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Evan doesn't fight back. He looks at me. His gaze is flat and unreadable, like glass that reflects everything and reveals nothing. "I'm trying to protect what I can."

"We're going after her," Onyx declares. "With or without your help."

"How?" Evan asks. "That facility is a fortress. There would be armed guards, security systems, and the works."

"The tracking device," Axl says, pointing to the laptop. "It's still on. They haven't found it yet. It could lead us right to her."

"And then what?" Evan challenges. "The three of you will go against Hammond's entire security force? You'll never make it past the front gate."

"We have to try," I insist. "We can't just leave her there."

"I'm sorry," Evan says, and for a moment, he almost sounds sincere. "But I can't let you do that."

I feel a sharp sting in my neck. My hand flies up, fingers finding a small dart embedded in my skin. My vision blurs immediately.

"What the..." I turn to see Onyx clutching at his own neck, a matching dart protruding from his throat.

Axl lunges from the bed but collapses almost immediately, a third dart in his shoulder.

"You bastard," I slur, my knees buckling beneath me. I try to reach for my gun, but my arms won't cooperate.

The last thing I see before darkness claims me is Evan standing over us, his face a mask of regret.

"I really am sorry," he says. "But this is the only way."

Chapter 24 - Evan

Iwatch Dahlia through the observation window, and my stomach twists into knots. She lies motionless on a metal examination table; her wild curls spread across the stark white pillow. There is medical equipment around her to monitor her vitals. The only sign she's alive is her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths,

What have I done?

The door behind me slides open with a soft hiss. I don't need to turn around to know who it is. Hammond's cologne announces him before his footsteps do.

"She's quite the specimen, isn't she?" Hammond stops beside me, and his reflection appears on the glass. "You chose right, Blackthorn."

I keep my face carefully blank. "She's still unconscious."

"Her body is fighting the heat." Hammond taps the glass with his knuckle. "That's why she's not waking up. The stronger the mind of the Omega, the harder they resist the first artificial cycle. But they all break eventually."

I clench my jaw so hard my teeth might crack. "When will she wake up?"

"Eager, are we?" Hammond's lips curl into a smirk. "Don't worry. I prefer it if you sire the first batch of super soldiers anyway. You have the right... genetic material."

My skin crawls at his words, but I force myself to nod. "I'm honored."

"You should be." He turns to face me fully. "I'm curious though… how is she? In bed, I mean."

I stare at him, momentarily stunned by his audacity.

"Come now, Evan. We're both men of the world." Hammond's eyes gleam with something that makes my blood run cold. "Is she as responsive as they say Omegas are? Does she get wet just from your scent? Does she beg for your knot?"

Every muscle in my body tenses, fighting the urge to slam his head through the glass. Instead, I give him a tight smile.

"She's... exceptional."

"I bet she is." Hammond looks back at Dahlia, his gaze crawling over her body. "I'd love to fuck her myself and test how sweet an Omega really is. But I can wait and watch instead."

"Watch?" I repeat, unable to keep the edge from my voice.