Chapter 4
Savannah
T he door closes. “Duchess ,” I say. “Nice to meet you. Cool name.”
“Thanks.” She laughs softly. “It’s nice to meet you, too, Savannah.”
The car starts to move, and suddenly I feel a little panicked. My eyes flick to the door handle; I feel trapped in the car with this stranger.
“Breathe,” she says, her voice oddly soothing. My eyes snap over to hers, pulse racing as I swallow hard. The more I look at her, the more I see it. She’s an Alpha. I’ve never met a female Alpha before. At least not that I can remember. “You're okay. No one is going to hurt you.”
I let out a panicked laugh, shifting in my seat as my palms grow sweaty, the cold from the rain forgotten as a wave of heat hits me. “Sorry if I don’t take you at your word. I’m not really the trusting sort of person, you know? Being kidnapped for years and all.” I laugh awkwardly again.
And there's that pitying look again. Two for two.
I get why she feels that way, I’d probably react the same. But I don’t want pity. I don’t feel bad for myself, and I don’t want others to feel bad for me either.
“I know today has come as a bit of a shock. And for that, I’m sorry. But it was now or never.”
“Sooo, you planned my great escape too?” I ask, raising a brow.
She smiles. “You could say that.” She nods slowly.
“Mind if I ask why you went through all this trouble for little ol’ me?” I ask. “I’m just an Omega. Nothing all that special.”
Her face falls. “Don’t ever think that about yourself,” she insists. “All Omegas are gifts in this world. Anyone who thinks otherwise is a fool. Anyone who plays a part in harming Omegas in any way deserves to die.”
“Huh.” I nod, feeling a little more relaxed around her. I can feel she means what she says. Something tells me she’s not going to hurt me. “Maybe you're not so bad.”
She smiles again. “How much did Jeremy tell you?”
I blow out a breath. “Well, only that he was there to save me. That it’s been in the works for a while. That you're his sister, and you're going to help me? That I’m meant for a bigger plan, and he’s faking my death,” I list, trying to remember everything he said. I’m cold, hungry, and wet. And I could use a good night's rest.
You would think sleep would be the last thing on my mind, seeing how I slept all I wanted while being locked up.
I feel like I got hit by a bus.
“All true,” she confirms. “We’ve been looking for you for a long time, Savannah. My brother risked a lot by bringing me into his mission. But he knew without my help, even if you were to escape, you wouldn’t last long in the outside world.”
“Why is that?” I frown. “I might be small, but I can still kick ass.”
She laughs. “I don’t doubt that. You’re strong, Savannah. I can see it in your eyes. You’ve been through hell, but I see the fight in you. Even after all you’ve been through, you didn’t let it break you. And for that, I admire the fuck out of you.”
I chew on my lip, looking away, unable to meet her eyes any longer.
She’s wrong. Yes, I did what I had to do to survive because I didn’t know what else to do. But I don’t remember there being anything more to my life than that cell.
And at one point, I did want to give up. I wanted to close my eyes and never wake up again.
I no longer wanted to live for myself. But I kept going, because I needed to live for my baby.
Now, I live to avenge him.
I’m only fighting because I’m too fueled by pain and hate to let those monsters continue to hurt more people.
The thought of my sweet boy makes my eyes burn. Squeezing my eyes shut, I try to swallow down the need to throw up.
My screams echo in my head, haunting my dreams. His blue lips, lifeless body. The pain I felt for the past two weeks, after my heart was ripped from my chest, was far worse than any beating I’ve ever taken any time Corbin would visit. I’d go through all of that for a lifetime to have just one day with my boy; to see him smile, to listen to his laugh, to see his chest rise and fall with every breath he takes.
“Are you okay?” Duchess asks, pulling me out of my inner spiraling.
“No.” I laugh. “I’m so far from okay. I don’t think I’ll ever be okay.” I turn my gaze back to her. “I’m still not sure why I’m so special, but I do want you to know, I am very grateful for what you’re doing. I owe you my life for saving me.”
“I want you to know a few things about me, Savannah. I’m a killer. I’ve taken many lives. But every death was well deserved. Monsters like Corbin and his buddies are my prime picks.”
