Page 29 of Hide or Die

“This is it,” Beckett said dryly, as a cabin came into view through the trees. “Apparently.”

“Utilities?” Alex asked. “Food?”

“Allegedly,” Beckett replied.

Alex pulled the Range Rover up to the front door and parked it.

“Why have you brought us here?” I asked, fresh dread bubbling up at the realization of how remote this place appeared to be.

“Because no one will think to come looking for you here, while we figure out what the hell’s going on with this so-called Beta Liberation Front,” Beckett said. “The fact that there’s no one else living close enough to smell an omega in heat is a happy bonus. Stay here.”

He opened the door and got out, closing it behind him. Pistol in hand, he disappeared around the side of the cabin and returned after a few moments, evidently with a key. The rest of us waited in awkward silence as he went inside. A couple of minutes later, he returned. Flynn stuck his head out of the passenger-side window, and Beckett leaned against the door to speak with him.

“There’s water and electricity,” he reported, “along with enough shelf-stable food in the pantry to last about a week, which is longer than we’ll need. One of you needs to stay here while we get Jax medical attention and start investigating this alleged terrorist weapon. Alex, it’s your call who stays and who goes.”

The female alpha’s catlike green eyes flicked back to meet mine via the medium of the rearview mirror for the barest of instants. Then she turned her attention to Flynn, pinning his gaze.

“You’re on omega duty,” she said. “And since you’re also our resident pervert, I’m hoping you’ve got something stashed in your luggage that will help her?”

Flynn shrugged. “Yeah, probably.”

“Good,” Alex said. “Now give me your word you won’t cross any boundaries. Whatever the omegas say goes, and it doesn’t count if it’s not proper consent.”

“I know,” Flynn replied. “I promise,alef. I’ll watch over them while you’re gone.”

“Let’s get them inside,” Beckett said, backing away from the passenger door to let the huge alpha get out.

Flynn gestured toward the back of the Range Rover. “Someone strip off Jax’s shirt and bring it inside. It stinks like him, so it’ll help.” He opened the door on my side and leaned in. “Can you make it inside on your own, Mr. Patel?”

The rational part of my mind still wasn’t sold on the wisdom of going into this remote cabin with my unconscious packmate and an alpha I barely knew. The part that was running on fumes ensured that I nodded wordlessly and climbed out, bracing myself on unsteady legs. Beckett was at the back of the vehicle, fussing over Jax. I wanted to check on the blond alpha... maybe thank him, even though he probably wouldn’t be able to hear it.

I didn’t move.Couldn’tmove.

Flynn disappeared from my side for a moment and returned to shove a filthy undershirt into my hands. I stared at it cluelessly as Jax’s scent floated to my nostrils. The dark-skinned alpha leaned into the back seat and scooped Leo into his arms, pausing for a second to sniff deeply at the base of her neck—just as he’d done to me earlier.

I let myself be herded into the cabin, taking in the smell of dust and neglect. Beckett came inside just long enough to drop a couple of duffel bags by the door.

“I’ll send Alex back with the Range Rover as soon as we get Jax the care he needs.” He wrapped his fingers around Flynn’s massive bicep in a gesture that seemed almost paternal. “You’ll be safe here in the meantime, and so will they.”

“Course we will, boss.” Flynn looked down at the unconscious burden in his arms. “Told you. I’ll take care of them.”

Beckett gave him a tight smile. “I know you will, Flynn.” His pale, sea-foam colored eyes met mine. “Mr. Patel, I know this is asking a lot of your trust—but everything will be all right. No one will harm you here.”

All I could manage was a tense nod. Anything else would have given away how badly I was trembling. I wanted so desperately to believe it... but I couldn’t ignore the clamoring of my shattered nerves. Right now, it didn’t feel likeanythingwould be all right—not ever again.

Beckett gave Flynn a final firm pat on the shoulder and left, ready to rush his injured alpha back to civilization. I should have demanded to know where, exactly, we were. Would Alex and Beckett be driving to a hospital in Târgoviste? Were we anyplacenearTârgoviste anymore? Instead, I stared blankly at Flynn.

He stared back. “You’re about to fall over, I think.”

Was I?

Oh... right. I totally was.

“Yes,” I whispered. “Sorry.”

He tilted a massive bicep toward me. “Grab an arm, then. Let’s see if we can get you both cleaned up and fed before this one wakes up and needs attention.”

I grabbed the arm and held on.

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