4. Cayenne
Chapter 4
Cayenne
I could run.
The thought hits like an electric current, making my toes curl against the marble floor. I used to run track for fun, back before I learned that keyboards were better weapons than feet. Sure, my ass jiggles now in ways it didn’t in high school, but muscle memory doesn’t lie.
Three, maybe four weeks of consistent training.
But where would I go? Every safehouse I know is compromised. Every contact is being watched. And the drive burning a hole in my pocket feels like it weighs a thousand pounds, heavy with Sterling Labs’ secrets that nearly got me killed. Just thinking about sharing their name makes me feel sick.
God, I need my computers.
My fingers literally itch with the need to decrypt what I found in Sterling Labs’ files, to dive deeper into the beta illness data trails that nearly got me killed. Every news alert about another beta hospitalization feels like a personal failure now that I know the truth.
Two security guards step out, blocking my entrance to the elevators.
“You can’t be fucking serious.” My bare foot taps an impatient rhythm against the marble floor as I glare at the alpha bastards towering over me. My toes are probably leaving prints on the pristine surface. Good. Let them remember the beta who didn’t know her place.
“Come on, trouble.” That damn sex-soaked voice calls from behind me, way too close for comfort. Close enough that heat crawls up my spine, unwanted and undeniable.
I spin around, coming face to face with Pack Locke. Ryker-fucking-Locke, who looks like he catalogs exits and weapons as naturally as breathing. The kind of alpha whose control is just a pretty wrapper around something lethal. The kind of alpha that makes me want to do something stupid—like hack his personal files just to see what makes him tick.
I grind my teeth, fighting the urge to snarl. Having one alpha look at me like I’m a puzzle to be solved is bad enough. But now I’ve got two of them, and one of them...
“You.” The word tastes like mistakes and bad decisions, like every time I’ve chosen the worst possible option just because it felt good in the moment. And here I am, doing it again.
“Looks like we’re going to be on a first name basis after all.” His lips curve into that same smile that had me spreading my legs an hour ago. “Unless you prefer good little whore?”
Heat floods my cheeks at his words, but before I can eviscerate him properly, one of the guards speaks over me like I’m not even there.
“Alpha Locke, your vehicle is waiting in the underground garage. We’ll escort you down.”
Of course, they only address the ranking alpha. Typical knot-head behavior. I roll my eyes so hard I probably strain something.
“After you, trouble.” Ryker gestures to the elevator with fake politeness.
“What, no handcuffs?” I snark, stepping into the elevator. “And here I was hoping for the full prisoner experience.”
“Don’t tempt me,” bathroom boy purrs, following close enough that I can smell that damned cherry tobacco scent.
The guards take position in front of the elevator doors like I might try to ninja-kick my way through them. Which, honestly, isn’t the worst idea I’ve had today. But my unicorn pajamas aren’t exactly tactical gear, and I’m already pushing my luck.
Four alphas. Two clearly hired muscle, one pack leader, and one... complication. I can work with this. Hell, I’ve gotten out of worse situations wearing less. At least these pajamas have pockets.
My fingers twitch toward the drive again. Just one computer. One terminal. Even a smart watch would do...
“Stop plotting,” Ryker rumbles from behind me. “You’re not going anywhere.”
I flash him my sweetest smile. “I would never.”
The bathroom alpha actually laughs. “Liar.”
The elevator descends at a glacial pace. Or maybe that’s just the withdrawal kicking in. My fingers drum against my thigh, coding an encryption sequence that exists only in my head.
“So,” I break the silence, because if I have to stand here one more second without my tech, I’ll scream. “Do you two share everything, or am I a special case?”
Ryker’s sharp inhale is worth the jab. The bathroom alpha—still need his name, still not going to ask for it—lets out a low whistle.
“Oh, I’m definitely keeping this one.” His voice holds that edge of crazy that really shouldn’t be hot. “She’s got bigger balls than half our old marks.”
