Page 44 of Omega Inked

"We'll get them back," he says, his voice low and steady.

Rafe nods. "I know you will. But be careful...things are getting more dangerous out there. The ACB is cracking down on just about everything, and they won't hesitate to take you all out if they have to."

We all exchange a look, understanding the stakes of the mission. But we also know that we can't let Olivia's friends be sold off to the highest bidder.

"We'll get them back," Olivia says, her voice firm.

"We?" I ask, then shake my head. "Hell no. You're not going anywhere with us."

"I'm smart," she says. "And I know how to use a gun, if you give me one, and how to fight. I'm an asset and the girls won't trust us if I don't--"

"If you step foot in the city, I'm more worried that you'll get trapped in Solstice Bay than anything else," Phoenix says. He turns to face Olivia and takes her face in his hands, sliding his thumbs over her cheekbones. "Please. Keep yourself safe."

Olivia hesitates for a moment, but then leans into Phoenix's touch. "Okay," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.

Liam steps forward, his eyes hard and determined. "We're going in," he says. "And we're getting them out. No matter what."

I nod, feeling a surge of adrenaline as the mission starts to come together in my mind. "Let's do this," I say.

Rafe grins, his cigarette dangling from his lips. "That's what I like to hear."

19

Olivia

IfeellikeIjust found them, and now I'm going to lose them. All because I insisted on rescuing my friends.

We sit together in the mess hall late into the night, getting drunk on smuggled booze. We talk with other Enclave operatives, all of them tattooed and pierced. Here, there are alphas, betas, and omegas living in harmony--and it makes me wonder if Solstice Bay could be like that one time.

A place where we could all be safe and free to live together.

As I stare into the depths of my cup, I can feel the weight of my decision bearing down on me. My friends are out there, captured by the enemy, and I'm the reason for it. But as I glance around the room, I see hope and camaraderie in the faces of my fellow Enclave operatives. Despite their differences, they have found a way to coexist and thrive together. Maybe, just maybe, there's a chance for us all.

I find myself lost in thought, imagining what Solstice Bay could be like if we could all come together like this. A place where alphas, betas, and omegas could live freely without fear of persecution. Where love and acceptance could flourish. But the reality of our situation snaps me back to the present. The enemy is still out there, and they have my friends.

A big, warm hand finds my thigh and I turn to find Liam watching me, his palm just over the spot where Phoenix marked me. It's a reminder of the pleasure I felt last night--and how I still owe Liam a bite too. I lean into him, inhaling his strong, musky scent, enjoying his warmth.

"What's on your mind?" he asks.

My gaze lingers on his lips, and I can feel the familiar stirrings of desire pooling low in my belly. I take a deep breath before answering.

"My friends. I'm worried about them."

Liam's hand squeezes my thigh comfortingly. "We'll find them. We always do."

I nod, grateful for his reassurance. But my mind is still plagued with doubts. I finish my drink in one gulp, needing the liquid courage to voice my fears.

"What if we can't save them? What if we're too late?"

Liam's expression softens. "We'll save them. No matter what."

I lean in to kiss him, needing the distraction from my worries. His lips are warm and inviting, and I feel the familiar heat spreading through me. Liam pulls me closer, his fingers digging into my skin as he deepens the kiss.

In that moment, I forget about my friends and our dangerous mission. All that exists is Liam's touch and the heat between us. His hand travels up my thigh, and I let out a quiet moan. I'm dizzy with lust, lost in the intoxicating sensation of his lips on mine.

But as we break apart for air, the reality of our situation comes crashing back. I pull away, my mind racing with thoughts of my friends and the danger we face.

"We need to focus," I say breathlessly. "We have work to do."

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