Page 15 of Queen of Diamonds

I didn’t dare look at Knight.

Seeing that reaction in Kyan, and now the lead of the pack I should have been in, was already setting me back years.

“What’s the best way out?” Zed asked, dropping his hand and leaning back. I hated the little twist of sadness in my stomach as his touch vanished.

I took a breath. “There’s a guest on the first floor drawing security attention which will make it easier, and we can blend in.” The High Roller catered to a variety of desires. There was something for every occasion in this room, and mystery, masked Alphas and Omegas were included in that.

It would have to do.

“Golden robe and masks in the closet—” I made to stand, but Zed stopped me, hand cupping my neck. “Knight will get it.”

I gritted my teeth as Knight got to his feet and crossed to the closet I’d nodded to. It didn’t take him long to find what we needed.

The golden masks would get us out as long as I could divert questions as to why we were out of the private top floor rooms while wearing them.

Knight dropped the robe and a mask before me, then tossed one to Kyan and Zed. I noticed he didn’t meet my eyes. Kyan, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to look anywhere but at me. I avoided thinking too hard about that.

“Can I move now?” I asked, heavy sarcasm in my voice.

Zed just flashed me a grin, placing the mask carefully over his blue eyes. Then he picked up my mask and robe before I could grab it.

I could feel his attention on me like lead weights as I stood. It was one of those sheer night robes that were translucent under certain lights. A thousand times I’d seen an Omega on stage shrug it off, leaving it pooled on the ground like water as they revealed something much more mesmerising in its wake.

“I don’t get the impression the gown is supposed to have so much fabric beneath,” Zed said.

“My dress stays,” I snapped. Again, I felt the scars on my back ache.

Absolutely not.

“Shame. We did pay a lot of money to come see you.” His smile was cold as he handed me the mask, which I fit on my face, ignoring him.

But I couldn’t ignore the fragile, long crushed part of my soul that blinked awake.

He was my mate.

Prick or not, hearing him suggest that was like feeling a puzzle piece slot into place; something returning home. I ripped it back out and did away with it, knowing I had no room for those sorts of thoughts.

He would help me get out of here, then we’d part ways.

And for how long would I mourn them?

That failed date with another Alpha felt a million years away now. I tugged the golden silk gown on and pushed the thought away, making sure my purse was tucked away. I didn’t have much in there, but it would have to do. Phone, keys, lipstick, a few spare pens, and my knives. But I’d need to loop back around the moment we’d drawn them away to grab Lucy.

For now, all we needed to do was get past that Alpha without drawing too much attention, then we’d blend in with the other packs and Omegas.

If they’d been watching me as long as I thought they had, they’d believe—quite rightfully—that I was a fucking loner. I never took clients.

“All right,” Zed stood and stretched. “We’re going to make this look convincing.” He glanced over at the hulking Alpha at his side. “Knight? You’re up.”

6

KNIGHT

I’d known from the moment Kyan had brought up finding her that this was the stupidest plan Zed had made to date.

Zed and his fucking ego.

And sure enough, here we were, stuck with her. She was in trouble, because of course she was—and worse, she was a thousand times more captivating than any memory would have me believe. A fragment of our past, a dark shard that ached with every step forward—never letting go of the hold she had on us.

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