Auctioned Mates Revenge
Chapter 57

Glenda's

POV

I took just one box from the cabinet because I couldn't help myself. Matt didn't seem to care or notice anything suspicious about it, so I didn't worry about it. Within a few hours were back on the plane. Matt's phone rang as we were waiting for take-off. He went to With a glance towards the door, Grace pulled something out of her purse, hiding it in the sleeve of her jacket before settling into the seat beside me.

another section of the plane to answer it.

She met my gaze and slipped it to me as if she thought we were begin watched.

Now that I thought about it, were we being watched? By who? Matt? I had never considered the potential of us being watched, and I should have if we were going to keep secrets from Matt. It was a bit embarrassing how much more experienced, aware, and prepared Grace seemed to be.

She leaned against my shoulder as if she was sleepy.

I glanced down, leaning against her comfortably, and pulled out my phone to cover up the fact that I was looking at it. My heart lurched and clenched. Alyssa whined in agony and my eyes burned.

"Renda," Grace said softly. "Think we'll have time for a nap?"

She squeezed my arm as if to tell me to keep it together. I wanted to. I really did, but I couldn't. My eyes were burning. I was barely holding back a cry of pain. I could barely remember my parents' faces, and here they were staring up at me from a photo we'd taken barely a few months before they were murdered. Angelia's eyes sparkled in the photo up at me and regret bubbled up in me.

What was I doing?

Was all this getting me closer to Angelia? What about my revenge?

"Or do you think we'll have more to talk about?"

"Why?" I gasped out, barely keeping my voice steady.

"... proof of loyalty."

My lips twitched as I reached down to get my purse and slipped it inside while pretending to search for something. I pulled out a pad of paper and sat back. "I-I thought coffee was supposed to keep you awake," I said. "It's awful enough to."

Grace laughed, patting my arm gently, "It does keep you up if you're not used to it, but unless it's espresso, I can sleep all I want."

"Sorry, ladies," Matt said coming towards us from the room. His eyes were bright and victorious. "Naps will have to wait. Should I get you an espresso, Grace?"

She chuckled and sat up, stretching, "I'll wake up, I'm sure. What's up?"

"A few things. First, there are some talks about a party Mordecai is organizing. I'm not sure what form it will take, but I suspect I'll be invited. Before that, we'll need to do some leg work socially, I think... you were right about my playboy persona."

I listened with half an ear. I couldn't focus on anything they were saying knowing that the photo was in my bag and all I wanted to do was pull it out and cry over it.

Then, there was the question of what it would take to make sure Grace didn't say anything to Matt about the photo. It was clear that she knew who I was now. What would she want in return for her silence? She said it was proof of loyalty, but what reason would she have to be loyal to me? I couldn't give her anything of any value.

Her first loyalty would be to Matt as the one who could ensure her safety.

"... what do you think, Renda?" I looked at Grace, trying to focus on her words. Her eyes were concerned, but her smile was teasing. "Don't tell me you're zoning about seeing me in a bikini, hm? Maybe we should get Matt a speedo-" "Not on your life."

Grace laughed and I smiled at her, grateful that she covered for me.

"I don't know. Speedos are easier to get off..."

Matt groaned, "I have no intention of whipping my c**k out at Mordecai's indoor pool party or a country club. No speedos."

I laughed, catching on to the conversation. They must have been talking about what sort of event they thought Mordecai would be hosting.

"I think it's a good plan," I said hoping that would suffice.

"Then, we'll plan to go out when we get back," Grace said. "There are a few good places aside from the country club where the wives and mates of Mordecai's cabinet like to go. It's a good place to stir up rumors. Though, if we get invited to Sinner's Haven, or if he has his party there, we need a game plan."

Matt nodded, "It's unlikely that we'll be able to bow out easily. By now, Midnight's tabloids are itching to catch me out doing something scandalous."

Grace chuckled, "They've been waiting for that since you got here. They might give you a break until Club Heaven re-opens. How are the renovations going?"

"Almost done," he smirked, "Everyone's been moved out to a complex nearby. Do you know what Owen smokes?"

Grace hummed, "No, but I can ask."

Matt nodded, "Do so, and find out if anyone else smokes. I'll find a doctor to check on them all."

"Why?"

Matt frowned, "They're my responsibility now. I don't want them worrying about where their treatments of choice have to come from or doing anything dangerous." I stared at him in shock as Grace left out a little huff of laughter, "Alpha indeed."

Matt scowled at her, "It's the right thing to do."

"It's a shame," Grace said. "If you have any inclination towards taking over Warhammer, you'd probably have most of the territory wrapped around your finger in a few hours." Matt looked troubled as he looked out the window, "It's... a future I'm realizing may come to fruition whether I want to or not."

What did that mean? I was happy at the thought of Ben being kicked out of his position, but I didn't know if that meant that Matt would be better off that way.

Strangely, I wasn't committed to getting Ben out of his position and putting Matt there if it was going to make him miserable.

"That's not... going to give me my revenge either, I don't think."

Matt smirked, "No. I imagine it wouldn't, but it's a possibility we should all be aware of."

Grace nodded, "I guess so."

"As we're talking a bit about Club Heaven, what can you tell me about Caleb's stake in the mall?"

"Well, it's not the largest part, I don't think, and it's not what makes him so important in Midnight. It's a fringe benefit."

Matt narrows his eyes, "He's not a part of Mordecai's cabinet."

"No, but he's adjacent to it. He's got a huge hand in running the border. His son-in-law is on Mordecai's board, but he's just a puppet."

I frowned, "Why not sit on it himself?"

Matt chuckled, "Because cabinet members are under constant surveillance and there are more benefits to off it than on it."

Being in Mordecai's cabinet meant tax cuts, but it also meant keeping a super clean image. Caleb's underhanded deals and management of the border, the things that he did behind Mordecai's back, couldn't be done as a part of the cabinet.

"He's got the power to halt exports and imports at the border for weeks," Grace said, "Though he's more prone to getting involved when it's related to the brothels. He'll want to talk to you anyway."

"Good," Matt said, "I plan on importing a lot of things. Midnight's club and brothel scene has relied on Warhammer contacts to make their deals domestically instead of just paying to import the best goods directly."

"Why?"

"Because they all scratch each other's backs when it suits them," Matt said, "And they keep most people in line by forcing them to use the same supplied, but it's not required. They've got an old way of doing things that's making them circle the drain faster than they realize."

"Importing smokable and eatable drugs is one thing, what about the alcohol?" Grace asked, "Midnight distilleries are shit."

He smirked, "You would think so, coming from Frost Pelt, but I agree. I just got off the phone with a liquor dealer to the north who imports from overseas. He's gotten me a meeting with the owner of Blue Ice Wolfsbane Whiskey as he can't cut me a standing deal on it himself."

Grace didn't even flinch. I envied her acting ability.

"It's the best whiskey in the world," Grace said, "Felix never stocked it except in the VIP rooms. It's hard to get a hold of, I hear."

Matt nodded, "The man agreed to meet with me, so I'll have to go up there. It's good... I thought perhaps you'd want to come."

I looked at Grace as she frowned, "Why?"

"He wants to meet at the distillery in old Frost Pelt." Matt said, "We're headed there now."