Page 67 of Filthy Royal

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DAMIEN

Damien awoke with a groan, the vibrations from the shuttle jostling every sore muscle—which was damned near all of them.

But he was alive.

Which was more than he could say for Crex.

He tried to shift—only to have metal bite into his throat.

He might be alive, but they’d shackled his throat, wrists, and ankles to the hull.

The Consortium was taking no chances.

Off to one side loomed six mean-looking Alphas escorting him from the premises, their tasers already fired up.

As if he had any interest in drop-kicking their asses anywhere.

He’d caught sight of their destination flashing across the navigation screen: Abzal.

They were taking him home. Only place he wanted to go.

He let his head drop back against the shuttle wall.

She was probably with Stormhart already. Maybe even now signing the contract that would make her his prime omega: Scarlett Stormhart.

His stomach lurched, bile burning at the back of his throat.

Rage filled him. Hatred too.

Kadon Stormhart now had everything Damien once wanted.

Luc must be pleased, the Consortium too. Plus, Egan was gone, so that was one less worry for them all.

It had all worked out well for everyone—except for him.

Damien shifted on the hard seat. He’d never felt younger. Or dumber. Or more lost.

He still couldn’t fathom why she’d done it. But then again, her brother had warned him: Stormhart had always been the smarter choice.

Guess she’d wised up just in time.

Their dry humping against the wall her farewell sendoff before she chose security, wealth, and a family with Brotherhood connections over some bruiser with none of the above.

Orgasms were nice, but they didn’t keep a female’s belly full or offer the kind of legitimacy a prize would crave.

Lesson learned.

His gaze returned to the navigation screen, and he kept it together by watching the distance to his home dwindle.

He was so damned glad to be heading back to his family to lick his wounds.

To refocus and find his purpose once more.

First things first, though: locate Crex’s family and do whatever he could to ensure his friend’s six sisters were safe.

He owed Crex that much.

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