Chapter 9: Breaking the rules

Leo woke up early the next morning. Feeling rejuvenated after his talk with Noah that night.

He got out of bed and went to the bathroom. Walking in he spotted a note and folded clothes sitting next to the sink.

He picked the paper up.

*Use these and whatever is in the closet.*

"The closet?" Leo walked back into the bedroom. He turned the knob; opening the closet door. It was a large walk-in. Filled from one end to the other were new clothes. Not just any regular new clothes either.

"Are these all name brand?!" He exclaimed checking the tags.

"Whoever it was went overboard..."

He studied the name.

"Guc*i?!"

He put the hanger back on the rack.

Walking back to the bathroom he took another look at the clothes that were set out for him.

They weren't his style but he did like the texture of the fabric. The shirt was a a light blue, turned down, collar with white buttons. The bottoms were a pair of slacks that were a deep navy blue color. Leo gave them a disgusted look.

He took himself a quick shower. Having thrown the clothes on he checked himself out in the mirror.

"Hm." Was all he could say. He turned around with his arms out.

"Not bad. Fits good." He smiled. Thankful for a fresh pair of clothes. Even if they didn't fit his style, he was clean.

Checking the time it was around six thirty in the morning. Leo made his way out his bedroom and through the living room. There were three house maids in the middle of their morning cleaning. They took notice of Leo and averted their eyes.

Leo paid them no mind, his stomach was screaming for food.

He made his way into the kitchen area.

Walking in the three cooks were there: as if on schedule. Their chattering came to an abrupt hault when Leo came in.

"This again" Leo mumbled quietly.

The four men made eye contact with one another.

"Good morning!" Leo smiled. He did his best to sound cheerful.

He noticed the three of them flinched at the greeting. Their eyes glancing at one another.

One again Leo felt small.

Not wanting to hear another one of Noah's lectures he took in a deep breath.

"Good morning! I'm sorry if it is an inconvenience but would it be possible if I can have some scrambled eggs, toast and some orange juice?" Leo's heart thumped nervously.

The head chef looked at the other two and then back at Leo.

"Of course. Take a seat". He wasn't overly friendly but he was less blunt than yesterday. Leo thought this to be a successful round.

The second cook walked up to him.

"My apologies but would you be more comfortable eating in the dining room?"

Leo lifted his brow.

"Dining room?"

The cook lead Leo to an attached room with a long wood, resigned, table. A chandelier hung in the middle of the room, cresting a vibrant atmosphere.

"I didn't even know this was here!" Leo looked around and smiled. It was aesthetically pleasing to his eyes.

"Please make yourself comfortable, your food will be out shortly."

He motioned for Leo to have a seat.

The cook made his way back to the kitchen as Leo looked around a bit more. The far side of the dining area was lined with windows that over looked greenery. The drapes that adorned them were a clear white fabric.

Lost in though: he was pulled back to reality by the vibration of his phone in his pocket.

He pulled it out and took a look at the screen.

"Frankie..." He mumbled.

Leo stared at the accept and reject options on the screen.

He slid his thumb on the phones surface and held it up to his ear.

"Hello?" He hesitantly answered.

"LEO!" Frankie's voice yelled. Leo pulled the phone away from his ear for a moment while Frankie went on one of his rants. Letting out a sigh Leo returned the device up to his ear.

"I'm sorry Frankie. Some things....HAPPENED." He cautiously said.

"Things as in what? You ghosted me and the guys for nearly four days! What the hell is wrong with ya? And where even are ya?"

Leo could tell he was fuming.

Looking around the apartment he picked his words.

"I'm in a bit of a mess at the moment". He said.

"Cops?"

"No. Nothing like that". Leo assured.

"Good. I don't want no cops sniffin round. You hear me kid?!"

"I understand Frankie you don't have to worry."

Leo spoke softly.

"Good. Good. So I need ya to do me a favor Leo."

The Omega tensed up.

"What?"

Frankie gave a loud chuckle.

"I have this guy that owes me money. I need you and some of the other guys to shake him down and get him to tell where he hid it ya see?"

"And you need me for this why?"

There was a pause.

"You know why". Frankie's voice got deep and dark on the other line.

Leo clenched his jaw.

