“We do not,” I reply. “There’s no ‘vibe’ for dick cuddles.”
“Umm. That’s too much information. Less is more, man,” Olsson says, heading back into the gym.
I’ve never understood that saying. I’m way too extra for that shit.
Turning toward Sky as he makes his way to me, I tell him what I know.
“Our omega is in heat,” I say softly.
His scent grows slightly burned, the only indication he heard me.
“Coach received a text from Koen two hours ago,” he says. “It backs up what you just said. His omega designation apparently allows him to take time off without filling out paperwork beforehand. His heats have their own timetable. However, Coach says he loosely tracks Koen’s heats for his own peace of mind.”
“He’s not the only one,” I sigh. “Let’s get out of here, and I’ll explain.”
The hockey center is as cold as it is outside sometimes, and that’s definitely true today. My cheeks burn as the icy wind whips around us as we walk to the Jeep, allowing me to update Skylar on my conversation with Olsson. The sky is a bright white color I am starting to recognize as a sign of snow.
We’re going to get stuck looking for Koen in a snowstorm if we don’t find him soon.
“Our omega has a lot of people who watch out for him,” Sky says. “I also ran into Edna and she said she already filed any necessary paperwork needed. That’s why Koen simply calls the coach when he knows he’s going into heat. The team fills in the gaps for him so he won’t have to worry. I wish Koen realized he’s less alone than he thinks.”
Sliding his phone out of his pocket, he shrugs. “I tried to do this the normal way, but I’m not fucking normal, am I?”
I shake my head as we get into our vehicle, and he places the phone on the mount so he’s hands free. I appreciate the way he safeguards both of us, even if he’s still parked. Depending on the information Fishman has for us, I know that could change at a moment’s notice.
I worry as I watch the frown lines ruining the smoothness of his face, entranced while he places a call to our usual fixer.
It still amuses me how we have someone like Fishman on our payroll, yet it's a necessity. He keeps our asses both out of jail and out of the press. The media would have a field day if they knew half the shit we get up to. Our sins definitely have been increasing since meeting Koen Jeffries, though it’s not entirely his fault.
I’m willing to burn the world down for my omega, and I know Skylar feels the exact same way.
“Hey, Ryder,” Sky says once the vehicle’s heat kicks on. “I have a job for you.”
“Who died, and do you need new toys to kill people with?” Fishman asks. “You never call me Ryder. This shit is serious.”
“Well, I had to get your attention,” Skylar admits. “Koen is in heat and has disappeared. He told our coach but not us. I don’t have anything to go on now that his apartment is gone.”
“Are we ignoring the fact that he’s running from you?” Fishman snorts in amusement.
My lips twitch because that’s not a real question. He’s just as fucked up as we are. I can’t wait for him to meet his scent match and find out how quickly choices get torched. I’m running on instinct and obsession, and nothing more.
“Yep,” I reply, glad the phone is on speakerphone. “You know we love a proper hunt, but only when we have a direction to run in. Hide and seek isn’t our bag.”
“Not unless we can hear our prey breathing,” Sky grunts.
“Poor omega,”Fishman mutters.“I’ll start checking the video cameras around town for his likeness.”
“Thank you,” I say, getting comfortable. There’s no use getting off the phone if he’s working on it. We can camp out in the Jeep for now.
“Yep. He’s been busy,”he says.“He went to the bank and took out a lot of cash. Someone is ready to go underground.”
“He’s been tied to the bed before,” I grumble. “Why would this be any different?”
“You’re a crazy motherfucker, and I respect it,”Fishman says under his breath. I can hear his fingers tapping over his keyboard as he tracks Koen, and my heart beats faster.
There are many types of hunts, and a digital one gets my blood pumping just as much as any other kind. Koen thinks he’s safe and he’s done all the right things. The issue is there’s no such thing as a “right thing” when your pursuers play by different rules.
Sky and I always play for keeps.
