Page 106 of Generation Omega: Revealed
I cringe, hiding my face against him. “It’s too bright. It’s too bright. Please, turn it off.”
“I’ve got it.” He shuts off the light and then answers using the speaker. “Where are you?”
“What’s wrong with her?!” Kazimir demands, sounding genuinely and disturbingly concerned.
“I’ve got her. She’s right here. But we have a new development. The final two alphas are on their way, and you know what that means. I don’t trust Thatcher, Sage, or the paidSave the Omegaarmy. I don’t know who owns this property or anyone’s agenda. What I’m certain of is that we need to leave. I’m open to suggestions, if you’ve got any.”
“The legacy’s approval of my exit strategy suddenly makes sense,” Kazimir grumbles. “Ethan and I are on my yacht. We’ll be near your location in about thirty minutes. I suggest you gather up all the bedding you can find and bring it with you. We’ll make a nest here. Ethan will prepare everything he can, but we don’t have enough.Soft—everything needs to be soft. We’ll cover the windows. We’ll make sure she’s okay. No one but pack on this ship—anyone else who tries is getting a bullet.”
Gideon’s hopeful relief collides with intense suspicion. “When did you become such a plucky member ofTeam Omega?”
Kazimir’s laugh is darkly alluring. “I know you bit her, and you know I bit him. If you don’t know the answer to that little question yet, give it time. Just try to do something she doesn’t like, and you’ll discover why I feel like Ethan’s damn puppet right now.Alphadominance…my ass.”
I say nothing—I honestly can’t process my would-be murderer talking about soft blankets, though I definitely want the fluffiest blankets and pillows and sweets, lots and lots of sweets.
“The professor is going to be a problem. We have history, and he’s a fanatic. He’s going to try to remove me—andEthan—from the pack using any means necessary. If the professor touches Ethan, I’m going to fillet his soul, grill it, and garnish it with anchovies and some capers, before I turn the rest of him into fish food.”
“Very descriptive, thanks. But I hear you. I’ll keep him on a tight leash.”
“Any idea who the alphas are?”
“No, not yet, but they had to catch her scent, right? So they either had access to the penthouse, the venue, or the alley.” Gideon pauses, aware that our scents are quite strong in this guest house. “They aren’t here on the grounds, are they?”
I think the wordno, and Gideon nods and continues. “They aren’t here, and they’re on their way. I guess they’ll be joining us on the high seas.”
“The yacht can’t be tracked, and we’ll aim for international waters and run dark. This is our best option right now.” Kazimir pauses and then adds in an indulgent tone, “For what it’s worth, Ethan’s giddy about being on my yacht. Maybe she will be too.”
I don’t know what to do with the sensitive assassin, so I just remain quiet and allow Gideon and Kazimir to discuss logistics.
As soon as Gideon ends the call, his intensity is through the roof. “We’ve got to get ready. Tell me exactly what you feel and what you need.”
“Sensitive. I feel sensitive to everything—exposed even. I need these blankets. I need tonottake a shower, because your scent on me makes me feel protected. I need you. I need to be covered by you. I need to be in the dark. I need warmth and shelter, quiet and peace. And touch, lots of touch.”
Your body knows what to do. Nothing could be more natural. Don’t be afraid. This is how it’s meant to be.
I’m not exactly sure what to think about the heat pep talk, but I try not to dwell on it. Instead, I focus on the wild ride Gideon’s thoughts take as he forms our rapid exit strategy.
He uses the phone to call Thatcher, who is edgier than the assassin when Gideon explains the plan. Gideon has to bark a few orders when Thatcher gets tripped up with not having any say about what we’re doing. Thatcher actually wants us to stay here for my first heat. Myheat—it’s a foregone conclusion now. This is pushing my acceptance buttons like a second-grader on a high-rise elevator.
Less than twenty minutes later, I’m bundled in a robe, with a blanket around me, being carried out of the guesthouse. Thatcher is there—Sage too. I gladly burrow into the blanket and Gideon’s chest to avoid them. It’s too much, the lights, the noise, the stress in everyone’s voices. I don’t want to be seen. I don’t want to be more exposed than I already am.
I hear their arguments, but I know I don’t have to react. Gideon has me. He’ll take care of me.
You’ve got that right, baby girl.That’s the thought he sends my way.
“Youcan’ttrust him. We have a plan. We’ve thought this through. We have an army here to protect her.” Thatcher’s voice is so hostile, but that doesn’t conceal his terror. Everything is moving beyond his control and that frightens him.
Gideon responds with complete certainty. “Whatever nefarious benefactor is allowing us to be here has a reason, and it’s not to protect Tillie. Besides, I won’t entrust her safety to anyone outside our pack.Youwere the one who told me that we can only trust those who can’t turn against us. Remember that?”
“That was before I discovered that BD’s most effective assassin is now her alpha, ourpackmate! You really want to risk her life by trustinghim?!”
“Lower your voice,” Gideon commands in a smothered growl. “Noise hurts her.”
“I’m sorry.” Thatcher is tearing at the seams, and all I feel is relief that I don’t have to be the one to fight him right now.
“Thatcher, you can either get on board or I’m going to compel you to do as I ask. This is happening. We have alphas on their way and a vulnerable omega. You may feel safe with this gaggle of mercenaries, but Tillie and I don’t. That’s the end of the discussion. What I want to know is whether this private army can help by making it look like we’ve left this place in ten different ways. We need time.” Gideon’s frustration challenges his control. “We’re so close to having a fully formed pack for the first time inhowlong? Why are you fighting this?”
I know the answer. I know why Thatcher is building walls and rules, and generally acting like a pompous jackass. I didn’t before, but I do now. He’s terrified of surrendering control, trusting that someone will catch him. I see in him the same fear that lived in me, before Gideon proved I could trust him. Thatcher just needs time. He’ll come around. He better, because if he really means to hurt Ethan, I’ll be running the barbeque when Kazimir grills his soul.
