Page 14 of Psycho Alphas: Part One

“Some of our employees were… invested,” Patrick said. “Maverick had a lot of enemies, and… admirers. She’s a stubbornone, though. Gave us nothing…” He trailed off with a nervous chuckle as I met his eyes at last.

“I don’t expect an Omega I buy to be tainted by others.”

Patrick’s face drained of colour, his lips thinning as his smile became tight. “My apologies. Is there anything I can do to amend the situation?”

“Whomarked her?”

Patrick’s eyes slid to the side as he adjusted his cuff uncomfortably, looking straight at one of the bouncers at his side. Taking a risk and dropping my hold on the thin chain that marked ownership of my new, ever so delightful little doll, I beckoned him.

“It was a mistake, sir,” the bouncer stammered, eyes darting to Patrick for help that he wouldn’t see, not in the face of a five-million-dollar client.

I said nothing, waiting patiently.

He would crack, hoping for mercy if he was deferent enough; I’d dealt with enough money-blinded fucks like this in my life to be sure.

Predictably, he took a step forward, and I looked down at his clammy hands. Which one had touched her?

Had he done more than bruise her?

As I dragged up what I knew of Ace and Thistle Maverick, I realised, as far as rumour went, the only Alphas who had ever put their hands on her were all dead. She’d had two other scent matches in Ace Maverick’s pack, but they’d been killed, which saved me a few violent visits.

I wouldn’t risk the trend here.

“Your watch,” I said quietly.

He looked down at his wrist, relief flooding his expression, and he was undoing the silver band in seconds. I took it, turning it and clipping it shut again before slipping it aroundmy knuckles to examine it. I shifted half a step back, hearing his exhale as he opened his mouth to say something.

He never got to, because I slammed my fist (and his watch) straight into his face. I heard a crack, and he dropped in an instant. I seized his hair and brought my knee up to his nose to another dull crack and a groan of pain.

The trip I’d made with Rogue earlier, it hadn’t been enough, and the world bled red. Only this time, my instincts were fuelled by the lingering scent of frosted moonflower as I dropped onto his chest.

This was only the beginning.

Blood sprayed everywhere, the watch re-opening the wounds on my knuckles as I let the fury burn itself out, fist smashing into his face over and over.

By the time I staggered to my feet, there wasn’t anything recognisable about the Alpha, shivering and groaning on the concrete.

An Alpha who had touched what was mine.

I exhaled, calm washing in faster with her scent on the breeze. Then I tugged the gun from my side, cocked it, and put a bullet in his thigh.

His screech of agony was a shot of adrenaline in my veins.

I’d meant to go straight for the head, but something held me back. The little thrum of rage that he’d touched her was shockingly powerful for a toy I’d claimed only minutes before, but this thrill was a rush like I’d never felt.

I rolled my shoulders, taking a breath, then felt the faintest brush on my hand. The one unmarred.

My gaze locked with violet eyes, and she was looking up at me with bottomless curiosity and… hope?

I don’t know what guided me, but Iknewwhat she wanted. Without even considering it, I flipped the gun and held it to her.

It was a risk, but I was one who liked playing the odds. I’d seen how she’d fought on that stage, how she’d snarled at her guards as the scent match locked in, and I don’t think she would evenconsiderkilling me.

Her eyes dropped to it, lips parted for a long second before her face broke out in the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.

When the gun was in her hands, however, she paused. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the auctioneer tense, his dull liquorice scent spiking in fear. Thistle’s eyes slid to him too. Then she glanced back at me, as if hedging her bets—and I swear I saw a flash of rebellion in them. I hoped I had, because I would have a lot of fun with discipline if she believed she had an ounce of wiggle room with me. My mind was already spinning a thousand plans for that perfect little body of hers.

But then she put a bullet in the bleeding Alpha’s skull with barely a glance his way.

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