Page 7

Chapter Seven

Saylor

L eo and Shaw know Valor and I bonded, but there’s no privacy in the cell for even a quick conversation.

It felt like Omen saved me when he tugged me away for a quick shower and a change of clothes, but I know that conversation is still coming. It’s just on hold for the moment.

“I can just use a washcloth. That water is way too cold—” I squeal as Omen lifts me, shoving me into the spray of frigid water. “Hey!”

Okay, maybe he wanted to torture me, not save me from awkward conversations.

“You’ve got a bloody handprint on your neck.” He snorts, shoving Valor toward the back of the shower. “She’s just having a quick rinse. Now isn’t the time for more fucking.”

Valor growls, stretching around my shoulder to study my throat. “Tell me those aren’t bruises under the blood.”

“Those aren’t bruises.” Omen quickly turns me farther toward the spray of water, which almost feels like cruel and unusual punishment.

I can’t see my own throat without a mirror, but I’m sure he’s lying to avoid Valor spiraling. A few sexy bruises don’t bother me, and I still worry my lower lip through my teeth, anticipating the freak-out that’s coming when Shaw spots them.

I really need the four of them to get along, but more than that, I’m an adult who gets to make her own choices. If I’m not upset about them, I feel like no one else should be either.

“Fucking hell,” Valor mutters, sliding his fingers over my ass and hip. “You’re covered in them.”

Looking at him over my shoulder, I point at his chest. “Then I’m happy to wear them with pride. Stop making yourself feel guilty, or I’m going to pinch your nipple again. I’m fine .”

“I bet your American friends are going to love that,” Omen says, brushing the washcloth over my cheek before moving to my forehead. “You know, darling. You’re never sexier than when you’re covered in dried blood…” He chuckles. “With a fair amount of Valor’s cum dripping down your thighs.”

I squint up at my beta. “I can’t tell if you’re making fun of me.”

“Never, pet,” Omen says, winking. “Now, spin for me so I can rinse your hair.”

* * *

Valor stands at the back of the shower, waiting patiently as Omen gives me a thorough cleaning. Once he’s done, I don’t let him pull me from the shower.

I turn, grab Valor’s forearms, and stretch up to give him a quick peck on the cheek. “Please stop. I’m fine. More than fine. I’m happy. Don’t beat yourself up when I’m content.” I lower until I’m flat-footed and watch him carefully. “I need you to be focused on the important stuff when the five of us talk.”

“I will be,” he rumbles, kissing my forehead. “Don’t worry about me, little one. I’m okay.”

Before I can prod further to ensure he’s being honest, Omen lifts my still-wet form out of the shower without dropping me.

I shiver, and goose bumps break out on my skin as I wait for him to wrap me up. He scoops up my hair, tying it in one towel before covering my body with another. It doesn’t close all the way, and he pulls me to his chest, running his hand down my spine.

It’s hard to be sure exactly what he’s thinking about, but it feels like he’s replaying a memory. Maybe when he yelled at me and told me not to go to Valor.

His hand tightens on my butt, and he sighs. “I’m grateful it all worked out, but I still want to spank your backside red for that bullshit you pulled with the guard.”

Wrapping my arms around his lower back, I give him a squeeze. “I’m sorry you were worried about me.”

“You’re lucky you’re beautiful because you’re a right pain in the arse.” Omen kisses my wet forehead. “Now, let me help you into some clothing. I have a feeling your friends will mutiny if we take much longer.”

“Yeah,” I agree, glancing toward the door. “Do you think you could give me a few minutes with them? I’m not trying to keep secrets or anything. I just feel like I owe them a conversation?—”

Omen’s tattooed fingers come to rest against my lips. “You can have a few minutes with your boyfriends.” He chuckles, wiggling his eyebrows. “We’re bonded. You’re ours now. You couldn’t get away if you tried. We’d simply track you through the bond and hunt your naughty backside down.” He crashes his lips to mine as he peels the towel from around my middle.

My still-slick chest ends up melting into his the longer the kiss goes on.

Omen pulls back, nipping at my lips, and I wish I could go on kissing him forever. Being able to feel his attraction in the bond is a heady experience.

His whitish-blond hair falls over his forehead as he smirks, and it makes my damn knees weak.

