“Do you confirm receipt of the product?” Beta Janice finally asked, in a more detached, professional tone.
“I sure do.” The male Beta tucked the tablet under his arm, shoving his hands into his pockets and rocking back and forth.
“You know the proper response, Darryl,” The stern lipped leader of the white-clad quartet snapped.
“Always a stickler for protocol, sweet Janice. It’s why we’d never have worked out.” The man grinned, obviously amused.
“Do you confirm receipt of the product?” She asked again, growing anger blooming in her words.
“Product receipt confirmed,” Darryl said lazily before giving her a wink.
“Thank you,” she said tersely. “Here is her information packet, only to be provided post take off.”
“Per usual,” Darryl took it from her.
“Yes, per usual. However, also per usual, you refuse to follow the most basic hand-off protocol. Forgive me if I do not trust you to remember other regulations.” Beta Janice pursed her lips and seemed like she was done lecturing, but then her gaze flicked over to the other man in black. “You do realize that smoking around the product is a serious breach of conduct, Mitch.”
“Aww, now. You know I’d never. I’m trying to quit actually.” The one named Mitch lifted his hand, the cuff of his jacket slipping down to reveal a white square on his inner wrist. “Even trying the patch.”
“Yes, well. If I discover you have smoked on duty, I will have you summarily dismissed.” Janice sniffed in irritation before turning heel and marching away. After a moment’s delay, and obvious confusion at their leader’s sudden retreat, the other three followed. I stood there stupidly. The man in the security booth had turned around to prop his feet up on a desk and watch a small, very old television. He’d done his job, and he didn’t care to be involved further.
Josie and I were at the mercy of the two new arrivals.
The stroller had been left next to me, within arm’s reach. Josie was still napping inside. I wondered for a moment if the cat treats that they’d placed in the stroller had been something more nefarious. I could see her breathing though; she was alive, just deeply asleep. I reached for the curved handle, ready to take over the job of pushing, but the man named Darryl stopped me.
“Can’t have you doing that, Miss. Your only job is to remain absolutely perfect. Mitch, grab the stroller.” He talked, and walked, like an old-time cowboy from a low budget western. I wondered if it was real, or a personality he put on for public consumption.
“Ye-haw,” Mitch said jokingly, striding over. He began pushing the stroller away from us. At the sight of the widening gap between me and Josie, I began moving too, nearly tripping over the long cloak. When I regained my footing, I tried to act more dignified. The cape billowed around me, and the sheer material over my face created the illusion that entire world was resplendent. That felt wrong. The obsidian elevator, replete with shadows, seemed like a better fit.
When we were all at the limo, Darryl opened the back passenger door to reveal a luxurious inside complete with mini fridge. Mitch unfastened the cat dome from the stroller base and disappeared into the back of the vehicle. My heart raced a little. It was the first time, in practically our entire time together, that Josie was out of sight. I hurried inside, struggling and tripping over the stupid hooded shroud. The pet carrier was securely buckled into one of the seats, and its occupant was still peacefully dozing. They had to have given her a sedative. This wasn’t like Josie. I wanted to be angry, but if whatever they’d dosed her with washarmless, maybe it was a blessing. She didn’t have to be awake and afraid. Hell, I was scared enough for two.
The limo door closed behind me, and the sound of the door slamming into place seemed like the last nail in my coffin. The two men got into the front seats, Darryl in the driver’s side, and the limo rumbled to life. Seconds later, Darryl slapped the dash.
“Let’s get this show pony on the road!”
My mouth popped open to correct the saying, but then I snapped it closed again. I think he was callingmethe show pony. I wasn’t sure that was better than being called a product.
The limousine glided through the underground garage and up a ramp toward the exit. I watched the concrete walls give way to daylight, squinting as brightness filtered through my sparkly veil. I had to close my eyes as anxiety washed over me. When I reopened them, the Seattle skyline appeared briefly before it melted away as the limo merged onto the highway. I turned around, trying to peer through the tinted back window. The space needle bloomed between buildings. It grew ever smaller as the distance lengthened. The only city, and the only life I’d ever known, was disappearing behind me.
"First time in a limo, sweet thing?" Darryl called back, his eyes meeting mine in the rearview mirror.
I didn't answer.What was the point?I’d been in plenty of limos, but that was none of his fucking business. God, I’d been part of the Fortune Pack. These idiots would have fallen over themselves to please my father if he was still alive. I guess that was one thing Beta Loves to be a Dick had right—who I used to be didn’t matter anymore. No one cared. The only thing that mattered now was surviving. Not that it was a new concept for me. I’d spent the last twenty months fighting tooth and nail to live. But I was entering a new arena, facing new challenges.Who the hell was the client? What would they expect from me? Would they… God… Would they want pups immediately?
"Cat got your tongue?" Mitch chuckled at his own joke, turning slightly in the passenger seat. "Get it? Because you have a?—"
"I get it," I cuthim off. "Hilarious."
The two men exchanged glances before Darryl shrugged. "Suit yourself. We've got about thirty minutes to the airfield. You can sit back there and wallow in self-pity if that’s your poison.”
The partition between the front and the back raised slowly. A heartbeat later, the faintest sound of music came to life and then the two men sharing a laugh.
I leaned back against the seat, slinging my arm over the cat carrier for comfort and closing my eyes.
The limo was allowedto drive onto the airfield and park right next to an idling private plane.
Like back at The Eros Institute, Darryl and Mitch—who’d basically ignored me after they’d raised the limo’s privacy window—engaged in another hand-over protocol with the pilot, co-pilot, and solo flight attendant. Paperwork. Signatures proving the ‘product’ had arrived in tact to the plane. Everyone covering their own asses.
The pilot and co-pilot were Alphas. One smelled like diesel and damp soil, making my own Omega scent recoil, while the other smelled like fresh cut grass and cold beer. Though better, that scent wasn’t enough to tempt my senses either. The flight attendant, a pretty girl with shoulder-length brown hair and endless freckles, helped carry Josie in the carrier onto the plane. Darryl and Mitch—hoisting the base of the stroller—stayed close behind me as I ascended the steps, as if they were afraid that I’d bolt. Not sure where they thought I’d run to; every direction only offered wide open space with zero hiding places. Just endless runways and tall fences topped with razor wire.
