Page 45 of Faith and Fury

Faith scowls. She scans the holding cell until Sirena steps forward, offering her the notepad.

I WOULD’VE WON.

The whole squad rumbles with laughter. When Maverick sees the message, his grin only widens. “You want a rematch, sweetheart? Name the time and place.”

I snarl. Caleb sighs. “Maverick.”

“What?” he says. “Can’t be putting that talent to waste.”

Faith’s eyes light up. I hear it, too. And I know Maverick can’t be the only one who’s thinking it.

Finally, Caleb puts the matter to a vote: all those in favor of bringing Faith on board, raise your hands.

Not one hand is left unaccounted for.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Faith

The big, idiot redhead won’t leave me alone. It’s just one question after another.

“How’d you know how to play me?”

FOUGHT SOMEONE LIKE YOU BEFORE.

“An alpha?”

NO.

“An omega, then?”

I roll my eyes.

He’s strong—I’ll give him that much. Though he’d better be, for someone built like a goddamn Viking. He’s also not scared of me, which is more than I can say for the rest of the RDF.

The head of intelligence, an alpha they call Sirena, offers me a seat next to her desk. “We’ve been keeping an eye on all the surveillance cameras in New Caniss. Especially cameras near storm drains.”

Jaxon leans over my shoulder. “Even the ringleaders need to come up for air sometime, right?”

Not as often as you’d think, I sign. Then, at their blank looks, I sigh.

I uncap my marker. ONLY DURING THE OFF SEASON.

Caleb tilts his head. “The off season?”

God, they don’t even know that much? It’s not like the ringleaders are hosting championship fights year-round. January through August, they’re mostly training us up, narrowing the fighting pool until they’ve established their strongest contenders.

I explain as much to the squad. They look baffled.

“How were they keeping the lights on?” Jaxon asks. “I mean, if the cash doesn’t start flowing in until September—”

Maverick scoffs. “Just think about how much she’s worth. That trophy money’s gotta hold them over, and then some.”

I WASN’T THE ONLY ONE, I tell them. LOTS OF OMEGAS GET SOLD OFF.

Caleb frowns. “But not the alphas.”

My heart clenches, instantly thinking of Fang. I shake my head.

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