The Merciless Alpha(erotica)

“I start a world tour for Bodyglove that runs to the end of the year. I’ve also formed a production company, Sharkbait Productions, Incorporated, to develop reality series and documentaries centered on diving and shark research. Oh, and I have to do my freshman chemistry homework.”

That got her laughing. “I’ll let you get back to your studies.” The camera turned off. “That was Oregon State University freshman Vicki Lawrence, who has enough on her plate without nuisance lawsuits. In the next segment, legal expert Veronica Marist and Congressman Louis Washburn debate whether it is time to bring a loser-pays rule into civil court.”

I let out a breath as the assistant producer helped remove the earpiece and microphone. “You did well,” she says. “You should have broken his arms, though.”

I laughed. “Dad said he should have been chum.” I left the studio and went straight to the dojo, knowing I could get some running in before my class started.

************

I was almost to the dojo when my lawyer, Lawrence Fenwick, called me. Beta Lawrence had been a friend of our family since he defended Leo and Adrienne in front of the Council thirteen years ago, and his small practice was now helping me. “How did I do,” I asked him.

“You did well, but he’s not giving up. Skip Bonino is joining the suit, and they are alleging a pattern of excessive force by you.”

Skip was the extreme sports athlete in Hawaii who tried to drag me off and rape me; I’d beaten him up on video before breaking his upper arm with a kick. “These guys don’t learn,” I said.

“The gloves come off, Vicki. I need you to go to the FBI office in San Diego and file a complaint against Brian for indecent assault. It’s a misdemeanor under Federal law. Take the lawyer you used when you ended up with the art.”

“He’s bound to file a criminal complaint against me,” I said.

“He can try, but I doubt if the US Attorney for Massachusetts will pursue that. Your complaint, she will jump on it. It has everything a politically-motivated prosecutor looks for; clear video evidence, a sympathetic victim, and publicity.”

“Why the FBI? The vessel belongs to a Massachusetts research institution.”

“The FBI has jurisdiction on the high seas, and you were outside of waters ‘wholly within the boundaries of the state.'”

I arrived at the dojo, waiting in the car for the call to finish. “What is the advantage of the criminal charges?”

“I think he’s trying to embarrass you and get a quick payout. Even though it is just a Federal misdemeanor, he’s stuck. If he pleads guilty, the conviction feeds into his civil case and makes him look bad. Brian should refuse to answer questions using his fifth amendment rights, but in civil court, his refusal to answer CAN be used against him. As long as the US Attorney doesn’t charge you with assault, you are better off.”

I started thinking like a publicist. “Are you in New Hampshire?” His Pack lived in the White Mountains.

“Yes, I’m at my office.”

“I think it would be best if we did this at the FBI Office in Boston. I can tip off the press that I am coming. There is more interest in that area in the story, and we take it right to him. Maybe we can meet with the US Attorney or her representative in person.”

I heard him chuckle. “It’s a three-hour drive, so you’ll pay for a full day, including my lunch.”

“Worth every penny. Besides, you know you’ll be working on stuff for other clients while a Pack member drives you there. You better not double-bill for your time.” Lawyers. If they thought about your case while sitting on the toilet at home, they charged you.

“You’re my favorite client, Vicki; nobody gets people spun up like you do. Text me your flight time, and I’ll have you picked up at Logan.”

“I will. Thank you, Lawrence.” I hung up and made another call, this time to my Mom. After explaining the situation, she agreed to my plan, and Fiona did as well. I pulled up a travel app and booked first-class seats on the flights I needed, then texted the information to Lawrence and Olivia. “Come on; we should tell Hammer what’s happening.”

He was waiting for me when I came in the door. “I have to go to Boston for business,” I said.

“I saw after my run this morning. If you need an expert witness for your trial, I’m there for you.”

“Thanks, Hammer. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow.” Fiona called and had Carly pack overnight bags for us, driving them to the airport so we wouldn’t have to backtrack. I had one more call to make, and it was more of a courtesy, though I was curious as to how her life was going now. I found the number for Master Emily on my phone, and her assistant immediately patched me through.

“Vicki, what an unexpected pleasure,” Emily said.

“Plans change, and I’m on my way to Boston now,” I said. I quickly explained my plan.

