Page 28 of Absolute Devotion

“Get to the point,” Xylo snaps. His hand dips to his side where his gun would be if we were on official business. Unfortunately,this task force is anything but documented in the system so using lethal force with our registered weapons would only bring trouble. It doesn’t help that we’re only supposed to be on a fact-finding mission.

Victor’s expression doesn’t falter, but there’s a subtle shift in his posture, something darker lurking just beneath the surface. “Straight to business, then. Very well.” He threads his fingers together, eyes flicking briefly to Xylo’s movement. “We’re here for the item in your possession.”

Xylo’s eyes narrow. “The item inmypossession?”

“Yes,” Victor replies, voice smooth as silk. “It’s only fair to give you context, after all. We’re aware that you’ve been sheltering someone rather precious. An Omega, if I’m not mistaken. By the name of Nala.”

Bear’s fist clenches, and I can feel the anger radiating from him, simmering just beneath the surface. Years of training have allowed me to tamper down my emotions but one wrong move and I’ll be the nightmare Victor dies from. Bear leans forward, his gaze hardening. “Nala isn’t an item. And she’s not yours to claim.”

A flicker of annoyance flashes across Eugene’s face as he shifts in his seat. “Shewasours, though. Well, not specifically ours. We're more of a transport service but we’d like her back. Sooner rather than later.”

The anger bubbling inside me threatens to boil over. I open my mouth to speak, but Victor holds up a hand, his expression little more than condescending.

“Now, now. Let’s keep our tempers in check, shall we?” he says, his tone unnervingly calm. “We’re not here to make threats or cause trouble. We simply want to settle this matter peacefully.”

“Peacefully?” I scoff, my voice dripping with disbelief. “You call ambushing us in some backroom clubpeaceful?”

Thomas finally speaks, his voice low and cold. “You misunderstand, Montgomery. First, this isn’t an ambush. Victor invited Xylo to a meeting, and we assumed, rightly so, that more of you would attend. Second, we are merely offering an opportunity to make things right. All we ask is a simple exchange.”

Xylo’s grip by his side tightens even further, his face a mask of defiance. “You think we’re just going to hand her over? You think you can take someone like she’s some… some kind ofproperty?”

Victor sighs, an apathetic sound that grates on my nerves. “This doesn’t need to be difficult. We’re not unreasonable men. If you cooperate, this will be over quickly. You won’t need to concern yourselves with her fate.”

My stomach churns at his words, but it’s the glint in Eugene’s eyes that sets me on edge. Kaden seems wholly disinterested in this conversation but it would be just my luck that he’s the deadliest in the room. There’s a cruel hunger there, a twisted satisfaction that tells me they both would enjoy taking Nala back by force if it came to that. A protective rage flares within me, and I’m about to stand when I catch a flash of realization in Victor’s gaze, a hint of…amusement.

“Oh, I see it now,” Victor murmurs, his lips curling into a faint, predatory smile. “You’ve all bonded with her, haven’t you? To the Omega?”

Bear growls low, his hands tightening into fists. “Call her an Omega one more time, and you’ll regret it.”

Victor only laughs, a soft, mocking sound. “Touchy, aren’t we?” He leans back, resting his hands across his stomach. “I advise you to look at the bigger picture. Nala’s freedom, as you see it, is temporary at best, which makes it rather unfortunate that you've bonded with her.”

“We’re not bargaining with you,” Xylo hisses, and I can see the barely restrained fury in his eyes. “How the fuck were we ever friends, Victor? What the fuck have you gotten tangled up in?”

Victor raises an eyebrow, unfazed. “Is that really what you want to ask, Xylo? Because, as it stands, your options are rather limited.”

The room is thick with tension, and it takes all of my control to keep my voice steady. “You keep talking about options, Victor. So tell me, if we refuse, what’s your next move?”

Victor’s smile fades, replaced by a hard, unwavering stare. “If you refuse, then I’m afraid we’ll have no choice but to take matters into our own hands. And believe me, that won’t end well for anyone involved.”

Eugene chuckles darkly, a sound that sets me on edge. “You can’t protect her forever. Sooner or later, she’ll be ours again. You’re just prolonging the inevitable.”

A cold chill runs down my spine, and I glance around the room, instincts screaming that something isn’t right. It’s then that I remember the fourth man—the one who was supposed to be here—is nowhere to be seen.Wyatt.

I shoot a sharp look at Victor, and he raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “Something wrong, Montgomery?”

“Where’s your other friend? Wyatt, right?” I ask, trying to keep the suspicion out of my voice. But I know, deep down, that my tone has betrayed me.

Victor’s smirk grows, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Ah, I wondered how long it would take you to notice. Yes, thereisone more of us. But he…had other priorities to attend to.”

My blood runs cold as the implication sinks in. The missing man. The one who should be here, but isn’t. He’s not here because he’s gone after Nala.

Xylo’s eyes meet mine, realization dawning on his face. “Montgomery…?”

I grit my teeth, rage and fear coursing through me, threatening to burst forth. “You bastard.”

“Now, now. We told you—if you cooperate, there’s no need for any of this. There's a lot of money riding on this exchange. But you’ve made things so…complicated.”Money?Are they planning to sell Nala? Victor did mention being a transport service.

Bear’s fist slams onto the table, the noise echoing through the room like a gunshot. “This ends now. Tell your friend to back off.”

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