Page 169 of Carmichael's Omega

Rique says softly. "I really see something, now."

I watch Diego move into view in a second-floor window and open it. He is shirtless, with his pants unbuttoned. As we watch, he lights a cigarette, takes two puffs, then tosses it to the ground.

"You think he fucked Alice or someone else?" Rique asks me grimly.

"I think I'm going to rip off his dick for taking so long, so it's a moot point," I tell him. I hide my fury and fear at the thought that he's hurtmi hermano. I barely know Diego, and the mistrust I feel makes my spine itch.

Diego walks back inside, leaving the window open. It makes me feel only slightly more relaxed that he's left us another way inside.

"All right, let's move," I mutter under my breath. I stand up and dust off my dark leather clothes. Mattie picked them for me. He claims that they make me look "even more intimidating." I think I look like a bad imitation of a mobster from the 1980s. Ridiculous. All I need are some diamond cufflinks and a necklace. A necklace like a-

"Here, Punk. Finishing touches. You know, humans dress like this for weddings, yeah?" the Beta's voice is calm, but his eyes light with an insane bloodlust as he dangles a chain on my neck. "The witch gave it to me. Said it prevents spells and shit. I had her make it real pretty for you."

I grind my teeth but smile. "My Mattie will look real nice in it,sí? I'll have to get a smaller one for Cassidy."

The Beta's devilish smirk falls. "Asshole," he mutters. "Don't fuck this up. We want her alive, Punk."

"Sí, Jefe. It was my idea," I remind him. He grunts, and I nod my own 'good luck' back.

I jump into Rique's jeep, also meant to send a message, and drive up to the house. We stroll out past the two guards, just two males looking to spend some time with our favoriteamigo, Diego.

As we approach the front door, I receive a text from the Beta. Smirking, I show Rique.

Pinche Beta - You both look like douches

ACR - Sí, Jefe, sí.

Diego opens the door, greeting us with arms open wide. "Cabrón!"

"Jefe!" I punch him in the gut in a friendly way. Diego huffs out a breath, his fake smile slipping just a bit.

A feminine voice calls out from behind a door, asking who it is in Spanish. My wolf in a hunter's stance, ready, waiting, intent on his prey.

"My friends from school,sí?" Diego calls back.

I take a step toward the male, inhaling, letting his scent settle into my lungs. Alice is forgotten for a moment when I can taste the scent of another female clinging to Diego like a second skin. Sex and the merest hint of blood make my vision darken and my mouth drip saliva.

I know this scent from somewhere. It's not Alice. Not any of my pack. Is it...Diosa...who?

Diego swallows but says nothing, makes no excuses. A sick feeling twists in my gut. Thisbastardoreeks of guilt.

Sí. My alpha wolf agrees and snaps his canines in the male's face, but before I can interrogate Diego, the woman of the hour walks into the room. Smug, viscous arrogance radiates off of her. I hide my eagerness. I can barely wait until it dies on her face.

"You can let them have a go at the little bitch-"

I watch the target move into my view and wait for her to recognize me. Pure satisfaction fills me when she spots my face, grinding to a halt. I can't hide the smile.

Her face pales to such a stark white that her makeup looks utterly clownish, as if a classroom of kindergartners mopped her face with face paint. Her entire body shudders, making her drop the glass of amber liquid in her hands to the tile floor. It shatters, the sound like a gunshot to my wolf's sensitive ears.

It doesn't take long before the chase begins. My wolf snaps his jaws, his teeth bared in a macabre grin as we grab Alice by the hair and yank, full force, ripping strands from her head as she is flung to the ground. She hits the floor hard. Her head bounces, and she goes still.

My shoulders slump at how easy apprehending her is. I meet Rique's eyes. "Sí, Riq, this is boring."

"Not completely, ey?" Rique has Diego in a tight hold, the male's arms wrenched backward.

"Let's see who is upstairs before everyone else arrives," I tell Rique as I hogtie Alice.

"No!" Diego starts to struggle, his arms wrenching. "Let me talk to her,sí? Before she-" he goes silent as we listen to the soft, feminine gasp of pain accompanied by a thud. Another set of feet, these much larger stomp on the floor above us. The muffled sounds of a struggle can be heard from the windows below the one Diego left open earlier.

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