“I…I can do that,” she mutters, looking away.
I sigh and sit on the stool again, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees.
“I won’t lie to you, sweets. Life here isn’t going to be easy. But what we talk about in this room? This stays between us. I’m going to update the lock on our way out, so you have access. I get notified whenever the door opens, so if you need some space, or want to talk, just come in here, and I’ll be out as soon as I can. Does that sound like a plan?”
She looks at me again, and the open vulnerability in her eyes breaks my heart, even as she nods. I give her a soft smile, which she returns to my extreme relief. I stand up and give her the room to change, sighing deeply when I’m alone.
I don’t know who hurt that tiny, fragile omega, but if I ever find them, I will break every oath to do no harm I’ve ever taken to make them suffer.
Chapter twenty-four
Irewindthetapeagain, the grainy black-and-white images rushing backward from the omega ward. I press pause right as she emerges and turns her face toward the front door, looking almost directly at the camera.
Even now, Delilah is beautiful. Scared, vulnerable, and so perfect.
The sight of the male omega’s hand intertwined with my girl’s fingers makes me see red, just as it has every time I’ve watched this video. But a few clicks, and I zoom in, cropping the still image until only Delilah’s face fills my computerscreen.
My cock aches in my jeans, and I palm it roughly through the material. What I wouldn’t give to hear her scream again, to feel her wrapped around me, my knot tying us together as I sink my teeth into her perfect skin.
But I can’t get distracted again, not when I need to find her. She was safe and tucked away in that facility, with no one there to touch what is mine. But now…
Now my pretty little rabbit has escaped her cage. And I can’t have that. No. That simply won’t do.
I zoom out again and press play until the other jackboots join the omegas in the lobby. I pause and examine their faces, as much as I can under their masks. My eyes flick between the computer and the files on the desk beside my laptop. This isn’t the first time these vigilantes have gotten into trouble. And the markings on their kits match the records the authorities have. Not that the authorities will ever catch them.
By the time I’ve found my rabbit and brought her back to where she belongs, there won’t be enough of them left to identify.
I chuckle as I picture how I’m going to do it, picking up a scrap of fabric from beside me and holding it to my face as I breathe deep, moaning and purring as my omega’s scent fills my nose.
Okay. Maybe I have time to get distracted one more time before I hit the road to find my precious, baby rabbit.
Chapter twenty-five
Twodaysafterwebrought Delilah home, Siren and Phantom come home with the supply run, dragging several heavy boxes into the house. Everyone moves in unison, stepping up to put things away, and I bounce with excitement. I gave Siren a fair portion of my bonus from the last job to get very specific items, and I can’t wait to give them to Delilah. But I have to grit my teeth as I help unpack the boxes. We’ve gotten the usual resupply of non-perishables, and a bunch of new food based on the list we made so Delilah can cook. Cross got a special shipment of meds, including heat suppressants for our new omega. But as the things in the box dwindle, I see red.
“Where the fuck are the things I ordered?” I snap,turning to Siren.
They level a deadpan stare at me, unamused. “The clothes? The blankets? Yeah, no. We didn’t get those,” they answer blandly, turning their back on me.
I let out a growl, advancing a step toward their form. But I’m overruled by Bones’s much more aggressive one.
“We agreed on the basics, and we’ve got those right here,” he snaps, tossing a small duffle bag at me.
I catch it and open it, sorting through the contents. A few t-shirts, a pair of jeans, a pair of sweats, and four pairs of granny panties. Everything covered in cheap-ass scent blocker, which does nothing to mask the scent of dust and charity shop funk.
I glare at Bones, gritting my teeth. “You’re a right prick, you know that?” I grit out.
Bones doesn’t respond, lifting his chin slightly and looking down at me over his mask and respirator. I roll my eyes and stomp off, gripping the handle of the duffle bag tight enough that my knuckles turn white.
The last few days have been a test of my patience and loyalty, and I’m only passing by the skin of my teeth. No one has been cruel outright, but I’ve just about had enough of my pack treating Delilah like a second class citizen.
I knock gently on Delilah’s door when I reach the end of the hall, listening close for signs of movement. She’s been sleeping a lot since she arrived, at least I think she has. Delilah has sort of become a ghost, flitting around the edges of our home, cleaning and working and cooking when no one is around. I’ve had piles of folded laundry appear outside my door overnight, but I never hear the machine running. When I do see her, she keeps her head down, not looking at anyone or getting too close.
Light footsteps approach the door, and I relax slightly, letting out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I fix a soft smile on my face as the door cracks open, revealing a sliver of Delilah’s pale face.
“May I come in, little wisp? I’ve got something for you,” I ask softly, keeping my tone neutral.
She looks behind me for a moment, as if she’s expecting someone to jump out and stop me, before nodding and stepping out of the way to allow the door toopen further. When I step inside, I close it quickly, turning the lock. Delilah looks at me with alarm, but I give her a reassuring smile.