Faith & the Dead End Devils (Sweet Omegaverse, #8)(130)

"Eloquent as always, sugar," an exquisitely sinister voice called from the hall.

Adam's shoulders sagged slightly, the livid energy seeping out of him. "Took you long enough," he said, but he kept his gaze and the muzzle of his gun pointed at Preston.

Out of the corner of my eye, movement darted forward, and I screamed Adam's name.

But Eve was stepping into the room, her own gun raised, and she didn't so much as blink before firing it, a dull and quiet pop exhaling from the muzzle. Preston's packmate dropped to the floor and Eve shifted, standing in front of me, blocking my view of the man she'd shot.

"Go into the hall," Eve said to Adam and me, turning to face Preston. "I will finish here."

"No," Adam snapped back.

I had no complaints. I gasped and ran for the door, colliding with King in the hall. His arms fastened around me, lifting me off my feet, and I got another brief glimpse of worthless grandeur, a spiral staircase and a chandelier and gleaming tile, before my face was buried in his throat, inhaling his rough scent like it was my only source of oxygen.

"I've got you, princess. Go to Bear. I'm dealing with Bowers."

I lifted my face just enough to see Bear reach the top of the staircase, gaze bright on my face, and I whined at the sight of him, of Chance and Ghost at his back, their expressions equally anxious and eager.

"I knew you'd come," I whispered, kissing King's throat.

He squeezed me tighter, holding on for a deep breath in spite of his order, and then finally released me. I dashed toward Bear.

"Take her outside," King said.

"Eve, you can't bite me now," Adam said, laughter growing distant as I ran.

"Then you'd better follow them," Eve purred to him.

Bear caught me and hauled me up into his chest, my legs hooked under his arm, cradling me close as he turned and started immediately down the stairs.

"There's a third alpha," I murmured.

"Gone," Chance said. It could've meant the alpha had managed to run, but I suspected the truth was simpler and more final. And I didn't care.

"You okay, slick?" Ghost murmured. "They bite you?"

"Didn't get the chance. I fought too hard," I answered.

"Good girl," Bear said, his voice balanced between a growl and a purr.

The walk to the door was short, and I thought I heard a second snap or bang as it shut behind us, but if that was the last I heard of Preston, it was plenty.

Grim was outside, speaking to Garrett as Jamie dressed the wound on his forehead. Rory was missing, but so was the third alpha, and I wasn't curious enough to ask questions. Adam ran from our group into Garrett's arms, the pair kissing roughly, but my brother pulled away a moment later, hurrying back to our side.

Bear set me on my feet and Adam grabbed me. "I'm sorry. I let them take you again. I couldn't not follow," he gasped into my ear. "I'm sorry, Faith."

I wrapped my arms around Adam, pressing my cheek to his. Burnt caramel and almonds, our stressed scents tangled.

"I'm okay. I knew I would be okay," I said, arms clasped fiercely around him, tears clawing up my throat. "You came right on time."

Gravel crunched behind me and I jumped in Adam's arms, but he didn't release me.

"It's done," King announced.

"We'll finish up here," Garrett said. "Give us a shout when you're home. We'll work the timing out, clean up the loose ends."

"Glad you found a weird super spy pack," I whispered in Adam's ear.

He huffed out a laugh and loosened his hold on me at last. He leaned back, searching my face.

"I'm okay, Adam," I said once more, and he swallowed hard and nodded.

"Love you, kiddo," Adam whispered.

"Love you too, biggo."

"We'll swing by within a week. Once we know everything is tidy," Garrett said.

"You feel confident this won't come back on us?" Grim asked, frowning.

"Not our first rodeo," Jamie said. "We'll be all right. You should get back."

"Come on, Butterfly," Bear murmured.

"I need her to ride with me," King growled.

"Actually, I think I need—" Ghost started, all three of my alphas reaching for me at once.

"She rides with me, Ghost ahead, King and Bear behind," Chance snapped, holding his hand out in my direction.

I glanced at my alphas, at King and Bear glaring at Chance and Ghost ducking his head.

"The three of you are half-feral with her right now. I'm the one with the clearest head. She rides with me," Chance repeated firmly.

"Smart," Bear grumbled.

"Fine," King growled.

Ghost just flicked me a grin as I slipped my hand into Chance's. He tugged me close, pulling my mouth to his for a rough kiss.

"Come on, birdy. They can fight over you in the nest," he whispered.

I turned back to Adam, but he was surrounded by his own pack. We were safe. We were with our people. I climbed on behind Chance and wrapped myself tightly around him until he grunted with the force of my grip. His hand rested over my arms briefly, and then his bike roared to life and we rode home on long, quiet stretches of road, just the harmony of engines surrounding me, as warm and rich as my alphas' purrs.