Page 210 of Fallen Omega

I smile. “See? I candestroyyou. Happily.”

Candy’s eyes narrow. “I know, courtesy of Ghost, where many of your bodies are buried. I have you cornered, too.”

Oh, I’m sure she does know some of our crimes because that’s something Ghost would do, but I don’t care. What we have on her is far more damning, especially for a woman running the fucking Council.

“So? Try it,” I say, “But if you double cross us, we will act. It’s mutual destruction or mutual salvation. If I were you, I’d pick the latter.”

The woman’s cockiness disappears, and she looks like she wants to strangle me.

“I think in chess it’s called stalemate?” I ask.

It’s clear she’s clinging. There has to be more to this, I know it, but Candy’s smart. She’ll work it out and leave us be. More importantly, leave her daughter the fuck alone.

She doesn’t want the full wrath of the Unholy Trinity. And she doesn’t want to be on Reaper’s radar.

Finally, she says, “I need the Hover Valley region. That’s why I sweetened the deal with the next in line. Craig is expecting a woman.”

I shrug. “Get him one. We leave each other alone. Do your job and find someone else for that region. You’re an alpha, strong, and there are plenty who’d want the role and be loyal. Liz isn’t. She’s a handful.” I hold out my hand. “Do we have a deal?”

Chapter

Forty-Two

Lizette

It’s late, and I sit at the bar downstairs, numb.

One, Knight used his voice on me to keep me still and silent.

Two, I hate Candice.

She’s gone. The woman who gave birth to me—she’s no mother—is gone and a hand delivered contract was delivered. An NDA, apparently, where everything that happened officially never did and we don’t talk about it.

Their lawyer, who’s name I’ve forgotten, a handsome shark in a suit, came and went and said it’s all airtight. Susan and the other girls the Unholy Trinity saved are a long way from here and now have a life of their choosing to live, because of… Trenton? Trevor?

It doesn’t matter, I guess. I just…

I don’t know.

I should be happy, except how can I be when Dad would be here, now, with me, if it wasn’t for that woman?

A hand comes over mine and a drink appears. I look up and Darcy smiles at me, the friendliest I’ve seen her. It’s like herguard’s gone. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve been marked now by the alphas of the pack, or if it’s because she helped me shower and clean up after Jake tried to kill me a lifetime ago, or if it’s because she feels sorry for me.

“Why did she kill Dad?” I ask rhetorically.

Darcy shrugs and picks up her drink. “Why do fuckwads do anything? But from what I know, I’m guessing because your father took you.”

“He said she died. He said his name was different.” I shake my head, hand clenching on the bar. “Why?—”

“That wasn’t a maternal creature, and I know your father loved you, raised you in his protection. I know, because you’re here. And strong, brave, real. Trust me, it’d take someone special to take on those three.” Darcy smiles. “Whatever the reasons, it was love, to protect you, and she’s the type to tie up loose ends unless she’s caught like what the Trinity did. And she’s the type for revenge.”

“What’s to stop her coming after you all?”

“Us. She wouldn’t fucking dare. Your father was a visionary…I know the name, his real one, heard it, because he didn’t believe in structure put in place to control people.” She looks over as Julien passes by. “I don’t, either.”

“Thank you for that, Darcy.”

“It was the truth. Drink up.” She leans forward. “You wear every expression on your face and you’re looking at me like you’re my latest pity project. I don’t have those. Maybe I like you, kid. Ever think of that?”

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