“Keep implying I’m property,” I say sweetly, “and I’ll show you exactly what I can do with those balls.”
The guards shuffle uncomfortably. Ryker pinches the bridge of his nose like he’s getting a headache. Good.
“You know,” bathroom boy leans closer, “threats like that only make me want to bend you over again.”
“Jinx.” Ryker’s voice carries enough alpha command to make the guards flinch. “Enough.”
Jinx . Fitting name for someone who’s probably about to ruin my life. And damn me to hell for wanting just that.
The elevator doors open to the garage, and I step out like I own it. Like I’m not barefoot in unicorn pajamas being escorted by two alpha security guards and pack Locke who think they can contain me.
“Nice car,” I comment, spotting the sleek black SUV. “Very government issue try-hard. Let me guess—bullet proof windows, reinforced doors, and a tracking system I could hack in my sleep?”
“You’re not touching the car’s systems,” Ryker growls.
I bat my eyelashes at him. “Afraid I’ll mess with your seat warmers?”
“More worried about the ejector seats,” a soft voice says from behind me.
I spin around to find another man—beta, from his scent—adjusting wire-rimmed glasses with an almost shy smile. He’s gorgeous in that nerdy librarian way that makes me want to mess up his perfectly styled hair.
Was he there the whole time?
“You must be Cayenne,” he says, extending his hand like we’re at a business meeting and I’m not standing here in pajamas. “I’m Finn. I’ll be sitting in the back with you, if that’s alright.”
Ryker’s eyes narrow. “Jinx, you’re riding shotgun.”
The bathroom alpha—Jinx—throws me a wicked grin. “Afraid I’ll corrupt her further?”
“You can’t corrupt the willing,” I point out, just to watch Ryker’s jaw clench.
Finn clears his throat, tips of his ears turning pink. “Should we maybe... get going? Before someone tries to shoot at us?”
“Again, implies they stopped,” I mutter, but slide into the backseat. Finn follows, setting his messenger bag between us like a gentlemanly barrier.
“So, Finn,” I say as Ryker and Jinx take their places up front. “You’re the one who wanted to confiscate my tech?”
He pushes his glasses up, looking appropriately nervous. “In my defense, your digital signature is rather... distinctive.”
“Distinctive,” I repeat. “You mean awesome.”
“I mean traceable.”
“Only if you don’t know what you’re doing.”
“Which is why you’re currently barefoot and homeless?” Jinx calls from the front seat.
“Wait.” I pause. “My stuff. Willow said they packed my things.”
“Already loaded,” Finn says, gesturing to a stack of boxes in the very back. “Though I should mention your electronics are in separate storage.”
I spot my favorite hoodie peeking out of one box. At least they didn’t leave me with just unicorn pajamas. “Fine. Let’s get this kidnapping on the road.”
The leather seat is cool against my bare legs as the car rumbles to life, and I watch Puritan Alpha Security disappear in the side mirror. Just like that—my whole life packed in boxes, my home gone, my systems out of reach.
All because I couldn’t leave well enough alone. Because I had to dig deeper, had to know the truth.
Worth it.
I analyze my new protectors as we merge into traffic, my beta senses working overtime to compensate for what alphas and omegas would catch instinctively. Where they would smell power dynamics, I observe the subtle body language—how Finn’s shoulders relax slightly when Ryker gives an order; how Jinx maintains exactly two inches more distance than necessary, a silent rebellion. Three pieces of a pack, each broadcasting danger on different frequencies that even my limited designation senses can recognize as potentially lethal .
Ryker, the alpha leader. All controlled power and barely contained rage. The kind of man who probably schedules his coffee breaks and color-codes his murder plans. Currently white-knuckling the steering wheel like it personally offended him.
Jinx, the wild card. Chaos wrapped in leather and bad decisions. The bathroom was probably the tamest thing he’s done all week. He’s scanning the traffic like he’s hoping someone tries something, fingers tapping an erratic beat on his thigh.
