Liam leaned back in his seat. He was quiet as he Kept staring at her. He wondered how she knew. Was it that obvious or did Cole tell her?'He scratched the last part.
He and Cole might have been at loggerheads, but he would never say something like that to her.
So, how did this bitch know? He pondered.
Shantel smiled as she also leaned back in her chair. "Do not at surprised about how I knew, Liam. Your sudden silence just gave you away,"
"Listen, Shantel, he began to say as leaned forward, trying to clarify things. Clarify what exactly? When he knew deep down Shantel was right.
"I know you both went to a bar together that night," she said smugly.
Liam narrowed his eyes. "So, you're the one who sent that video of us to the public,”
“Obviously,” she replied as she leaned on the table with her elbows and her fingers interlocked with each other.
He scoffed as he looked out the window before looking at her again. “What do you want, Shantel?”
“It’s simple, Liam. I want to separate Cole from Amy,”
“What has that got to do with me?” Liam asked, staring at her.
“A lot, Liam. Why are you playing dumb? Cole is taking away the woman you’ve loved since high school and here you are sitting comfortably and letting him do so,”
“He’s my friend, Shantel, and she’s his mate. You want me to take my friend’s mate from him?” He demanded.
“That’s the whole purpose of this meeting,” she replied as she leaned back in her seat.
He snickered in disbelief. “I can’t believe I’m still sitting down here to hear this rubbish you’re saying,”
“That’s because you want to hear all I’ve got to say. Amy is in my way of getting what I want and Cole is in your way of getting Amy,”
“What are you driving at?” He asked with a raised brow as he leaned back in his chair.
She leaned forward again. “You won’t want to hurt Cole cause he’s your friend,”
“What do you take me for? A psychopath?” He asked.
She ignored him as she continued. “I would not like to hurt Amy because you want her…”
“If any harm comes to Amy, Shantel, you’ll have me to contend with,” he threatened.
She laughed. “Then go get your woman, so I can have my man,” she replied, authoritatively as she stared at him.
~~~~~~~
Tris stepped down from his grandfather’s G-wagon as the car door was opened for him.
“Mommy!” Tris exclaimed in happiness as he sighted her standing outside the house. She was waiting for him. She had seen the car pull up and had gone out of the house to wait for him.
Her smile widened as he ran over to her. Bending down, she opened her arms wide enough to embrace him. He fell into her arms and hugged her tightly. She closed her eyes in bliss as she placed her hand in his hair, holding him close to herself.
“My baby. I’ve missed you so much,” she said and he sighed a giggle.
“I’ve missed you too, mommy,” he replied as he lifted his head from her shoulder. “Are you doing alright, mommy?” He asked her as he held her face.
“Yes, I’m fine, baby,” she replied. “And you? Did you have fun with grandpa at the pack house?” She asked as she ruffled his hair.
He grinned. “Yes, I did,”
“Amy,” Mr Darrel called as he stopped a few feet away from them. He was letting them enjoy their reunion.
She saw him and got up from her squatting position. “Good evening, father,” she greeted. This was the first time she referred to him as her father and she could see his eyes warm up at the sound of it.
“How are you?” He asked.
“I’m okay, and you?” She asked too.
“Very well,” he replied and then she noticed a girl looking like she was seventeen coming towards them.
“Father. Luna,” she acknowledged his presence and Amy’s. Amy wondered if the term father was used on him in the pack house or the girl was somewhat related to Cole. But, looking at her, there was no resemblance. She had the aura of an omega.
“Yes, she’s here,” Mr Darrel said with a little smile while Amy wondered what was happening. He turned to her. “My dear, this here is Nicole. She’s an omega. She’ll be moving in with y’all so she can take care of Tris,” he explained.
“Oh,” was the only thing Amy found suitable to say.
He nodded. “Tris bonded well with her during this week, so I saw her as the right candidate to take care of Tris while you and Cole are at the office,” he said and continued. “Even though I have said you do not need to work as a Luna,” he added with a sigh.
She smiled. “I’ve told you before, father, I enjoy working,” she responded.
He narrowed his eyes. Her working didn’t sit well with him, even though he had spoke about it with Cole too. But, his daughter in-law was one stubborn tough nut to crack.
“Fine,” he said and turned to Nicole. “Take care of my boy,”
She nodded with a smile. “Yes, I will,”
“Yayy! Nicole is staying here!” Tris exclaimed excitedly and Amy chuckled while Nicole smiled at him.
“Come my boy. Come give grandpapa a hug,” mr Darrel said to Tris.
Tris left his mother’s side and went over to hug his grandfather.
Mr Darrel smiled. “That’s my boy. We’ll get to see again before school resumes, right?”
“Yes. If mom can’t bring me, Nicole will,” Tris replied, smiling.
“I don’t doubt it,” he replied with a grin.
They pulled apart and he bade them goodbye as he went back to his car and his driver drove him out of the house premises.
“Come on, Nicole, let’s get you settled in,” Amy said with a smile.
Nicole returned her smile. “Yes, Luna,” They walked into the house and Amy showed Nicole to her room.
“You’ll be staying here,” she said.
Nicole was awed by the spacious room. “It’s so beautiful,” she replied as she walked into the room and Amy chuckled.
“Yeah it is,” she admitted as she followed her.
Nicole turned to look at her. “Thank you. I promise to serve you well,” she said as she curtsied.
Amy chuckled. “Do not worry about me, Nicole. Just take care of Tris. He’s my priority,” she replied.
Nicole nodded. “I will,” she assured.
“Great,” Amy said with a relieved smile. “Freshen up and come downstairs. I made some lasagna,”
Nicole nodded.
“Did I hear lasagna?” Tris asked from the door.
Amy and Nicole chuckled as they turned to the door. “Yes, you heard right,” Amy said as she walked towards him.
“Let’s go have it then,” he replied with a grin.
She ruffled his hair. “Till you freshen up,”
He groaned as he threw his hair backwards. “I won’t be hungry for it again,”
She chuckled. “Believe me when I say you will,” she said and he groaned again.
Amy turned to Nicole. “We’ll be waiting downstairs,”
“Okay, Luna,” Nicole responded as she watched Amy hold Tris by his hand and led him towards the direction of the stairs.
•
Cole rang his fingers through his iPad, going through the final stage of the presentation. It will all end tomorrow morning and he would be on his way back to New Orleans to be with his family. He couldn’t wait. He dialed his assistant number and as she picked, he adjusted his AirPod. “Yes, Tina. Ask the team to send in their final report tonight,” he said and then ended the call. The team he came with was checked in a hotel and not with him.
He took off AirPod and groaned as he threw his head backwards on the seat and rubbed his temples.
“Amy,” he sighed out. He picked up his phone again and dialed her number, but she didn’t pick up. He sent her a text, letting her know he would be home by tomorrow.
Just then, he heard the doorbell ring. “Greg, the door,” he called out, but no one answered.
“Greg,” he called out again, but still no response. He groaned as he stood up. “I’ll get it myself,” he muttered as he went to the door.
He opened it and he was shocked by the figure standing in front of him. “Shantel,” he muttered, flabbergasted and she smiled at him.