Page 1 of Fired at the Heart

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Amild headache pounds at my temples as I toss back two suppressants, followed by two pain relievers.

I don’t have time for the side effects that come from prolonged use of the medication, but it’s better than the alternative.

My office door opens, and Cassian, my second-in-command, pokes his head in. “Everyone’s here, Avery.”

I arch a brow at him in silent reprimand.

“Boss,” he corrects.

I sweep the two pill bottles into my open desk drawer. “Give me a minute.”

A frown creases his brow, but he ducks back out without a word.

I roll my head on my shoulders, working out the knots as I wait for the pain relievers to take effect. Need to stay sharp.

With a deep breath, I head out of my second-story office and into the warehouse.

Below, my crew stands at the center of the large space, their hands clasped behind their backs, ready and waiting. Their attention locks on me as I descend to the ground floor, where Cassian waits at the base of the stairs.

As I pass him, his head tilts slightly in my direction, his body stilling for a heartbeat before his eyes resume a steady sweep of the men and women gathered.

They straighten, their faces displaying a mix of respect, fear, and in a couple of people, contempt. But I refuse to let it faze me. I’ve worked too hard, fought too many naysayers, to let anyone question my authority now.

“Listen up!” The murmurs in the room fall silent. “We’ve got a new shipment coming in tonight. High risk, high reward. I need everyone sharp and focused.”

I turn to my third-in-command. “Rico, you’ll take point on the pickup. Jace, you’re on perimeter security. And Lena…” I turn to the petite brunette, her delicate features belying her ruthless skills as a fighter. “You’re with me. We’ll handle the buyer.”

Cassian tenses at the last order, and the tension in the room ratchets up a notch. I rarely take more than one guard with me, but this buyer is new, and I don’t trust him to pay for the products he ordered. I want Lena to have him in her crosshairs if he decides to fuck me over.

“Questions?” I scan the room, daring anyone to challenge me.

A scoff cuts through the silence, drawing every eye to the recruit standing to the left of the group.

My eyes narrow as I turn to face him. “Do you have a problem?”

“Seriously?” A sneer twists his face into an ugly mask. “We’re supposed to take orders from an Omega now?”

The room goes still, a collective breath held in anticipation of my reaction.

With deliberate movements, I step forward. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that. Want to repeat yourself?”

The recruit falters, his bravado wavering when he doesn’t receive the support he expected. He pushes on, mistaking my calm for weakness. “I said, I don’t take orders from Omegas. Especially not ones who think they can play at being an Alpha.”

A hushed murmur ripples through the room, and I sense Cassian tensing, ready to intervene. I hold up a hand, halting him in his tracks. This is my battle to fight.

I continue forward, closing the distance between myself and the recruit with measured strides. “Were you confused when you signed your contract?” I tilt my head. “Or did you just not read it?”

He crosses his arms in a show of bravado and jerks his chin toward my second-in-command. “I signed on with the big guy back there. Not some little bitch.”

I’m close enough now to see the sweat beading on his upper lip and catch the faint tremor in his hands. “So, you’re just stupid.”

His arms drop to his sides, his fists clenched. “What did you say to me?”

In a flash, my hand darts out, and shock registers on the recruit’s face as the blade of my knife finds its mark, burying deep into his throat. A strangled gurgle escapes his lips, and he staggers back, clutching at the wound. Crimson spills between his fingers, staining his shirt a vivid red.

I turn to face the recruit’s friend, who stands frozen, his face a mask of horror. Before he can think of retaliating, I draw my gun, the cold metal an extension of my arm as I aim at his heart.

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