And Finn. Beta. Cardigan and glasses hiding what I bet is a terrifying intellect. The way he catalogs everything reminds me of Quinn, but with more restraint. More precision.
Time to get some answers.
“So,” I lean back, deliberately casual. “Do you always kidnap women in their pajamas, or am I special?”
“Not kidnapping if you got in willingly,” Jinx points out.
“You’re our first protection detail since—” Finn starts.
“Since I got benched,” Jinx interrupts with a sharp grin. “For anger management issues.”
“That’s reassuring.” I eye the nearest door handle. “Any other red flags I should know about? Criminal records? Weird fetishes? Tendency to murder annoying betas?”
“Yes to all of the above,” Ryker says flatly.
“Let’s make this fun,” I say, ignoring the growing itch under my skin that screams for a keyboard. “Twenty questions. I’ll start easy. How long have you been a pack?”
“Five years,” Finn answers precisely. “Though our dynamic shifted significantly after?—”
“After I went crazy and dismembered some alphas,” Jinx cuts in cheerfully. “It really brought us closer together.”
Ryker’s growl fills the car. “Jinx.”
“What? She’s going to find out anyway. Probably hack our records the second she gets near technology.”
My fingers twitch. “Bold of you to assume I haven’t already.”
“Impossible,” Finn murmurs. “The files are sealed and encrypted.”
“Aw, honey. That’s cute.” I reach out and pat Finn’s very muscular thigh.
“Next question,” Ryker snaps.
“Fine. Where are we going?”
“Pack house,” Jinx turns in his seat to face me. “Beautiful, secluded location. Lots of privacy. Perfect for all sorts of... activities.”
“I will throw you out of this moving vehicle,” Ryker threatens.
“You tried that last month. I survived.”
Finn sighs, cleaning his glasses. “It was actually two months ago. And technically you jumped.”
I file that away. Interesting dynamic. The controlled alpha, the chaos agent, and the peacekeeper. “Do you have Wi-Fi?”
“No,” all three say in unison.
“Cable?”
“No,” Ryker growls.
“Civilization?”
“We have books,” Finn offers apologetically.
I slump in my seat. “So, you’re taking me to a tech-free cabin in the woods. That’s not serial killer behavior at all.”
“Don’t worry, Red.” Jinx’s voice drops to that gravelly tone that reminds me exactly why bathroom hookups are a bad idea. “I promise to make it worth your while.”
“Touch her and I’ll break your fingers,” Ryker snarls.
“Too late for that warning,” I mutter, then immediately regret it when Ryker’s eyes meet mine in the rearview mirror.
The temperature in the car drops about twenty degrees.
“Perhaps,” Finn interjects smoothly, “we should discuss security protocols?”
“Security protocols,” I repeat flatly. “Like what? How to survive in the wilderness? Bear safety? Proper outhouse etiquette?”
“Nothing so primitive,” Finn says, still cleaning those glasses like they personally offended him. “Though the wildlife can be... concerning.”
We turn onto a winding road that disappears into dense forest. My stomach drops. “You cannot be serious.”
“What’s wrong, Red?” Jinx’s voice drips with mock concern. “Scared of a little nature?”
“I’m a city girl. The only wildlife I deal with is pizza rats and indie coffee shop baristas.”
A massive iron gate appears through the trees, and my jaw actually drops. This isn’t some quaint little entrance—this is military-grade security wrapped in aesthetic design. The bars alone must be six inches thick.
“That’s... not very cabin-in-the-woods,” I manage.
Ryker smirks as the gate slides open silently. “Disappointed?”
“More concerned about why you need that level of security in the middle of nowhere.”
“Keeps things in as much as it keeps them out,” Jinx says cryptically.
The driveway curves through the trees, and then?—
“Holy shit.”
