Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Thane
"Untie him!" I order Raidon.
Leo's head turns to look at me as I rise from my seat. Confusion crosses his features as Raidon sets about freeing him. I reach for my jacket hanging over the back of the couch.
"What's going on?" Raidon asks, glancing at me over his shoulder while undoing Leo's legs.
"We’re going to see Bree. Then Leo is going to help me break into the sanctuary," I announce, my eyes carefully following Raidon’s movements.
As long as Leo was tied and restrained, I didn’t have to worry about him. But now that he’ll be free, there’s no telling what kind of tricks he might try to pull in order to escape.
I can only hope he has some understanding of how dangerous it is to defy me, of how much he will risk if he tries anything, but no one can know how far he is willing to go.
Desperate times always call for desperate measures. Leo reminds me of a rat stuck in a trap. While others might admit defeat, this rat is stubborn. He would rather die trying to escape than give up. Yet I have one advantage, one I know he won’t risk. His daughter.
"You wanna what?" Raidon’s head snaps up, his hands still clutching the chains.
My eyes focus on Raidon’s back. The tension taking over his body is obvious as his muscles flex and relax. I knew he wouldn’t like what I have planned, but he knows better than to question me.
The only thing I ever ask is for them to trust my judgment.
Letting out a deep breath, I look up at the ceiling as I explain myself.
"I want Curtis Black.” Turning my attention to Leo, he chews his lip.
“You know where the sanctuary is, right?” My words don’t earn me a response, so I keep going.
“Do you know how tight security is there? "
Raidon keeps oddly quiet as Leo gets up from the chair.
"Yeah, it's guarded, but not from the pack," Leo announces as he rubs the reddened skin on his wrists.
My eyes flicker between them as Raidon glances up at Leo.
"I have the gate card, but I need to shower first. I can't walk in there like this,” he says, staring down at the shorts Rhen gave him earlier.
I nod my head in agreement. It seems that the tension has finally faded, and Raidon becomes visibly more relaxed, which allows the heavy tension to leave me, too. The last thing I need is unnecessary drama and possible arguments.
"So, what are we seeing Bree about?" Raidon asks, glancing between me and Leo.
I pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh. "To find out what she knows about her father and uncle's plans."
"Are you sure we should leave Harlow? She just gave birth to our daughter,” Raidon asks.
He has a point. A very good point, but we have to act before this mess becomes something we can no longer handle. Sometimes, it is better to die trying than spending an entire lifetime on our knees praying shit doesn’t go south.
"Corbin won't come back anytime soon. He'll wait for the heat to die down.
Not only that, but corruption will be on the elders' radar now.
He isn't stupid enough to draw more attention to himself.
The State Council is one thing, but the Supernatural Parliament?
Not even Corbin is stupid enough to try to bribe or blackmail one of them," Leo assures me.
Corbin may not be stupid enough—as Leo put it—to blackmail the Supernatural Parliament, but I am. And I will, I think with a smug smile across my lips. One thing about owning a tech company is that my fathers had dirt on nearly every member. Dirt they left me along with the company.
That is exactly what I plan on using to get the laws surrounding Omegas changed. Something that my fathers should have done to help my mother.
"Maybe you should organize for the city exits to be guarded. Especially since it is a six-hour drive,” Leo adds.
Even though I can’t stand the guy, I have to admit he has a point. It does annoy me, however, that he assumes I didn’t think of that already. I’m clearly not as brainless as he might think.
"We aren't driving. We’re flying. The guards are already posted. The city is in total lockdown. No one can enter or leave without my knowledge,” I assure him.
Raidon leads Leo toward the stairs to shower and find him some clothes, but he stops halfway up as I grab my keys off the hook.
"Since we are heading back that way—"
I already know where this is going, so I raise my hand to stop him. "We'll get your daughter," I assure him. As soon as the words leave my lips, he lets out a breath of relief.
"We'll grab her first, then head to the sanctuary," I add, just to emphasize how serious I am about the decision.
"Thank you," Leo whispers.
I nod and wander down to my mates in the Den. I have to let them know what is going on. And once we find Curtis Black, I will speak with Jake and his mates.
We are about to have one hell of a manhunt on our hands. My plans are so grand, all of us might go down in history. I know Corbin’s death will, that I can assure everyone. His death will be remembered and will be a warning to never fuck with my family.
As I get to the now empty doorframe that leads to the Den, her scent smashes into me like a truck going a hundred miles an hour. My blood simmers in my veins as I stand frozen, relishing the moment.
I thought her heat was potent, but damn, does her scent stir up another need now, one I didn't realize could grow any stronger—an intense need to protect my pack, my Omega. That deep desire to covet and protect grows fiercer. Especially now that she’s had our pup.
The stairs creak when I reach the last set, and I hesitate. She stirs before I step onto the concrete and walk over toward the sunken Den. I glance down at the red cushioned floor and the dozens of comforters and torn pillows.
Carefully, I jump down, trying not to jostle her too much. Her hand instantly moves to the small bassinet at her head. The feral snarl that leaves her makes me smirk. That's my girl.
Still bleary-eyed, I offer her my hand and watch as she sniffs the air before relaxing.