Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Silva
“The gremlins broke me,” I groan as I drive home after helping with the five year old ice skating class. I didn’t realize they’d be doing drills as well.
I did have two other people with me, but I was chosen to help skate the drills. My muscles are on fire.
“Oh sweet girl,” Syrus chuckles in my ear. He’s connected through my Bluetooth earpiece, and I can feel his amusement as well. “This town will make sure we don’t have kids for a long time if they keep doing this.”
I almost take out Mrs. Heigleman’s mailbox and have to swerve to miss it. This wouldn’t be an issue if she wasn’t standing in her front yard with her jaw dropped watching me.
Fuck.
“Don’t be surprised if the station gets a call from Mrs. Heigleman,” I gasp, wincing as I wave and keep driving.
I’m going to pretend I didn’t do that. It’s fine.
“Why?” he asks worriedly.
“I almost murdered her mailbox,” I grumble. “Why are we talking about kids?”
“Why wouldn’t we?” Syrus teases me. “Our pack is coming together, Spitfire. I’m not pressuring you at all, and I’m sorry I almost made you kill the mailbox.
I’ll smooth it over with her if she calls to complain.
It was an offhand comment. If you never want kids, I’m happy with that too.
There are plenty of rugrats for me to get my kid fix from here in town too. ”
“Syrus…” I don’t even know what to say. “I think I wanted kids when I was younger, before my parents died and my life changed. I’m kind of a natural caretaker. The thought of a mini me is scary.”
“What would unscare you?” he asks.
“Things that I can’t say on an open line to a police officer,” I reply honestly.
“Then get your cute ass home, Spitfire. Stop trying to take out people’s mailboxes.”
Snort-laughing as I hang up, I drive the last ten minutes home and park in the driveway.
“Hey, Menace!” Lark says from my porch with a smirk as I get out of my car.
“Ugh, what did I do?” I ask, chuckling under my breath.
Syrus’ SUV is in the street, so I’m pretty sure she already knows.
“What did that mailbox do to you?” she asks, laughing as I join her.
“I’m pleading the fifth and blaming Syrus for mentioning having kids when I wasn’t expecting it,” I confess.
“Damn. He pulled out the big guns,” she says, eyes wide. “Have you guys talked about this before?”
“Not really,” I say. “I think I need G to be taken care of before I can broach the subject again.”
“Ohh. I can help with this,” she says, grabbing my hand and dragging me into the house.
Lark doesn’t bother to lock the door as she leads me past the foyer, the dining room, and the sitting room to my living room at the back of the house. I don’t fucking know why I chose such a big place, but it’s certainly working in my favor now.
Wow. There’s a mini command center in my living room.
“Umm hi?” I say, watching as Lark leaves me to curl up in an armchair to grab her laptop. She’s clearly been here for a while, judging from her blankets in her lap to snuggle in, as well as her emotional support water bottle tucked beside her.
Kyren glances up with a grin, while Izzy walks over to hug me tightly.
“Hi,” he says. “We’re planning our entrance and escape from the Henderson mansion. We also called in a few favors.”
“More than a few,” someone laughs. He has short blonde hair, and he’s looking over a map in front of him.
“That’s Sloane, mi amor,” Izzy explains.
I tentatively nod, staying silent. I don’t know what’s happening, and I think Izzy can tell my body is stiffening up as he rubs my back. I’m feeling a little overwhelmed.
“I’m Aiden,” another voice says distractedly beside Kyren, looking over his shoulder.
“Would someone like to explain what’s happening?” I ask.
“Silva!” Syrus calls out. “I’m in the kitchen. I want to feed you before you fall over.”
“He’s not wrong,” I sigh. Maybe this is why I feel kind of grouchy. There’s too many people in my house.
“Love you,” Izzy chuckles.
“I love you too,” I say, hugging him back before I trudge away. Just because I hate everything and my stomach is growling, doesn’t make it any less true.
I can feel two pairs of eyes following me as I walk to the kitchen, but I ignore them. If my sister’s scent matches have questions for me, they can use their damn words.
See? Fuck everyone.
“Hi,” Syrus says, wrapping his arms around me as I walk into the kitchen. “Sorry for all the people, baby girl. We can go hide outside to eat, and I’ll catch you up.”