Not a cabin. Not even close. The house—no, the mansion —rises three stories of modern architecture and glass, somehow both imposing and elegant. The surrounding grounds are immaculately maintained, and I spot at least four security cameras just from this angle.
“Welcome home,” Finn says quietly.
“You let me think—” I sputter. “You absolute bastards.”
“Now, now.” Jinx grins. “We never said it was a cabin.”
“You implied!”
“You assumed,” Ryker corrects, pulling up to the front entrance. “Like you assumed this would be easy to escape from.”
My brain kicks into analysis mode despite my rising indignation. Three visible security cameras covering the entrance, another four disguised as decorative fixtures. Motion sensors hidden in the landscaping. The glass has to be bulletproof, probably with some kind of signal blocking properties given their tech paranoia.
“I hate all of you,” I announce.
“No, you don’t,” Jinx sing-songs. “You like me plenty.”
“I liked your tongue. There’s a difference.”
Ryker actually growls this time, the sound making the whole car vibrate. Finn just sighs and mutters something that sounds suspiciously like “not getting paid enough for this.”
The car rolls to a stop in front of massive double doors that probably cost more than my entire apartment’s rent. Before anyone can move, the right door swings open, and?—
Oh .
An omega steps into the doorway, but not like any omega I’ve ever seen. All graceful lines and dark features, dressed in black from head to toe. His hair falls in waves past his shoulders, and I can see the edges of tattoos peeking out from under his oversized sweater.
He leans against the doorframe with casual elegance, bare feet crossed at the ankles, watching our arrival with dark, knowing eyes.
“That’s Theo,” Finn says softly. “Our omega.”
“He’s beautiful,” I breathe, then immediately want to smack myself. Way to sound like every other creep who objectifies omegas.
But Finn just smiles. “He is. And deadly in at least six different ways.”
“Seven,” Jinx corrects proudly. “He learned that thing with the piano wire.”
Theo’s lips curve upward, the expression transforming his features from merely beautiful to dangerously enchanting. The temperature around him seems to shift—not warmer or cooler but somehow more intense, as if the molecules in his vicinity vibrate at a frequency designed to draw others closer. My skin prickles with awareness, the tiny hairs on my arms standing to attention as I realize I might have seriously underestimated what I’m getting myself into.
“Are we going to sit in the car all day,” Theo’s voice carries a hint of Italian accent, “or are you going to introduce me to our new troublemaker?”
Jinx snorts. “Takes one to know one.”
“Says the alpha who nearly burned down the kitchen making toast.” Theo pushes off the doorframe, all fluid grace. “Come on, little beta. I have coffee and actual clothes, if unicorns aren’t your typical aesthetic.”
I slide out of the car, bare feet hitting smooth stone. Up close, Theo’s even more striking—dark eyes lined with kohl, multiple piercings catching the light. Nothing about him screams traditional omega. Not the way he moves—like a dancer plotting murder—or the sharp intelligence in his gaze as he circles me.
“Love the pajamas,” he says. “Very... bold fashion choice.”
“They’re iconic,” I defend.
“Of course they are.” His smile grows knowing. “Just like Jinx’s leather pants.”
“My pants are not iconic,” Jinx protests. “They’re tactical.”
“Tactically tight, maybe.” Theo winks at me. “You should see him try to chase suspects in them.”
“Are you done?” Ryker asks, but there’s fondness under his gruff tone.
“Not even close.” Theo links his arm through mine like we’re old friends. “Let me show you around while these alphas posture and growl at each other. I have questions about why you smell like Jinx’s bathroom hookup, and I’m betting that story goes well with espresso.”
Ryker goes rigid, muscles locking mid-breath, even as Jinx’s delighted laugh ricochets off the stone entrance.
“You,” I tell Theo, “Are dangerous.”
“Oh honey,” he grins, leading me toward the door. “You have no idea. Though I have to say—starting a war between my alphas? That’s exactly what I would have done.”