Page 53 of Omega on Fire

"Charlotte." Moses’ deep voice pulls me from my thoughts. "You with us?"

I blink, refocusing on the present. "Sorry, what?"

Josiah's knowing smirk tells me he has a pretty good idea where my mind wandered. "We need to get you a dress. Something that screams 'fuck you, I'm fabulous' while concealing at least two weapons."

I laugh; the sound surprising even me. "That's oddly specific."

"I know a designer," Beaux says unexpectedly. "Owes me a favor. She can have something ready by tomorrow night."

Four sets of eyes turn to him in varying degrees of surprise.

He shrugs, unrepentant. "What? I'm cultured as fuck."

"Learn something new every day," I murmur, and the tension in the room shifts, breaks like a fever.

We're doing this. We're taking the fight to Blaine. And for the first time since I became a target, I don't feel like prey.

I feel like a predator.

CHAPTER 20

CHARLOTTE

Training, fittings, more training, it's like we've picked up where we left off. Yesterday's bruises overlap with today's, a rainbow of patchy healing bruises along my forearms from blocking Moses’ strikes. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the burn, the earned ache of muscles worked to their limit.

The burgundy gown Beaux’s designer friend delivered fits like vengeance itself. Sleek yet forgiving, with hidden pockets for a ceramic blade along my thigh and a miniature panic button disguised as costume jewelry. Practical and deadly, just like me.

“Again,” Moses had said this morning, circling me on the training mat. “This time, use your center of gravity.”

I’d nodded, sweat trickling between my shoulder blades, and lunged.

Now, I roll my shoulder, working out the tender spot where he’d flipped me. Worth it for the moment I finally executed the counter-move correctly, his surprised grunt as he hit the mat beneath me was more satisfying than a thousand political victories.

Making my way toward Teagan’s office, I’m surprised I haven’t been pulled in another direction by one of the guys. They’ve been hovering since we decided on our offensive strategy, Josiah testing equipment on me, Beaux running scenarios, Moses drilling self-defense moves into muscle memory. Only Teagan has kept his distance, retreating into strategy and planning.

The rest of the penthouse is quiet, suspiciously so, but his office door is cracked open and faint noise spills through. A low sound, almost like breath held too long. Followed by a rough whisper I can’t quite make out. Curiosity tugs at me, stronger than hesitation.

I nudge the door open with my knuckles. And freeze.

Teagan stands at the center of the room, sleeves rolled up, eyes sharp and with an intensity that stills me further. Josiah kneels before him, bare-chested,head bowed, hands clasped behind his back. His body is rigid with tension, like he’s made of wire and willpower.

Teagan’s hand is gripping Josiah’s neck, not hard, not cruel, but commanding. His thumb brushes across Josiah’s lower lip, and Josiah opens for him without a word.

My breath hitches.

Teagan doesn’t look surprised to see me. If anything, he smiles, slow and deliberately, a wolf catching a scent. “Well, well,” he murmurs. “Look who decided to join us.”

Josiah doesn’t move. His cheeks flush, but his eyes don’t lift from the floor. It’s not shame I see on him, it’s control surrendered. Freely. Reverently.

I can’t move. Can’t look away. Something about the scene pins me to the doorway, heart pounding in my throat. It isn’t just about sex, it’s deeper than that, I assume. Trust layered beneath power, affection woven into submission.

Teagan drags his gaze back to mine. “You’re welcome to stay,” he says, voice low and rich, “but if you stay, you don’t get to be a spectator.”

My stomach drops, heat blooms low and fast between my thighs.

He gives me a moment, just one, and then adds, “You’ve seen Josiah’s brilliance. His chaos. His humor. But this?” He tugs lightly on Josiah’s short curls at the nap of his neck, and Josiah shivers. “This is how he resets. This is what he needs. And I’m the only one who gives it to him.”

Josiah exhales softly, still silent.

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