I should be afraid, she admitted, she kills people for a living. But I’m not. If anything, I’m in awe of this woman. “Would it be too much to say I wanna be just like you when I grow up?” I grin. “Because I’m gonna be honest with you, Duchess, I have an agenda of my own.”
She looks me up and down, grinning. “I wouldn’t expect anything less. But, please, fill me in.”
“That's the thing. I want to do what you do. I don’t want to just kill people like Corbin and his buddies. I want to kill Corbin and his buddies.”
She continues to smile. “I was hoping you would say that.”
“You were?” I frown.
“Let’s make a deal,” she says, cocking her head to the side. “You come live with me. My people will train you, teach you everything you need to know about the kind of work we do—to fight, to kill, all of it.”
“And what do you want from me?” I ask, raising a brow. “I’m not stupid enough to think anything in life comes for free.”
“Work for me.” She shrugs. “When I deem you ready to be sent out into the world while knowing you can handle your own, I’ll give you your marks, and you take care of them for me. In between your own targets. I’ll provide you with a clean-up crew, so all you have to do is take their lives, and my men will handle the rest.”
“Why?” I ask, more of this is sounding way to fucking good to be true. “Why do all this for me?”
“I’m a powerful woman, Savannah. Feared by many. I lived a life a lot like yours at a much younger age. I fought my way out, killed my demons, and ended up on top. I’ve made it my life’s mission to rid the world of as many monsters as I can get my hands on. All while saving as many Omegas as I’m able to. I’ve only known you for ten minutes, and I already see so much of myself in you. I believe you can do great things for this world. So, what do you say?” she asks, holding out her manicured hand. “Wanna be a monster slayer with me?”
I chew my lip, a newfound excitement filling me. What do I have to lose? I’ve been around evil people for years. I know how to spot bad intentions, and I don’t feel any coming from Duchess. So I do something I’ve never done before and put my faith in someone else. Taking her hand in mine, I smile, saying, “To slaying monsters.”
F or the rest of the ride, I sleep, my body giving in to the exhaustion. When I wake again, it’s to the car slowing down. Looking out the window, I frown, rubbing at my blurry eyes.
“Welcome to your new home,” Duchess says as a metal gate opens up before the car drives through.
We pull up to an old, rundown building surrounded by what looks to be warehouses. My eyes take in the brick building. It looks to be around maybe five or six stories. “I mean, beats being locked up in a cell,” I tell her. I look over at her and narrow my eyes. “You're not going to lock me in a cell, are you?”
She cocks a brow. “No.” And I’m thankful she doesn’t handle me like some wounded puppy again. Maybe my admission for bloodlust showed her I’m not as fragile as one might think. “You will never be locked up again.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
She narrows her eyes. “I never do.”
My door opens, and I look up to see Cobra. “Heeeey.” I grin up at him as he stares down at me. Well, at least I think he is, not too sure with those sunglasses on. “How’s Pleakley and Jumba? Are they here too?” I ask, looking behind him.
“She’s a real comedian, this one,” he mutters.
“Things are about to get a lot more interesting around here,” Duchess says with amusement.
I turn back to her. “You mean the killing isn’t exciting enough?” I ask, grinning.
“Oh, it is.” She smirks. “But we leave that outside these walls.” She nods towards the building. “This is our safe place. You won’t have to worry about anyone here hurting you. It might not look like it, but this place is like Fort Knox.”
“What's that?” I frown.
“Never mind.” We get out of the car, and I follow after them. It’s not raining anymore, but the storm left behind an interesting smell. “What's that smell?” I ask.
Duchess looks back, and her smile is soft again. “Wet pavement after a rainstorm.”
I take a deep breath and let my eyes close. “I like it,” I whisper, a warm feeling settling over me. “It feels clean.” I open my eyes again. “Fair warning, I don’t remember anything of my life before I was taken by Corbin. All I know is what I’ve learned in the movies I was allowed to watch.”
This time, anger morphs her pretty face into something fierce. “Did he do that? Take your memories away?”
“I have no idea.” I shrug, moving to join her. “He could have drugged me and done something to me. He’s done it before... for other things.” Her body stiffens. “It’s okay.” I smile. “It’s life.”
