Page 55 of Pack Owned
Both Dane and Liam trail behind them, looking bored.
“Looking for something?” I grunt, not bothering to look up from my work. My grip on the wrench tightens, veins bulging with the effort to keep steady, to keep from smashing something.
“They already did a sweep inside the mansion.” Liam shrugs, leaning against the metal shelving that holds various parts and supplies.
I glance over my shoulder, forcing myself not to look at the large toolbox Kayla hides inside.
Kayla’s counting on you. Don’t fuck this up.
All three of the Nexus guards are dressed in business suits with tasers strapped on one side and a gun on the other. Their yellow badges with Nexus’ name and logo over their hearts. Hair cropped short like they’re in the military.
“Ryker,” one of the enforcers calls, his voice as abrasive as sandpaper against raw nerves. “You three are bounty hunters, right? We could use the help in tracking down missing Omegas.”
I ignore the impulse to lunge at him, keeping my stance deceptively relaxed, hands at my sides. “Bad time,” I say with a smirk that doesn’t reach my eyes. “You should’ve called ahead. We’re on vacation.”
“That so?” He taps one of the handlebars on my hog. “Thought you’d go somewhere other than this polluted city.”
“Nah. Working on getting this beauty running.” I motion to the Corvette.
“I’m sure you’ve heard about the missing Omegas. So, we’ll need to take a look around your garage and premises.”
“How about you three come back with a warrant?”
His smile has me wanting to punch his face in. “Got one for the whole city block.” He pulls out a paper, and I nod to Dane, who takes it and after glaring at the words, gives it back. Don’t need to ask Dane if it’s legit. I can tell by the subtle stiffness in his posture.
“Traffic cameras show your Jeep near one of the roads on the night there was a bus accident transporting four Omegas to Nexus,” he continues, his tone accusatory. The leader cocks his head to the side, studying me, waiting for me to fuck up.
“Huh?” I let out a bark of laughter, short and sharp. “You think if I had an Omega, I’d be wasting my time under a hood?”
His eyes narrow, searching. My pulse throbs in my ears, loud enough that I’m sure they can hear it. But I can’t afford to show any fear, any weakness.
“Maybe you’re hiding one,” he drawls, his eyes scanning the shadows. “A pretty little thing to warm your bed.”
“Only thing warming my bed tonight is going to be a bottle of whiskey,” I retort, the lie bitter on my tongue. The thought of Kayla, so close yet so far, twists in my gut like a knife.
“Check the cabinets,” the leader orders, and I can feel their stares drilling into me, waiting for me to crack.
“Go ahead.” I force a scoff, tossing the rag onto the bench with feigned carelessness. “Knock yourselves out.”
The minutes drag on, each second stretching taut as a wire. They turn over every tool, peer into every corner, but my mind is on the hidden compartment beneath the car lift—where Kayla’s curled up small, trusting me to keep her safe.
While his two buddies open the car doors and the trunks, looking inside, I don’t take my gaze from him.
They’re looking for a weakness, but they won’t find any. My pulse races from the thrill of this cat-and-mouse game he’s trying to play with us—only this mouse is armed to the teeth, and this cat has no idea who he’s fucking with.
“Got nothing to hide,” I add, my lip curling up in disgust as he walks toward the toolbox. Shit! I won’t let them sniff out Kayla, not if I have to burn down everything around us to keep her concealed.
“Nothing, sir,” one of the Nexus men nods to the one squaring off with me.
“Do another sweep inside,” the Nexus leader answers. “I’ll meet you both out front.”
“Anything else?” I wipe my hands on a rag, feigning indifference. “Or can I get back to work?”
He hesitates, gaze prying into me like he’s trying to read me. Fucking bastard can go to hell. “There were some new clothes, still have the tags on them, me and my men found inside. Care to elaborate on why?”
“If Liam told you he’s a cross-dresser, he’s lying.” I laugh. “Dude is allergic to silk and anything frilly. But nah, I like to entertain Betas sometimes, and sex can get a little rough. Find it easier to just have clothes the women can take home here.”
“All in the same size?” he raises an eyebrow.