I grin back. “For the record, I don’t want to get away.” My thumb points toward Valor. “If you could give our alpha a pep talk to help squash some of that lingering guilt, I’d appreciate it. I’m going to want feral sex again sometime soon.”

Omen snorts while Valor sighs like an old man.

God, I can’t wait until we can be free of this awful place and truly start our lives. I’m going to buy us a house with a tankless water heater, so we never have to take cold showers again.

* * *

Valor’s shirt falls around my knees as I come out of the bathroom and into the cell.

Omen might have mixed feelings about Leo and Shaw—okay, he definitely does. No matter how hard he tried to block his emotions about them, some combination of hurt and jealousy came through when we talked about them as he helped me into Valor’s shirt. Even if he’s not sold on them being a permanent part of our family pack, he’s still my partner in crime.

He suggested I forgo wearing pants. “The less clothing you have on, the harder they’ll find it to be cross with you. Take my word on this, pet.”

God, I really hope Omen was right.

Leo and Shaw are on opposite ends of the couch, and I come to a stop in between them.

“I’m cold. I never realized how much of a luxury it is to have hot water.”

Leo pushes himself off the couch, but I don’t get to see what he’s doing.

Shaw grabs my wrist, giving me a tug. “Come here.”

I end up kneeling over him while my hands come to rest on his shoulders. There’s so much I want to say, and I’m so overwhelmed that I have no idea where to start.

Leo tosses a blanket around my shoulders, tucking it around my feet. “I know your toes are always cold. Do you want me to grab you a pair of socks too?”

My head shakes, making the wet ends of my hair fall over Valor’s white T-shirt. “Sit with us, please.” I twist and grab his hand before he can get away.

Leo nods, taking the seat right in the middle. He flips over my wrist and studies my bondmark. His thumb grazes next to Valor’s teeth print, but he doesn’t touch the actual wounds. “What’s it like?”

“The bond?”

He nods. “Yeah.”

“It’s incredible.” My teeth dig into my lower lip as I glance between them. “I didn’t bond Valor to hurt you. I swear to God, I didn’t.”

“I believe you,” Leo says, offering a sad smile.

It makes my chest tight.

Shaw runs his hand up and down my back under the blanket, and my gaze moves to him.

He doesn’t say anything.

“How about you? Do you believe me?”

“I do.” His jaw clenches, and he looks away.

“Are you sure?” I bring a hand to brush over his beard. “Because it’s basically impossible to miss how pissed off you are.”

Shaw exhales heavily, moving his free hand into my wet hair. “I’m not upset with you, Saylor…” His head shakes. “It’s everything else. It’s this fucking place.”

“If either of you were in Valor’s position, I would have done the same thing for you.” I glance between them. “I would have let McCabe lock me up with both of you, even if you were fully rabid.”

Shaw growls. “He set you up so fucking hard. I just need to get my hands on that motherfucker.”

“That makes two of us,” Leo says.

“He clearly has his own agenda, but I wanted a bond with Valor and Omen.” My eyes fall shut, and I try to breathe through the panic. They very well could decide they’ve reached their breaking points. It might be the omega who builds the pack, but the alphas have to be accepting of the other members. Otherwise, they can cut their losses and move on. “And I care about the two of you…a lot. The amount of guilt I feel knowing you got yourself institutionalized?—”

“Nah, don’t do that.” Shaw pulls my face close to his. “If we hadn’t walked away, you never would have ended up in here in the first place.”

Leo leans closer and runs his fingers over mine as he kisses my cheek. “We shouldn’t have left your side. We thought we were protecting you, but the world proved us wrong.”

“Are you saying you’ll try to get along with Valor and Omen?” I ask, trying not to get my hopes up.

Shaw growls. “I’ve already told you, even if you never forgive me, I’m wherever you are.”

Leo squeezes my hand. “We’re all getting out of this shithole as a team. Then we’ll have the chance to court you the right way.”

My gaze darts toward the bathroom and back to the guys. “You said you’d kill anyone I asked you to, and I really only have one request. Valor and Omen’s old boss—I want him dead. If I could ask for anything, that would be my dream courting gift.”

Shaw chuckles. “I like the murder request, princess.”

“Good. Because if anyone deserves it, it’s him…”