Salvation (Wild Heat)

Chapter 34 – D E N V E R

Roger Castleand his team don’t attack us outright. I almost wish they had—I’m no stranger to combat, and it would give me an excuse to unleash my wrath on them. After what they did to my Omega, frankly, I’d love nothing more than to erase these assholes from the face of the earth. I wouldn’t even need my rifle. Just my fists would be enough to make Grayson wish he’d never been born.

But it’s not what Brooklyn wants.

I promised I’d try to talk things out first, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t give her if she asked me. So I hold my position, gun trained on the men in front of me, waiting for them to speak. Memphis stands at my side, crossbow in hand. Camden’s slightly behind us, closer to Brooklyn.

The Castles spared no expense hiring mercenaries. I don’t recognize the ten hired guns before me, but their equipment and body language let me know they’re pros. They let Grayson lead them, though he clearly hasn’t spent even a minute on a battlefield. He’s just the boss’s son, giving the flimsy illusion of authority.

Bringing up the rear is Roger Castle himself. The Brioni suit is long gone, but his athletic wear fits him better than I expected. He has no problem keeping pace with his hired guns. He’d be a formidable opponent under other circumstances. Right now, though, he doesn’t scare me. Not with my Pack behind me, not with our Omega on the line.

Right now, we’re the most dangerous predators for miles. Because we’re ready to wreak havoc to protect what’s ours.

Grayson moves to the side, eliminating our high ground advantage. Now, both our group and theirs have the caves to one side and the gaping ravine to the other. The mercenaries fall into position behind Grayson, guns at the ready, their attention focused. We stare at each other silently while Roger Castle strides to join his son at the front. He’ll be leading the negotiations himself, apparently.

“I see you’ve found my daughter, gentlemen,” he says coolly. “But you seem to have forgotten the second part of your assignment—returning her home.”

“We’ve been meaning to tell you, Castle,” I say. “We quit. You can keep your money—Brooklyn doesn’t want to go back with you.”

Roger cocks his head to the side. “Where exactly do you intend to take her, then?”

I shrug one shoulder. “Wherever she wants to go. She’s a grown woman.”

“Yet legally, she’s under my protection. She’s an unbonded Omega, and it’s my duty to keep her from being taken advantage of by Alphas like the three of you. That’s right—I can smell exactly what you did to my darling girl. I gave you suppressants, but you obviously decided that instead of taking them, you’d force yourself on a vulnerable Omega in heat.”

Behind me, I hear Camden snarl. Then, to my surprise, Brooklyn speaks.

“That’s not what happened.” Her voice is small but clear. I can’t imagine how much strength it must take from her to talk back to Roger Castle, and my heart glows with pride.

“I know it seems like that, honey,” Castle says. “You’re too inexperienced to know better. I think it’s best for all of us if you just come home now, Brooklyn. I’m willing to let it all go if you’re safe. Otherwise, I’d hate to have to tell the world how these men took advantage of you. I imagine it might be difficult for them to find work once their true natures are known. Their lives might become…difficult.”

Brooklyn hisses in a breath, and my blood goes cold. I should have known this would be Castle’s game. He’s blackmailing Camden, Memphis and me, promising to ruin our lives if we don’t hand her over. The other Alphas and I don’t care—it’s worth a hit to our reputations if it means she’s safe and happy.

But Brooklyn cares.

The same sacrifices we’d make for her, she’d make for us. She’ll happily go right back to the Castle mansion if she thinks it means she’s saved us.

Well, I’m not fucking having it.

“Do whatever you want, Castle,” I hiss. “I’m not sending Brooklyn to be raped and caged.”

For the first time, Roger Castle’s expression wavers. Hearing the truth said so plainly, in front of his employees, has penetrated whatever lies he told himself. He quickly gathers himself.

“I don’t know what you think happened to Brooklyn, but you’ve been misinformed,” he says. “I’m only trying to protect her. That’s all I ever wanted.”

“What a fucking crock of shit,” Memphis spits. “You let your asshole son assault her and force a bond on her. Once she’s home, you won’t protect her. You’ll let him breed her and torture her, just like he did during her first heat.”

Grayson stiffens. I suspect Roger told his son to be quiet while he took the lead, but apparently Memphis set him off.

“Don’t make me laugh,” Grayson says. “The Omega loved every minute of it. She begged me to knot her—just ask her. She loved having my knot in her, and she’s mine by right.” He shoots me what he clearly thinks is a roguish smile. He just looks like a delusional, cocky little asshole to me.

I grit my teeth.

“Funny choice of last words,” I growl.

“Very well,” Castle says smoothly, seeing that negotiations have come to an end. He turns to the mercenaries behind him. “Go. Get my daughter. Kill them if you must.”

