Page 191 of Filthy Royal

“Got that right,” Maddox snarked. “But Scarlett doesn’t seem to mind that he’s got a dirty mind and even filthier soul.” Sexual innuendo delivered, the kid picked up his half-eaten snack and shoved it into his mouth. “Let’s hit the cooking area. I want another one of those.”

Damien said nothing. He was too content to be anything but mellow. Plus, he was happy the kid was cracking jokes and enjoying himself. And getting some food. After so many rotations of shuttle rations, a growing Alpha like Maddox must think he was in paradise.

He snatched up his supply bag and followed his brother’s broad back, prowling through the space, taking in room after room of plush, fancy furniture like the entranceway table. The hallway took them past several living rooms and a study before it led to a kitchen filled with high-end appliances, including a top-of-the-line replicator.

No surprises there. Andor Stormhart’s family had been in the Brotherhood for a long time. They’d initially made their money through raiding but had branched out. Everything in the place was gold, silver, or covered in opulent crystal. It was ostentatious as fuck, and not at all what Damien would have expected a badass raider’s home to look like. But it was clean and safe, which meant that once they were out of this mess, Damien would be personally calling to thank Andor for the use of a hideout he didn’t know he’d provided. Damien would also send the male a crate of Abzal’s finest ale as a show of gratitude. Andor might have nosed his way into their family business more often recently than Damien liked, but he’d also come through time and again.

Maddox went immediately to the replicator.

Anya rolled her eyes.

Damien stowed his gear.

“Tell me.” He didn’t bother with pleasantries. He wanted to get clean and get back to Scarlett.

Anya answered, “The good news is there’s a lot to sift through from the vids you found in Darvish’s office, which means more chance of clues. The bad news is there’s a lot to sift through, which means it’ll take time. But Maxheim’s on it—and laser-focused. So you know we’ll have something soon.”

“The other good news is that Scarlett’s friends are safe.” This time Maddox spoke around something purple-skinned and sweet-smelling.

“That was fast.” Damien was glad. Scarlett would be pleased.

“Nikolai knew someone nearby who owed him a favor. All the prizes from the transport were rounded up and are already on their way to Abzal, where Dahlia, Tess, and Keira are waiting to welcome them.” Anya’s lips twitched upward. “Coincidentally, two outer-rim Consortium brothels had all their females disappear in one night. Obviously, we know the two incidents are unconnected, but if the Brotherhood comes knocking, Nikolai says to deny involvement in either.”

Damien narrowed his gaze at Anya, who stared back at him with an innocent “just reporting the facts” expression. But he got the sense there was more she wasn’t telling.

Seemed an awful lot of omegas-in-distress had disappeared lately, and he knew for a fact that his brothers hadn’t been involved in most of those cases.

“Are we sure there’s no connection?” he pushed.

“It is curious, huh?”

Damien noted she hadn’t given him a straight answer.

“Whatever the case, Scarlett will be pleased about her friends, right?” Maddox swallowed the last mouthful of whatever he’d been eating and reached for another.

True enough. And whatever else Anya might or might not be involved in would have to wait until Damien dealt with more immediate concerns. “Anything else to report?”

Anya shrugged. “That’s all we’ve got. We had an uneventful trip here. Stormhart and Scarlett’s brother—who are still working through some stuff themselves—are actually sweet when you get past all the bluster and cage-fighting, meanie vibes, and they made sure the place was empty and recorder-free before we entered.”

“Good to hear. Now, I’m off to get clean. Let me know the moment you hear from the family.” He shot Maddox a warning look. “Don’t eat Stormhart out of house and home.” As he prowled away, the kid made annoyed sounds of protest behind him, and Anya laughed.

Halfway down the hallway he heard, “Skolov, a moment.”

He turned as Luc emerged from sleeping quarters as gold and silver and fancy as the rest of the place.

Damien braced. “I want to check on Scarlett.”

“She’s in the cleaning unit.”

Damien couldn’t resist. “Even better.”

Luc’s shoulders went tight, and with no Anya or Scarlett around to bring calm, Damien tensed too. “Look, you didn’t want me with Scarlett from the start, but I’m here, and I’m sticking around, so get used to it.”

“You didn’t stick around,” Luc growled. “You left her, and then you stayed away.”

“So you want to trade fuck ups?” Damien kept his voice down in case the walls were thin enough for Scarlett to hear. “Because you made a lot of your own, including not protecting her as you should. Letting her destroy her life for you and your guy.”

“You think that’s what I wanted?” Luc prowled closer, his voice low but hard. “Fuck you. I would make any sacrifice for my sister. At first, I wanted her with Kadon because it seemed like the only way to save her from the brothels and the fate of most prizes. He was… reluctant, but at the same time, he wanted to protect Scarlett too. I knew I was asking a lot, but I was certain he wouldn’t use her and toss her aside, and I…” He plowed a hand through his buzzed hair. “I thought it would be a way of keeping Kadon close and safe too. Be a family. Together.”

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