Page 29 of Absolute Devotion

Victor’s expression remains calm, though I can see the faintest flicker of tension in his jaw. “As I said, gentlemen, you can’t protect her forever. We’re simply expediting the inevitable. So, I suggest you take a breath, calm down, and wait. It’ll all be over soon.”

But I’m not waiting. I’m already rising from my seat, adrenaline pounding through my veins, every nerve in my body screaming at me to get out of here, to find Nala before it’s too late. Xylo and Bear remain at the table, knowing that if we all leave, the four men in this small establishment will disappear and continue to torment us.

The building is surrounded by agents anyway so it’s only a matter of time before they barge in, take them into custody, and sweep this entire thing under the rug.

Victor watches me with a bemused expression, as though I’m nothing more than pieces on a game board that he’s already won. But he has no idea how far we’re willing to go to protect our Omega. A bonded Alpha is so much more terrifying than a man trying to protect his woman.

“Montgomery,” he sing-songs, “you’re making a mistake. But by all means, if you feel the need to rush off, don’t let us stop you. Just know that by the time you get there, it may already be too late.”

I throw him a look of pure hatred, my fists clenching so hard my nails dig into my palms. “If anything happens to her, I’ll come back here and I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Victor’s smile doesn’t waver, but there’s something darker lurking in his gaze, a promise of violence that he doesn’t even bother to hide. “Do what you must, Montgomery. Just remember—this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.”

I don’t bother responding. Instead, I turn and head for the door. The club’s dim corridors blur around me as I push my way through, the heavy scent of cigar smoke clinging to my clothes. Every second feels like an eternity, the urgency pulsing through my veins like a drumbeat.

As I burst out into the cool night air, my mind races, filled with a single, desperate thought: Get to Nala. Protect her. Keep her safe, no matter the cost.

Because if they think they can take her from us, they’re about to learn just how wrong they are.

twenty-seven

ZAHRIA

The phone rings just past eight pm, piercing the peaceful ambiance in Nala’s nest. We returned a few hours ago, content to just exist in our little space until the others return, our bellies full, and Nala refreshed after the visit. It's later than I thought it'd be but the men can take care of themselves. My heart jumps into my throat as I reach for the phone, and when I see Montgomery’s name on the screen, a chill runs down my spine. He shouldn’t be calling.

A sudden flash of anger spreads through my bond with Xylo as I answer. “Montgomery?” I whisper, clutching the phone tightly.

“Zahria,” he says, voice tense and urgent. “Listen to me carefully. One of them is on his way to the house. He wasn’t at the meeting.”

I glance down at Nala, curled up in the nest beside me, her chest rising and falling in a peaceful rhythm. We were sharing childhood memories, the first of many genuine smiles playing onher lips before she fell asleep. I don’t want to wake her, not yet. I slip out of the room and close the door softly behind me. “Who’s coming?” I ask in a low, controlled voice, though every muscle in my body feels coiled tight with panic.

“The last Alpha, Wyatt,” Montgomery replies, his tone sharp. “We met them at the club in Canes Lake. They are after Nala, Zahria. They’ve been tracking us. And one of them,—he’s coming straight for you two.”

My hand tightens around the phone. “What did you tell them?” I ask, already pacing down the hallway, my eyes scanning the locks on the windows as I pass.

“Nothing. But they know. Somehow, they know she’s with us. I’m on my way back now, but I need you to lock everything up. Make sure she’s safe. Whatever you do, don’t let her out of your sight.”

I pause, pressing my hand against the wall to steady myself. “Everything is already locked, Montgomery. We always make sure of that.”

“Good. Just… check again, alright?” His voice is thick with tension, and I know he’s barely keeping his own anger under control. “If they think they can take her, they’re in for a hell of a surprise. But I need you to be ready. We’re going to protect her at all costs.”

“I know,” I say, forcing my voice to stay steady. “She won’t live through another nightmare. We promised her that much.” There’s a brief silence on the line, and then I ask, “Where are Bear and Xylo? Are they safe?”

“They’re still at the club.” He lets out a heavy breath. “The place is surrounded by the FBI. They won’t let anything happen to them.”

I exhale, relief mixed with the urgency of the situation. “Okay, just get here as soon as you can.”

“I’m coming, Zahria,” he says, the promise in his voice telling me that we’ll come out of this just fine on the other side.

I hang up, tucking my phone into my pocket as I move through the house. I double-check the locks on every door and window, the familiarity of a routine grounding me, but my heart pounds harder with each lock I secure. I check the back door twice, then the windows in the living room. Everything’s locked. One of the windows was propped open but I make sure to close it, checking it three times to calm my nerves.

I knew it had been too easy, that we were just biding our time before something happened. However, I didn’t think it would be something like this. All of my training has prepared me for moments like this but it feels so different when I’m protecting our Omega. Feels so much more real.

The house is silent, save for the hum of the refrigerator and the soft creak of the floorboards under my feet. I slip into the guest room, my gaze fixed on the small safe in the closet. I spin the lock, the numbers falling into place automatically, muscle memory taking over.

Since we all but moved into Montgomery’s place over the last week, I stashed everything here just in case and while this isn’t official duty, I will use deadly force if required to protect myself and Nala. I hope I won’t need it but Nala isn’t returning to the hell she escaped from.

Nala will not live through another nightmare. Not as long as I’m here.

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