Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
RYKER
I t’s not long before three Nexus guards make their way into the garage. I’m fiddling with the Corvette, trying not to take the wrench beside me and cave their skulls in.
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.
“Everyone has a type.”
Then he picks up a tool next to the toolbox, and my heart races into my throat because he’s too fucking close to where Kayla is hiding. If she makes a sound…
“Thanks, I need that.” I cross over to take the screwdriver from him.
When I step closer, a whiff of Kayla’s scent tickles the back of my nose. Fuck!
“Nexus is offering double the reward for information on any of the missing Omegas.”
“Good. I’m sure someone will help you guys figure out where some little Omegas have wandered off.” Setting the tool down on the Corvette, I pull out my smokes from my biker jacket and light one, then offer him one. Thankfully, he walks over and takes it. I pray it’s enough to mask Kayla’s scent.
“Tell you what, me and my guys will keep an eye out. If we get wind of any unclaimed Omegas, I’ll call you first thing.” I blow out a steady stream of smoke.
“Fuck, these are good.” He puffs on the cigar.
“It’s a Padrón,” I say with a shrug. “Limited edition.”
“Shit. No wonder. Heard these things can be hundreds of dollars. Why share with me?” He rolls the cigar in his mouth as his face hardens back into his usual scowl.
“You remind me of myself.” Ego is always a thing with these know-it-alls. “Being a leader is tough. Never getting credit, having to clean up other people’s mess, higher-ups shitting on you.”
He shakes his head. “Ain’t that the fucking truth.”
“Tell you what.” I lean against the Corvette. “If I find out anything about these Omegas, you’ll be the first I call.”
“I’ll count on it. Heard good things about your reputation, Ryker.”
It takes all of my willpower not to flinch at his remark. I’m going against my duty and our order to find and bring in any Omegas. “No problem.” I fake a smile, squinting the corners of my eyes just so to make it look believable.
He looks around the garage one more time, and I casually blow out smoke rings even though my stomach is knotting up. “Have a good… vacation.”
Slowly, he finally leaves the garage.
I wait half a breath before I drop the cigar on the ground and crush it out with my boot.
When I’m certain they’re gone, I approach the large toolbox.
I stride over to the false bottom of the tool cabinet, my hands steady as I reach for the hidden latch. My hand shakes, and my breath is held tight in my lungs. There’s a click, an almost silent gasp of relief, as the compartment eases open.
Kayla’s blue eyes meet mine, wide and shimmering with a sheen of unshed tears that she’s too stubborn to let fall.
“Come on out,” I mutter, offering her my hand, careful not to touch her more than necessary. It’s a fucking test of control, having her this close, but I manage.
“Thank you.” Her voice is soft, a whisper that cuts through the leftover tension clinging to the air. She slides out, standing before me, not letting go of my hand right away, which suits me just fine.
“No big deal.” My chest is tight, my heart pounding that she put her trust in me. And something like a crack forms in the armor I welded around myself years ago. “Just did what I had to.”
But it is a big deal, and we both know it. I’m an Alpha; we don’t do ‘saving.’ We claim, we take, but here I am, protecting an Omega who should be nothing but trouble for me.
“Ryker...” She starts, pulling her hand from mine, and the loss is like a stab to my chest.
I shake my head. “It’s nothing.”
“Really, though...” She bites her lip, her gaze flickering up to mine. “You could have given me up.”
“Let’s clean this shit up before they get any ideas about coming back.” I turn away, busying myself with gathering the scattered tools, but her presence behind me is a warmth that spreads through my bones.
“Okay,” she agrees quietly, and I can hear the smile in her voice, the relief.
“Later, we’ll talk with Dane and Liam, too,” I say without turning around, leaving unsaid that later means safety, later means figuring out what the hell we’re going to do now.
She nods once, and I feel her vulnerability wrap around me like a damn blanket, soothing the raw edges I pretend I don’t have.
Turning to pick up the bolts on the floor, I don’t look back at her, can’t afford to. I’m Ryker, the Alpha with a reputation as untouchable as steel. But Kayla, she’s the fire, and she’s melting through all the defenses I have… every last one.