The muscles in his face relaxed as he revved the engine and pulled out onto the street. Traffic was relatively light for lunchtime. I yawned. The leather headrest was soft against my scalp as I leaned back and eyed Black and Brew on the corner.
“Can we stop at the coffee shop on the way there?”
“Aye.”
After putting the car in park, Torin opened my door. I shielded my eyes from the sun, watching as he tapped the gun hidden under his jacket. A bright blue head of hair floated behind the counter as the barista bounced between four different things.
Torin leaned against the wall by the entrance, eyes scanning as I placed my order. I slid the black AMEX Kaelen had given me through the card reader, and picked up my cold brew from the other side.
I shoved the drink into Torin’s hands, snorting at his bemused expression.
“No, thanks,” he mumbled.
“I wasn’t offering. Hold that for me while I go to the bathroom.”
Torin followed close behind me, standing outside the door as my palm pressed against the plywood door.
“Seriously? You’re going to stand out here while I pee?”
“Yes,” Torin said, his Scottish brogue slipping through his gruff tone. “Be thankful Kaelen doesn’t make me go inside with you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Have fun. I’ll be back in a second.”
The first toilet was empty in the small two-stall bathroom. I sat down, admiring the pretty pair of flats in the stall beside mine. My nostrils flared, surprised by the strong alpha scent filling the space. Female alphas were rare, and the other woman in the room with me smelled distinctly of lavender and freshly mown grass.
After I finished, I went to the sink to wash my hands. The tall, tanned alpha came up beside me.
“Hi,” I said.
When she didn’t return the gesture, I shrugged, ripping off a paper towel and drying my hands.
An arm wrapped around my chest, dragging me backwards. I flailed, fighting to no avail.
“You are sweet. No wonder he wants you. Now hush.”
Her honeyed voice chilled me. A thick cloth soaked with something covered my mouth, muffling my screams. I yelled again, calling out for Torin, but no sound came. I kicked and clawed at the arm holding me until my nails were bloody.
My vision blurred, all the colors clouded in the brightly lit room. My omega cried out. We needed our alpha. I never got to tell him. He needed to know I loved him. My thoughts muddled as my limbs turned heavy.
Everything went black.
Thirty-Two
KAELEN
The hair on my nape stood on end while I fidgeted. I didn’t fidget. Something was wrong and I didn’t know what.
I scrubbed my hand over my brow, rereading the text from Liam for the third time.
William Sterling knew the suppressants weren’t working. Liam tapped a phone call that morning from the senator’s phone to his crooked doctor, rambling about Isabelle’s scent returning, and how bright and energetic she was.
Liam asked if he should take Isabelle now. I said no. It was too risky to kidnap a sitting senator’s wife. It would be a shitestorm and draw too much attention. When we took Isabelle, it had to be at the same time we were ready to deal with William.
While my wife had given me permission, I had to ensure Isabelle’s health and safety first. According to Sweeney, she needed more time for the hormones to clear her system, making it safer tosever the bond with Sterling.
Instead, I told Liam to intercept the new shipment of suppressants and replace them with placebos.
I tossed my phone onto the desk and rolled my shoulders. A wave of Willow’s sweet scent wafted off my shirt collar. I groaned, my eyes closing as the honeyed morning rain soothed whatever uneasiness prickled beneath my skin.
