Page 105 of Claimed By the Psychos

"That wasonetime and you've never let me hear the end of it!"

Carlisle slides a folder across the table, and I snatch it up before anyone can change their mind. Inside are surveillance photos, building schematics, and a guest list that reads like a who's who of people I'd happily feed their own intestines.

"The auction happens in six days," Bane explains, shifting into mission mode. "It's supposed to be exclusive. Mostly trafficking kingpins, corrupt officials, the kind of people our usual operations can't touch."

"The untouchables," I say, scanning the list. "How exciting."

"They'll be auctioning omegas," Elias says quietly, and the temperature in the room drops about ten degrees. "High-end trafficking. The kind where?—"

"Where they go for millions and disappear forever," I finish, my voice flat. I know exactly what kind of auction this is. The Serpents' Den used to send omegas to them sometimes. The ones who never came back.

Felix moves closer, not touching but close enough that I can feel his presence. The others might not notice, but I know he's ready to pull me out if this gets too heavy. If the shadows start getting too loud.

Right now, though, they're perfectly content with the promise of fresh blood. Giddy, really.

"The plan is simple," Bane continues, professional now. "We infiltrate, identify major players, and make enough noise that whoever's protecting these operations has to respond."

"And by 'make noise' you mean..." I prompt.

"Kill everyone who deserves it, free the victims, and burn the place to the ground," Carlisle says cheerfully.

"Now you're speaking my language." I flip through more photos, recognizing some faces, making mental notes about others. "So where do Felix and I come in?"

"You'd go in as merchandise," Archer says, and he looks like the words physically pain him. "With Felix as your handler. It's the only way to get you both inside without raising suspicions."

"Merchandise," I repeat, testing the word. It tastes like old memories and bile. "Been a while since anyone's tried to sell me."

The room goes very still. Even Carlisle stops playing with his knife.

"If this is too much—" Bane starts.

"It's not." I cut him off, steel in my voice. "I've been bought and sold before. Only difference is this time, I get to kill everyone involved."

"That's... one way to process trauma," Elias observes.

"It's therapeutic," I assure him. "Very cathartic. You should try it sometime, Doctor."

Felix pulls me aside while the others start discussing logistics, his hand on my elbow gentle but insistent. We end up in the corner, far enough for privacy but close enough that I can still hear Carlisle suggesting increasingly creative ways to make an entrance.

"Juney," Felix says quietly, those silver eyes searching mine. "There's a chance we could run into people from our past at something like this."

I flinch in spite of myself. "You mean?—"

"Evan might be there. Or his associates. People who knew us from before." His hand finds mine, squeezing once. "Are you sure you're okay with that?"

The shadows whisper possibilities, showing me faces I've tried to forget, rooms I never wanted to see again. But underneath the fear is something else. Something sharp and eager and tasting like vengeance.

"I'm looking forward to it," I tell him, and mean every word. "Anyone from that life who recognizes us? They're not walking away from that auction."

He studies my face for a long moment, then nods. "Alright. But we do this smart. No unnecessary risks."

"When have I ever taken unnecessary risks?" I ask innocently, batting my lashes.

"Do you want the list chronologically or alphabetically?"

"Ass." I pull him down for a scolding kiss. When we break apart, we're both breathing harder. "It'll be good to get back out in the field. I'm going stir-crazy in this glass palace."

"Weren't you the one who was wary about even taking this job?" he challenges.