Page 15 of One Way Out
“We’re together now, and you’re safe.” I nuzzle my cheek to his. “You and Omen are important to me. They are too. Before the facility, I hadn’t seen them in years, but there was a time when they were the only people I could count on.” I grimace and purposely avoid getting into how hurt I was when they disappeared.
None of that seems to matter anymore.
Not after almost losing Valor.
If it had been one of them in his place, I would have done the same thing and come for them too.
“We’re bonded. Me, you, and Omen are going to get out of here and build a life together.” I pull back just enough that I can study his face as I go on. “I hope we can find a way for all four of you to get along. They got themselves locked up in here because of me…”
I frown at the way his jaw clenches.
I wish I could read his emotions in the bond, but I’m pretty sure he’s blocking me.
It really is unfair that he and Omen have more practice with a bond than I do. Even then, I’ve heard omegas have a harder time than alphas with blocking thoughts and emotions from crossing over. It’s likely because the omega is the conduit to which all the bonds flow through. Well, except Omen, since he’s linked through Valor, but if I bond with other alphas, Valor and Omen should be able to connect to them through me without them needing to bite each other.
My stoic alpha grunts, pulling me closer.
I sigh and try one more time to settle his nerves. “I’m with you and Omen, no matter what. Whatever comes next, we’re bonded for life. I just think it’ll be best if the four of you sit down and discuss things once we make it back?—”
The exterior door to the room the cells are housed in slams open.
“Ya know, I didn’t think you could stoop any lower,” Conrad calls out. “Congratulations on proving me wrong. You win the award for being the most shite human being I’ve ever come across.”
My face heats as I remember he’s been over there the entire time. He might not be able to see everything, but he had a front-row view to hear my bonding with Valor.
The alpha in question growls low, and I twist to look over my shoulder.
“I long ago stopped concerning myself with the opinions of others—especially known criminals.” McCabe comes closer with a phone in his hand. “Are you bonded? I need a picture of the claiming bite as proof.”
I’m still naked, but the blanket covers the important parts. Pulling my arm free of the fabric, I extend my wrist.
Valor fights with the blanket, holding it in place. “We need fresh clothes.”
McCabe snaps a picture of my bondmark, but he ignores Valor, bringing the phone to his ear. “It should come through at any moment.” There’s a pause, and he chuckles an eerie sound. “Yes, sir. I told you I would handle it. Let Amato know his second-in-command should be good to go in five to seven days.”
“You son of a bitch.” Valor goes stiff under me while Conrad spits his own slew of curses at McCabe.
The guard doesn’t seem bothered in the least. “I’ll be returning them to the block with the beta, but from experience, we know it takes a minimum of five days for the bond to begin reversing the decay. Pushing for his release any sooner is not recommended; remind him he placed his asset here because we’re the best.”
A shiver runs down my spine.
Why does it feel like we just got played?
* * *
McCabe throws several sets of clothing and one of the facility masks through the cell bars.
My head tilts as he leaves a pair of open handcuffs hanging on the bars.
“Have them locked behind your back before I return,” the guard growls, looking directly at Valor. “Get her to help you with them. If you try anything,she’sthe one who will pay the price.”
Valor gives a clipped nod, but all I can focus on is how much I’d love to kick that guy in the balls. At first, I thought he wasn’t so bad, but everyone here has an agenda.
McCabe’s words remind me of the warning Omen gave about how Amato would try to use me in the same way. He told me their boss would leverage my safety to keep Omen and Valor in line.
My bonded alpha works his hand up and down my spine over the blanket. His electric scent is everywhere, but even that can’t soothe my frazzled system.
McCabe goes over and takes Conrad from his cell. They argue and bitch at one another, but Conrad doesn’t fight as McCabe leads him out the door.
