Chapter 60
SIXTY
FINCH
I was antsy as I sat at the bar on Ringside, sipping my ginger beer and keeping an eye on the black door Laurel had vanished through half an hour ago.
I’d been reviewing recordings today, and had reviewed the one of her meeting with the Lucas pack and her father.
They’d tried to have her removed from her duchess position, but she’d swiftly and effectively foiled them.
It was unnerving, because I was developing a grudging respect for her.
Seeing her perform as the duchess in the suite; she was brilliant.
Fighting back against her father and these alphas any way she could—just like we were.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I opened it to see her message.
Laurel: Please call this off. It’s risky and pointless.
I sighed, letting my previous train of thought go. She’d been majorly pissed off since I ordered her to swap the rofetamine doses, and had been fighting me relentlessly on calling off the plan.
I thought she’d be able to do it by accessing the drugs when she was on one of her visits to Ocean.
Instead, she’d gone downstairs to a special viewing cage that was right next to the Sink, and would apparently have to swap the syringes right before Ocean got them.
It was a little more exposed that I thought it would be, but I wasn’t calling off the plan simply because of that.
Plus, Kaos and I were really concerned about Ocean going feral. It was an unknown I wanted to avoid at all costs. I typed out my reply and hit send.
Me: The plan hasn’t changed. Proceed.
Her reply came moments later.
Laurel: Fuck you.
Well, she wasn’t in charge. I was. I could take her anger if it meant keeping Ocean safe.
I caught a nose full of copper and iron, and Madison walked behind me, heading somewhere with purpose.
My heart sank as he walked straight for the black door I was watching.
He opened it and stepped inside. Shit. I’d ordered Laurel to carry out this plan, and she’d be compelled to do so, even if Madison was there, watching her every move.
Me: If Madison or anyone gets suspicious, do not continue with the plan.
There. That should cover her.
I felt her icy fear spear through the bond, making my breath catch. Madison must have found her down there. But she had my release order, and so she’d be all right.
Another minute passed, and the fear didn’t let up. I took out my phone again.
Me: Laurel, are you all right? Respond.
Nothing.
I watched the door, hoping to see her step out, but instead, I watched Dax and Prince open it and disappear as well.
Laurel’s fear didn’t fade.