Page 32 of Omega Tricked

He rubbed his neck. “You wouldn’t envy the crick in my neck.”

I laughed. “Next time, use my shoulder.”

Looking uneasy, he said, “Hopefully there will be no next time.”

The van stopped suddenly and the seat belt cut into my neck. Instinctively, I held out my arm to keep Dylan from flying forward. Of course, he had his belt on too, so it was unnecessary, but he gave me a warm smile anyway. My chest squeezed as his light blue eyes held mine.

“Home sweet home,” he said softly.

I peered out the windows and got my first glimpse of the compound. The walls were higher than I’d expected, and barbed wire curled along the top. There was a guard post above the gates, but I couldn’t see into it. Were there armed guards? Probably. Charles Pederson didn’t look like he’d waste his time running an operation that didn’t use guns.

“There didn’t used to be barbed wire or guard posts,” Dylan said. “Not in the beginning.”

“But that changed?” I met his gaze.

He nodded. “Over the years, it’s become more obvious that the world is too violent of a place. We can’t protect the solar—” He stopped. “People who live here, if we aren’t truly prepared to fight.”

“It doesn’t look like it would be easy to break in.”

“It isn’t,” rumbled Charles. “Not unless you want a bullet between the eyes.”

A chill went through me at his cold tone. “That’s good to know. Makes me feel safe.”

He grunted and opened his door. “Let’s go.”

We climbed from the van and followed him to a gray building with no windows. When we entered the building, the chill of air-conditioning made me sigh. Dylan seemed to notice, and he smiled.

“Did you think we lived like barbarians?” he asked.

“I didn’t know what to expect.” I laughed. “This is all new to me.”

Charles stopped us as we entered the building. “I need to pat you two down.”

Dylan scowled. “What?”

“Need to check for weapons.” Charles’s hard expression was unapologetic.

“We don’t have weapons,” Dylan said impatiently.

Charles slid his gaze to me. “Have to be careful.”

“This is ridiculous.” Dylan shook his head.

“Dylan, I’m already bending the rules hugely letting your buddy in without the usual background checks. How about you show a little respect for the process?” Charles’s eyes glittered.

Sighing, Dylan held his arms out, giving me an apologetic glance. “Sorry. I’m sure you feel super welcome now.”

“It’s fine.” I smiled at him. “It’s best to be careful. I understand.” I was really hoping old Charlie wasn’t going to take my fingerprints so he could run them. That would be a major problem because I had a record—and my record wasn’t for salesman of the year.

I stood stiffly as Charles ran his hands over me. I stared up at the ceiling, resisting the urge to knee the older alpha in the groin. Once he’d patted down me, and Dylan, he straightened. “You said the guys who grabbed you implied they have the local police in their pocket?” he asked.

I nodded. “Yes.”

He narrowed his eyes. “I find that hard to believe.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because I know most of the cops in the Yellow Springs Police Department, and they’re not the type to take a bribe.”