Page 26 of New Year with the Cartel

On the screen, Rodriguez reached for Gustall, who tried to step back but stumbled. He was waiting for me to do something, waiting for me to help him.

The lieutenant caught his arm, preventing his escape. I was already running.

"Hold your positions," I ordered my men. "Wait for my signal." I wouldn't risk open warfare with Gustall in the crossfire.

I reached the café's back entrance just as Rodriguez was leading my omega through it, one hand gripping Gustall's upper arm. The necklace hung openly around Rodriguez's neck now, its symbols shifting and gleaming in the dim light.

And then, I was no more than a few feet from Rodriguez and Gustall.

"Quite the elaborate scheme, Fendwyr," Rodriguez called out, pulling Gustall closer as his men formed a barrier between us. He was reveling in my predicament, making me look like a fool, the motherfucker. "Using your own mate as bait? I'm almost impressed by your ruthlessness. I didn't think you had it in you."

Gustall's eyes met mine, wide with fear and something else—guilt? I didn't know.

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "I got dizzy, I couldn't—"

"Quiet," Rodriguez ordered, though not unkindly. "You know, when I first heard about an unmated omega wandering my territory, I was suspicious. But then I noticed something interesting." He inhaled deeply near Gustall's neck, making my vision go red. "A very particular scent. I couldn't have missed it."

I knew what he was talking about, and I didn't like it.

"Step away from him," I growled, calculating the odds. They weren't very good. Twenty of his men visible, probably more hidden. My team was in position, but Gustall was too close to Rodriguez. One wrong move... I didn't even like thinking aboutit. I had to be extremely careful. Otherwise, something bad would happen—something I would never forgive myself for.

"You don't even know, do you?" Rodriguez laughed. Whatever he was implying, it couldn't be anything good. "Too focused on this." He touched the necklace with his free hand. "Too blind to see what's right in front of you. Tell me, Fendwyr, when was the last time you really looked at your mate?"

I narrowed my eyes. What the hell was he going on about?

Gustall then made a small, distressed sound, his hand moving to his stomach before dropping. Something clicked in my mind—the changed scent, the fatigue, the dizziness...

No. It couldn't be. I would have known if that was the case.

"The necklace for your mate," Rodriguez offered, his smile knowing. "Though I suppose I should say mates, plural, given the circumstances."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis as understanding dawned. Gustall was...

"Choose before it's too late," Rodriguez continued, producing a knife. "The necklace's power, or your family's future? I'm not you, but to me, it's not such a tough choice."

Time seemed to freeze as I processed everything—Gustall's strange behavior, his hidden illness, the way other alphas had been reacting to him. How had I missed it? How had I been so blind?

I shook my head. I should have seen what was going on right in front of my nose.

The necklace's symbols swirled, promising power and knowledge across lifetimes, and I couldn't even blink. But Gustall... my omega... carrying my child...

My decision was beginning to form in my mind.

"Tick tock, Fendwyr," Rodriguez pressed the knife closer to Gustall's throat. He had a wicked smile on his face. "What's it going to be? Hmm?"

I met Gustall's terrified gaze, saw the truth written in his eyes. He'd been trying to protect our child while I'd been obsessing over the past. I'd used him as bait while he'd been carrying our future.

But it wasn't entirely my fault. He should've told me everything. I would've understood.

"Let him go," I barked. "Let him go, and you can keep the damn necklace."

Rodriguez's smile widened. "Wise choice." He lowered the knife but didn't release Gustall. "Although... perhaps I'll keep both. An omega carrying a powerful alpha's child could be quite valuable. I'm sure you understand. In my position, you would be doing the same thing."

Before he could react, I gave the signal. Gunfire erupted from multiple positions as my hidden snipers took out Rodriguez's outer guard. In the chaos, I moved. I could only hope I was going to be fast enough.

The knife clattered to the ground as I separated Rodriguez from Gustall, shoving my omega behind me. But Rodriguez was already retreating, protected by his remaining men. Even when shit hit the fan for him, he was still planning his every move.

"Another time," he called back, disappearing into the shadows with the necklace still around his neck. Another time? Next time, I'd make sure he regretted everything he had already done.

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