Page 23 of No Escape

We don’t.

I’ve always had a policy of fucking anyone I’m attracted to, but Valor is much pickier. Then there’s the whole friendship thing. He’s my best mate, and adding sex to the mix could ruin our dynamic. Also, I’m ninety-seven percent sure he’s straight. Although, he might be asexual, since I’ve never seen him with anyone of any gender.

Initially, we had some vague hope that adding a bond could slow down his mental decay, but sadly, that wasn’t the case. He needs an omega, and that brings me back to the situation at hand.

The woman blinks up at me as I give a cheeky bow and introduce myself while keeping my hand extended. “Omen, at your service.”

“Saylor,” she says, not shaking.

I pull my arm down.

Her eyes widen, and she chucks herself into my chest, shoving with all her might. It wouldn’t move me if I held firm in my stance, but the fear on her face convinces me to act, and I wrap my hand around her lower back, pulling her with me as we twirl.

A dagger slams into the wall, ricocheting off the brick and landing on the linoleum flooring a few feet away.

Continuing my movement, I spin Saylor to the wall and cover her with my body in case another blade will be coming our way.

The facility has a no-weapons policy, but where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Assassins and mercenaries are fond of our toys, after all. Most of the guards can be bought for what I would consider a minimal fee, and anything small enough to be passed through the grates in the floor regularly makes its way into the cell blocks. Larger items are left with the supply drops. You just have to know where to look and get there before the person who ordered it. Well, that or have someone on the outside willing to pay when the guard in question seeks payment.

Valor wraps his forearm around Vlad’s neck, dragging the Russian backward at an angle as Vlad’s boots scratch against the floor.

My partner’s eyes are hazy as he snarls, and it’s not difficult to tell he’s lost to the haze of the mental decay. He has a busted eyebrow and blood drips around his eye and down his cheek as he snarls, bending to collect the knocked-out Sergei with a handful of his T-shirt.

I chuckle, step back, and appraise the omega. “Sorry about that unpleasantness. Valor will make an example of their lack of manners.” Before I forget, I grab the dagger and drop it inside my sock for easy access the next time I need it.

“T-That was Valor?”

“Ahh, his reputation precedes him.” I have no idea why that tickles me so much, but it does. I stand and gesture down the hallway. “Would you like an escort back to your room?”

Her eyes meet mine as her chest rises and falls in rapid pants. “And you’re his bonded beta?”

I can feel my eyes roll, even if it’s unintentional. “That would be me. And don’t worry, I find it grand to be referred to as my designation.”

Her eyes widen, and she swallows thickly. “I’m sorry. That was rude. Thank you for saving me.” Stepping forward, she holds out a small, shaking hand. Her fear is palpable, but she’s more cordial than before.

Ignoring her hand, like she did to me, I boop her nose. “Anytime, pet. Now, are you hungry? Want an escort back to your room?”

Her head nods, then shakes. “I haven’t eaten in I don’t know how long, but I don’t want to go back to my room either.” She steps forward, fluttering her long lashes. “I want you to take me to your alpha so I can ask for his protection.” Her hand comes to rest on my chest. “Yours too, although I saved you from that knife. He wasn’t aiming at me.”

She’s right about that.

Omegas are too rare in here to purposely injure.

I still scoff, a lazy smirk crossing my face. “Awful cocky for someone who was pinned to the wall, crying, less than three minutes ago.” Wrapping my hand in hers, I drag her back toward the cafeteria. “Valor won’t look twice at you, but I’m bored. We might as well see how this plays out.”

If there’s even a sliver of a chance I can get my partner back to working condition, I’m not about to turn down the opportunity.

ChapterSeven

Saylor

My heart races, and I try to formulate a plan. The man who brought me to my room told me Valor would be one of the safer options, but he also said to avoid his bonded beta.

Omen.

It’s a hell of a name and possibly a warning rolled up into one.

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