Page 6

Chapter Six

Omen

I believe all the cells are locked down, not just ours, but it’s difficult to tell since only Paulo is next door currently.

Leo and Shaw explained what went down with Edwin and Max in the cafeteria. They never made it back after their altercation with my new cellmates, and I can’t help but wonder if they’ve been moved to a new block or if they’re simply in the medical office.

I’m not sure if Edwin, Paulo, and Max came into the facility as a unit, or if they only bunked together after meeting here, but I assume it’s the former, meaning Paulo is probably good and pissed at all of us.

He’s also normally one of the first to exit when the doors are unlocked, so I believe it’s not just us locked in.

Strangely enough, Paulo is the only one of the three I don’t hate. He’s far more tolerable than his friends, and I even feel a twinge of sympathy that he’s over there by himself.

There’s a certain kind of misery that comes from being trapped in a confined space with someone who’s on your last nerve and a different variety entirely when you’re completely alone.

Being alone right now would not help my mental status, even if I am on the verge of strangling Shaw with my bare hands. Every three minutes, the man looks at me like I’m supposed to update him on what’s happening.

He’s in for a stark surprise if he thinks that’s how the bond works.

Valor has had enough time and practice to know how to block his feelings.

Saylor is more of an open book, but even being able to sense her annoyance, confusion, or frustration does not magically impart the wisdom of what or who has caused that particular emotion.

Shaw paces back and forth across the room. It must be time for a check-in because he stomps over and stops in front of me.

“They’re fine.” I shove my hair back from my eyes and stretch against the sofa. “You’ll be the first to know something. Well, as soon as I do, I will pass any information on to you.”

As I’ve said no less than seven times , I add silently to myself. The bloke is on my last motherfucking nerve, but now isn’t the time for infighting amongst ourselves.

His eyes narrow.

I refuse to look away from his gaze, even as the seconds pass. It makes my spine tingle, and every instinct I have screams not to goad the predator.

Too bad for him, I’m not a normal beta.

He can try to intimidate me all day.

It won’t bloody work, but he can most certainly put his energy into trying.

* * *

Valor’s frustration and Saylor’s excitement at seeing the three of us filter through the bond more heavily. It’s an excellent signal that they’re growing closer.

I cut my eyes to Shaw, but he’s just stepping into the loo.

Leo has his head resting on the edge of the table, and I ponder if someone in our line of work could be religious. I’m sure there are a few out there with their beliefs still intact, and it does look like he’s praying with his hands clasped.

I’m not one to jab at someone’s beliefs.

Ignoring him, I shove myself off the couch and make my way to the door. I nearly stumble back a step as I spot the tender bundle of omega.

Thank fucking Christ.

My heart thumps erratically as Saylor waves through the glass.

She’s in those same orange pants they always put the newcomers in. The fabric they’re made out of bothers her. I’ll need to get her a replacement pair of my sweats just as soon as I check her over for injuries and hug the hell out of her.

I grin, pulling my hand free of my pocket to wave back. There’s a weird black diamond pattern between the panes of glass, which slightly distorts her image, but I don’t see any major injuries.

The door opens, and my stomach flip-flops as Saylor slides inside.

“Omen,” she whispers, chucking herself at me. I’m skinny as fuck, but I put in work on my physique for a reason. I catch her with ease, and she climbs up, nuzzling her cheek to mine. “Your stubble is scratchy. God, I missed you.”

I nod, squeezing her tight to my chest. “Fuck, me too, darling. That won’t save you from the trip over my knee that you owe me.”

“I can live with that. What I couldn’t stand was having to tell you I had the chance to save him and chose not to.” Saylor crashes her lips to mine, and I give in to the kiss. Normally I would close my eyes, but Valor still needs to make his appearance, so I turn us until I have a slight view of the door over her shoulder.

My partner stumbles inside the room, and McCabe appears behind him. The British fuck must be undoing his cuffs, because a second later, Valor is shoved forward and McCabe slips back out the door.

