Page 42 of One Way Out

Fucking Christ.

They really should have bitten her when they had the chance.

“What?” Saylor gasps. “No! You can’t take them. They’re my alphas!” She moves to scramble toward the stairs, and I intercept her as she spins around. My arm wraps around her middle, and I pluck her off the stairs as she fights. “Omen! Stop. They need to bite me.”

“Keep her contained,” one of the guards says. “You won’t like the consequences if you don’t.”

“You two, hands together and behind you,” another voice echoes around the cell. “Slowly back toward the door. No sudden movements.”

It’s impossible to tell who is who with the full helmets and tactical gear, but none of the voices sound like McCabe.

“Don’t worry, princess. We’ll see you again soon,” Shaw says.

I can’t see specifics, but the shadows reflecting in the glass lead me to believe he follows their instructions.

“Take care of her,” Leo adds.

“Stop!” the little omega wails.

Her heartache rips through the bond, making my chest tight. It’s so shocking that it sends a tremble through my entire body, echoing in my knees.

“I can’t,” I whisper, locking my arms around her even more firmly.

“If you don’t…” she sobs. “I’ll never forgive you! I’m serious, Omen.”

“At least you’ll be alive to hate me,” I say, hugging her even as she struggles. “We’ll figure this out. We just have to be smart about it.”

“Why are you doing this?” Saylor asks, desperation lining her tone. She twists in my hold, looking around me and at the guards. “I have money. I’ll pay whatever you want. Just don’t punish them—” I finally manage to slap a hand over her mouth, getting there a little too late to stop her from rambling out all our secrets. They obviously know we’re responsible for the Russians, but they don’t need to know anything about Saylor’s financial situation.

“Facility policy recently changed to stateone omega for one benefactor,” a male voice says. “You never should have been allowed back on A block. You’ll be kept locked down until we can release you to your alpha’s benefactor.” There’s some struggling, and I tilt my head to see Shaw being shoved toward the door. “Believe it or not, we’re doing you a kindness. You haven’t seen the carnage that happens when rival benefactors realize their assets now share an omega. If we let them bite you, you’d be in agony within days as the two groups did their best to kill the other. We’ve seen it before. Twice in the last six months alone. Think about it. These guys are American. Your alpha lives in London. How would you choose who to follow?”

Little do they know it wouldn’t be a problem, since Leo and Shaw are here solely to recover Saylor. But it’s not like we can tell them that.

Saylor’s mind races, the chaos spilling into the bond. She goes limp in my hold as her misery floods the connection. She follows a similar thought process to mine, and her regret over not pushing harder for Leo and Shaw to claim her when they had the chance comes next.

“We’ll see you again soon, princess. Don’t worry.” Shaw clears his throat. “Keep her safe.”

“You have my word,” Valor says, keeping his hands on the edge of the loft.

Saylor’s ragged cries fill the air, echoing around the room and proving her turmoil. She doesn’t fight me as I spin her in my hold, pulling her face to my chest.

I was asleep five minutes ago.

This is fucking insanity.

Now we have to find a way to deal with Amato—on our own with no backup. Then get in contact with Leo and Shaw’s boss to let him know what happened. Oh, and get Saylor back to the US without any resources.

Jesus Christ.

Tonight went to shit so fucking fast.

* * *

As soon as the door closes, Saylor pries out of my hold and runs to the wall next to my bed. She’s not blocking anything in the bond, and it’s clear she’s praying Leo and Shaw will be deposited where they started.

It doesn’t happen, and she collapses against the glass, shaking her head and sliding down until she’s sitting.

Valor and I take turns attempting to soothe her, but she’s so despondent that nothing seems to get through the sheen of her heartbreak.

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