"When?"

"I'll message ya with the details in the next couple days."

"Right. I underatand."

"And Leo..."

Leo shivered.

"Don't disappoint me again".

With that Frankie hung up on him.

Leo gripped the phone in his hand.

Behind him one of the cooks came in and set his food on the table.

"Here you are. Scrambled eggs, toast and your orange juice: freshly squeezed."

Leo took a short breath before turning to the table.

"It looks so good! Thank you!" He smiled.

He sat down as the cook excused himself.

Picking up his fork he poked at the eggs. His mood now sour.

He finished his plate: though he couldn't recall tasting anything.

Leo lounged on the couch as morning became afternoon. There wasn't much to stimulate his mind in his new prison.

He picked the remote up and turned the TV on.

Tuning it over to the news channel: the Blackthorn family was once again the big story in the headlines.

A news reporter was hosting an interview with one of the board of directors of the industry.

"Can you tell me what your days are live working with such a pristine family?" The woman asked cheerfully.

The gentleman smiled into the camera.

"I must say it is TRULY an ho or to work with such well endowed business skills: and not to mention well loved by many!"

Both the man and reporter laughed.

"They all seem overconfident and snobby people if you ask me.." Leo mumbled glaring at the screen.

The reporter turned back to the camera.

"In more news the Blackthorn family has now come forward about the rumors of heir: David Blackthorn, and his mystery wife. Take a look."

"Mystery wife?" Leo leaned closer to the screen.

The live footage cutting to an interview with Griffith Blackthorn.

"We are well aware of the rumors, regarding my heir David, and wish to put them to rest. We have indeed found a match for him, however at this time she wishes to remain anonymous until the right time."

Leo scrunched his face.

"She?"

The interview continued.

"Furthermore the rumors are also true that she is pregnant with the next heir to the company and we continue to tha k everyone who has sent their well wishes to the happy couple."

Leo stared in disbelief. He wasn't sure if he was hearing things.

"Happy...couple...?"

He stared in shock.

Leaning back he busted out laughing. Holding back a couple of tears.

"They can't be serious!!" He continued to laugh until his sides hurt.

"Who in their right mind would even like a sleazy, no good, asshole as a husband?" He leaned back still looking at the TV screen.

"Well you had no problems rolling in bed with that same asshole."

Leo felt his blood run cold.

He turned his head to see David. He had been passing through the living space to his private office.

Leo felt his cheeks slightly burn. He wasn't expecting the Alpha to be home on a weekday.

Leo shut the TV off.

"Why are you here?" Leo glanced back over at David.

David sneered.

"Well this happens to be my home. Why wouldn't I be here?"

"You know that's not what I meant". Leo screamed in his mind. Holding back the urge to throw somthing at him.

David gave Leo a lookover with his eyes.

"Those new clothes make you look less homely".

He didn't give Leo a chance to reply before walking into the office and shutting the door.

Leo slumped down in thr couch.

"Asshole..."

A few minutes later he noticed Noah walking through the living room.

Carrying a mug of coffee he stopped: smiling at Leo, acknowledging him. He pressed on towards the office door, giving it a light tap and bringing the beverage inside.

Noah re-emerged from the private dwelling. Walking over to Leo he sat next to him.

"You're doing well?" Noah asked.

"I suppose". Leo slouched a bit.

"Those new clothes look good on you".

Leo smiled.

"Thanks! And thank you for them as well."

Noah paused seeing Leo smile.

"So what's up with the coffee? Isn't it a bit late for that?" Leo motioned to the office door.

Noah looked over at the door.

"Mr. Blackthorn always has a cup of black coffee with him while he works at home. It makes him relax if you can believe that".

Leo gave a slightly shocked expression.

"Him? Relax?"

Noah tried to hold back a laugh.

"I didn't think he even knew how."

"Oh I do want to remind you." Noah started as he looked at his phone.

"You and Mr. Blackthorn will need to make time this evening."

Leo gave a puzzled look.

"Well you know....the fetus needs the pheromones?" Noah motioned.

"Oh!"

Leo had forgotten. How could he forget though? He figured he wasn't far along enough to even remember.

"And you don't have to worry I'll be there as well".

Leo felt a bit relieved.

