Chapter 14 #2
I know how that feels.
Rogues have been used like that for centuries.
Bird cocks his head, studying Joker intently. “So, who was shooting at us?”
Joker appears distracted. “One of the many other packs of bounty hunters who are after you. Possibly, the Krakens. They’re the best, or the worst, depending how you look at it.”
I narrow my eyes. “Why were you following us? How do you even know about the bounty?”
Joker stops pacing. “Easy. We took the contract as well.”
I growl, launching myself off the bed. I pin Joker against the wall with my arm across his throat.
Joker chokes but still laughs. “Easy, baby. I like it rough, but how about we negotiate first?”
This close, I can see that sweat is beading on his forehead.
Has he got a fever?
Heat is washing from Joker in waves.
“You just said that you weren’t contracted to kill us,” I snarl. “You’re a fucking liar.”
Joker’s eyes are glassy, and his breathing is too fast.
Worry stabs through me, no matter that I wish it didn’t.
“It’s complicated,” he replies. “We’re not the same as the others.”
“Ro,” Bird says, tentatively, “he’s not looking too good. Maybe ease off.”
I study Joker’s face.
In the hotel, he fought me with a speed and ease that no one else has managed. My hands are tied. He should be easily able to dodge out of my hold, but he hasn’t even pushed me away.
He’s trembling.
I frown to hide my concern, dragging Joker by his collar to the bed.
Then I notice the scarred bond bite on his neck.
My chest tightens.
He’s bonded to Phantom.
It hurts somehow.
Would Joker want me as a Second Alpha, especially since I am a Rogue? He’s already part of the Hunter pack. Do I want our two packs to come together?
Would that be possible? Should I desire it?
I shove Joker roughly onto the bed to hide how much it’s panicking me that he’s barely able to stand now on his own.
Bird scrambles across the bed to drag Joker against his side, nuzzling him. He exchanges a worried glance with me.
“Look,” I try for firm, “you’ve already tried to trick me once. Why would I believe anything you tell me? This could be an act.”
I lean over Joker close enough that our faces are almost touching. It doesn’t intimidate him, in fact he pushes up, until his nose nudges mine.
Joker’s honey scent becomes stronger. Why can I only smell the sweet honey scent now and no peaches? It’s delicious, making my mouth water.
“You mean my performance at the bar?” He manages to rasp.
“And on the bed.”
“One of my finest.”
“You’re a con man.”
“A performer. Like you’re a magician.”
“You’re an outlaw.”
“Oh, like you. Are you looking down on the magician’s assistant?”
“At last you get it. Your illusions are deceptive.”
“What about yours? Why should I trust you? We’re the same. I’d say that we are the perfect match.”
“Sorry to interrupt your flirting,” Bird’s voice is tight, “but we appear to be snuggling a sick Beta in our bed. Why don’t we care for him now and interrogate him later?”
“I’m not sick, Cookie,” Joker replies like it’s a reflex. “But I have guns to clean and shit. So, let me up, and I’ll…”
I hold him down with unexpected ease.
Joker must be going down with the flu. Taking over this pack will be easy. One member is ill and the other has been shot.
I don’t tell Bird that interrogating someone when they’re sick is the perfect timing.
In fact, one of the tips my instructors taught me is to make people unwell on purpose with various herbs and plants hidden in food.
Bird doesn’t need to know those types of details, right?
I catch Joker’s eye, before I twist my wrists and with ease, slip my hands out of Joker’s complex rope handcuffs.
The rope falls onto the Beta’s chest.
I flex my reddened wrists, before I waggle my free hands in front of his face. “Magic.”
I let it sink in that I could have escaped at any moment.
Turn about is only fair, right?
Joker’s cheeks flush, as he stares up at me. “I suppose you pegging me is off the table? Because I am so fucking turned on right now.”
Bird’s laugh is bright. “My Alpha is badass.”
I straddle Joker, pinning him to the bed.
My grin is wicked, as I lean down. “The Adonis family had a file on you. Just before everything went to shit and I was sent to the ABO Facility, you were my next mission. I was ordered to assassinate you.”
Joker’s smile fades. He goes very still.
His expression is unreadable. “Good to know.”
“Why do you think that was?” I persist.
“Probably because we were disrupting a lot of mob operations.” Joker’s breathing is too shallow. “Are you still loyal to them? Am I still your next mission? A hit?”
He attempts to twist out of my hold, but I slam him back onto the bed.
He’s far weaker than he should be.
“Ro.” Bird reaches for Joker’s wrist, testing his pulse. “Something’s really not right.”
When I lean down, my hair brushes across Joker’s face. “One chance. The truth now. Why have you captured Bird and me?”
Joker’s honey scent becomes more cloying.
Joker’s lips tighten, and I see the first genuine expression that I think I’ve seen on him.
“Because we’re on a mission to save someone who is important to me.
And we need you to fulfil that. We didn’t know if you — Switch — would live up to your reputation as a mob assassin.
But you were different. I’m serious now, when we know that we can trust a mafia princess and her Omega, then we’ll tell you. ”
“Not good enough.”
Joker’s Alpha is out, being patched up from the shooting.
This is the perfect time for Bird and me to escape. It’s certainly the best time to steal Joker’s weapons and make our own stand if we want to against any other bounty hunters.
Unexpectedly, Joker bucks against me with a strength that I’m not expecting. “Let me fucking go.”
I sway to the side, snatching Joker’s hair to steady myself; he hisses in pain. “What? You don’t like being the prisoner for real?”
He struggles.
I raise my fist to slam it into Joker’s face in retaliation, but Bird grabs hold of my arm.
“Don’t.” Why does Bird sound so panicked?
“What?” I demand. “Jokes’ answers aren’t good enough. This is our best chance to escape.”
“He’s going into heat,” Bird blurts.
I burst out laughing. “Bullshit. He’s a Beta.”
Bird grabs my hand, which is holding onto Joker’s hair. “Let go, please.”
Surprised, I allow Bird to pull my hand away from the Beta’s hair.
Bird grabs the forest green blanket and holds it up to Joker’s face. I am stunned when Joker pushes into it. His hair is damp with sweat, and his eyelashes flutter.
But then, I remember that it’s the soft blanket, which Joker said was his favorite.
When Bird starts to gently hum and card through Joker’s long hair, Joker whimpers.
What. The. Fuck?
“Are you disguised as a Beta?” I ask, flatly. “Using suppressants? A fake scent?”
This can’t be happening.
I’m shaking.
Joker doesn’t reply, pushing into Bird’s hand.
“I grew up amongst Omegas,” Bird says, “as well as living closely with all the Hotel Omegas. If there is one thing I know, then it’s the signs of a heat coming on.”
Suddenly, I feel a warmth spreading between my legs where I am straddling Joker’s thighs. When I glance down, I realize that it is slick soaking through his jeans.
When I raise my head to meet his gaze, Joker’s cheeks redden.
“I guess the secret is out.” Joker’s voice is shame thickened. “I truly am at your mercy. Why do you think I’m such a good seducer? I’m a Beta and Omega Rogue switch. And you’ve triggered my heat. What are you going to do now?”