I was looking for a lifetime.
And finding a partner who could look past the blood on my hands and the daily risks I took was almost impossible. That waswhy Andro and Cord hired me to do what their omegas didn’t want them to do anymore.
Someone had to do the dirty work. And that someone was me.
Discreetly taking care of problems and making threats disappear was what I was good at. What I loved. Even if it was the very thing making me unlovable.
The bar Derek Webb frequented was a dive on the edge of town. I parked half a block away and settled in to wait. The folder was on my lap, so I flipped through the pages to review the background info, photos, and the timeline of his movements.
Andro's team was thorough, I'd give them that.
A few minutes after six, Webb emerged from the bank wearing the same glasses he had on in the photos. Honestly, he looked harmless, which was probably how he’d gotten away with murder for so long. The sick bastard preyed on omegas that didn’t perceive him as a threat until it was too late.
He walked straight into the bar across the street for his two drinks and then he'd head home. I had some time, so I reclined my seat and got comfortable.
That was the job.
Action and activity were a small portion of what I did. Most of the time I just watched and waited.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled through it with nothing in particular to do. My finger hovered over the group chat I had going with the other guards, but I didn't open it. Most of the messages were baby pics or plans for the couples to get together for playdates.
Seeing that was the last thing I needed in my already shitty mood.
As if he knew what I was thinking, Cord sent through a text.All good?
I responded with just enough to ease his mind without implicating either of us.Yep.
Forty minutes later, Webb stumbled out of the bar and headed left toward his apartment. He didn’t seem drunk, but his gait was more relaxed than it had been earlier. Good.
I waited until he was halfway down the block before I got out of the car and followed him. My footsteps were silent on the pavement, but I still kept my distance. No need to spook him yet.
With most of the shops closed for the night, it was quiet out. A few people were around, but they barely glanced my way. Still, I pulled my hood up and kept my head down as I walked.
Derek turned down an alley that cut between two buildings. It was likely a shortcut to his place, and the perfect opportunity for me. I picked up my pace, ready to capitalize on the moment and take him out.
But when I rounded the corner, the alley was empty.
I stopped mid-step and scanned the shadows, looking for his figure near the dumpsters, but there was no sign of Derek. My hand closed on the grip of my gun, and I took a slow step forward.
Then I heard a soft thud, followed by a wheeze.
Fuck! I moved toward the sound and found my target slumped against a dumpster with wide eyes and his mouth open in a silent gasp. Blood pooled beneath him as he bled out.
What the hell? Someone had beaten me to it.
The cut across his throat was clean, professional. Exactly what I planned to do. Whoever did this knew what they were doing.
I scanned the alley again because the killer couldn't have gone far. He was maybe thirty seconds ahead of me. I was about to check inside the dumpsters when I saw a flash of movement at the far end of the alley.
A small and fast person was disappearing around the corner.
Like a predator chasing prey, I took off after them without thinking. My boots pounded against the pavement, and I pushed myself harder. Whoever this was, they'd just killed my target. I needed to know who the hell they were and what they were doing in Ferrini territory.
The figure turned down another alley, and I followed. They were fast, but I was faster. Stronger. I closed the distance between us with my breath coming hard and fast.
And then I caught a scent. It was sweet and floral with an edge of something sharp. An omega. Definitely an omega.
What the hell?
