Page 98 of Pack of Crooks

“If it wasn’t him organizing it, it would have been someone else,” Kill says, dropping to eye level as a few more shots ring out. “Think about the omegas we saved.”

I nod, hating that he’s right. If it wasn’t Rook, it would have been a different piece of shit we killed tonight. The room falls silent save for the omegas’ crying. “We should check on them.”

Kill stands, offers me his hand, and tugs me into his body. “I love you, Ez.” He brushes his lips over mine in a chaste kiss and leads me to the front, head on a swivel for any survivors.

In front of the stage is a blood bath. Dozens of bodies scattered around, bloody and limp, a few people collapsed on top of one another, a doggy pile of death. Does my lack of remorse make me a bad person? I’m not sure I care.

Jo is on stage, sitting on her knees and talking in quiet, soothing tones to the scared omegas. Kill and I join Vette and Mac, who are watching Jo. The omegas are still trembling, but for the most part, they’ve stopped crying.

“She’s good at this,” I tell Vette.

He nods. “Born for it.” His gaze cuts toward me. “What about your omega?”

How would Hazel manage with something like this? She wasn’t even fazed when we killed the guy at the pawn shop or when Maddox tossed the feral alpha on the tracks. Something tells me Hazel would do just fine, especially if it meant saving people.

“She’d manage,” Kill says, dropping his arm around my shoulder. “She’s amazing.”

Vette considers this. “Maybe we can meet her sometime.”

My hackles rise, not because I believe Vette is a threat, but because the idea of introducing Hazel to alphas that aren’t mine feels fundamentally wrong. We can’t keep her in a glass box though. “Once we claim her,” I say, eyeing Jo as she rises. “Does it bother you to put her in harm’s way?”

Mac laughs. “Trust me, that omega puts herself in harm’s way. This way, at least we’re by her side.”

“Sounds like an omega I know,” Kill murmurs.

“They’re scared, but understand that we’re here to help.” She glances around, zero regret on her face as she takes in the carnage. “We should get them onto the bus.”

We’ve done this enough times to have a system. Take out everyone who put these omegas in danger, bus them to a safe haven near Lake Placid where they can recover together. Go to therapy, find themselves again. They don’t have to stay, but most of them do.

“You guys should go first,” Jo says softly. “They’re a little freaked out by alphas.” She glances at me. “Are you okay to help me? One of the omegas has a broken ankle.”

Rage ripples down my spine, but I leash it, knowing a pissed off scent will only make them more scared. The muscles in my jaw ripple and I nod.

“Be careful,” Kill says to me before he, Vette, and Mac head out to meet up with Maddox and Lark outside.

Jo sighs and glances at the omegas. “This is the hardest part.”

I take in each omega on stage, chest tightening. The deaths don’t bother me, but seeing them all so fragile and full of fright twists my insides. I know a bit what that feels like, though I was never ripped from my home. No, my monsters found me where I was meant to be safe.

“Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be,” I say, swallowing the pain of my past and following her lead. I holster my gun and keep my hands open, relaxed at my side to show I’m not a threat. Over a dozen eyes track my movements as I ascend the stairs, stopping beside Jo. Another omega is comforting. A beta? They’re still uncertain.

“We have transportation waiting outside,” Jo begins, keeping her voice soft. “You don’t have to come with us. You can walk out the door and find your own safe haven, but for those of you who aren’t ready or have nowhere to land, we’ll transport you to a recovery center in the Adirondacks.” She pauses and lets thosewords sink in. “Raise your hand if you’d like to go your own way.”

One omega does, even though her hand shakes, she lifts it into the air.

Jo nods. “I can get you a ride to a private doctor and then wherever you need to go.”

The omega acknowledges this and tucks her hand away, gaze flicking around the room like she expects someone to come at her for wanting to leave. Unfortunately, each of them will be on edge like this for a bit.

Jo’s hand finds my arm. “This is my friend Ezra. He’s going to carry Melanie.”

I nod at them, gaze landing on an omega who is sitting a little funny. “Is that okay with you?”

She nods, tentatively.

As slow as I can, I approach her. The omegas lean away from me, one of the males whines, but I keep my gaze mostly cast down, breathing steady. “It’s okay,” I murmur. “I’m going to help Melanie and then I’ll leave.”