Page 123 of Unhinged Omega

The bastard's survived worse.

Muchworse.

The memory of our last encounter flashes through my mind. My hand drifts unconsciously to my eye patch, fingers tracing the edge where the leather meets scarred flesh.

Fucking Raven.

Of course he had to stop me with his big blue puppy eyes right when I finally had the chance to end that psychotic bastard once and for all. After everything Nikolai's done, after all the pain he's caused... he deserves far worse than a quick death.

But no. Raven had to get in the way.

Had to protect the very man who...

I cut that thought off before it can fully form. No point dwelling on the past.

What's done is done.

With a growl of frustration, I grab my radio. "Dr. Ryefield, come in."

Static crackles for a moment before a familiar voice responds. "What is it now, Geo? Another stripper with a backwards ass implant?"

"I need you to treat two patients," I say, ignoring his attempt at humor. "In the secure basement level. One's in rough shape."

There's a long pause. "The secure basement?" Ryefield's voice drips with disbelief. "You mean your personal dungeon? Who the hell did you lock up this time?"

I grind my teeth, my patience wearing thin. The doctor's always been a smartass, but right now I'm not in the mood. "Nikolai Vlakov."

Another pause, longer this time. "... Are you fucking with me?"

"Do I sound like I'm fucking with you?" I snarl into the radio, my grip tightening until the plastic creaks.

"Holy shit," Ryefield mutters. "You actuallycaughthim? Do I even want to know how you managed that?"

"Shot him in the back," I say flatly. "Twice. But the bastard's still kicking."

"Of course he is," Ryefield sighs. "And the other patient?"

I hesitate, my eye fixed on the second screen showing Raven huddled in the corner of his cell. He hasn't moved since I left him there, curled in on himself like a wounded animal. The sight makes my chest tighten up.

Goddamn it.

"Raven."

"What?" Ryefield's voice rises an octave. "You locked up your own?—"

"He's not my anything," I snap, cutting him off. The words taste like ash in my mouth. "And he needs to be kept safe until he gets his head straight."

"Safe from what?" There's an edge to Ryefield's voice I don't like. A knowing tone that sets my teeth on edge. "Or should I ask safe fromwhom?"

"Are you going to help or not?" I growl, already regretting calling him. But he's the only doctor I trust not to immediately sell this information to the highest bidder. Or to just run his mouth for the hell of it over drinks.

Another sigh crackles through the radio. "Fine. But I want hazard pay for this one. Double my usual rate."

"Triple it if you keep your mouth shut about who's down there," I counter. Money's never been an issue, but if he knows I can afford to give him whatever the hell he demands, he'll turn into the second biggest pain in the ass I've ever had.

"Deal."

"I'll page you in through the security door," I finish. "Don't try any heroics. They're both chained, but Nikolai's still dangerous even half-dead."

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