We all stiffen, and Hayden’s fingers tighten around mine.
“What kinda deal?” My words come out carefully, all too aware of the fact that Xavier has Sam’s dad’s life in his hands.
“So pragmatic. That’s what I like about you, Jo.” The sound of my name coming out of Xavier’s mouth sends goosebumps crawling across my flesh. “You know, up until you pulled that little stunt to break out of Thornfield, I thought you hated alphas as much as I do.” He gives me a pitying look. “Unfortunately, just like every omega before you, you’ve become a slave to your designation andinstincts. Welcoming alphas into your bed when only a year ago you were slitting their throats.”
My own throat dries, making me swallow roughly.
Xavier sighs, continuing his little speech. “I can still respect your humble beginnings though. Wronged by the very designation that was designed to protect your kind, you turned on them, exacting revenge for your fellow women who suffered at their hands. It almost makes me wonder if Arthur Banesworth reallydidquit and leave the country.”
The mention of Banesworth has my stomach turning, but I keep my expression unaffected. “I’m hearin’ a whole lot of stuff that doesn’t sound like makin’ a deal.”
“Impatient, as always.” He clicks his tongue.
The guys stiffen around me, catching onto the wording. “As always?” West asks carefully.
The asshole scoffs. “You don’t think I’m going to admit the country’s first omega serial killer into a facility I control and not be curious?” He gives me a look that clearly indicates he thinks I’m beingnaive. “I’ve been watching you since you were convicted on thirteen counts of first degree murder.”
Vander gives me a look of contempt, andnowI get why he thought I would hurt Adela.
Xavier tilts his head. “As a show of appreciation for your…artform, I’ll give you forty-eight hours to bring me my scientist. If you do, I’ll let slide the fact that you’ve stolen millions of dollars from me in the form of kidnapping my omegas. Not only that, I’ll let you live. Nobody will ever know the five of you left the asylum. Nobody will look for you, you can live your disgusting little pack life free and happy.”
“Yeah, before you drug everyone to get rid of our designations," Hayden mutters darkly.
“Thereisthat,” Xavier concedes, nodding his head. “Or you can refuse and I can use you as bait for Declan Gallagher to bring him to me, and then I’ll just send you all back to Thornfield again. If you even think about double crossing me, I’ll have my men kill Samuel Wright.”
“Why not just keep us now?” I arch a brow. “Seems like it would be faster for you to do it the second way.”
“I would rather avoid a direct confrontation with the Mafia if I can help it.” He sniffs once. “It is in both our best interests for you to take my deal.”
If he doesn’t care about getting those omegas back, that means we’re missing a bigger piece of the puzzle than I realized. They must be closer to nullifying designations than we thought.
If we take his deal, we hand back our one advantage.
If we take his deal, we put the rest of the world in danger.
If we take his deal, we’re betraying every alpha and omega in the world.
There’s only one choice to make.
“Deal.”
forty-three
Jo
My stomach twists at the single word that just left my mouth.
Sam shakes his head. “No, Jo—”
“It’s our only option right now,” I hiss, “I am not lettin’ your daddy die for us.” I give him a look that I hope conveys exactly what I’m thinking—which is,“please just shut up and we’ll talk about it once we get out of here.”
His mouth opens slightly like he wants to argue, but then he presses his lips into a tight line.
“Excellent,” Xavier claps his hands together. “So at ten PM in two days, meet us right here, and if my scientist is alive, as well as still able to use his mind, Samuel Wright will escape without a bulletto the brain.”
Sam grits his teeth, nodding once. “Forty-eight hours. I want your word that nothing will happen to my dad in the meantime. Call off your guards.”
“No.” He shakes his head, my stomach sinking. “He’s my insurance that you’ll hold up your end of the deal.”
