Page 153 of Stolen Omega

“Makes sense, I guess,” Archer murmurs.

“You think he might have a weapon?” he asks, checking his own piece and then putting it back in the shoulder holster that’s hidden by his jacket.

“I don’t know,” I tell him honestly. “I didn’t know he knew how to fly, so anything is possible.”

“Was he ever violent that Dale knows of?”

I shake my head. “Never.”

He nods, looking a little relieved.

I might never have met Zane before, but I’ve seen the affect he’s had on Dale. It’s enough to know he must be unstable. If he wasn’t, he would have marked my Omega a long time ago, and I would have had zero chance of becoming involved with him.

Who knew when I got the call from Archer last night that this was where I’d end up?

Would it have made a difference if this had happened before I pushed Dale away?

God only knows.

Fate’s an unpredictable bastard.

We keep moving toward the path that leads toward what looks like a swimming pool area that’s partially hidden by a line of trees. Kent catches up, and I turn his way.

“Feeling any better?”

“Fresh air helps. It’s kind of warm out here, though. I’m probably going to burn.”

“Oh, for sure,” Archer adds. “He only needs two minutes of sun to burst into flames.”

Kent rolls his eyes. “It’s not that bad.”

I look at his complexion and I’m sure it is. “I don’t know, dude. You’re pretty fair skinned.”

I start feeling the heat from the sun myself, and I know the number of freckles on my body are already getting set to multiply. Usually, a week in a hot place makes it look like I’m capable of taking a tan. I’m not. It’s all freckles.

I strip out of the plaid shirt I use like a jacket. The T-shirt underneath is old and frayed because I was working in my garage when Archer called me last night. My jeans are falling apart from tears, too. If I cared about first impressions, I might be embarrassed. I’m sure Dale would be, if he could see me right now.

I keep the shirt bunched up in one hand as I step onto the path that runs along the side of the pool, moving just ahead of Archer who slowed down to take out his weapon.

I look up at the building as the door opens, and I blink as someone steps outside.

The neon orange shorts throw me, but there’s no mistaking the guy who’s wearing them, with a white tank top and blue sunglasses. Dale takes off the glasses and starts to give me a smile, before his gaze moves behind me and his expression flattens back out.

I stop a few feet in front of him, letting him close the gap.

He takes a couple steps and stops.

“You’re here,” he murmurs, starting to frown.

“It’s you!” Archer snaps, making his way over.

Dale glances over my shoulder at him, recognition sparking in his eyes. “Oh, shit. They’re Zelena’s security …” He looks at me, raising an eyebrow. “Wait. You brought these guys here?”

“They’re looking for Zelena. We found Zane’s private runway.”

I couldn’t care less about any of that right now.

My gaze fixes on his throat. I don’t see any visible marks.

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