Page 47 of Taken Off Camera
“Exactly.”
The hardness in Sebastian’s response draws Saint’s attention. For a long moment, they stare at each other, one Alpha assessing another.
“What’s your plan?” Saint asks at last.
“Find Travis,” Sebastian answers without hesitation. “Stop him.”
Saint raises an eyebrow. “That simple, huh?”
“I didn’t say it would be simple.”
The tension between them crackles with mutual suspicion and grudging respect.
“Speaking of finding him,” Saint breaks the standoff by reaching into his back pocket. “I got the lab results.” He unfolds a paper and hands it to me. “The DNA from the underwear matches Travis Thornhill.”
My fingers curl around the edges of the report. “He was in the system?”
“He’s a registered sex offender.” Saint’s expression turns murderous. “Two prior convictions for public indecency, both involving Omegas. Served eight months the first time, fourteen for the second.”
Sebastian leans closer to read over my shoulder. “Explains the escalation pattern.”
Saint opens the pastry bag, the paper crinkling as he extracts a flaky danish pastry and offers it to me, our traditional peace offering.
I accept it, the sweet cherry filling sticking to my fingers as I take a bite.
“I’ll break into every apartment across the streetuntil I find this guy,” Saint announces, as if discussing weekend plans.
“No!” I choke on the frosting and cough to clear my throat. “That’s how you end up arrested.”
“Please,” Saint scoffs. “No one ever catches me.”
Sebastian raises an eyebrow but doesn’t comment on this admission.
“Sebastian is helping track him down,” I explain. “Through less illegal methods.”
Saint turns his attention to Sebastian. “What kind of resources do you have for this sort of thing?”
“The kind that gets results without prison time.” Sebastian remains calm. “I have connections with private investigators who specialize in these cases.”
“And what’s your angle?” Saint’s expression hardens. “Why go through all this for someone you met online?”
“Saint,” I warn.
“No, it’s a fair question.” Sebastian shifts to face Saint. “Micah is special to me, and I protect what I care about.”
The sincerity in his voice silences even Saint, who studies him before he says, “Fair enough.”
An awkward silence follows, broken only when Sebastian’s phone chimes with a text. He checks itand stands. “I should go now. My brother needs me for a family matter.”
I walk him to the door, aware of Saint tracking our every move.
At the threshold, Sebastian cups my face with one hand, his thumb tracing my cheekbone. “Call me if anything happens. Anything at all.”
“I will.”
He gives me a chaste kiss. “Saint’s a good friend. Overprotective, but good.”
“The best,” I agree.
