Page 134 of Unhinged

“That’s the short version," I mutter.

Gears holds the phone to his ear. His whole body’s tight, tense like a bowstring about to snap.

"Nikola," he says when the line picks up. "It’s Gears. You seen Brydgett? Our omega?"

A pause.

"She was taken tonight. By The Father. Turns out he’s her old foster dad. And the piece of shit who raped her."

Another pause.

"Yeah. Keep us in the loop. Thanks."

He hangs up, his mouth a hard line.

"Nikola’s just as surprised as we were. He’s sending some of his men to patrol the streets. I’m sending him a picture of Earl."

"We should do the same," I say, my hands balling into fists again. "Get the brothers out there. Blanket the streets."

"We will," Gears says, voice rough. "But first, I’m sending Bat and Keg to find that Marcus fella." He looks between me and Arrow. "He’s missing too, if you didn’t notice. I want his ass found and questioned."

I nod once.

They won’t get away with this.

Not while I’m still breathing.

I shove through Gears’ office door so hard it slams against the walls. I don’t even care.

We gotta find her. Gotta move. Gottado something.

I storm down the hall toward the main room, Arrow and Gears right behind me, Franko trailing after like a goddamn shadow. I don’t even realize I'm up on a chair until the whole room’s staring at me. "Listen up!" I yell, my voice cracking at the end like some idiot teenager, but I don't care.

Gidge is missing. Gone.

"As you know, Brydgett's missing," I say, my hands fisting at my sides. "Taken right out of this goddamn party. You all saw her here tonight. You all know who she is. She ain't just any omega. She’sours."

Murmurs. Curses under breath. One of the prospects swallows so hard I can hear it.

"And we know who took her," I grind out. "Name’s Earl. Same motherfucker behind the tar creeping into our streets.Same bastard who took Gidge into his home when she was a kid and raped her. Don’t you dare feel bad for her or when she comes back, she’ll gut you herself, and I think we know she’s capable of it.”

A vicious growl rips through the room. A chain reaction. Rage swelling. Alphas bristlin’. Even the betas look ready to snap teeth.

"He's dirty. He's dangerous. And he’s got a head start. But we ain't letting him get far."

I pause, sweeping my eyes across the crowd. I need them to be steady. Need them sharp.

"You ain't gonna go running wild and blind. We do this smart. Gears and Arrow are running point. Bat and Keg—you’re finding Marcus, that fella who showed up here late as hell. If he knows something, we’ll beat it out of him."

Bat nods, face already dark with fury. Keg cracks his knuckles like he’s looking forward to it.

"The rest of you—fan out. Hit the streets. Gas stations. Motels. Truck stops. Earl’s gonna need somewhere low-key to lay low if he’s smart. You see somethin'—you call it in. You don’t act alone. You call."

I pause, breathing hard. The alpha in me is roaring. Wants to tear something apart. But that won’t get her back.

"You smell anything... you hear anything..." I snarl. "Youfeelanything off—trust your gut. Gidge is out there waiting for us. Hurting. Scared."

The words taste like acid in my mouth.