Page 42 of Unhinged Omega

The door swings open, and we step into the dim interior. It takes a moment for my eyes to adjust, but when they do, I see them.

Valek, lounging against the far wall like a coiled snake ready to strike. Instantly recognizable even though he's wearing a white scarf with little silver patterns on it. And beside him, looking as out of place as a rose in a garbage dump, is the big surly one with a stick wedged permanently up his ass. Thane. He's even wearing a white Surhiiran military jacket even though I know for a fact they all recently retired. Maybe they gave himan honorary position to keep him occupied. Like when Geo tried to start an employee of the month program at the club.

That shit went south quick. Literally, considering one of the girls spiked the competition's drinks with laxatives.

Good times. I almost miss that place.

I glance around casually, but there's no sign of the others. Looks like I was right after all.

"Son of a bitch," Geo mutters.

"Told you so," I say in a singsong under my breath, before plastering on my most charming smile and prancing up to Thane and Valek. "Fancy meeting you boys here."

The words have barely left my lips when Valek's knife appears in his hand, glinting dangerously in the dim light. Beside him, Thane draws his gun, the barrel aimed squarely at my chest.

Fuck.

I freeze, feeling Geo tense beside me. This isn't quite the warm welcome I was hoping for, but then again, when has anything in my life ever gone according to plan?

I raise my hands slowly, adopting an expression of wounded innocence. "Is that any way to greet an old friend?"

Thane's eyes narrow, his finger tightening on the trigger. "We're not friends," he growls. "Especially not after you shot at us on our way out of the Alpha's Alpha."

Shit. I was hoping they wouldn't bring that up so quickly.

I feel Geo's furious glare burning into the side of my face. The look screams, "You didn't tell me that," louder than any words could. I'll have to smooth that over later. Assuming we make it out of here alive, of course.

"It was a misunderstanding," I say smoothly, waving a dismissive hand. "A misunderstanding between friends."

I turn up the charm, letting a roguish grin spread across my face. It's the same look that's gotten me out of—and into—moretrouble than I care to admit. "Yes, I should have mentioned that I owned the club Monty Filch frequents, but you got what you came for, didn't you?"

Thane's jaw clenches, his grip on the gun tightening. "No," he says gruffly. "We didn't."

"Oh," is all I manage to say.

I need to recover. Fast.

"But he's dead now," I say, grasping at straws. "And isn't that the important thing?"

The sound of Thane cocking his gun echoes through the room.

Guess not.

But I've talked my way out of worse situations than this. Hell, talking is what I do best. Well, that and a few other things that probably won't help me much right now. These two don't like alphas.

"Okay, yes, I was purposely vague," I admit, the words tumbling out in a rush. "I apologize. But theinformationI gave you was good, even if it was easier to come by than I implied. And yes, sure, my men shot at you—despite my orders to the contrary, I might add—but you also killed quite a few of them, so can't we just call it even?" I pause, a flash of inspiration striking. "Well, maybe not quite even, consideringyoustill owe me a favor."

Beside me, Geo face-palms so hard I'm surprised he doesn't knock himself out. "You were on a roll," he mutters under his breath.

"Not like you're helping," I hiss, noticing he hasn't bothered to reach forhisgun.

"A favor?" Valek echoes, his laughter sharp and cold. "A favor would be letting you walk out of here in one piece."

I feel a bead of sweat trickle down my neck. This isn't going well.

Time to change tactics.

"Fine," I say, letting a hint of steel creep into my voice. "If the Ghosts have no honor and want to renege on your end of our deal, then I'll hire you."

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