"So what should I expect? I don't have to hold his hand or anything right?" Leo gave a disdained look.

"No". Noah chuckled.

"All you two need to do is sit beside eachother. Mr. Blackthorn will then release some of his pheromones. This is supposed to calm your body down, a sort of stress reliever."

Leo listened intently.

"You know ow what I mean right?"

"Sort of?" Leo smiled shrugging.

Noah was puzzled.

"Can I ask you somthing personal?"

The Omega wasn't expecting that.

"I guess so".

Noah studied the boy a moment.

"By any chance...prior to Mr. Blackthorn....have you been with another Alpha before?"

Leo went pale.

He wasn't sure how to answer Noah. Should he answer him?

"Well what I mean is that you don't seem to understand the different pheromone effects of an Alpha."

Leo felt himself breathe a bit.

"Oh, you mean like that."

Noah tilted his head.

"What do you think i-"

"Nevermind!"

Leo put a hand to his face.

Noah chuckled.

He grabbed the Omega's hand and lowered it back down.

"Sorry I didn't mean to embarass you."

"If you want. I can demonstrate some for you?"

Noah offered. Leo looked at the secretary. He was waiting to hear the Omega's response.

Before Leo cpuld speak Noah's phone went off.

He looked at it, scanning over the message.

"I'm sorry Leo, Mr. Blackthorn needs me."

He excused himself and walked back to the private office.

Leo let out a sigh of relief.

His phone suddenly went off as well.

Max was calling.

Leo picked up the phone.

"Hey man".

"Leo?! Is that really you?! Are you alright?!" He sounded frantic.

"Calm down I'm alright. Everything's fine." Leo assured him.

"My ass! Have you seen your apartment?!" Max practically yelled.

"Yea I know. It's trashed. Don't worry. It's cool I'll figure things out."

"You need a place to stay? My place is always open to you ya know."

Leo smiled.

"I know Max. Thanks man. But I already have a place I'm staying at".

"Where?"

"A...friends". Leo hesitated.

There was silence on the other end.

"We've been friends for years. Why are you lying to me?"

Leo looked down.

"Why don't you come meet me for lunch?"

Max asked changing the subject.

"I havnt seen you in days, maybe seeing you alive will make me feel better."

Leo laughed.

"You're dramatic. Just send me the location."

Max laughed.

Hanging up the phone: Leo grabbed his jacket.

He paused, remembering the bodyguard and driver.

"How am I gonna explain THAT when he sees me?" Leo asked himself.

Getting on the elevator he hit the first floor button.

---

David sat at his desk. He had drank about half of the coffee before Noah came back.

"You needed me sir?"

David looked up at him.

"I want to confirm about the date I have scheduled for Saturday. It's still in the calander correct?".

"That is correct sir."

David nodded.

He looked back down at the stack of papers.

"If you don't mind sir, I would like to remind you about this evening".

"What about it?" David grumbled.

"So you may provide the Omega's fetus with pheromones?"

"Oh...that." David mumbled. He still hadn't looked up from his papers.

Noah could feel somthing was off.

"Sir?"

David stopped and looked up.

"What?"

Noah looked around with his eyes.

"Was that all you needed me for?"

"Yes, why?"

Noah stiffened his posture.

"Nothing sir. If I may take my leave now?"

David looked at his watch.

"You may".

Noah gave him a bow as he turned to the door: walking back out He stut it firmly.

David sighed and leaned back in his chair. He took another drink of the coffee.

He clicked his tongue.

"It's cold".

---

Leo made it down to the first floor. Getting off the elevator he was greeted by Mr. Walters, the front desk man.

"I forgot about him.." Leo mumbled as he walked closer.

"Are you heading out Mr. Meadows?" The gentleman asked with a smile.

"No, not really I'm just walking around the property, you know...to stretch my legs." Leo grinned.

The front desk man sat back down watching Leo walk out the doors.

Having walked out like he was on a stroll he turned around looking: making sure the coast was clear.

He found the main driveway and followed the metal fence along the perimeter.

Looking around once more Leo scaled the fence and took off running.

Looking at his phone he figured he could make it to Max in twenty minutes by foot.

He figured at least he wouldn't have to explain anything weird to his friend.