“Isn’t hiding rude?” I ask, my eyes lighting up at the sandwiches he already has made.
“Not when it’s your house and you weren’t expecting to walk into this,” he shrugs. “You don’t owe anyone a thing. I also think you deserve the space to come down after hanging with little kids that don’t have a mute button.”
My lips twitch as he releases me to pick up the plates and I grab the glasses of water he has on the counter. As we walk to the back door, I bite my lip as I see that we both have our hands full.
“I got the door,” Emmett says, reaching over to open it.
“Is Lexi here?” I ask, using my hip to catch the door and hold it open.
“She just got here,” he replies. “I’ll tell her you’ll come join us after you eat.”
Nodding, I walk to the swing and place the water on the table nearby. The heaters are already blowing, which means that Syrus planned for us to come out here already.
Handing me a plate, he sits beside me, watching as I take a large bite and begin to chew. Not only is it a sandwich, it’s a chicken ranch sandwich, and it’s fucking delicious. Syrus cut it on a diagonal too, which is the only way to cut a sandwich in my professional opinion.
“Oh my god,” I mumble as I chew happily.
“Good,” he rumbles, taking a bite of his own sandwich as he leans back on the pillows.
I haven’t sat in this swing yet, since things have just been too crazy. It’s really cozy, and I find myself relaxing as I listen to the quiet around me. There’s something about a snowy day when I’m outside that’s soothing.
Finishing my sandwich, I lean over to place my plate on the table before taking a sip of water. I’m feeling much better by the time Syrus finishes his food and he pulls me tightly to him to snuggle. Blankets get piled over me, I drape my legs over his legs, and I’m hesitant to go back inside.
It’s so perfect out here.
Gazing at our empty plates and glasses on the table, I sigh as I think about how the responsible thing would be to see if anyone needs help inside.
“Sit with me for a bit, Spitfire,” Syrus says, as if he can hear my thoughts. He can’t, but he probably is feeling the confusing amount of emotions that I’m currently having. “Take a load off.”
“Cute,” I murmur, happy not to move an inch. It’s obvious he’s been home for a while because his hair is wet and he’s wearing a pair of sweats. “Did you come home early?”
“I did. Have you noticed that Harlan and Kyren are acting a little oddly?” he asks.
“Yeah. I figured they’d fess up eventually,” I say with a smirk. “I actually thought they might be planning to leave on some kind of mission.”
“Silva, you’re the mission, baby. They’ve been working on getting the optics right to infiltrate the Henderson estate. Lark found communication that Gideon will be there through tomorrow,” Syrus says.
“He’s rarely there,” I say slowly, my brows knitting. “Is he planning to sell a group of girls?”
The back door opens to reveal Sloane, the blonde from earlier.
“Am I interrupting something?” he asks.
“Just me decompressing after being surrounded by kids,” I say with a small smile. “Sorry, I got a little overwhelmed earlier.”
“You’re totally fine,” he says. “I didn’t think about invading an omega’s space when we all came in.”
“It’s for a good cause,” I say tiredly. Now that I’m snuggled against Syrus with a full stomach, all I want is a nap.
The bar is closed today, so I don’t have much to do, other than maybe help bust up a sex trafficking ring. My life has never been normal, what can I say?
“When are we leaving?” I ask. “Gideon never stays at the mansion for long, and if he’s planning to sell omegas while he’s there, we’ll have a very small window to work within.”
“That’s what Lark was saying,” Sloane says, staring at me for a beat too long.
“What did I say?” I ask.
“I’m just seeing what your sister sees in you,” he says, leaning against the wall. “You really aren’t afraid of anything, are you?”
“The things I’m afraid of exist in that mansion,” I reply. “Being afraid doesn’t mean I’m incapable of action. Both things can be true. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to bring him down.”
“Please don’t say that,” Sloane groans. “Lexi would kill me if anything happened to you.”
“Silva can take care of herself,” Syrus says. “I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Answer her questions.”
“We’ll leave tomorrow,” Sloane replies. “You’re also right, Silva. It’s kind of disgusting how every one of you clocked that there was going to be a ball for alphas to bid to buy omegas. I don’t know how this guy hasn’t been taken out yet when he’s so fucking predictable.”
“It’s because no one can stop him and he knows it,” I explain.
