Page 73 of Bonds of Hate

“I need Omega suppressants.” I flash the credit chitin my hand. More than what I’d spent with him in the last six months combined. “Give me everything you have.”

“I’m all out.”

Dread is a sick feeling in my gut. The suppressants I gave Maya already won’t last more than another few days.

“What?” I hiss.

He has the grace to look abashed. “Biggest lab got shut down. Most of the suppliers have been out for months. I was one of the last with anything left. Why do you think I’m out here slinging rut enhancers to cage fighters?”

“So you’re no longer of any use to me, then?”

Bastin is the lowest of the low, a bottom feeder who gets off on making desperate Omegas trade sexual favors for their suppressants. If he can’t help me, then there isn’t anything stopping me from giving into the urge to paint the wall behind him red with his blood. I take a threatening step forward. It’s been way too long since I worked my frustration out on a worthy target.

He stumbles back, hands thrown up in supplication. “No need for anything drastic. I’ve got a lead on a new game in town. You know I’m always the first to know about a good connection.”

“How long?” I ask dangerously.

“A few weeks, at the most. I swear on my own father’s wrinkled knot.”

“At least I know what to shove up your ass if you don’t come through.” I point a single finger at his face, just far enough to avoid actual contact with his sweaty forehead. “Whatever you get, it has my name on it. The entire supply. I’ll pay whatever it’s worth. Fail to come through and a missed payday will be the least of your worries.”

“You got it, chief. Whatever you say.” Bastin nods frantically as he backs away, brushing imaginary dust off his wrinkled clothes. He lets out a nervous laugh. “How much Omega pussy is the prince drowning in that he doesn’t even bother to breed them? Damn, you got to tell me what it’s like up there. I bet he lets a loyal man have his leftovers, at least.”

Concealing my identity would have been a waste of time. My position as Logan’s personal guard is too public to bother with subterfuge.

My fingers twitch with the urge to wrap around his throat. “The prince’s affairs are none of your concern.”

“I’ve heard there’s a whole harem worth of them up there now. You just let me know if any aren’t up to royal standards. Doesn’t matter how used up they are, neither. I’d have buyers lined up for whatever is left when you’re done, just as long as the hearts are beating and the cunts’re still warm.”

I grab his neck as I slam him against the bricks. “You talk too much.”

His eyes bulge as his lips turn purple.

“Have you been running your mouth to anyone?” My hand tightens imperceptibly. “Anyone at all?”

“N-n-no!” he sputters.

“Think real hard. You ever told anyone I buy off you? The Enclave been sniffing around, maybe?”

“Nuh-uh.”

“Guardians? King’s men?”

His head shakes emphatically.

I shove him back against the wall hard enough for him to bounce right back off and hit the ground onhis knees. I drop a handful of credits in the dirt. “Down payment in good faith. Don’t disappoint me.”

I turn away before those beady eyes still squeezed up in agony notice the obvious. It isn’t just anger that has me lashing out, ready to kill the next person who gives me the slightest reason.

No, this isn’t anger.

It’s desperation.

Chapter Sixteen

MAYA

Iclutch the dress bag to my chest like a shield as I walk back to the harem. Poe hadn’t given me any instructions before he stormed away, but it only makes sense that I return there to get ready for the gala.

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