Page 114 of Candy & Her Saints

The center’s methods can break an Alpha as thoroughly as the methods used against Ghost.

I hate that the rumors are true.

I wish with everything in me that they weren’t.

It explains where Thomas has been for months and why he was missing, when Ghost was first brought to the Saint pack.

I stare at Thomas, reading shame now in the bond, as well as his reddened cheeks.

He has nothing to be ashamed about.

I’m fucking proud that he stood up for his twin Omega sister. I also understand why there’s such deep-seated pain through our fate bond.

He’s been taught in the Alpha Center that he’s a bad Alpha.

I’m going to kill his dad.

Next to me, Lincoln is struggling not to growl.

“Loyalty has to be earned,” Raylan says. “I don’t give special treatment to anyone, including my son. You’ll continue to live in the Saint Cage, until I can trust you again. Richard will shadow you because I can trust him. He’s a good Alpha. He’s strong and obedient. If he wants to inspect your house, strip search you, bloody do any sample test he likes, then you’ll let him. This is like parole.”

“It is.”

“Is that attitude again?” Raylan’s voice becomes soft and dangerous. “You’re lucky that Ghost and you are alive. You’re not stupid enough not to realize that.”

Slowly, Thomas lowers the phone from his ear, switching it off, then he sharply pushes himself out of bed. “I need to get to work.”

Distressed, I hold my hand out to him. “Tom…”

When Thomas glances over his shoulder, I’m taken by surprise at the dark gleam in his eye. “By the way, I lied to Dad. I do that rather a lot. This stupid Alpha is playing a game, and I’ve always been competitive. I’m going to win. When I was young, I often broke my superhero toys by allowing the villains to over enthusiastically win their battles. Now, I’m that villain, at least, in society’s eyes.”

“What do you mean?” I whisper.

Thomas adjusts his cufflinks. He looks tall and imposing in his suit like a gorgeous model. He’s energized again, despite the shadows underneath his eyes.

When he marches to the drapes and drags them back, the dawn’s light glints off the copper in his hair, making it appear as if he’s on fire

He looks otherworldly, but I don’t know whether he appears more demonic or angelic.

“The Dough Knot won’t collapse financially,” Thomas drawls, “because a secret anonymous investor from an untraceable account last night paid them enough for them to keep going for the rest of the year. Hmm, I wonder who that could be…? Then you’re going to win the Haven Food Festival. How? Because you’re the best and because I’m the smartest manipulator and schemer in the state. So, this is our fight back against our families. Are you in?”

I’m grinning, cheering, and hugging Lincoln at the same time.

Thomas (or the anonymous investor who is definitely Thomas), has just saved Vito and me.

Again.

“Yes!” Lincoln and I tumble out of bed, twirling each other around in excitement.

Thomas’ icy smile should frighten me, but instead, it makes me wet because it’s seriously hot. “This week, we should get to know each other. Also, cherish and love the hell out of each other. No one can take that away. Then behind the scenes, we plot. Oh, and take cheese for Sugar, when you visit Ghost. They both adore that treat. Ghost has been scheming with me from the start. It’s his plan to work out a way to use his situation to help every defective Rej Omega be free and not only himself. So, win over the cat to win the Omega.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Saint Cage, Haven

Istand outside the iron door of the basement.

My stomach feels squirmy with both excitement and nerves.

---