Page 45 of Waiting for Fate
Omen yelps and I leap back to my feet, cursing when I see another mercenary holding her by her hair, a knife pressed to her throat. She nods, the movement only a slight shift of her head.
He’s a beta. Fucking amateurs.
“Drop the knife, lock yourself in the laundry room, and you’ll walk out alive.”
He’s lying, but it doesn’t matter. He never should have come in here without an alpha to counter my bark. “Freeze!”
I leap, ripping his arm away and slamming my knife against his skull as soon as Omen dives away. He crumples, but Omen’s shouting shatters my temporary relief. Another of these assholes is dragging her out the back door. She’s disoriented, likely having taken a blow to the face or head to force her compliance. Not good when she barely has the energy to walk around the house, let alone recover from a stunning hit.
The front door opens and I take off after Omen, ignoring the shouts of alarm rising behind us. I tackle the man dragging her, wrapping my arms around Omen to stop her from hitting the concrete patio with the same force. I push her to her feet and clamber after her.
“Run!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
MY FIRST TOURas a band manager has come to an end! It feels incredible to see the smiles on Orbital Somatic’s faces and know I helped make the past several months a success for them.
We’re celebrating our last show in Los Angeles, another festival which we will be staying to explore tomorrow. Coming to LA is a dream come true, and crosses off one of the many metal and rock music festivals on my bucket list!
The label rented the rooftop restaurant of our hotel for an after party, exclusive to just bands, the crew, and local label higher ups. I have a smile plastered on my face, trying to enjoy the food and festivities. Ridley stands at my side, his hand hidden behind my back where his fingers knead along my spine.
It’s been two weeks since Omen and Lex went into hiding. Two miserable weeks of pretending like I’m not one mishap away from an omega meltdown. Not knowing if the man I don’t want to admit I am falling in love with is safe amplifies my distress. Compounding that with the fact my best friend is also in the same danger, and I’m a giant ball worry. Which isn’t something my designation handles well.
“We can leave whenever you’re ready,” Ridley whispers, reminding me for the fourth time since we arrived a half hour ago that I am not technically required to be here.
“I know,” I mutter.
Caleb makes his way toward us. His shoulder length curls are pulled into a tight, messy knot at the top of his head, highlighting his steely blue eyes and boyish smile. “Hey, Bea,” he says as he stops next to me.
“Caleb.”
“I wanted to thank you. The past two months have been nerve-wracking for my band as they got used to being assigned to a major music label. You supported us and made the entire process a thousand times easier. I hope the execs see your value the way we do, and keep you as our manager from now on.”
My cheeks heat and I can’t help but smile back at him. Hearing they also thought I did a great job in my role makes all the hiccups along the way worth it. “Don’t worry, Michaels, I’m not going anywhere. You have to earn a headlining tour, remember?”
He laughs, wandering away when one of his bandmates calls him over.
“I knew you were made for this from the very first show,” Ridley says, stepping closer now that everyone has moved toward the bar in the corner. “My bossy little omega.”
A shiver runs down my spine at the pride and heat in his voice. Maybe it is time to head to our hotel room for the night…
My phone rings, bringing my horny thoughts to a halt. I step outside to answer when I see Mom’s name on the screen It’s almost three in the morning back on the East Coast. Why is she awake?
Hot air presses around me once I’m out of the building’s air conditioning. It’s nice for a minute, but I make a note to not stay out for long. I don’t want to be drenched in sweat when we go back inside.
“Hey Mom—“
My words cut off as pain rips through my temple, stealing my breath. I can’t focus on anything but the lingering sensation and the snippets of Mom’s hurried words.
“Safe house… compromised… no contact…”
A scream tears from my throat as searing pain tears through my upper arm. “What?” I choke out the word, but my phone clatters to the floor.
Lex. It has to be him. Ridley was right. Our connection, the shared pain, he’s hurt. My mate is hurt!
I push to my feet, rushing back into the restaurant and bee lining for the elevators. We need to leave. To go back to Starburgh. I need to be there, I need—
“Sunshine, I need you to breathe for me.” Ridley takes my hand and presses it against his chest as the elevator doors slide closed. Tears cover my eyes as I look up at him. I can feel them streaming down my face, but it’s distant. All I can focus on is the urgent need to get to my mate.
