And while I love the idea and the funding, I’m not sold on the party offering.”
“I guess you can’t tell me who’s offering.”
“I can, but it’s inappropriate until any paperwork is signed or dismissed. I understand their motivation for wanting to do good things and help, but sometimes…” Kell let out a long breath. “Sometimes charity work feels like accepting blood money.”
“I think I can relate. I had to make some questionable decisions a few times when I was funding the urgent care centers two years ago. Taking money from Monte Porter was not an easy choice for me. But the care centers are thriving, and so are the people in their neighborhoods. Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.”
“Good point. I think I’m just starting to feel my age for the first time. I mean, forty-five isn’t the worst, and you’re almost fifty.”
Serge took a gentle swipe at the side of his head. “Omega brat. I’ve got another year before I’m fifty.”
“I’m teasing you, old friend. But look at us. Gaven is mated and in nursing school.” Serge and his husband Dex’s only adopted son had followed in Serge’s footsteps by wanting to eventually be an ICU nurse. “Branson’s graduated university and is working full time.” Kell’s eldest had a job he loved with a computer software company, and while he was twenty-two and still single, Branson was also happy. “And the twins just turned nineteen last month. I can’t believe it. I still vividly remember the day they were born.”
Kell had thought he was pregnant with a single, risky child, but only hours before he gave birth, his OB told Kell he was having twins. Caden and Emory had joined the world not long after, the first set of twins born in Sansbury Province in twenty-five years. They’d grown up resenting a lot of the subsequent media attention and publicity, but alpha Caden was in trade school, while omega Emory had gone to university for a still-undecided degree.
“We all remember that day,” Serge said with a soft chuckle. “I have never seen a prouder mated pair in my life.” He tapped one finger against Kell’s thigh. “So have you given any more thought about the book offer?”
“Some.” Only Serge, Dex, Ronin, Kell’s little brother Braun and Braun’s mate Tarek knew about the book deal offer. Over the years, several publishers across the territory had made Kell an offer for his memoir, specifically dealing with his first mate and the murder trial, but Kell had always turned them down. Until the most recent offer. More than the credit they were willing to put up in advance, their publicity plan was less about the lurid details of Kell’s life with Krause Iverson, and more about his work to advance omega rights.
“What’s stopping you from accepting it?” Serge asked.
“The twins. Things have died down a bit in the last few years, but I know how hard their notoriety has been on them, especially Caden. He just wants to be himself, not one of the Cross twins. I want all my kids to be able to live their lives, but I also want to tell my story, you know? My actual side of everything, not what the media decides to portray.”
“I can understand that. You and your kids have lived a very public life. I’ve only experienced that in the last couple of years since I went all-in on the urgent care centers. I can’t imagine living like that for two decades.”
“It hasn’t been easy but mostly the media’s attention has been fixed on me and less on my kids. I don’t give a damn what a reporter says about me. I got over that during the murder trial. I just don’t want my kids to bear the brunt of my sins.”
“Hey.” Serge smacked his shoulder. “Your sins are so minimal compared to what you’ve suffered in your lifetime. You and Ronin have three amazing sons. You are going to leave a fantastic legacy for them and their kids, and every generation after them. I believe that. You need to believe it, too.”
“I’m doing my best.”
“You want my advice?”
“Always, old friend.”
“Regarding the proposal and expansion, ask yourself if Sansbury will be a better place with a second Light House in it. Will the good in it outweigh the source of the proposal credit? And for the book deal, we both know it’s not about the money. It’s about spreading your message on omega rights to the provinces that aren’t as