I can tell she wants to say something, but she doesn’t.
“I watched a movie once where the girl lost her memory due to trauma. I’d assume what I’ve lived through could be considered that, right?”
“Yeah.” Duchess looks up at Cobra before looking at me. “I’d say you have a fuck-ton of it.”
“Oh, goodie.” I laugh. “Can’t wait to dive into that mess.”
Duchess snorts a laugh. “Welcome to the club.”
“Club?” My eyes light up. “I’ve always wanted to be in a club. Can we have matching T-shirts? Oh, oh, or a secret handshake?”
Her eyes widen, lips kicking up into a surprised smile before shaking her head. “You know what? Yeah, I think we could make that work.”
“Nice.” I smile.
Cobra opens a door, gesturing for us to go inside.
I follow Duchess into the building; it’s dark with only a blinking light above us to light our path.
The sounds of the heavy door closing followed by a lock clicking has another wave of nervousness running through me. Maybe I’m being way too trusting of these people.
“If you ever want to leave, you're welcome to,” Duchess says as we walk down the hall. “But I highly suggest not going anywhere for a while. Just in case Corbin and his men are around. I’d also like you to learn some self-defense. When you do leave, changing your appearance would be a good idea.” She looks at me over her shoulder. “I think you would pull off platinum blonde really well.” Knowing I could leave if I wanted to, settled the unease from a moment before.
Corbin loved my long chestnut hair. It was something he focused on every time he came to see me. I hate my hair.
Bleaching my hair sounds like the best fucking idea ever.
“I think so, too.” I grin.
She chuckles, turning back around and stopping at the door at the end of the hall. “You're not a prisoner here, Savannah. I want you to know that.”
“Savvy,” I tell her. “Call me Savvy.”
She smiles. “Welcome to Salvation, Savvy. Your new home.”
She opens the door, and the moment we step in, my jaw hits the floor.
“Holy fucking shit balls!” I gasp, spinning around with wide, wild eyes.
“I hope you mean that in a good way.” she laughs.
“Oh, yes. The best way. This place, this place is amazing!”
It might look like a rundown building from the outside, but on the inside, it looks like a luxurious hotel lobby. Everything is white and shining. Bright. So damn bright. I love it.
“Thank you. I take pride in my home,” she says, moving to stand in the middle of the room. “I don’t want to overwhelm you so soon. So, how about we get you set up in your room? Get a shower, a good night's sleep, and in the morning, we can talk and I’ll answer any questions you have. Well, the ones I’m able to answer.” She smiles.
“Who all lives here?” I ask.
“Myself, Coby, a few other Omegas that I’ve saved over the years, who never wanted to leave.” She smiles. “Our trainers, a few housekeepers, our chef, and–”
“Me!” a sweet, soft voice speaks. I look over to the marble stairs to see a woman. She’s about my size and has black hair with bright blue eyes.
“Lucy,” Duchess says in adoration, like she lives and breathes for the woman before us.
Something inside my chest hurts. I want someone to look at me like that, like they would kill everyone in the world for just simply looking at me the wrong way.
Swallowing hard, I do my best to smile at the woman.
“I’ve missed you,” the girl, Lucy, says, rushing over to Duchess. Duchess pulls her into her arms and kisses her passionately.
“You two aren’t gonna fuck in front of me, are you?” I ask, watching the two of them.
Lucy breaks away from Duchess, looking at me with wild eyes and pink cheeks. “God no,” she squeaks out.
Duchess laughs. “No.” She grins over at me, wrapping her arm around Lucy, not ashamed one bit. Good. Life’s too short to worry about every little thing. “Because if anyone saw my Omega naked, I’d gouge out their eyes.” She’s dead serious, I can tell.
Lucy looks up at her Alpha, a look of pure love on her face.
“Nice to meet you, Lucy. I’m Savvy.”
“I know.” She smiles brightly. “I’ve been excited to meet you.”
“You have?” I raise a brow.
“Oh, yes. You’ve been the talk of the underground for years now. I’m so glad you’re finally free.”
“Underground?” I frown, looking towards Duchess.
“Like I’ve said before, there’s a lot to talk about. I’ll answer all your questions and explain everything tomorrow.”
What's one more day? I nod.
