Page 44 of Psycho Alphas: Part Two

“They’re paranoid,” Ace went on. “They don’t work with anyone who won’t touch the product. They need to see their own deprivation mirrored to feel secure. They’re not just building wealth; they’re building a world to exist in. They want to walk the streets and know they are special—different from the people they cross. That if any knew the truth, it would make them sick. Regression in its purest form.”

“You never considered participating?” I asked.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Never interested me.”

“If you’re above money and power, then what?—?”

“I didn’t say that,” Ace said. “I valuerealpower, not bought. Chained Omegas who can’t fight back—where’s the fun in that?”

“Ah.” I ran through all he’d said. The surety of it, the insight. Then I laughed. “But you would enjoy doing to them what they do to the rest of the world?”

He shrugged. “There’s nothing more entertaining than preying on predators. Watching someone who should be able to stop you, bend the knee?” There was a playful smile on his face. “That is true power.”

He shared one trait with them, though.

Unfettered pride.

“You were an anomaly,” I supplied. “Even in the trafficking circles. Did you know that?”

Ace just raised his eyebrows, waiting to hear where I was going with my flattery.

“You’re right about them. They love to look down on others from their kingdom—especially other kinds of criminals—street gangs like the Brotherhood are laughably low to them. But still, at the mention of Ace Maverick, things get quiet and the topic quickly changes.”

He said nothing, the faintest light dancing in those dull eyes as he listened.

I straightened, turning from him and stepping out of the cage.

“All of that power.” I glanced back at him, slamming the door shut. “An invaluable understanding of the worst of us. More money than a hundred generations could spend, and then… you were taken down byher.”

I left Ace, knowing there wasn’t much else I would get from him, and instead returned to my office. It was only nine in the evening, even though it felt much later.

Checking my finances, I saw another charge on my card for a hotel. I almost threw my phone across the room.

He wasn’t bringing her home tonight?

Tomorrow felt too far away.

With the new pack still lurking in my head, and my Omega not nearby, I was more anxious than I was used to. It was like a compulsion to see her. To have her in sight. To make sure she was safe. To know that Bella wouldn’t get near her ever again.

I slumped down at my desk, looking at the ripped-up pieces of Bunny. I’d spent a bit of time on the stitch job earlier, making a plan on how to confront Ace. It wouldn’t take me long to finish.

Besides, I wouldn’t sleep for a long time.

My brain was too wired.

I contemplated the conversation as I picked up the sewing.

Even in this state, Ace knew how to keep his cards close to his chest.

It had seemed like he’d given me a lot, but I didn’t know if that was a reflection of him gambling for his freedom, or if it wasn’t really that much at all compared to what he could give.

I needed to get ahead of him.

I would rather Thistle send him back into insanity, but if she didn’t, he had to be an asset, not a burden.