V spins, growling and making a mad grab for the guard, but the door slams in his face. Stepping over, I snag the back of his T-shirt and pull.

My knees get a bit weak. I’m right fucking grateful to see him in one piece.

Saylor whimpers against my lips, and I’d love to be able to focus solely on her. Once Valor turns and comes to hug her from behind, I’m finally able to breathe. He wraps his hand around the back of my head, and Saylor ends up in the middle of an alpha and beta sandwich that would end so much differently if those other assholes weren’t here.

She pulls back to breathe, and Valor’s eyes meet mine. The look on his face says it all—we may have weaved around one major catastrophe, but that doesn’t mean it’s open roads and smooth sailing.

“I’m so glad you’re okay.” The sweet omega pecks a kiss on my cheek, pulling back and studying my face. “I worried whether the three of you would be able to get along or if it would be a fight.”

The bathroom door opens with perfect timing, and I dart a quick look at Shaw, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course not, pet,” I lie through my teeth as I turn back to my omega. “We’re all on the same team. No need for arguments when we all have a unified goal.”

The back of my head burns with the weight of Shaw’s glare, but I let him simmer in his rage. I’m about to be the most impressive team player Saylor has ever seen. She’s permanently tied to me and Valor. If they don’t like it, they can be the ones to show their dicks.

I just need to find a covert way to have a quick conversation with V to ensure we’re on the same page.

* * *

Watching Saylor reunite with the men from her past leaves a pit in my stomach. Leo mentioned they lived with her when she was a teenager. I believe that would make Shaw the one who punched her boyfriend and carried her out of the party she mentioned. That means they’re also the ones who abandoned her when her first heat started.

They must not have many brain cells. That, or they haven’t had as hard of a life as I’ve had.

I might have intended to use her to get Valor back to his old self, but it didn’t even take three full days of being in her company before I decided I was going to keep her. Yes, bringing back V’s mental clarity was a bonus. However, my reason for wanting her changed dramatically over the course of those few days.

She’s the sweetest, softest thing I’ve ever had the privilege of touching. And now she’s all mine.

“Where did that bloody lip come from?” Valor asks, pulling off his mask.

I chuckle darkly. “I’ll give you three guesses, but I bet you’ll only need two.”

Valor’s eyes move back to Saylor and the alphas that still stand next to the table by the door. “She’s emotionally attached to them in some way. She hasn’t even tried to block her feelings in the bond.”

“I know.” Nodding, I swipe a hand over my face. “I’m getting every bit of it too.” Maybe just a little weaker than he is, since he’s my link to Saylor. I remember how long it took for me to parcel out how to shut off projecting my thoughts and emotions, and I’m naturally more stoic than she is. “We’ll need to find a way to get along, at least until we can make it out of here.”

“Amato is aware of our bonding. The guard said he wanted us released immediately, but they pushed back since five to seven days is standard.” Valor sighs. “We should get her a change of clothes. She hates the facility-issued pants.”

“I’ll grab her something,” I say, studying his face and what he’s feeling in the bond. Amato is going to be a problem. It’s something I always knew would come. “You should shower. Possibly both of you.” I nod at the dried blood covering his arms and hands. There are splatters on his neck, face, and in his hair. “After you two have a chance to clean up, we can sit down and try to brainstorm a plan.”

V sighs heavily. “The plan is that we kill Amato the second we get the chance. I won’t let him use Saylor against us.”

“Agreed.” I nod as my eyes cut to the omega in question.

She’s still letting the Americans check her over. The soft smile on her face as she placates them makes my chest tight.

I have mixed feelings on sharing. Being a kinky fucker, I’ve always been of the the more the merrier philosophy, but that was before I had someone who looks at me the way she does. And still, I’ll at least try, as long as it makes her happy.

They better be capable of pulling their own weight, though. No one wants a lazy packmate. If nothing else, we need them for what comes next.

I’ll die before our old boss gets his hands on Saylor. He would use her in disgusting ways, and I won’t allow her to be exposed to that kind of evil.