Page 32 of Fired at the Heart

“Your associates will be too busy trying to save their own asses to worry about revenge.” I press the gun harder against his skull. “Now, I’m going to ask you some questions, and you’re going to answer them. If you lie, I’ll start removing pieces of you, starting with your toes and working my way up. Understand?”

Fear flashes across his face. “Go to hell.”

Raphael’s expression hardens. “I’d answer if I were you. My mate isn’t known for his patience.”

Mate. The word sends a thrill through me.

“Where do they keep the Omegas who fight?” I demand.

Vince recoils, lips trembling as he stammers, “I… I can’t. They’ll kill me.”

“I’m going to kill you.” I cock my head to the side. “It’s just a matter of how it happens. Cooperate, and I’ll end it quickly with a bullet to the head. Force me to work for it, and I’ll take you apart piece by piece. You’d be surprised how much of your body you can lose and still be alive.”

Bone-deep terror fills his face as he finally understands who he’s dealing with. Not just some Omega playing at power, but someone who’s built an empire on the bones of men like him. Someone who can dismantle his world.

And suddenly, Vince can’t wait to answer all of our questions.

By the time the extraction team reaches us, Raphael and I have our next target.

11

My blood is still singing from the fight, a high-pitched frequency that sharpens everything. The leather bench seat I slide across, the faint copper scent of blood, and Raphael’s pheromones as he climbs into the SUV behind me all sing.

The dress clings to my sweat-dampened skin, a change of clothes waiting in the bag at my feet.

My driver clicks the locks into place while my guard settles into the front passenger seat, both men silent.

Sebastian’s report fills my ear from the intercom Raphael handed me on our way out of the club. “I’ll run down every contact we have. By the time you reach the warehouse, I’ll have whatever intel’s floating around.”

“Great.” My fingers tap my thigh, counting seconds, counting heartbeats. I’m electric, alive.

Twenty minutes to the industrial park. Not a lot of time to prep.

The SUV pulls away from the curb, and through the tinted windows, the city slides past in streaks of neon and shadow. My city. My territory.

“We’ll need to pull men from the eastern district.” I force my mind back to the operation. “If Vince managed to get the order through before the gunfire started, we need to intercept the transport.”

“Already on it.” The clatter of a keyboard punctuates Sebastian’s words. “I’m redirecting teams to cover all possible routes. Will update with a meetup location.”

“Sounds good.” I pull the earbud from my ear and toss it to my bodyguard. “Keep me posted.”

“Yes, boss.”

Raphael’s knee bounces with energy. “Sebastian has things covered. We’ll get what we need by the time we arrive.”

“Your cousin hasn’t let his skills rust.” I can’t keep the edge from my voice. “Does it bother you, seeing him still doing the same thing he was before?”

Raphael’s jaw tightens. “This isn’t the time?—”

“When is it ever?” The fight still pumps through my veins, making me reckless. I press my palms flat on the cool leather, anchoring myself, but the energy needs somewhere to go.

“Tell me you haven’t missed this.” I rise onto one knee to face him and shove his chest hard enough that he grunts. His heartbeat pounds beneath my palm. “The gunfire. The planning. The fucking thrill of it all. Tell me pushing papers and closing real estate deals gives you the same rush.”

His eyes catch mine, hazel shifting to amber in the passing streetlights. “You were amazing back there.”

It’s not an answer, but my breath catches at the Alpha rumble behind the words. “Wewere amazing back there. You were keyed into my every move and knew exactly what I was thinking.”

His hand slides up my thigh, slipping through the slit in my dress. “The way you took down those guards—” He squeezes my bare flesh. “Like you were dancing.”

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