I aim my rifle right at Roger Castle’s head. “I’ve got nothing against the rest of you soldiers. The only people I want to hurt are the assholes who hired you. But if you come after us, I will shoot to kill.”

Memphis’s hands tighten on the shaft of his crossbow. Beside me, I see Camden step up, his ax ready to strike.

We’d fight the whole world for our omega.

“Papa, please,” Brooklyn pleads behind us. “Call it off. I don’t want anyone to get hurt. I’m not worth it.”

“No, princess,” I murmur, not taking my eyes off Roger Castle. “That’s not true. You’re worth everything to us. If anyone’s hurt, it’s not your fault. Their blood is on your father’s hands.”

“But—”

I shake my head slightly. “Close your eyes,” I whisper.

My finger twitches next to the trigger. I’m ready for battle.

Then, the leading mercenary lowers his weapon. One by one, they each put their guns down. I can’t decide who looks more shocked, the Castles or my pack.

“What are you doing?” Roger Castle demands. “I gave you an order!”

An auburn-haired soldier turns to him. “You hired us to escort an Omega home. Not to fight.”

I can’t help my grin. If there’s one thing that pisses off a mercenary, it’s being lied to about the job, and these guys have been lied to a lot. Hell, they probably thought we’d just hand Brooklyn back and apologize.

Brooklyn sighs in relief when I lower my gun. I glance back to see her smile at me.

Which means I almost miss it when Grayson grabs one of the hired men’s guns. I just see the barrel pointed right at my face.

Before I can react, he cries out in pain. Memphis has fired an arrow right at his hand. It mangles his fingers before glancing off, but it has the intended effect of making him drop the gun. He clutches his injured hand to his chest, face white and eyes wide as he stumbles back. But the idiot was standing too close to the edge of the ravine. Just a few steps, and he’s wheeling back over the cliffside.

It’s only pure luck that he’s able to grab a rock just in time.

Roger Castle screams, terror showing on his face for the first time all day. He rushes to his son, grabbing Grayson’s forearms and trying to yank him back onto solid ground.

“Help me!” he roars to the mercenaries.

Nobody so much as lifts a finger.

Still, Castle’s strong enough that he manages to get Grayson’s torso back up. For a minute, it looks like he’s actually going to be able to save his son.

Then the rocks beneath them give way. Two figures fall over the horizon, plummeting down to the ground below.

Brooklyn cries out in horror, and Memphis pulls her into his chest to comfort her. Camden and I move to the edge of the ravine to confirm the truth.

Damn. Karma really is a bitch.

The rain has stopped, and the water below wasn’t deep enough to cushion the fall. The Castles’ broken bodies lie on the rocks below. I can feel Camden’s mixed emotions, mirroring mine. We don’t regret Roger and Grayson’s deaths, but this isn’t how anybody wanted it to go. There’s no justice, no final conversation, no peace.

Just the universe finally taking its due from two men who escaped consequences for far too long.

I don’t spend too long looking down at death. The person who matters most to me is alive, and she needs me.

Brooklyn’s fingers grip tightly at Memphis’s shirt, and her teary face is pressed against his chest.

“What are you feeling, sweetheart?” Cam asks, rubbing her back.

“Everything,” she whispers. “I’m sad and angry, but I’m relieved, too. And I feel guilty for being relieved. They were the only family I had left.”

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “That’s natural. You’ll probably grieve them, even after what they did. It’s not going to feel easy, but we’re here. We’re not going anywhere.”

She takes a deep shuddering breath, but nods her agreement.

Memphis looks over her shoulder at the armed men waiting behind us.

“I’ll talk to them,” I promise.

By putting down their guns, these guys forfeited what was probably a pretty hefty paycheck. They also just saw their boss plummet to his death. They’ll probably want to be paid off in exchange for their silence. I walk over to the auburn-haired mercenary, ready to cut a deal.

“Look,” I say. “We don’t expect you to?—”

The mercenary raises his brows. “Such a horrible accident, huh?”

Behind him, a tall, skinny guy shakes his head. “We saw the whole thing. Can’t believe the rock gave out under them like that.”

“Such a shame,” the auburn-haired man says again, then extends his hand to me. I shake it heartily as the understanding passes between us. Nobody’s going to say anything about our final confrontation with the Castles. The official story will be that it was a tragic accident.

“Thanks,” I say, hoping they understand my gratitude. “I don’t know what’s happening with Castle’s money, but if we can find a way to pay you for your work, we will.”

“Appreciate it,” he replies. “Now, we’re under contract to get Miss Castle home. We’ll have to deliver the news—three new mates. Too bad Castle didn’t get a chance to share his approval before the accident.”

“Yeah.” I can’t help my grin. “Too bad, huh?”