Page 24 of Drown My Sorrow

Kelly glares. I elbow him and lean in close.

“Lighten up, Raines. This is going to be fun. After all, we all share an omega. It’s in our best interests to get along, right?”

Kelly stalks out silently. The three of them pile into the car that we have waiting for them. I hum and squeeze in, sitting on Gaels’ lap and staring at his face.

He ignores me, but I can’t look away from the fascinating micro tics of annoyance and exhaustion.

It doesn’t take long before Shale stops the car, and I turn to smile at our prisoners. Ezy is stiff on Keagan’s lap, trying hard to ignore the blade that’s stroking him.

“All right. Now these are the rules. If you run, we’re gutting someone. If you hurt us, we’ll hurt you back times three. But, if you behave, we’re all going to walk away at dawn with nothing more than an understanding between alphas.”

“Kidnapping doesn’t construe goodwill,” Kelly snaps.

“Making my omega cry doesn’t either,” Shale hits back and pulls the door open. “Get out. Walk to the bonfire, and sit down.”

They do what we say, but Kelly is obviously not used to doing what other people instruct. I gape as the alpha stops on the beach at the sound of his phone. He whips it out before I can say anything and stares at us.

“Talk to me,” he says, despite me advancing on him.

“We have them all. Everyone is safe. Are you coming back?” I make out the tiny voice through the phone and wonder just who he’s talking to, then I realise I don’t care.

I shove Kelly, and when he falls, I climb over him, straddling his body. I reach for the phone, ignoring his struggles.

“I can’t, Bailey. I’ve got to-”

“Goodbye, Bailey. Kelly has to pay for making his omega cry.”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“Come find out,” I purr and hang up the phone. “That was very naughty.”

“Just break it!” Shale says in disgust.

“No!” Kelly shouts. “Please, no. My brother’s beta was almost kidnapped tonight. Just, please. You can hold it and answer any calls, but don’t break my phone. It’s the only way I can contact them.”

I exchange a look with Shale. He holds out his hand, and I toss it to him.

“You’re lucky we have a weakness for rescuing damsels.”

I push Kelly’s shoulder, and he lays down in the sand glaring up at me.

“Good dog.”

He snarls, and it’s just so cute I have to dip down and lick the side of his face. Tequila. Hmm, interesting scent.

“We’re going to play a game,” Shale says with a grin. “It’s called truth or submission.”

I climb off Kelly but don’t move away from him. He sits up and watches Shale.

“Why are we playing games?”

“Because I want to,” Shale says and pulls out two bottles of whiskey. He passes them around and, to my surprise, Gael drinks. Ezy and Kelly refuse, but that’s okay.

“Why did you hurt her?” Shale says and points at Kelly.

“Because she was going to be in lots of trouble with my uncle.”

“Truth,” I declare and force the bottle to Kelly’s lips, making him drink.

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