“Good. I had half a mind to find that man and drain him dry; it would improve both of our worlds.” I had to laugh at that. “What else is going on? Your life is so busy now, I suppose.”

I gave her the condensed version; school, modeling, and the struggles to get my production company up and running. “I never thought I’d have to become an expert on offshore research vessels at eighteen,” I said with a sigh.

“Girl, I’ve got centuries on you, and I still learn new things every day. Let your friends help you, and put experts where you need them. That’s what your money can help with.”

“I’m trying. I asked my team to bring options to me tomorrow.”

“I’ve inherited some investments in shipyards and commercial shipping; I’ll reach out to my people as well. Send me your wish list, and let me take you out to dinner tomorrow.”

“It will have to be early, my flight leaves at seven PM, and I’ll have my mother and my bodyguard along.”

“That won’t be a problem. My people can pick you up from the FBI office when you’ve finished with them, and take you to the airport after dinner. I’ve got a lot to talk to you about.”

I bet she did. She’d been Master Vampire of Boston for long enough to have some stories. “I accept. Thank you for the time, Master Emily.” I hung up the phone and put it in my purse.

“Vicki, are you sure this is a good idea,” Fiona asked. “We’re only three werewolves, and you’re putting yourself with a Master and her Coven.”

“Emily is an ally, and I need to maintain that relationship,” I said. “One of these days, I’ll take you to New Orleans, and you can meet the Supreme Vampire. Cyprian’s a friend, too.”

We got on the plane, arriving at dinnertime in Minnesota. Mom and Dad were waiting for me outside the airport; it was great to see them again. I was so busy that I missed just being with my family. I got in back with Mom, excited to be home. “What’s going on tonight?”

“Pool party and barbecue at the house. Short notice, but everyone wants to see you. Leo went and bought four cases of ribs at Sam’s Club as soon as he heard you were coming.” A case had fifteen full racks, so that was a good start.

Mom helped me work through some of my worries as we drove to Miesville. “You’ve taken on too much, too fast,” she finally told me. “Susan says you aren’t getting enough sleep.”

“I’m going after my dreams, and some of this stuff isn’t my fault,” I said defensively.

“Priorities,” Dad said. “What are you doing now that you could throttle back on?”

That was more difficult. “I’m under contract to Bodyglove, and I’ve already committed to the tour. I’ve got serious money invested in the production company, with more to come. I can’t slack off on my fitness with my modeling, but I suppose I could drop Jiu-Jitsu.”Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.

“You’ve been doing that almost every day,” Dad said. “You won’t be able to do it for months, so would a few more skipped classes matter?”

Dropping down to two a week would free up some time. “That leaves diving and school.”

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but school should not be your priority right now,” Mom said. I just looked at her like she’d grown a second head. “Why did you want to get your doctorate, Vicki?”

“I love sharks, and I wanted to do research and become respected in the field,” I said.

“You’ve formed a research foundation without a college degree. You’ve filmed two documentaries without a college degree. Now, you’ve formed a production company with plans for a reality show and more documentaries, still without a degree.”

“What are you getting at, Mom?”

“Things aren’t the same as they were at the Alpha Summit. You’re famous, you have a modeling contract, and now you’re independently wealthy. You’re going to learn about sharks and get respect in the field for what you do as a PRODUCER, not as a doctoral student. You’re much more important than that.”

It hit me like a Great White nailing a seal from the depths; I’d spent so long thinking I had to get a degree to achieve my dreams, but I was living my dreams NOW. “You think I should quit school?”

“I didn’t say that, but you will burn yourself out at a full-time student load. You’re more like I was when you were a baby; you have a job, you have responsibilities, and you only have time for a few classes at a time. It will take longer, but you will still get there.”

I was taking fifteen credits right now; if I dropped down to eight, that would halve my schoolwork. “Wow.”

“Can I blow your mind a little more,” Dad asked.

My mind was reeling already. “You guys have been talking about this, haven’t you?”

“Of course. It’s not just Susan who was worried about you. Amy was as well,” Dad said. “You’re doing the basics right now, but you should think about majoring in business administration instead of marine biology. Take the courses you like on sharks as electives, but you’re a business owner and manager now. You need to learn more about taxes than taxonomy.”