Chapter 8
Gunshots exploded behind them as the two raced through side streets, sticking to the shadowy areas to avoid civilians and catching the attention of authorities.
This wasn’t like Synastry where the government officials were all in mafia pockets, and they couldn’t risk causing a massive issue out in the open, especially when they didn’t know who it was that was after them.
The car had come to a stop at the bottom of a hill, across the road from a line of old shops, most of which had already closed for the evening. They’d have to check later for any security footage outside those businesses, but for now, were focused on escaping their pursuers.
Shiloh’s left shoulder was dislocated, but he left it, barely registering the pain as he led Sarang between alleyways, acting like he didn’t have a clue where they were going when of course he did. They’d just so happened to be attacked close to the “safehouse” he’d arranged.
The plan had been rather simple. A private party for the two of them at a fancy, fully reserved restaurant he knew Sarang had been interested in trying.
The cake had been ordered, the menu decided, and Shiloh had been gearing up to confess that he was the omega from Den Night Sarang had spent the entire weekend inside.
Then the alpha had to go and make a shitty comment about Shiloh settling for someone else.
Implying that he didn’t want him.
It didn’t matter that he also spoke of wanting the “mystery” omega. Even if that was Shiloh, Sarang didn’t know it, and he was rejecting him.
For some stranger.
The sex had been phenomenal, of course, and logically, Shiloh recognized how ridiculous he was being to be jealous of himself, and yet…Hadn’t the two of them been through enough by now that he should trump even phenomenal tail—even if he was said tail.
He’d been seething before their attackers had run them off the road, and his anger only grew when bullets rained around them.
“Stick close to the side!” Sarang called out when another round of gunfire pinged against the side of a concrete building, sending puffs of chalk into the air.
Shiloh hardly noticed, too caught up in his own head. The alpha took up the rear so he could fire back, blaster in hand. It was a miracle they hadn’t woken the entire neighborhood already, though that probably had something to do with the fact this wasn’t a residential area.
Still, they were coming up on a street with several hotels and apartment complexes—including the one Shiloh had secretly purchased under a false name—so they’d have to shut their pursuers up quick if they didn’t want the police arriving.
He needed to find Sarang somewhere more private where the alpha could take out their attackers.
Once Sarang had “saved the day”, his ego would be bolstered, and Shiloh could set them back on the right track.
They could still make dinner. He could bring up the conversation about Den Night again, maybe a bit more tactfully this time, and then confess.
If Sarang wasn’t happy that Shiloh was that omega afterward…
Then he’d be forced to implement Plan B.
Plain and simple.
It couldn’t even be considered his fault really, not after all the chances he’d given the alpha to do right by him on his own.
“This way!” Shiloh made a quick cut to the left, dashing across an empty street, mind made up. He’d take them to their final destination first to deal with the idiots who were after them, then go to the restaurant from there.
Taboo, the luxury hotel he’d purchased and was in the process of renovating came into view and he picked up the pace.
The parking garage would be empty at this time of night, and the workers weren’t set to return to continue with renovations until the end of the weekend.
They’d be relatively safe there to do as they pleased.
All Shiloh had to do later was remember to erase the security footage.
The sign attached to the cream-colored building winked, bright silver letters depicting the name catching his attention for a moment before a curse had him spinning on his heels.
Sarang stumbled, catching himself on the gate meant to prevent cars from entering the closed garage. Blood welled from the back of his right shoulder where he’d just taken a bullet, but before Shiloh could inspect it, he shoved him forward.
The garage was a six-level building that attached to the main one through three stairwells and an elevator system.
There were building materials left on the first couple of floors, but Shiloh wasn’t interested in hiding.
Instead, he led them up the winding path to the fourth floor.
One of the stairwells jutted out on the right, and he pulled Sarang behind it.
There was little doubt they’d been spotted entering, but they’d had a big enough headstart, there was time to gather their breath before their attackers arrived.
“I hit three on our way here,” Sarang informed him, emptying his spent clip and replacing it with a new one.
“There are five left,” Shiloh supplied.
“Are you armed?”
There was a blaster hidden in the holster beneath his jacket, but Shiloh shook his head in the negative.
“We talked about you leaving without a gun on you,” Sarang scolded.