“Sorry,” Lucy whispers.
“You never have anything to be sorry about.” Duchess gently grips her chin and leans down to kiss her sweetly.
“So, you're an Omega. And you're an Alpha. How many other Alphas are here?” I ask. “I’d like to know, seeing as I can’t smell anyone.”
“You can’t?” Lucy asks.
“Nope.” I shake my head.
“I’d like to do some blood work on you tomorrow and see what's going on, if that's okay?”
“Why not,” I agree. I’d like to know too. “Whatever can be reversed, I'd like it to be. I don’t want anything else controlling me.” She gives me a look of understanding. “I want to be able to smell scents and to go into heat naturally. I’m an Omega, and I don’t even slick. Like how fucked up is that? The movies make it sound like so much fun, especially when you get all turned on. Heard Alphas like that. Do you?”
Duchess grins. “Very much so.”
Lucy groans, burying her face into Duchess’ chest. Her hair shifts, and I can see a bite mark on her neck.
My hand itches to touch my own neck.
“Please, Alpha. Bite me.” I hear my pathetic plea over the video recording as I kneel on the ground in front of Corbin. I’m naked, hair a mess, blood dripping from the wounds he inflicted on me. I don’t have any memories of this, I never do. My heats are always so intense that I black out, lost to the frenzy. That doesn’t mean I’m not forced to watch every little fucked up thing he does to me during that time. “You’re worthless. Nothing. I’d never bite you. You don’t deserve to be bonded. You're nothing but a stupid whore. A hole to fuck. A toy to be played with.” He laughs cruelly before slapping me across the face.
“Savvy?” Duchess’s voice brings me back to the present. “Are you okay?”
“Haven’t we been over this?” I force a smile. “Technically, no, I’m not okay. I’ll do that a lot, by the way. Drift off into thoughts. Memories.” More like nightmares. “Also, I do hear voices in my head sometimes, so if you hear me talking to myself, that’s why.” I throw out in warning. “The guards called me crazy. I mean, I am.” I snort a laugh. “Years of being locked up with no one around all day, every day will do that to a person.” I shrug.
Lucy smiles, but it’s not a pitying one.
“I get it,” she says.
“You do?” I tilt my head to the side.
She nods. “I wasn’t gone as long as you, but I was taken, too, and put into the Omega trafficking ring. I’ve been beaten, drugged, raped—all of it.” She holds her head high, not ashamed of any of it. Good. She has no reason to be. We didn’t ask for this shit to happen to us. She looks up at Duchess again with that same look on her face. “But then she came along and saved me.”
“I’d burn the fucking world down for you, baby doll,” Duchess growls.
“I know,” Lucy replies softly. “I would, too.”
I sigh heavily. “I’m really trying not to be rude, but god, you two are so sickeningly sweet, and I am beyond jealous.”
“Sorry,” Lucy says again. “We can’t help it.”
“No, it’s fine. I love it. I’m happy for you. Just reminds me of what I’ll never have.” Okay, I’m sounding like a big baby, but this is the most affection I’ve ever seen in person.
“You will,” Duchess reassures. “Not all men are evil like the ones who kept you locked up. I believe there’s a pack for everyone, even if it’s not your scent matches.”
“Really?” I hate how hopeful I sound. Now is not the time to think about true love and fated mates, Savvy. We have a job to do. That can wait.
“Yeah, I do,” she says. “Also, if you so much as glance at Lucy with anything but a friendly look, I’ll gut you in your sleep,” Duchess adds in.
Lucy’s eyes widen in horror. “Oh my god!” she gasps. “You can’t say something like that to someone like her.”
“Why not?” I laugh, and Lucy looks at me like I have three heads. “I mean, I’d question her if she didn’t.” I’m not some meek little Omega that’s going to piss her pants by one little, measly threat. The guards promised to kill me all the time. With them, they would do it for a buck. With Duchess, she would have to have a good reason to. I know she’s only being serious to an extent, and I respect her possessiveness. I’d be the same way if I were an Alpha. I wonder if the hope-inspired pack that Duchess thinks is out there for me will be like that?
“I knew I was gonna like you,” Duchess laughs. “Come on. Bed time for everyone.”