“Why are you this way?” he grumbles.
“What way?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
The alpha introduced to me as Aiden steps outside, and I take a moment to look at him. He looks just enough like Harlan for me to see the familial relationship.
“Fearless,” Aiden mutters.
“Meh, I’m really not. I just want to know that Gideon isn’t hurting anyone else anymore.”
“Ah, speaking of that,” Syrus says, looking uncomfortable. “I know that the chances of this are slim, okay? Is there any way we can check Gideon’s records while we’re there?My sister, Maeve, disappeared eleven years ago, shortly after her eighteenth birthday. Everything I’m hearing about Gideon’s operation sounds like he could have taken her. It’s been years since her abduction happened?—”
“We’ll look,” I say, staring at Aiden and Sloane hard. “There’s no harm in looking through his registry. Gideon is feral about his records.”
“No harm at all,” Sloane parrots, shaking his head quickly. “You’re scary.”
“You have no idea,” Syrus grins. “Thank you, it means a lot to me. I’ve spent years not knowing if she’s alive or dead.”
Aiden’s features soften slightly as he nods, elbowing Sloane. “Of course, man. So we’ll leave tonight, set up a base to work out of?—”
“Silva!” Lark hisses, tripping over her feet as she rushes outside. “There’s a party tomorrow night. He’s doing it again.”
“Well I’ll be damned,” Sloane breathes.
“I had a feeling,” I admit to Lark.
“Girl, your gut instincts are gold. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. I have to be closer to see the grounds. The satellite cameras went out while I was checking them. There’s a lot of people on the grounds. More than there would be on a normal day. I have no idea how Gideon managed that,” she mutters.
“Too much money,” I sigh. “He has to make the place sparkle and shine in his depravity. Can you fly a drone to check the grounds?”
“The government should hire you all,” Sloane drawls.
“No interest,” I bite out. “They weren't all that nice to you all from what I understand.”
“They weren’t,” he agrees. “No one expects omegas to be spies.”
That makes me think about Izzy and how much he sacrifices as an omega. Stomping down the urge to yell at these alphas, I take a deep breath. One thing at a time.
I’ll tackle the injustices that Isidro goes through to be a productive member of their team later.
“Alright, let’s get to planning,” I say, standing. “I’m going to make myself coffee. I need a second wind.”
“No,” Sloane says, shaking his head. “If you’re that tired, go take a nap. We’ll fill you in, and you can bully us with all the information we’re missing after.”
“Works for me,” Syrus says, standing to lift my body onto his shoulder.
“Why are you all always carting me around like my legs don’t work?” I laugh.
“It’s fun to make you yell at us,” Syrus says. “No one bother us for the next hour.”
“Try two,” Sloane says. “I know a tired omega when I see one.”
Syrus walks inside the house, and I wave at my sister upside down as he passes her.
“I’m being forced to take a nap,” I complain.
Lexi hides a smile as she nods. “We’ll hold down the fort,” she promises. “Sweet dreams.”
As Syrus jogs up the stairs while I bounce on his shoulder, I realize something. My dreams are sweet again.
