“Then, what do we do?” Desperation crept into my words. “How do we stop him?”
“We’ll figure that out. We’re family. No one messes with my family.”
“Thank you.” My heart swelled with gratitude and something akin to love for this brother I’d only just met. It was strange to find comfort in his presence, especially after the way he’d taken me, but it was undeniably reassuring.
“Promise me one thing.” Liam’s eyes bored into mine. “You’ll let me make this right. If Castro ever comes near you again, if he ever threatens your safety or the safety of those you care about, will you come to me and let me help you?”
“I promise.” Unshed tears lay on my lashes. “I promise, Liam.”
“Good.” A small smile flickered on his lips before disappearing just as quickly. “Now, let’s figure out how to get rid of that fucker.”
My confusion still lingered at the edges of my mind as I tried to understand everything Liam had told me. One question in particular nagged more than the others, though.
“Liam.” I cleared my throat. “How does one become an omega’s handler?”
Liam sank down in the armchair next to me. As he leaned back and drummed his fingers on the armrest, he looked every bit the mob boss. “Think of it this way. You’re like a sleeper agent,” he said slowly. “Our father put your wolf’s main omega powers to sleep with a word—a word only certain people would have been told. I believed Dominic had forcefully extracted that word from Josef before ending his life, but now I know he wasn’t aware of you being an omega…” Ice flashed in Liam’s eyes. “That word will fully awaken your wolf. The person who knows that word and says it will become your handler, and you will be under their complete control.”
102
TY
Nico and Isaiah were catching up on sleep, and I couldn’t begrudge them for it. I wanted to be out looking for Liza, but it wasn’t safe to go alone—not after Liam’s goons sighted us so quickly at the last property. He had far more security than we’d expected. I couldn’t sleep while Liza was out there. Not when I didn’t know what that fucker was doing with my mate.
The phone rang, shattering the silence in my office like a gunshot. I blinked, momentarily stunned by the sudden intrusion. A bolt of adrenaline coursed through my body as I reached for it, the leather from my chair creaking under me, and the lingering aroma of coffee from the cup of my desk bringing me back to the present. My lawyer’s name flashed on the display.
“Ty speaking.” I tried to control the tremor in my voice. The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotions that had drained me completely. Liza’s disappearance felt like an anchor around my neck, dragging me down into a sea of worry.
“Ty, it’s Mark Jameson,” he said. “I’ve got some good news for you.”
“Good news?” Unless he was calling to tell me Liza was with him, I couldn’t think what good news he could possibly have for me.
“A worker from the warehouse came forward this morning,” Mark continued, pausing for emphasis. “He confessed the drugs found in the factory were his. The DA has just told me all charges against you have been dropped.”
The news hit me like a lightning strike, sending shockwaves throughout my entire body. I leaned back in my chair, both relieved and incredibly confused. If this worker was telling the truth, why was everything inside me still screaming that Liam had planted those drugs to set me up and ruin my name? Why was someone suddenly confessing?
With my brow furrowed in confusion, I asked, “Are you sure?”
“Positive. One of the press operators, George Dale, came forward and admitted the drugs were his.”
“Thanks, Mark.” This was really fucking strange. “Keep me updated if anything else comes up.”
“Of course.” With a click, the call ended.
It didn’t sit right with me. There had to be more at play here.
I leaned back into my chair and propped my feet up on my desk. I had been so sure Liam was behind the planted drugs to set me up and tarnish my reputation. Was it part of some larger plan? Or had someone else intervened?
I breathed in the scent of wood and furniture polish to calm my nerves. The quiet ticking of the clock in the corner of my office reminded me that time was moving forward, even if my world was currently standing still. My wolf’s unease mirrored my own, evidenced by the low growl reverberating through me.
I shook my head to clear it and slapped my cheeks. “Stay focused.” There were too many unknowns, and I couldn’t afford to lose myself in speculation. The pack needed me and Liza...
God, I needed her back safely more than anything.
No sooner had the thought crossed my mind than the phone rang again. I stared at the screen certain I was hallucinating. Liza’s name was flashing across it. A waterfall of relief quenched the burning fire of anxiety that had been consuming me for days. My mood instantly lifted, and I answered the call, unable to contain my excitement.
“Liza? Is that you?” My voice cracked, and I clenched my fists, desperately seeking something tangible to cling on to.
“Ty, it’s me. I’m okay.” Her voice was shaky, but she really did sound okay. My wolf stirred within me, aching to be near her.
