“How many more inside?” Ronin asked the omega.
“Fo-four, my friends.” The omega stuttered the words out as he wrapped his arms around his shaking body.
“Breathe, breathe,” Zan instructed.
The omega nodded, but Ronin could see the fear written all over him.
“What’s your name?” Zan asked in that same soothing voice.
The omega glanced up at Zander’s face, but his eyes darted away immediately. Ronin watched the smaller man swallow, and he sensed the fear pouring off him.
“I promise we are here to help,” Ronin said. “You’re safe.”
The omega’s eyes lifted to his face, the naked hope in them damn near flooring him.
“You’re safe,” Ronin repeated.
The omega regarded him still, then finally nodded. Ro wasn’t sure he believed him, but maybe he figured they were the lesser of two evils.
“Marco,” the smaller man whispered. “My name is Marco.”
“Zander, get him back to the van. Maybe he’ll feel better when he sees Cybil.”
“Sure thing,” Zander said.
Zander held his hand out to the omega and waited patiently for him to take it before escorting him back to the truck.
“Help tie this fucker up,” Ronin said to Maddox.
He tied Anton’s arms behind his back while Maddox tied his feet together. Then, Ronin grabbed Anton by his arms and pulled him up so he was leaning against the tree. He was still knocked out. “He can’t do anything while he’s like this.” Ronin nodded in satisfaction.
“I’m at the van.” Zander’s voice came in on comms.
With that confirmation, Ronin said to Maddox, “Stay with Anton. Nix and I will go in. Keep an eye out on the perimeter.”
Maddox nodded. His eyes went to Anton who was now slumped pathetically against a tree. “Can’t guarantee he’ll be alive when you get back, but I’ll try to control myself.”
Ronin snickered. “Please do. I have a few questions for him when he wakes. We’ll be back.”
Maddox shrugged, but nodded, and then Ro and Nix headed towards the warehouse. “I’ll go in first,” Nix said.
He opened the door and they entered the dark building. They walked through one room, and then came to another door. He opened it up, and as he entered, Ronin came up right behind him.
“Stop it!” They heard the whimpering pleas of a woman. Nix stepped in first.
“Get your fuckin’ handsoffher.” Nix’s voice turned more animal than human at what they saw.
Ronin could smell the fear that the female omega was emitting. Nix grabbed onto the alpha’s shoulders and pulled him off her, throwing him like he was no more than a rag doll.
He then grabbed a blanket that had fallen to the ground and handed it to the woman. It was filthy, but the omega was naked.
Ronin kept one eye on the door to make sure they had no unwelcome surprises. When he glanced in the direction of the alpha Nix had thrown off the woman, he saw him pull a knife from his pocket.
He started to go after Nix, who was still trying to soothe the distraught omega and convince her she was safe.
Ro didn’t even give the asshole a warning. He’d withdrew his pistol with the silencer and aimed at the alpha and pulled his trigger, landing a shot center mass. The asshole fell back, and his knife landed beside him.
The woman’s eyes showed shock, and Nix turned to Ronin, his eyes wide. “Holy fuck.”
