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“It’s not exactly legal, but I’ve been assured it will work. This will dissolve your pack bonds and then we will be free.”

He grabbed the other syringe. Everything felt hazy. I should have tried the door when I had the chance. I’d thought I had more time to string him along.

“I hate you,” I said, my words slurring. “I didn’t want to go on a date because I wasn’t attracted to you, but this is firmly putting you into the camp of hated people.”

He put the second needle in my arm, in nearly the same place he’d stuck me the first time. “It won’t matter.” He gave me a nasty smile. “This one will put you into heat. You’ll be begging me for a knot.”

Hot and cold and hot again. I shook my head, my mouth going dry. I groped around internally, but the bonds were still there, strong as ever.

But for how long? I’d thought losing one of my packmates was the worst thing that could happen. I didn’t expect something like this.

He wanted to take away my pack. I’d heard about the black market of drugs, but I never thought it was something I’d have to worry about.

My body tingled, and I felt dizzy. I curled to my side, resting my sweaty forehead on the arm of the chair. The faux-velvet texture itched, but I couldn’t bring myself to move.

My heartbeat sped up, and Greg was saying something to me, but the roaring in my ears was so loud, louder than the ocean.

The world went away, and I let it take me.

Chapter 55

West

All I wanted was my nest and Ember. It looked like I wasn’t getting either. We spent the torturous morning answering questions from the police. They went over Greg’s personal effects. Since Greg’s laptop and computer were owned by the company, the police didn’t have to wait for a warrant to look through them.

I’d been hoping the search would turn up something like “where to take a kidnapped omega,” but three hours later, Mr. Arnold’s tech came over with the bad news.

Detective Kelly frowned. “We’ve already got the warrants for Greg’s personal records.”

“Screw the warrants,” Alejandro said. “We know it’s him. Let’s drive over to his apartment right now.”

“He could take that as a threat,” the detective reminded us gently. “Stalker scenarios can end badly if we’re not careful.”

“Which is why we asked you to investigate when their nest was destroyed,” Ben snapped, drumming his fingers on the table again.

Detective Kelly cleared his throat. “I understand your concern, Mr. O’Shea.”

“It’s Mr. Sullivan now,” Ben said, looking at me possessively.

“I’ve applied for a warrant for his personal laptop and PC.” The burly man looked at me. “You must be tempted to hack into his work computer and search for details. But if you found something useful, you would still need to notify me so I can have the SWAT team on-site.”

I grumbled. “I could hack his computer in ten seconds flat.”

Detective Kelley arched a bushy eyebrow. “We’re waiting for the warrant, since that’s the legal course of action. You could search your laptop and text messages. Maybe something will jog your memory, and you can pass it along to us.”

I thought I understood what he was trying to say. He didn’t want me going off on my own looking for Ember; that was too dangerous, but if I could “find” details, they could act quicker than their warrant.

“Of course.” I opened my own laptop. “I’ll check our emails.”

The detective left the room, and Rian leaned over me. “Did that go down like I thought? Find out some dirt, but not so we can go off alone?”

“Yes,” I said. “And even if I’m wrong, I’m doing it anyway. We’re not going to put her in danger by sneaking off without the cops, but I can get them information faster.”

“I’ll bring you some coffee.” Alejandro jumped up. “I can’t sit still anymore.”

I wanted to leave for the house, but Greg’s computer was here, and it would be easier for me to remote into his computer from a few rooms away. I’d make up some reason I needed his computer if there was a problem. We had to stay at the office for that.

Ben and Rian arranged themselves on either side of me, and my finger danced over the keyboard.