Page 90 of Taken Off Camera
My body betrays my conflict, shoulders hunching when they discuss worst-case scenarios, spine straightening when technical challenges arise. I’m caught between worlds, neither comfortable with their methods nor willing to reject their protection.
“We’re getting ahead of ourselves with cleanup procedures,” Saint cuts in, slicing through Gabriel’s explanation of digital footprint elimination. “Killing him too soon could mean losing valuable information.”
The temperature in the room drops several degrees. Milo’s fingers freeze above his tablet. Ezra straightens from his casual lean against the wall. Even Jade, who suggested the permanent solution at breakfast, turns his full attention to Saint.
“What kind of information?” Sebastian asks.
Saint’s jaw tightens, the muscle pulsing beneath his skin. “Travis was caught multiple times in the past, which points to sloppy behavior. But with Micah, his methods suddenly upgraded, and he was fast to disappear. It doesn’t add up.”
“You think he had help,” Ezra states, not a question but a confirmation.
“I think he had funding.” Saint’s eyes sweep the room, challenging anyone to dismiss his theory. “Someone saw a vulnerable Omega with an online presence and decided to outsource their sick fantasy.”
My stomach twists at the thought of not just Travis watching me, but someone else. Someone providing him with money and resources. Someone who might find another Travis if this one is removed.
“Interesting theory.” Gabriel taps his pen on the table. “But speculative. We deal in certainties.”
“Your certainties will get you a dead stalker and a new problem in three months when his replacement shows up,” Saint fires back. “Street tactics aren’t pretty, but they work. We take him alive, squeeze him for information, and if he squeals, we follow the money.”
“Both approaches have merit.” Sebastian steeples his fingers beneath his chin as he considers. “A hybrid strategy could serve us well.”
Gabriel scoffs. “Hybrid, how? We either eliminate the threat or we don’t.”
“We identify the root cause first,” Sebastian counters. “Then eliminate all branches.”
“Wouldn’t be the first time.” Jade pushes away from the door. “If this Travis guy does have a backer, maybe he’s connected to our other operation.”
“You’re grasping at straws,” Gabriel scoffs.
“At least I’m reaching forsomething,” Jade snarls. “It’s been two months since?—”
“Enough,” the Alpha at the back of the room says. “If you can’t keep your personal emotions out of this, then take a walk, Jade.”
With a snarl, the young Omega turns and stomps out of the room.
Gabriel whistles. “Way to kick a kid when he’s down, Aaiden.”
“He’s not a kid. He’s a trained assassin who’s gone off the handle with good reason, but it makes him dangerous.” Aaiden stands from his seat. “He needs therapy, not more bloodshed.”
Silence falls over the room as the Alpha stalks out, and telling looks go around the room.
Then Sebastian shifts in his chair, turning his chair toward me. “What do you think we should do, Micah?”
Everyone’s attention swivels to me. Even Saint turns, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, with my mind still caught up in Rockford family drama, I can’t remember what we were discussing before.
And when I do, my pulse quickens. What answer will satisfy them? What answer will I be able to live with?
The two questions war within me, neither yielding ground.
“I…” My voice cracks, and I clear my throat. “I don’t want anyone killed.”
A ripple of reaction moves through the room, ranging from raised eyebrows, exchanged glances, and slight shifts in posture. Sebastian’s expression, though, remains unchanged as he waits for me to continue.
“But Travis needs to be stopped,” I add, finding strength in the words. “Not only scared off or warned. I’m not the first Omega he’s stalked, so even if we scare him away from me, he’ll just shift his fixation to someone else. Someone with fewer resources.”
Milo leans closer, his interest piqued. “And how would you accomplish both objectives?”
