Page 21 of New Year with the Cartel

"Can you?" I crossed the room in three long strides, backing him against the wall. "Your scent is different lately. Stronger. More appealing to other alphas." I buried my nose in his neck, inhaling deeply. Yes, definitely sweeter, with an underlyingchange I couldn't quite place, but soon I would figure it out. "You're drawing attention you can't handle, and you know how much I hate that."

"I'm not some possession," he argued again, though he tilted his head, baring his throat to me. "And we have more important things to discuss. The necklace—"

"Is important," I agreed, nipping at his exposed skin. "But keeping you safe is more important." I pulled back to study his face. He looked tired, though he tried to hide it. "Tell me why you smell different, and don't try to lie. I'll know"

A flash of panic crossed his features before he masked it. "I don't know what you're talking about. What did your men find out about the necklace?"

I allowed the deflection, filing away his reaction for later consideration. Pulling him with me, I moved to my desk and the files Marcus had brought. "Rodriguez has been busy. New recruits, increased security, unusual meetings." I spread out several surveillance photos. "He's preparing for something."

Gustall leaned over the desk, and I noticed how he swayed slightly, as if dizzy. Before I could comment, another knock interrupted us.

"Enter," I called, keeping one hand on Gustall's lower back to make sure that whoever entered saw he was mine.

One of my younger recruits, David, hurried in with a tablet. "Boss, we've got movement. Rodriguez's men are escorting the antiquities dealer to the old warehouse district. They're carrying something that matches the necklace's description."

I studied the live feed on the tablet. "How many men?"

"Twenty visible, probably more hidden. They're heavily armed."

"Good." I smiled, though there was nothing warm about it. "Prepare the team. We move tonight."

"I'm coming with you," Gustall declared.

Both David and I turned to look at him—David with surprise, me with dark amusement. "No." Of course he couldn't. Was he crazy?

"When you told me about your dream, I remembered the necklace as well," he argued. "I might notice details you missed. Besides, if it's really connected to us as much as you think it is, shouldn't I be there?"

"What you should be," I growled, "is safe. David, leave us."

The young recruit bolted from the room. As soon as we were alone, I pulled Gustall against me, one hand gripping his chin. "You seem to be laboring under some misunderstanding about how this works. Maybe I should clarify that."

"How what works?" He challenged, though I could smell his arousal spiking. He loved challenging me as much as I did.

"Our relationship. This isn't a democracy, little omega. When it comes to your safety, I make the decisions." I tightened my grip when he tried to pull away. "You died in our last life because of this necklace. I won't risk that again. I can't."

"But—"

I silenced him with a bruising kiss, dominating his mouth until I felt his resistance crumble. When I pulled back, his lips were swollen, his eyes glazed. "You'll stay here, where it's safe. That's not a request."

My phone buzzed—another message from Marcus. The information it contained made my blood run cold.

"What is it?" Gustall asked, still breathless.

"Rodriguez isn't just trying to authenticate the necklace," I answered. "He's been researching its history. Ancient texts, legends about fated mates, stories about its power to transfer abilities and memories across lifetimes." I met Gustall's worried gaze. "He knows what it is, what it can do. And now he has it. Fuck!"

"All the more reason—"

"No." I cut him off. "You're staying here, under guard. I've already lost you once to this necklace's power. I won't lose you again." I called out, and two of my most trusted men entered in a flash. "Watch him. If he tries to leave, stop him. If anyone tries to reach him, kill them."

As I prepared to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different about my omega. His scent, his behavior, the way other alphas reacted to him—something had changed. But with Rodriguez in possession of the necklace and its power, I had bigger concerns than Gustall's mysterious changes.

For now.

Chapter 13

Gustall

I leaned against the cold wall of the clinic's bathroom, trying to steady my breathing as I stared at the doctor's results in my trembling hands. Pregnant. The word seemed to pulse on the paper, mocking my attempts to deny its reality.

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