Shiloh didn’t need one to take care of five idiots, a fact the alpha would have known if not for all of his lies.
Damn Diogenes.
His words from before came back again, no less upsetting than before. But what the hell did Dio know? He thought Shiloh was belittling himself, that he was tarnishing his prince title by acting meek and incapable. What Dio didn’t understand was that it didn’t mean anything to Shiloh.
Pride was nothing. He’d trade it to have his alpha over and over again if he had to.
If Sarang would accept him, Shiloh could play this part for the rest of their lives. Content in the lie. Sitting back, like he was doing right now, and allowing the alpha to play the hero.
Sarang was alpha, and alphas liked that sort of thing, didn’t they?
Liked being in charge and taking control.
Showing off and protecting their mates. So what if Shiloh gave him more opportunities to do so?
Why did it matter if he leaned into cliché omega stereotypes and allowed the other man to take care of him?
It wasn’t like Shiloh didn’t want to be cared for. He did. That part wasn’t fake.
The part where he wanted Sarang as his alpha, desperately, wasn’t fake.
“Stay back.” Sarang eased Shiloh into the corner, then shifted onto his feet.
They could hear the sounds of their pursuers calling out to each other as they searched the first floor.
“Bishop sent for backup already,” Shiloh lied, knowing his Lefthand would do nothing of the sort without Shiloh’s command. “Take care of them quick, that way we can still make it to dinner.”
Sarang didn’t spare him a glance, peering around the corner of their hiding place as footsteps echoed up the ramp to their level. “As soon as backup arrives, you’ll be going straight to Caelum where it’s safe.”
“No.” He couldn’t be serious. “You promised.”
“That was before you were attacked.”
“We were both attacked,” Shiloh pointed out, gaze landing on the bloodstain on the back of the alpha’s shirt.
“It doesn’t matter who the target was. I won’t let you disappear again. We still haven’t found Elm. There’s a chance these people are working with whoever took him, and I’m not willing to take that risk. You’ll go back to the club. This isn’t a debate.”
Shiloh narrowed his eyes, but Sarang couldn’t see it. “That sounds an awful lot like you’ve forgotten who is really in charge here.”
“No, you have. It’s me. Kian—”
“What’s between us and what’s between you and my brother are two separate things.
” Shiloh should pull back, contain himself before he slipped up.
But seeing his injured alpha, hearing him tell him he was calling off the birthday…
“Would it mean so little to you if the omega from Den Night was the one who planned your party?”
“Shiloh.”
“You think he’s the one, right? You want to claim him?” He was getting himself worked up again. Should stop. Should focus.
But if Sarang canceled dinner at the restaurant, that was it. Shiloh’s plans would go up in smoke and he’d be back at square one.
No, worse than, because this time there was an imaginary other omega to fill Sarang’s thoughts.
To distract him from Shiloh.
“Does it hurt a lot?” Sarang asked, seemingly at random before adding, “Is the pain getting to you? Is that why you’re acting like this? You aren’t in your right mind.”
He scoffed. “I’ve been injured worse than this. You do realize you’re the one who’s been shot, right?”
“This is nothing.”
“Yeah, well, neither is a dislocated shoulder.”
“You don’t have to pretend to be tough around me.”
If only Sarang knew. Shiloh barely held back the urge to roll his eyes.
“I’m the Prince of the Eumia,” he stated, but he should have realized the alpha would take it the wrong way.
“Exactly. You’ve been pampered and kept safe. There’s nothing wrong with having to rely on others, Loh.” Sarang tilted his head, listening more intently. “They’re coming.”
“You’d really be fine if I took another alpha?” Shiloh didn’t give a shit about the idiots who were after them. They were nothing. Not even worthy of being specks of dirt on his loafers. “What if it was Dio? What if I told you I plan on asking him for the bite?”
Sarong noticeably tensed, but it was impossible to tell if it was due to Shiloh’s threats, or because the footsteps and shouts were growing closer.
“Answer the question, alpha.” He thought Shiloh was weak. Shiloh had made him believe that, but… “Are you hoping to pawn me off so you can go be with another omega? Think you can find one better fit for the mafia than me?”
“I’m sure I can find one smart enough to keep quiet when we’re under attack,” he hissed.
They both froze as soon as they realized what he’d said.