“The people who work with him know it’s a death sentence if they rat him out.
They also don’t believe Gideon is doing anything wrong.
Why would they? The people who work there kept telling us that we’d be living a better life once we were sold. We’d have everything we ever wanted.”
“Everything except freedom,” Syrus grumbles, deciding that I’m not close enough. Picking me up, he places me in his lap so I can continue the conversation. He adjusts the blankets so I’ll still be warm, and Sloane doesn’t seem the slightest bit surprised.
Alphas. I swear.
“Exactly. Everything happens in the same way for these fancy balls. Lark watched the cameras, paid attention to the patterns, and then we decided to leave after the party,” I explain.
“There’s a few hours between the party, the money changing hands, and then the collection of the omega who’s been sold.
We don’t want to miss Gideon though, and I’m not sure when he’ll leave.
He’s the only part of this that’s a wild card.
If he gets even a hint that something is off, he’ll split. ”
“We’ll infiltrate during and keep as quiet as possible until after the party if that’s what is about to happen,” Sloane decides. “This is really helpful, thank you. So you’re really all going to come with us?”
“Don’t we deserve to kill the person who haunts our dreams?” I ask back.
“Why are you this way?” he grumbles.
“What way?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
The alpha introduced to me as Aiden steps outside, and I take a moment to look at him. He looks just enough like Harlan for me to see the familial relationship.
“Fearless,” Aiden mutters.
“Meh, I’m really not. I just want to know that Gideon isn’t hurting anyone else anymore.”
“Ah, speaking of that,” Syrus says, looking uncomfortable.
“I know that the chances of this are slim, okay? Is there any way we can check Gideon’s records while we’re there?
My sister, Maeve, disappeared eleven years ago, shortly after her eighteenth birthday.
Everything I’m hearing about Gideon’s operation sounds like he could have taken her.
It’s been years since her abduction happened—”
“We’ll look,” I say, staring at Aiden and Sloane hard. “There’s no harm in looking through his registry. Gideon is feral about his records.”
“No harm at all,” Sloane parrots, shaking his head quickly. “You’re scary.”
“You have no idea,” Syrus grins. “Thank you, it means a lot to me. I’ve spent years not knowing if she’s alive or dead.”
Aiden’s features soften slightly as he nods, elbowing Sloane. “Of course, man. So we’ll leave tonight, set up a base to work out of—”
“Silva!” Lark hisses, tripping over her feet as she rushes outside. “There’s a party tomorrow night. He’s doing it again.”
“Well I’ll be damned,” Sloane breathes.
“I had a feeling,” I admit to Lark.
“Girl, your gut instincts are gold. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.
I have to be closer to see the grounds. The satellite cameras went out while I was checking them.
There’s a lot of people on the grounds. More than there would be on a normal day.
I have no idea how Gideon managed that,” she mutters.
“Too much money,” I sigh. “He has to make the place sparkle and shine in his depravity. Can you fly a drone to check the grounds?”
“The government should hire you all,” Sloane drawls.
“No interest,” I bite out. “They weren't all that nice to you all from what I understand.”
“They weren’t,” he agrees. “No one expects omegas to be spies.”
That makes me think about Izzy and how much he sacrifices as an omega. Stomping down the urge to yell at these alphas, I take a deep breath. One thing at a time.
I’ll tackle the injustices that Isidro goes through to be a productive member of their team later.
“Alright, let’s get to planning,” I say, standing. “I’m going to make myself coffee. I need a second wind.”
“No,” Sloane says, shaking his head. “If you’re that tired, go take a nap. We’ll fill you in, and you can bully us with all the information we’re missing after.”
“Works for me,” Syrus says, standing to lift my body onto his shoulder.
“Why are you all always carting me around like my legs don’t work?” I laugh.
“It’s fun to make you yell at us,” Syrus says. “No one bother us for the next hour.”
“Try two,” Sloane says. “I know a tired omega when I see one.”
Syrus walks inside the house, and I wave at my sister upside down as he passes her.
“I’m being forced to take a nap,” I complain.
Lexi hides a smile as she nods. “We’ll hold down the fort,” she promises. “Sweet dreams.”
As Syrus jogs up the stairs while I bounce on his shoulder, I realize something. My dreams are sweet again.