Page 67 of Bound By Pain
Finished with the stench, I head out to the car, Creed following behind me. Fuck, it feels way too good to cause mayhem with him. Reminds me too much of our days in the service.
The first location is a bust. Some dive bar he supposedly frequents with his Eternals buddies. The only people inside are old-timers.
At the second apartment leased in Alisha’s name, we find signs that Marcus has been here recently. He isn’t here now, though.
“Fucking shit,” Creed growls, tossing Marcus’ stuff everywhere.
“Come on, we have one more stop to make.”
I lead him back to the car, but movement at the corner catches my attention. It isn’t Marcus, but the teenager currently hightailing it to the next block looks familiar. Nodding my head, I grab Creed’s attention before I jog after him.
He glances back, sees me following, and bolts down an alley. I pick up my speed, but there is no rush. Creed will cut him off before he can escape. I’m proven right when I hear the roar of the Blackwing’s engine before tires crunch over gravel.
The teen tries to climb the side of one of the surrounding buildings when he realizes he is trapped, but Creed yanks him back to the ground.
“Where’s Marcus?”
“I don’t know nothin’.”
“Then why were you watching Marcus’ apartment?” I ask, crouching to glare at the kid. A wave of dominance rolls off of me, stilling his squirming. He fights against me, but then Creed follows my lead, our combined Alpha auras forcing the kid to answer our questions.
“I was paid to keep an eye on the place.”
“By Marcus?”
“By the Eternals.”
Creed grunts, jaw clenched tight enough he will crack a tooth if he isn’t careful. He whips his phone and shoves it in the kid’s face, a picture of Marcus on the screen. “Is this who hired you?”
“Yes,” the kid grinds out, clearly unhappy with being coerced into answering.
“How are you supposed to contact him if you see someone at his place?”
We walk away with a phone number, leaving the kid with promises we’ll be back if he’s lied to us. I don’t enjoy scaring kids, but when they’re as ingrained in gang life as he is, there’s no backing down. Leniency will earn you a knife in the back if you aren’t careful.
In the car, Creed dials the number.
“What?” Marcus’ voice snaps, sounding as annoyed as we feel.
“You threatened my Omega.” Creed’s voice is deadly cold as he speaks, darkness weighing around us with the feral energy pouring off of him.
“Did your pretty flower like my gift,brother? I can’t wait to pluck her petals, forcing you to watch as my men break her before I slit your throat.”
Dual growls rattle through the interior, sharp and fierce. No way in hell is this asshole getting his hands on our mate.
“We’re coming for you,” I grit between clenched teeth. “You aren’t getting away this time, and the law will not stop us. You should know better than to mess with a bonded Omega.”
Marcus laughs, taunting us with more words, but Creed hangs up. The car shifts into gear, and we’re flying away from the abandoned apartment.
We’ll tear this entire city apart if we have to.
My hands ache from pounding the heavy bag at the local gym. Our hunt for Marcus led nowhere. A-fucking-gain. This asshole pisses me off more and more each time he slips through our fingers. At this point, I’m certain I would snap his neck if I saw him in person.
Flexing my fingers on the steering wheel, I drive aimlessly around town. Returning to an empty apartment won’t help settle the raging sea inside of me. Neither will a night at DAU or FCDA headquarters. I’d just pick a fight with the other recruits and get scolded for it later.
Starburgh is quiet in the early hours. As sleepy as a city can ever truly get. I pass by empty parks and closed storefronts, lost in thought.
When I realize I’ve stopped, I’m idling outside of Bea’s apartment. Of course, my instincts led me here. I feel settled when she is near. When she’s safe.
