“I know they don’t know he’s a shifter, but I don’t know if they know shifters exist. Surely someone somewhere does.”
Dane opened up the computer and pulled up a local channel’s news feed. They were covering a story about the homeless in their community. Adriana found it quite coincidental since one of the events he had invited her to was to raise money for a tiny house village. It was going to be a stark contrast to what was about to unfold.
They watched as a red line flashed at the bottom of the screen, indicating “late-breaking news” was about to happen.
“We’ve just received word from Saul Fleming on our law enforcement beat that the FBI is now raiding a small construction company owned by billionaire Dane Jensen. We’ll turn it over to you, Saul,” she said as the camera switched to the split-screen showing a reporter standing outside the main building of Turner and Hood.
“Wow, they didn’t waste any time laying that on me, did they? Didn’t even give the name of the construction company, just mine.”
“Sensationalism sells,” Adrian told him, feeling apologetic for her kind at the moment.
They watched the drama unfold, the reporter talking about the disappearance of the construction company’s previous owners and their suspected involvement in a money-laundering scheme. He went on to talk about how, even though Dane currently owned the company, he was not implicated in the crimes.
“That’s good. At least they are trying to keep your name clean right up front,” she said.
“It’s still my company,” he told her.
“Trust me. It makes a difference. It shows they have no intention of trying to smear you in the process of their reporting.”
“I sure hope not.”
“An anonymous tip led the FBI to open up an investigation that led them to Turner and Hood Construction, where they hope to find additional evidence to help them with their case,” the reporter continued. “Though it is unusual for the press to be allowed in as a part of a raid like this, we were told that the feds are hoping the transparency will shed further light on the bigger operation, which they’ve traced back to recently deceased businessman Alexander Parquo. If you recall, Parquo’s body was found apparently mauled by animals after having been exposed by Transformation Magazine journalist, Adriana Guerrero.”
“Hey, I made the news!” she joked.
“We both did. Look at us, a power couple,” he laughed.
“Or something like that,” she replied.
“Listen, I don’t know where this is going to take us, but I want you to know that I’m glad you are by my side through all of it. I love you, Adriana.”
She was a little taken aback, merely looking back at him, speechless. It had been completely unexpected. He looked shell shocked as if he hadn’t intended to say it and was now regretting having blurted it out. As for her, she wasn’t immediately certain how she should respond.
“I’m sorry. I know it’s too soon to be saying something like that. I can’t help how I feel, though. I was looking for an Omega to go to some parties with, someone who would just laugh at my jokes and make it look like I was the kind of family-oriented man my investors expect me to be, and instead, I found you. You’re the most stubborn, outspoken, infuriating woman I’ve ever come across.”
“You know exactly how to charm a woman,” she replied.
He smiled at her, putting his hands on either shoulder and looking down at her softly, temporarily ignoring the action that continued to unfold on the computer screen beside them.
“You are also beautiful, smart, and witty. You are nothing I was looking for and everything I wanted. Why wouldn’t I love you?”
“I don’t know, but I love you too.”
His smile spread. He leaned forward and kissed her, lingering there until four words drove them apart with such force that it felt more physical than reactive.
“What?” they both said in unison.
“Did he just say they are reporting bodies?”
“That’s what he said,” Dane replied, both of them turning back toward the screen, watching hand in hand as the raid continued to unfold.
“I repeat, we’re getting word now that bodies have been discovered by one of the teams working the raid, which I suppose we should now refer to as a crime scene. If you remember, shortly after this construction company went bankrupt, the owners both disappeared. The police believed, at that time, that they might have been involved in some illegal activities, though charges were never brought against them. Now, it appears as if they might have met a much darker end, but we won’t know for sure until after forensic teams have had a chance to examine what we are being told are unidentifiable remains.”
The reporter went on to describe the long history of Turner and Hood in the community prior to their financial troubles and disappearance, but Adriana and Dane began talking between themselves and missed most of it.