inside my bag, I could always just walk back out, get into the car and consider this a bad dream that never happened.Or, the second option.“Hey, Beta” Aria says the title like it’s something to be ashamed of “I want to see the Alpha himself, Roman Collins?
Roman's pov.“Okay Daddies, welcome to bring your Dad to class day.”The small class of small children scream in excitement and the smile that creeps up my face is slight but warm.Maya Tyson turns to catch my gaze and when our eyes lock, I wink.She giggles and turns to face the teacher once more.All the fathers stand at the back of the class and the teacher faces us while the kids face her.Maya and I had to make a stop at a fashion house on our way here and I let her pick out the perfect disguise for me. We were talking….. and she said I would be too noticeable in black, even with the hair change.Since her real Daddy isn’t here and she and her mum have run away from him, she knows I'm just standing in as her fake Daddy. Her fake daddy shouldn’t look like he can beat her teacher, that’s what Beta Fen is for.She had a specific look in mind for me, just so I could blend in. Her classes wouldn’t start till 10 a.m because of the event they have planned today so we did what all littl
Scarlett's pov.Fen enters the office yet again and the look on his face tells me all I need to know.Roman has been calling.I look at Aria and smile, “Give me a minute, Miss Tyson.”Aria doesn’t even look up from her phone as she nods her head. This was not what I had in mind and it’s bugging me out that I haven't resolved whatever issue she’s here for.“I thought you said she was going to be gone in the next five minutes.”I give Fen the sweetest smile my nervous body can manage and I take his phone from him“It hasn’t been five minutes… yet.”I pick up the call immediately and brace myself for the worst as I place the phone at my ear.“Vivian Davidson on the line. How may I be of service to you?” Roman chuckles deeply and my body threatens to light up with desire.“I see you’ve adjusted to your new role with ease. You sound happy.”I want to nod and say I am, and I am but I'm also anxious. I settle for a roundabout statement instead.“Being CEO for a day would make anyone happy.”
The investors arrive a few minutes after 2 p.m. I contemplate telling them the whole pitch has been canceled and they can come back tomorrow for their pitch but that would be selfish of me.The fact that I have achieved nothing since I came here stops me.At least fifteen different group managers have come up to Roman’s office and seeing as he‘s not around, come to mine right after. I have listened to their complaints and nodded when I needed to nod, but deep down I know I haven't provided a solution.“They’re here, Scarlett.”I nod and take a deep breath. Fen holds my gaze and I try my best to look brave. To show him that I am brave and this isn’t going to be something I cow away from.“You don’t need to prove anything to anyone, Okay?”Fen speaks in the same fierce tone I've heard him speak to his warriors in. I don’t know why, but that tone makes me feel like he’s giving me some kind of respect.I nod, but I know I need to prove something to myself.“I’ll be in and out within an ho
Roman's pov “Keep the shades on.”Maya nods like a small soldier taking orders from her commander and pride lights up in my heart. The driver takes us into Ironclaw corp and I feel something scratching a nerve. Maybe it’s nervousness, but it’s been a long time since I last felt nervous. This is just a small scratch of that feeling, yet I know why it’s there. I’m nervous Scarlett might feel I'm doing this because I don't trust her. I do. More than I ever thought was possible. Thinking of her running my company for a day was easy. Scarlett will be happy if she sees us. She’ll be surprised, but she’ll also be happy. “We’re here, Alpha Roman.” I nod and open the door for Maya to get out. She’s still in her uniform and I'm still in my disguise. “If anyone asks, you didn’t bring me here.” The driver nods and I decide I like him. He’s going to be questioned by Fen later when he gets to the pack, and if he lives up to my expectation, I'll see what I can do for him. “Is mummy in ther