Page 111 of Claimed By the Band

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Asher asks dryly.

"Wait," Damon says, his brow furrowing. "Those pictures were on Trakiss’s computer?"

"All those fuckers are freaky," Dante mutters, still looking slightly green.

"I think it was more a matter of blackmail than personal interest," Jordan says thoughtfully. "It was probably insurance, in case Vince ever found out about Trakiss’s activities."

"Normally I wouldn't be willing to blackmail someone over their personal life," Asher muses, "but considering Vince's entire line of work helps alphas subjugate omegas, I'm willing to make an exception for that hypocrite."

I study Jordan's face as she explains her plan. There's a hardness in her eyes I've never seen before—a determination that makes me realize just how much strength it took for her to survive everything she's been through. To escape that cult and build an entirely new life for herself, only to willingly face them again to protect other omegas.

If there was any doubt she's our match, and that Asher finally found his other half…

My scent shifts protectively without me realizing it, until Jordan glances up at me with a small smile that makes me breathless.

"It's a solid plan," I say, forcing myself to focus on the tactical aspects rather than my growing need to gather her close and never let go. "But we'll need to be smart about this. We can't just walk in and threaten him outright."

"No," Jordan agrees. "But we can arrange another meeting and let him know what we know."

"What makes you so sure Vince isn't in on all this?" Damon asks, voicing the concern I've been turning over in my own mind.

Jordan shakes her head, a bitter smile playing at her lips. "If it really is the Sons of Epsilon behind the attack, they'd never work directly with someone like him. Not when they know his... preferences, which Trakiss clearly does." She gestures to her laptop screen where the incriminating photos are still minimized. "They view alphas who submit to anyone as failures. The only way they'd work with Vince is as a patsy."

"And there's only one way to find out for sure," I say, already dreading what we'll have to do.

She nods, her dark eyes meeting mine with understanding. "We need those logs."

We finish eating in relative silence, each lost in our own thoughts. I can't help watching Jordan as she picks at her food, noting the determined set of her jaw. She's come so far from the skittish hacker we first met, but I still worry. The thought of putting her anywhere near people connected to her past makes my alpha instincts roar with protective rage.

Asher yawns dramatically, stretching like a cat. "Well, I'm beat. Who's coming to bed?"

"Me," Dante says immediately, already gathering empty takeout containers.

Knox and Damon exchange looks before nodding. "Us too," Knox rumbles.

"I should make that call to Vince first," I say reluctantly. "Since I was the point of contact before."

"And I have a few things to finish up," Jordan adds, though she looks tired. "But I'll join you soon."

Asher pouts but accepts it, moving to kiss Jordan softly. The others follow suit, each pressing gentle kisses to her lips or forehead before heading toward the bedroom. My chest warms at how natural it feels now, watching our pack show her affection.

Asher pauses to kiss me as well, smiling. "Don't work too late," he murmurs against my lips before following the others.

I expect Jordan to retreat to her office as planned, but instead she surprises me by crossing to where I sit on the couch. Withouthesitation, she settles into my lap, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"What's wrong?" she asks softly, roses and rain blossoming around me.

I blink at her in surprise, both at her boldness and her perceptiveness. We've all been intimate during her heat, of course, but this casual affection is new. "That obvious, huh?"

She smiles, running her fingers through my hair in a way that makes me want to purr. "You get this little wrinkle between your eyebrows when you're worried about something. I've noticed it a lot lately."

My hands settle on her hips automatically as I lean into her touch. "We just found you," I admit quietly. "The thought of putting you in danger..."

"Hey." She catches my face between her hands, making me meet her eyes. "I'm not some fragile thing that needs protecting. I survived nine years on my own, remember?"

"I know," I sigh, pulling her closer. "And you're incredible. But that doesn't mean you have to keep fighting alone."

Her expression softens as she studies my face. "I'm not alone anymore," she says quietly. "That's why I'm not afraid. I have you—all of you—-watching my back now."

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