Page 22 of Cause Of Death

Good sigma.

Uneven footsteps crunch over the rubble-littered ground, Disa’s melodic voice carrying on the air as she encourages the man draped over her shoulders to take one step, then another.

What the ever-loving FUCK? What’s wrong with him?

Steve steps forward to take on the burden of assisting the other guy, and I stride back to the driver’s door and get in. A couple of minutes later, Disa is dressed and sitting next to me, her target—or is he now her hostage?—slumped next to Steve, and I haul ass out of there.

I wasn’t lying when I told Disa we were being watched. The neighbors hadn’t noticed when those who had abducted her and Prince had first arrived, but as we’d neared the coordinates she’d given to Leslie, my powers had kicked in.

While traffic isn’t unusual to see on this road during daylight hours, it becomes quite sparse once the sun sets. The empty ruins are located on private property, and there is no reason for anyone to trespass unless they’re up to no good. The moment I turned down the drive the neighbors noticed, and if we aren’t out of there in the next two minutes, we’ll end up being denied an exit thanks to a double-barrel shotgun.

I only slow enough so that I don’t roll the Suburban as I tear out of the drive and onto the road that will take us to the highway. I blast past the beat-up old pickup that pulls up to a stop at the entrance of the property next door. The tension in my shoulders leeches away slowly as they turn and head toward the derelict cluster of buildings in my rear-view mirror instead of following our SUV.

I tap into my ability for a moment, seeking out any indication that we’re still in danger, but nothing of import flares up. Nevertheless, we’ll stop in an hour or so and switch out the plates, just in case. But before we can do that, I need to knowwhat the fuckis going on.

“Talk, Disa. And don’t you dare think of leaving anything out. You’re in deep enough shit with me as it is,” I growl, a twinge of guilt poking me as the woman I’ve adored for most of my life sighs in response. I can’t help it, though. She’s under my protection, has been since before she could walk. She’s pack, and not just that, she’smine. I’ll wait for her for as long as she needs, but she’s always held my heart—and my balls—in her slender, delicate hands.

I glance over to where Disa sits in the passenger seat next to me, about to prod her to talk, when she opens her mouth. The words that pour from her lips are devastating.

In less than half an hour, she decimates any confidence I have about emerging from this contract unscathed.

Kieran Prince isn’t just a victim.

Kieran Prince is an omega.

And he’s being hunted.

An hourinto the journey to the safe house in Redding, I pull into a gas station and park in a dark corner, out of range of the lights and cameras. While the others stretch their legs and use the facilities, I use the time to switch license plates, just to cover our asses further. My ability is currently dormant, no niggle or indication that anything is awry, but I don’t want to risk it.

Kieran is still in the car, passed out on the back seat. Steve did his best to patch him up, and I thank my lucky stars that my alpha tendencies make me pedantic over having a well-stocked and up-to-date med-kit on hand. While it doesn’t contain a saline drip, itdoeshave some pretty hardcore antibiotics in both oral and intravenous delivery. The omega’s color has somewhat improved since we shoved him into the back of the SUV, but it’s still not great.

However, it’s not Kieran’s color that has my gut clenching with worry. No, that’s reserved for the sucker-punch that Disa delivered at the end of her report.

Kieran’s abduction wasn’t an assassination attempt, nor has it been for ransom.

He’s been sold.

The gasp Kimmy had emitted when Disa sharedthatjuicy little snippet told me that she—and possibly Leslie—had discovered something during their own forays into the depraved depths of society where the degenerates lurked. It’s something we all need to discuss, but doing so while driving is not the best time or place. It will have to wait until we arrive at the house in Redding.

Task done, I hop back into the driver’s seat and head over to one of the pumps. It takes less than a minute for me to line up to the correct pump, open up the gas cap, and insert the nozzle. I don’tneedto pump any gas, but I’d prefer to have the tank as full as possible, at all times.

“So, what’s the plan, Hen?” Steve asks as he strolls up to me. I glance around, noticing Leslie inside at the register paying for a mountain of snacks, and then pointing to where I’m standing. They must be covering the cost of it all with one of their fake IDs.

“The plan is to get to Redding as fast as possible, get the omega set up somewhere he’ll feel safe while we make sure he’s on the mend, and then figure out what the fuck we’re up against.” I growl back, frustration bleeding into my tone.

“And this other alpha Disa was telling us about? The one that Kieran was asking after? You know as well as I do that he’s not just going to sit back and wait for us to drop Kieran back in his lap. The moment he’s able to, he’ll be on the hunt for us. I’m confident in Leslie’s and Kimmy’s abilities to keep us flying under the radar, but?—”

“I get it, Steve. Trust me, Igetit,” I butt in, fighting to manage my temper as everything else seems to spiral out of control. “I’ll talk to Disa about him tonight, get her impressions on whether he could be part of the problem, or if he’s trustworthy. I’ll also have a chat with Kieran once he’s awake and cognizant. But until then? We get to Redding, make sure we’re secure, and then get some sleep.That’smy current plan. I’m tired, and nothing good ever comes from making snap judgments or decisions when a person isn’t firing on all cylinders.”

The gas nozzle clicks off, punctuating my speech with perfect timing. By the time I’ve got it hooked back onto the pump and the gas cap refitted, Leslie is ushering both Kimmy and Disa back to the Suburban. Once everyone’s situated in their seats, Ido one last inspection lap before settling myself back into the driver’s seat. I’m exhausted, both physically and mentally, so most of my actions are automatic and based on muscle memory. We’re still a couple of hours away from our end point. Even then, I won’t have the opportunity to collapse in a heap until I’ve got everyone and everything inside and squared away.

A meaty hand slaps down on my shoulder before I’m able to release the handbrake, making me pause.

“Hen, I’m gonna grab some shut-eye. That way I’ll be refreshed enough to take over once we hit Redding, and you can get some rest. You might be the alpha of this unofficial pack, but you have me, Les, and Kimmy as your betas. Fuck, even though the short-stack over there’s an omega, youknowshe’s ready and willing to put the work in, to help share the load.You don’t have to shoulder the burden of responsibility alone, man. Let us help. After all, that’s what family does for one another, amiright?”

I nod, sending a tired smile back to my pack—myfamily—watching in the rear-view mirror.

I’m not in the army any longer, the buck doesn’t have to stop with me.

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