Page 54 of Pack Owned
“Tell you what, I’ll let you ride all of them, then tell me which one is your favorite bike. Then that one’s yours. I’ll teach you how to drive it.”
“Wow. That’s amazing.”
The buzz of my phone slices through the air, and I yank the device from my pocket. Liam’s name flashes on the screen, and I can’t help the gut twist telling me this ain’t a social call.
I hit the speaker button so Kayla can hear, too. “Talk to us.”
“Ryker, we’ve got trouble.” Liam’s voice is tight. “Nexus enforcers at the door. They’re demanding to see us. Now.”
“Fuck.” The word falls heavy, loaded with dread. I glance up to find Kayla’s face pale. Paler than it fucking should be for an Omega. My gut is fucking yelling that something is going on that she’s not told us.
“I’m on it.” I cut the call, shoving the phone back into my pocket. No way am I letting those bastards near her.
“Ryker?” Her scent spikes with fear. It claws at my insides, an instinct to protect roaring to life.
“Listen to me, Kayla,” I say, my voice low and steady despite the storm inside. “I won’t turn you over to them. You got that?”
She nods, but there’s a flicker of doubt in those deep blue eyes, like she’s heard promises before and watched them shatter. I don’t blame her for the skepticism. Words are cheap, but I’ll do everything in my power to prove her wrong.
Her lip trembles, teeth digging into that plush flesh like she’s trying to dam the flood of emotions. I step closer, close enough to feel the heat from her body. Everything in me wants to reassure her, but the truth is as sharp as the edge of a knife—I’m winging this. I have to think fast, be smarter than the bastards hunting her.
“Trust me, okay?” It’s almost a plea, and that doesn’t sit right in my gut. Alphas don’t plead. But fuck it, this is Kayla, and she’s under my skin, winding her way into parts of me I thought were long dead.
“Okay,” she whispers, and I catch the shimmer of trust in her gaze. It’s fragile, precious. A gift and a goddamn responsibility.
“Good.” There’s no time for more words. Nexus waits for no one, and every second counts. I need to hide her, shield her from the world outside that’s hell-bent on claiming her as a prize.
“Stay silent. Stay hidden. No matter what.”
“Don’t really have a choice, do I?” Her hand reaches out, brushing against mine—a fleeting touch that sears through my flesh. In that instant, I swear I’ll tear the world apart before I let them take her.
“Thank you, Ryker,” she says, and I nod curtly, turning away to hide the crack spreading through the armor around my heart.
“Time to raise some hell.” Let Nexus come. They’ll find nothing but smoke and mirrors here—and the wrath of an Alpha pushed too far.
I wrench open the false bottom of an old tool chest, revealing a narrow space just big enough for a person—if they don’t mind getting cozy with rusted metal and cobwebs. “In here,” I growl, not waiting for Kayla’s agreement. Her hesitation is a whisper of fabric before she slides into the compartment, hunkering down among the shadows.
She’s just small enough to fit.
“Keep your head down,” I instruct, my words stripped to their rawest edge.
She nods.
I place the rag she used along the corner of the chest, closing it enough so they won’t see her, but she’ll still get air.
“Let them in,” I bark into the phone, not bothering with niceties. Liam understands; there’s no room for pleasantries when our entire structure teeters on a knife-edge.
I won’t buckle or fucking break.
“Stay frosty,” I tell Liam before ending the call. My heart thunders like pistons in my chest, each beat a reminder that Kayla’s life hangs by a thread—and it’s wound tight around my fists.
I can’t leave her, not even as the sound of heavy boots draws closer. Nexus thugs. They think they can barge into my domain, demand answers, take what’s mine? Not on my goddamn watch.
CHAPTER 17
RYKER
It’s not long before three Nexus guards make their way into the garage. I’m fiddling with the Corvette, trying not to take the wrench beside me and cave their skulls in.
