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ACT III - Part II

I yawn at my desk. Between wedding planning and work, I have been really busy. Pinching the bridge of my nose, I glare at the documents I prepared for tomorrow - when I represent our clients in-person in court. I've reread everything at least three times, but feel like it is still not good enough. Well, I usually do better in person anyway... Ugh, but still... The perfectionist in me is screaming. I glance at the time in the corner of my screen.

"I guess I ought to finish up." I put the documents into my briefcase. Then I shouldn't have to come back to the office and can head downtown directly. Even though I became the senior partner in the firm when the brothers split up, I have only ever worked under Mr. Seigi in a court case and never on my own. Time and time I have swallowed my disappointment on this. It's easier this way, even if it is not my choice.

Using an app, I request a ride from a rideshare service. I used to just use the train - or a taxi if on a time crunch - but, for safety reasons, Leo prefers I get home this way if he can't pick me up. It's in his nature as an alpha to protect his omega, and - especially after what happened at that party a couple years back - he tends to be anxious about what could happen to me. Still, he is really good about not crossing my boundaries. Even the ridesharing wasn't mandatory - rather just a suggestion. And today, since I did not know what time I would finish my work, I told Leo not to pick me up.

Thankfully, it does not take long for the driver to arrive. I spend the twenty-minute ride mentally going over tomorrow's hearing for the umpteenth time.

"We've arrived. Excuse me, sir? We are here," I snap out of my mental courtroom.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you. Thank you," I bob my head in a small apology and quickly exit the vehicle with my stuff. When the driver pulls away, I notice some fancy black cars parked on the opposite side of the road. "Whoa... Nice," I whistle under my breath. Each of the cars is a different foreign luxury sports car, all shiny and new-looking. I wonder who drives those, I've never seen them here before. Maybe it's for an event?

Eventually, after snapping a few pictures to show Leo and Hito later, I head inside the apartment complex. I'm on my phone sending the photo to Hito as I go through the lobby and elevator and arrive at our floor a second later, thanks to the fancy high speed elevator. This building is so nice, I'm so glad I have a rich boyfriend - no, fiancée! I smile and quicken my pace, happy to be home. I stick my briefcase under my arm so I can have a free hand to punch in the keycode.

As soon as I step inside, I'm slammed against the wall so hard it knocks the wind out of me. I hear my briefcase and phone clatter to the floor. My attacker is a tall muscular man with red burn scars twisting across the left side of his face. His forearm is pressed into my neck as I am pinned and momentarily unable to speak. I gasp for air and claw at the arm as hard as I can - it doesn't do anything. My vision blurs and -

"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF HIM!" Suddenly, Leo is there ripping the man off of me and snarling in rage. I'm coughing and gasping for air as I catch my breath and try to make sense of what's going on. Looking through the entranceway, I can see there are similar large men in suits positioned in various areas around our living room and kitchen.

Leo stands between me and the man who had me pinned growling like a rabid dog. The scent of his rage and protection flood the room, causing the man to flinch away. My body starts to shake as I look around nervously.

"Alright son, you've made your point. He didn't know it was your mate coming in. Give it a rest and sit back down." The voice is coming from the couch where an older man with silvery gray hair sits with his legs crossed. Son? Is this...

"No, father, I will not continue this discussion any longer. Not after what just happened! You come into my home with your goons and assault my fiancée? Absolutely not. Get out."