Page 63 of Pretty When She Breaks

It didn’t matter.

It was her now.

She was our omega, just another curse I’d brought them.

I glared at her, and she broke away from my gaze.

We were here to free Ocean, and I had to stay present for that, even though my emotions burned too hot in my head. The buzzing in my veins was exhausting, and I wanted to lie down and return to that peaceful fog.

Finch was leaning against the kitchen counter, staring down at papers splayed out in front of him. He didn’t look up as he pointed at one of the barstools. It hurt looking at him. He’d leave soon, escaping from me. It was all right. I’d escape me, too, if I could.

She sat down, waiting quietly as Finch scribbled away. She didn’t even twitch as the minutes stretched on.

“So,” Finch said eventually, still not looking up. “Report. Has my cover been arranged?”

“Yes,” she said. “Cover and IDs. You’ll need to send a picture, and they’ll get everything sorted.”

“Good job,” he said absently, and she twitched, seeming surprised. “Kaos, come here. Planning time.”

I ambled my way over, plopping down in the seat next to him. I held his eye deliberately, and he gave a slight nod, even as my heart raced and the buzzing in my veins increased until my head hurt and my eyes felt tight.

Panic attack, panic attack, I’m having a, panic attack,panic attack, duh duh duh,I sung in my head, tapping my finger on the counter to the heavy metal drumbeat as it replayed in my head over and over. The soundtrack of my life.

I washere.

It felt like hell, but I could do it.

For Ocean.

“So,” Finch started, leaning forward and straightening the papers on the counter. “Getting Ocean out.”

“I actually managed to get access to him today,” Laurel said. “I’ll be able to go in and visit him from now on.”

Finch looked surprised but hid it quickly.

Huh.

I guess with her unable to arrange for our murder, she’d decided that helping us was the fastest way to get rid of us.

“How did you do that?” he asked.

“I implied the Lucas pack wanted to start learning how to manage the Ring. That they wanted to manage Ocean to dip their toes in. I’ll beorientingthem to the process, which will give me time to visit and manage Ocean’s care.”

“With the Lucas pack?” I asked. This seemed less than ideal. Those bastards would make Ocean’s life more of a living hell than it already would be.

“They don’t know yet. I’ll have a bit of time before I have to tell them, and I’ll offer to do most of the work for them.”

Finch nodded, his approval showing on his face and making her cheeks flush a bit. I ground my teeth. Involving them at all wasn’t a good idea. My headache was getting worse and my chest felt tight.

“Excellent. In the case this takes longer than I planned for, we’ll need to try and keep Ocean stable,” he said. “The new plan is simple—we’ll buy Ocean. Laurel, I understand your father makes trades like that?”

Excuse me.Buyhim?

I checked in with myself again, making sure I was interpreting the words right.

Laurel nodded, frowning. “Yes, but not with people he doesn’t know. Even if they are backed up by billionaires.”

“I understand,” Finch said. “I was planning to target the Lucas pack. They’re new but close to Thaddeus. Prince is set to take his place in the inner circle, and from what we know, Thaddeus will be training them to take over from him. Is this correct?”