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“I had candid shots of a minister double-fisting shrimp cocktails!” I hiss. “They were Pulitzer-level.”
“Your friend’s got taste,” Kai says, amused. “Bet she’s already threatened three government officials and is halfway through seducing the caterer.”
“She might be,” I mutter. “And if she is, I hope she steals dessert.”
The SUV crunches up the long, shadowed drive as Lucian says nothing, just broods behind the wheel until finally, the forest spits us out.
And there it is.
It comes into view like something summoned, not built. All angles and menace.
No neighbors. No exit signs. Just a whole lot of 'abandon hope all ye who enter here' energy.
It's not a house. It's afortress.
All stone and shadow, while the doors alone could double as guillotines.
“Wow,” Kai says. “Very humble. Very subtle.”
Ash stares out the window, face unreadable.
“This place doesn’t welcome,” he murmurs. “Itcontains.”
“Right,” Kai mutters in agreement. “I thought you said safehouse, not ‘welcome to the alpha Illuminati.’”
“Love that for me,” I mutter. “Really hitting all my childhood trauma checkboxes tonight.”
“You’ll be safe here,” Theo says, still holding me close.
“Safe,” I echo, gazing at the estate with the enthusiasm of a cat being carried toward a bathtub. “In a house with a steel-reinforced panic wing and four alphas - one of whom threatens sedation like it’s a love language.”
“If it makes you feel better,” Kai says brightly, “I don’t believe in sedatives. I believe in snacks, massages, and consensual violence.”
Lucian actuallygrowls.
Ash finally says, deadpan: “You know the OMB is probably tracking heat spikes across the city right now.”
“Oh good,” I say, head thumping back against Theo’s shoulder. “Addfederal manhuntto the bingo card.”
“Bingo?” Kai asks. “Oh, we’redefinitelygetting Bingo. Public scene, heat spike, unregistered omega, unauthorized transport, reckless scenting…”
“Kidnapping,” Ash adds dryly.
“Allegedkidnapping,” Theo corrects.
“Extremely documented,” Lucian mutters, gesturing to the dash. “There are cameras.”
Kai grins. “Oh good. I’ve always wanted to be on reality TV.”
Lucian kills the engine with the drama of someone who’s absolutely done.
“Get her inside. Before she tries to mount someone in the driveway.”
I lift my head slowly, eyes narrowing. “You’re lucky I’m exhausted and unmedicated, or I’d fight you right now.”
Theo just sighs and unbuckles us both.
“Let’s go before we get a drone dropped on us.”
