Page 21 of Reckless: Collision

Was he there the whole time?

“You must be Cayenne,” he says, extending his hand like we’re at a business meeting and I’m not standing here in pajamas. “I’m Finn. I’ll be sitting in the back with you, if that’s alright.”

Ryker’s eyes narrow. “Jinx, you’re riding shotgun.”

The bathroom alpha—Jinx—throws me a wicked grin. “Afraid I’ll corrupt her further?”

“You can’t corrupt the willing,” I point out, just to watch Ryker’s jaw clench.

Finn clears his throat, tips of his ears turning pink. “Should we maybe... get going? Before someone tries to shoot at us?”

“Again, implies they stopped,” I mutter, but slide into the backseat. Finn follows, setting his messenger bag between us like a gentlemanly barrier.

“So, Finn,” I say as Ryker and Jinx take their places up front. “You’re the one who wanted to confiscate my tech?”

He pushes his glasses up, looking appropriately nervous. “In my defense, your digital signature is rather... distinctive.”

“Distinctive,” I repeat. “You mean awesome.”

“I mean traceable.”

“Only if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Which is why you’re currently barefoot and homeless?” Jinx calls from the front seat.

“Wait.” I pause. “My stuff. Willow said they packed my things.”

“Already loaded,” Finn says, gesturing to a stack of boxes in the very back. “Though I should mention your electronics are in separate storage.”

I spot my favorite hoodie peeking out of one box. At least they didn’t leave me with just unicorn pajamas. “Fine. Let’s get this kidnapping on the road.”

The leather seat is cool against my bare legs as the car rumbles to life, and I watch Puritan Alpha Security disappear in the side mirror. Just like that—my whole life packed in boxes, my home gone, my systems out of reach.

All because I couldn’t leave well enough alone. Because I had to dig deeper, had to know the truth.

Worth it.

I analyze my newprotectorsas we merge into traffic, my beta senses working overtime to compensate for what alphasand omegas would catch instinctively. Where they would smell power dynamics, I observe the subtle body language—how Finn’s shoulders relax slightly when Ryker gives an order; how Jinx maintains exactly two inches more distance than necessary, a silent rebellion. Three pieces of a pack, each broadcasting danger on different frequencies that even my limited designation senses can recognize as potentiallylethal.

Ryker, the alpha leader. All controlled power and barely contained rage. The kind of man who probably schedules his coffee breaks and color-codes his murder plans. Currently white-knuckling the steering wheel like it personally offended him.

Jinx, the wild card. Chaos wrapped in leather and bad decisions. The bathroom was probably the tamest thing he’s done all week. He’s scanning the traffic like he’s hoping someone tries something, fingers tapping an erratic beat on his thigh.

And Finn. Beta. Cardigan and glasses hiding what I bet is a terrifying intellect. The way he catalogs everything reminds me of Quinn, but with more restraint. More precision.

Time to get some answers.

“So,” I lean back, deliberately casual. “Do you always kidnap women in their pajamas, or am I special?”

“Not kidnapping if you got in willingly,” Jinx points out.

“You’re our first protection detail since—” Finn starts.

“Since I got benched,” Jinx interrupts with a sharp grin. “For anger management issues.”

“That’s reassuring.” I eye the nearest door handle. “Any other red flags I should know about? Criminal records? Weird fetishes? Tendency to murder annoying betas?”

“Yes to all of the above,” Ryker says flatly.

---