Page 96 of Omega Tricked

Eying me, Charles didn’t look like he agreed.

“I’ll be fine, Dylan. Don’t worry about me.” I forced a smile. “I’m tougher than I look.”

“Besides, knowing him, this is all just part of his plan to get back inside the compound,” muttered Charles.

“No.” I scowled. “I was already inside the compound. Why would I do that?”

“Who knows with you.”

Anger prickled me. “The only reason I had to do any of this shit was because you wouldn’t tell me stuff I have a right to know. I have a right to know who killed my dad. If you’d been up-front with me, none of this would have happened.”

“So this is all my fault?” Charles huffed. “You’re delusional.”

“It’s not unreasonable he’d want to know what happened to his dad,” Gabriele said gruffly.

Surprised he’d defended me, I met his emotionless gaze. “Exactly.”

Charles clenched his jaw and said nothing.

I met Dylan’s worried gaze. “You and Charles take the car out front to the compound. Gabriele and I will figure out other transportation.”

“I don’t want to just leave you.” Dylan’s mouth was an obstinate line.

My heart squeezed at his obvious concern for me. “Dylan,” I said roughly, “don’t let this all be for nothing. I want you safely tucked away in the compound.”

“Where will you go?” Dylan asked softly.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.” So long as I kept ahead of Hank and anyone else he convinced to come after me. Financially, I’d be good. One thing about growing up a Sabine, I’d always feared this day would come. I’d thought I’d be running from the cops, not my own organization, but regardless, I had money stashed all over the country in various banks. I wouldn’t go hungry, not by a long shot.

Gabriele met my gaze. “Lex, can we talk outside?”

“Sure.” Giving Hank a wary glance, I followed him out front.

Once we were on the porch, I sighed. “Look, I know you’re mad. But I didn’t have time to tell you what was happening.”

He scowled. “That’s bullshit.”

“I swear. Hank came up with the idea of torturing Dylan to make Charles talk on the spur of the moment. I had no way of telling you anything.”

“You didn’t trust me.”

“That’s not true.” I frowned.

“I have you alone right now. If I wanted to shoot you, I could.” His voice was emotionless.

“If I thought you were going to do that, I wouldn’t have followed you outside. Obviously, I trust you.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Admit it, you weren’t sure I’d take your side.”

I grimaced. “Well, okay. I had a moment’s doubt. But only because I knew you’d be confused about what the hell was happening.”

“How the hell could you think I wouldn’t have your back? Even for one second?”

“Gabe—”

“I’vealwayshad your back,” he interrupted. “No matter how fucked-up things got, I’ve always had your back, Lex.” His face flushed, and hurt crept into his voice.

I felt like shit because I could see I’d wounded him. “All I can say is, I’m not myself. I don’t know what I’m doing, Gabe. I just cut my own throat to save Dylan. I don’t understand what’s happening with me.”