#Chapter 48 – Messages

Victor wakes with a start as the van pulls into the driveway, sucking in a deep breath. The boys, Alvin tucked in beside him and Ian stretched across his stomach, shift with the disturbance.

“Are we home?” Ian asks, blearily blinking awake.

“Yes, baby,” Evelyn says, peeling Ian off Victor and pulling him up into her arms. Ian yawns and tucks his head against Evelyn’s shoulder, seeming to fall asleep again immediately.

“I’ll get number two,” Edgar says quietly as Victor stands up and stretches. Alvin doesn’t wake up at all, but continues to sleep, his jaw hanging open. Edgar laughs as he picks the little boy up.

“Edgar,” Victor says, “will you show Evelyn the improvements to the cottage? Beta Franklin will show you the ropes and answer any questions you might have.” Victor ends his sentence on a yawn, but Edgar understands, tossing him a smile and a salute as he follows Evelyn down the three short steps.

In the very back of the van, Amelia is packing up her travel bag with her phone and accessories.

“Did you have a good time, Amelia?” Victor asks as she comes towards the front of the van. “I’m sorry I disappeared with the boys –“

Amelia stops to give him a withering glare and then keeps walking without a word, rolling her eyes.

s**t. He’s in trouble. After everyone’s left the van Victor gives one more look over to make sure nothing was left behind and heads into the house himself. He hears the bedroom door slam upstairs and shakes his head, heading into his office. Better to let Amelia cool off.

Victor sits down hard in his desk chair, still exhausted from his night. He caught maybe two hours of sleep as the Betas packed up the camp, and then another on the ride home? Probably less? God, it was going to be a long day.

“Sir?” There’s a gentle knock at his open door and Beta Stephen, his secretary, peeks his head in. Stephen is a diminutive, redheaded Beta – certainly on the small side for his position. He achieved the rank mostly via determination, aided significantly by his incredibly sharp intelligence. Victor had kept an eye on Stephen during the recruitment process and hired him as soon as he qualified.

“Come in, Beta.” Victor straightens his posture and spreads his hands out on the desk, working to steel himself the for day ahead. “Your notes?”

says, laying three files on the desk, “which I’ve deemed important enough for you to address today. The rest can wait.” Victor nods in dismissal, but

“Yes, Stephen,” he says. “Thank you, that sounds great.” Stephen

contains only one piece of

SATURDAY, 4:53 PM

JAMES WILLARD. REQUESTS RETURN CALL AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. PREFERRED CONTACT INFORMATION HAS BEEN UPLOADED TO YOUR

Victor things, grabbing his phone and flicking it on with his thumb. Finally some progress on

from you, my boy, though I admit I didn’t expect it to take

a little time with my family, after their shock,” he says, keeping his voice

an answer to your request,” Willard says. “But I have to say, Kensington…you’re

Victor says,

Victor goes rigid at the demand but holds his tongue. “In even exchange, of course. I will send you an equal number of my Betas. But Victor, I want half of what you’ve got. I’ll

why his Betas are

out. “I consent to this. Have the paperwork drawn up, I’ll have my lawyers look it

deal and sounding a little bit surprised at the ease with which it was completed. “I’ll do just that.

back in his seat, wondering how he got so played. Usually, this sort of request between one Beta and another is a formality, the exchange of favors. But Willard knew, somehow, that this was a top priority for

into training the new Betas – but without his usual level of protection.

straighter at his desk, taking a deep breath and squaring his shoulders. He could face it all. He

desk, hoping for better news. He’s happy to see that it is. This folder is thicker, a report from his reconnaissance team regarding the

contain much useful insight. The journalist is a staff writer, but a new one – hungry for a big break that will be his making in the

through the packet. Stephen enters promptly and slides a mug of coffee onto Victor’s desk. Victor nods at the coffee in thanks and then continues. “Stephen, do we have any insight about how this journalist

“Sir?” Stephen inquires.

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