Page 149 of Captive Omega

Garrison’s expression is calm. “I like to be prepared.”

My eyes flick to the photographs. The many, many photographs of what must be every entrance and exit to the courtroom. When I spot a map pinned to the whiteboard with potential sniper scope points, I realize this was a mistake.

They’ll get taken out by a sniper all for me to sit in the witness box and stammer my way through a speech I haven’t done nearly enough prep for.

“Resa?”

“You’ll be safe,” Vaughn assures me. “We’ve done this once or twice before.”

I don’t share his confidence. “You mean escort a woman into a courtroom to incriminate some of the most powerful alphas in the city, men who have everything to lose?”

Vaughn is in black. They all are. His expression is calm as he approaches. He lightly clasps the tops of my arms and gives me a reassuring smile. “You’ll be safe.”

It’s not me I’m worried about.

“We’ve timed our arrival for when the trial is underway. I’ve been speaking directly with the prosecutor, so no one else knows we’re coming. His assistant will meet us in the back hallway and escort us into the courtroom through a side door. No one will know you’re giving evidence until we walk you right to the witness box,” Garrison says.

“And all of that?” My eyes dip to the bag of bullet-proof vests.

“Is just how we work,” Blaine says.

I look at him, remember I still haven’t stabbed him for what is undoubtedly a stabbing offence, and turn away again. “Right.”

“Blaine will be sticking by you,” Garrison says, watching me closely. “He has more bodyguard experience than the rest of us.”

I close my eyes, muttering a curse under my breath.

The guy who creeped into my room as I slept last night will be guarding my body from potential snipers today. “Perfect. Absolutely perfect.”

As much as I wanted to take my knife, my dress has no pockets, and it felt like I was asking for trouble if I stuck it in my bra.

Sharing the Hummer’s backseat with Blaine, I ask myself what the hell I’m even doing. I’d laugh if I wasn’t terrified at the thought of speaking in front of so many people. And I still don’t know what I’m going to say.

Outside the courtroom steps, reporters mill around, cameras in their hands, ready to snap late arrivals to the courtroom, but clearly falling asleep on their feet.

As we pass the courthouse, we’re just another vehicle on the road. I spot Roman’s gray head. He’s in a black suit, and no one would think he was anything but just another observer. Garrison said they pulled Roman off another job, so for today at least, I have the entirety of Lucas Security determined to keep me safe.

We pass the front of the courtroom, and Garrison makes a lazy left around the building to the back. He parks in a spot near the back entrance, and gets out first, followed a minute later by Vaughn. After another long minute, they move to the back of the car where Vaughn opens Blaine’s door.

Blaine slides out, taking his time to sweep the quiet parking lot. “Resa.”

Looks like I’m up.

I get out, keeping my head down as Garrison instructed on the drive here. It’s my job to not attract any attention, and it’s theirs to ensure I’m invisible until they get me to the witness box.

They flow around me. It’s the weirdest feeling to be surrounded like that, to stare at your feet as three men form a tight circle around you and walk you forward.

The door closes slams shut behind me. Frost. Garrison warned me not to be alarmed when he appeared, so I’m not when he suddenly pops up. He must have been watching the parking lot before we arrived.

I couldn’t see anything even if I tried. Garrison’s shoulders are too big for that. Frost is behind. Vaughn on my left, at the walled side of the courthouse. Blaine is on my right. He’s protecting my right, the parking lot side.

I’m almost breathless as we reach the back of the courthouse and enter. Only then do I let myself breathe.

Danger averted.

Inside is safe.

The only people inside are security and ushers, I remind myself.

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