Since I’m already sitting, I close my eyes instead. Ares stirs under my hand; my anxiety must be pitching if he’s trying to get up. I stroke my hand over his fur, and it’s comforting for the both of us.
“You can’t come here. And I’m sorry, little one, we can’t let you go and face whatever is going on by yourself either. It’s not in our nature. But we’ve found a safe house that only the most trusted of the Alliance know about.”
“I’ll be fine by myself,” I argue, knowing it’s true. Ares and I have survived this long.
“No can do. You are apparently the most mouth-watering omega that the alphas currently pretending not to freak the fuck out near you have ever scent or seen. You’re supposedly small enough to fit in my back pocket, and you’re armed with a fucking beast called Ares, and some of the highest-grade guns you can carry without military clearance. And let’s not forget the mild case of concussion you are currently dealing with. So, for the sake of clarification, you’re not doing this alone. It is not in our nature to allow you to be by yourself until we know you are one hundred percent safe and well again.”
Ares turns his head and growls at me, like he’s in agreement with what Gabriel is saying. And god, he has a lot to say. “It’s not safe for you until we figure out why they had your details and photos. Those people you left injured in the carpark came pretty close to snatching you, and seriously, it would make me slightly fucking feral to know I let you go when we could help you.”
“And what are you proposing?”
“Well, like I said before, under normal circumstances we’d have a room or a cottage here with your name on it. I’m actually still going to put you on the register so it looks like you’re staying with us. But between me and you, you’re going to disappear into thin air.”
“I can’t believe I am still listening to this.”
“I can’t either, but since you are… later you’ll make a call to the police that your car is stolen, Pack Lombardo are going to report finding it burnt out behind their building. By the time that call is made, you will be apparently using one of our omega cottages in a heat lock down, which will give us at least four days to get as far as fucking possible from here. A heat lock down overrides any fucking government raid or visit. We’ll be stationing armed alphas around the cottage just in case they want to check.”
Of course, the second he finishes talking, Luke walks off without a backwards glance, making me wonder if Gabriel has access to a video feed of us. Either way, the lights in the large space where we’re parked switch over to standby and the door to the surgery is shut behind his retreating form. My eyes flick back to Valak and Noah, who stand statue still in the dim light.
“We?” I ask.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Well, let’s for the sake of it not being obvious, why don’t you keep telling me this big plan of yours.”
“I am so glad you are on the same page as me. Okay, so another alpha is about to arrive. He’s an important part of this because he’s surprisingly good at dealing with getting away from prying eyes. He also has some of the best security available around his little hideaway, so it serves a purpose.”
“So, you want me to run off into the sunset with three alphas I have never met and feel okay about it?”
“Fuck no, babes.”
“Good. At least we’re on the same page now.”
“Because it’s going to be four. I’m leaving now and joining you.”
“Seriously?”
“Come on, I’m the tech and all-round funny guy, of course I’m coming.”
I know I’m trapped in a sense, but also know I need help at least until I am better.
“They need to make it look real if they burn my car.”
“Why?”
“Then I can claim the insurance. Are you sure you’ve thought of everything?” I tease him.
“It’s a Jeep.”
“Yeah, but it’s got bullet proof glass, bomb proof plates underneath, and a V12 multi-fuel engine.”
It’s a bit of a mic drop moment until he cracks up laughing.
“Seriously? That’s the detail that security enthusiasts cream their jocks over. Multi-fuel engines are not past the prototype stage.”
I groan in agreement. “Maybe you don’t know the same people I know. Are you sure we can’t take my Jeep, and someone just steals a regular one to torch? It would be easier and less messy.”
“Really?”
