To my surprise, Phantom places down his mug. He picks up his pistol, tucking it into his waistband, before he prowls toward me.
He stands in front of Bird and me. Then he taps his own chest, before gesturing at Bird.
Joker leans against the wall. “In case it’s not clear enough, that was Phantom vouching for his apprentice.”
Bird glows, puffing out his chest.
Phantom lifts his chin and meets my eye.
He is the Chief Alpha but he’s still checking in with me. Bird is both our Omega. Phantom respects my opinion, despite him having been a Commander in the SEALs. But then, I have experience in a mafia family, which I hope Phantom never learns about in detail.
An assassin has skills.
“Okay,” I agree. “We have spent weeks planning the mission at the Facility. If we survive tonight, then we can finally complete all our missions and be free.”
“I’m the bait anyway.” Joker attempts to sound unaffected, crossing his arms. Yet I can sense how troubled he is through the bond. “Viper will be focused on biting and forcing her own bond onto me.”
Phantom and I growl at the same time.
Joker raises his hand to cover our bond bites protectively. “Reaper will try to kill the rest of you, but their weakness is Viper. She’ll be distracted by trying to injure me enough to kidnap me. That’s our chance.”
Phantom snarls, turning to Joker.
Joker’s eyes widen in alarm, as Phantom marches to him and cages him against the wall. He towers over him, shaking his head.
I know how he feels.
I hate the plan.
I hate that Joker has seen himself as nothing more than bait, a lure, and a honeypot for years.
Yet for one more time, we need to pull off this trick.
One final time.
Phantom reaches into his coat pocket and pulls out a piece of neatly folded sketching paper.
“What’s this?” Joker unfolds the textured paper. “More plans? Instructions, Skipper?”
Phantom signs:Read.
He moves back, allowing the smaller Beta more space.
Phantom’s intoxicating, spicy scent of rum becomes stronger, mixing with the smoky scent of the open fire.
Joker clears his throat, before he reads, “You are my soulmate in every way.” Then he breaks off in shock. “Is this…? Do you want me to read it out loud…?”
Phantom gives a sharp nod.
I grin, while hardly daring to breathe.
This is the love confession that I told Phantom to write.
I hoped that Phantom had the bravery to put the words down like this. I didn’t know that he could. And not that he would want it to be public to the pack.
I know how hard this is for him. Yet because it’s what Joker needs, he has done it.
This is why I both understand and love Phantom.
