Page 32 of Captive Omega

“She needed it to feel safe,” Vaughn interrupts.

“Putting a weapon into her hands could end badly.” Sadie frowns.

“You think she’ll hurt herself?” I try to read Sadie’s expression. It’s that or charge into Resa’s room to confirm she’s okay.

And I want to. But this isn’t about what I want. It’s about what Resa needs, and right now, she needs space to heal and time to recover.

Biology counts for a lot. More than I wish it did. She smells like mine, and I can’t hold back forever when I’m an alpha and she’s my omega. I don’t just want to knot her; I need to.

When I look at Blaine, he’s staring at the door, hands stuffed in his pocket, nose lifted as if he’s still trying to inhale her sweet peach omega pheromones. He has his reasons for wanting to keep away from people, but even he’s falling prey to those same urges.

“It’s a possibility,” Sadie says thoughtfully.

Night or day, she has often dropped what she’s doing, left the private clinic she works at with her father, and come running. Tonight has been no exception.

Lucas Security isn’t what it is because of my talents. Everyone I hired has a skill that helped make it what it is. Sadie is an intelligent, quick-thinking, and understanding doctor who can provide additional insight I would be a fool to turn down.

“Involve her,” Sadie says.

“What?” Blaine, as usual, is standing as far away as he can from Sadie. The greater the distance, the less chance of her accidentally brushing up against him when she leaves, and we all know not to touch Blaine.

“She doesn’t believe you’re the good guys here, so she needs to see you at work,” Sadie says.

I frown. “Our work is confidential.”

Seeing my frown, Sadie continues. “Maybe there’s something she can do to help. If she can see you’re not a threat to her, maybe?—”

“She will start to trust us,” Vaughn interrupts.

She nods. “But she’s been through a lot. You need to watch out for shock.”

Vaughn walks to the door and knocks.

Silence.

“Resa? Is there anything you need?” he calls out.

Nothing.

I study the white wood. “She wouldn’t leave, would she?”

In the silence that follows, it’s far too easy to picture Resa climbing out of the window.

Just as Vaughn reaches for the handle, a shower starts up.

The timing of it is… suspicious.

“Why don’t I think she’s showering in there?” Vaughn cocks his head as he scrutinizes the door.

“She wants us to leave her alone.” It’s not a surprise Blaine is voicing that thought.

“And if she’s in shock and needs help?” Vaughn asks, poised to open. Wanting to help.

“She needs space, Vaughn. Back off,” Blaine snaps.

I lost count of how many hours they would spend sparring in the gym. Bruises, sprains, and black eyes never stopped them for long. They’d laugh, pick themselves up from the mat and carry on. Now it’s tension or silence. It’s hard to believe they used to be so close.

Vaughn lowers his gaze as he retreats from Resa’s door. “Okay, fine.”

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