Page 38 of Into the Fire: After

“Yougotit?”Breaasked as she eased into the room.

I scoffed. “You doubted me?”

She rolled her eyes, plopping down beside me on the bed. I had my phone out. A burner would be better, but with resources and time limited, needs must.

I started a new chat to V’s number.

She swallowed. “Could we be fake spam?” she suggested. “But in a way that suggests we’re with Vikki? Or that we’re with Taryn?”

“Screw that,” I muttered, thumbs dashing across the screen. “No use languishing in ambiguity. Let’s just put it out there.”

Hi V, Brooks here. Ready to see my omega and alphas again. Extraction plan in place, 0400 three days from now. Courier in garage, level 2, spot 16. For all four of you.

Bye!

I turned it to Brea for inspection. She cut her eyes at me. “Brooks, babe, we may want to at leasttryto be covert.”

“Fine, fine.” A moment later, I showed her my second attempt.

Hi there, saw your ad and am looking to snag all three puppies, if they’re still available? How’s a meet at 0400 in three days sound? (Night shifts, amirite?)

Courier in garage, level 2, spot 16. May even have space for one more pup, if needed.

“Well?” I said.

Brea rolled her eyes. “It istrying, at least.”

I gave her arm a playful slap. “Should we name drop Vikki? Let them know we’re on their side?”

“We don’t know her code name,” Brea said. “I don’t want to do anyone damage by giving someone more information, you know?”

“Fair point. Okay, and….send.” The little blue bubble rolled upward.

Step five: Wait.

Sixteen

Caine

Thedooropeningjoltedus both from sleep. Limpdick Motherfucker stood framed in the doorway like a movie poster of hell.

“Up,” he said. “Let’s go.”

Lin sat up, standing cautiously from the bed. I didn’t move. “Go where?”

“Did I stutter?” Limpdick said between clenched teeth. “Both of you. Move.”

I looked for Limpdick’s backup, the muscle that would force us to do his bidding.

There was none.

Lin saw the same, and he shook his head. “Not until you tell us what’s going on.”

I expected our unlikely comrade to escalate, maybe pistol whip one of us or even cock the gun holstered at his waist. Instead, his stony expression softened. “The omega needs you.”

He could’ve been leading us to our deaths. To a room of spikes and fire and agony. We would’ve gone willingly if told it was to get to the omega.

Get toouromega.