Page 44 of Claimed By the Boss

My heart pounds as Tony picks up the syringe, drowning out any hope I had left. Ringing fills my ears, and darkness threatens to swallow me whole.

“I’d prefer you not do that, Tony. Forced Heat is dangerous to Omegas.”

Backlit by the sunlight spilling across the floor behind him, Nolan looks like an angel walking into my hell.

Am I hallucinating? Did I miss the sting of drugs? Am I already lost to the fever? Is this my mind’s way of keeping me safe from what’s about to happen?

Then Nolan’s beautiful voice knocks me back to reality. “Don’t make me repeat myself. Drop the syringe, Tony.”

Tony spins around, the syringe raised in threat as he stares at his boss. “What the fuck? How did you get here?”

“I’ve been having you followed for months.” Nolan tsks with disappointment. “You’re too unaware of your surroundings to succeed in this business.”

Gino darts behind me, a revolver appearing in his hand that he presses against my temple. “Stay back!”

Nolan ignores him, his green eyes meeting mine as if we’re the only ones in the room. “You promised not to run away again, Leo.”

“I’m so sorry,” I sob, unable to rein in my emotions now that Nolan is here. “I never meant for this to happen.”

“You have some explaining to do once we get you out of here.” His focus shifts to Gino, and his expression turns cold. “Let him go.”

Authority snaps in his tone, but as Betas, Gino and Tony remain unaffected by his Alpha Command.

Gino lets out a scoffing laugh. “You Alphas always think you’re top of the food chain, but you can’t do shit to us.”

“That’s right.” Tony waves the syringe toward me in threat. “Whereas a whiff of this bitch in Heat would bring you to your knees.”

Shivers of fear go through me. Nolan’s putting himself in danger, and I don’t know if he can take on both Tony and Gino.

“You’re not the one calling the shots here, Rockford.” The revolver shoves harder against my temple. “The only way you’re walking out of here with Leo is if you deliver a suitcase of cold, hard cash to us.”

“Twenty million dollars, Rockford.” Tony puffs out his chest. “That’s what it’s gonna cost you to keep your precious Omega alive.”

My heart leaps into my throat as fear courses through me, followed by crushing guilt. There’s no reason for Nolan to give up so much for me when I’m not even carrying his child.

“Nolan, just go,” I plead, my voice barely audible. “I’m not pregnant, so I’m not worth that kind of investment.”

Gino yanks on my hair hard. “Shut up, bitch!”

Nolan’s fierce eyes remain locked on me. “Who do you belong to, Leo?”

“You,” I whisper.

“And I protect what’s mine.” The conviction behind his words pushes back my despair.

“That’s all very sweet, but confessions of love aren’t going to cut it.” Gino points the revolver at Nolan. “You have two hours to bring us the money, or you’ll be burying the Omega.”

“I have a counteroffer.” Nolan lifts a finger.

The window shatters, followed by a sharp crack that echoes in the warehouse. Gino screams, and the weapon clatters to the ground. He stumbles back, clutching his shoulder where blood gushes out.

As Nolan rushes forward, he pulls a gun from inside his jacket, firing at Tony.

The other man dives to the side, and the bullet misses as he scrambles behind a stack of crates.

Nolan shoots Gino again, this time in the head, and brains splatter over the concrete. Dropping beside me, he yanks a knife from his pocket and slices through the ropes that still bind me.

Eyes fixed on Gino’s still body, I remain frozen in shock. No more torment and fear of scraping together enough money to pay him. No more choosing between food or being beaten. No more flinching every time someone knocks on my door.

---