Holy shit. I know I said it was flimsy, but, like, in terms of metal. I never expected Kole to start shaping it like a damn piece of origami. I just expected him to…move it out of the cell or something.
But, seeing as my packmates are never ones to hold back in showing their love for our omega, Kole continues making modern art out of the frame while Sam holds Brooks hostage. Before long, the frame is so twisted beyond recognition that it would be impossible for someone to know that it was once meant to be a bed. Brooks won’t even be able to prop his feet up on it without the metal poking him.
Jo’s gaze holds no mercy as she watches, tucked under Hayden’s arm.
“That doesn’t feel good, does it?” Sam snarls, shaking the beta a little. “Now you know how Helaena felt when you let Banesworth throw her around like a ragdoll. How helpless every patient felt while you ran fucked-up tests on them.”
Brooks opens his mouth, but no sound comes out. I don’t know if his intention is to scream or to beg for mercy, but it doesn’t matter, because Sam slams him against the wall. “Youdonot speak. You arenothing.Nobody. Nothing you’ve done in this life holds any meaning, and nobody will remember you after you die a slow, painful death.”
“Please—” he gasps, then shudders when Kole throws the bed as hard as he can against the wall.
The beta’s eyes widen in shock as Kole whirls on him, stalking over and grabbing him by the throat. Sam backs off as Kole lifts Brooks higher and higher until his arm is fully extended upward.
“The only reason you are alive,” Kole growls, his eyes nearly black, “is because you are useful for our plan. You can thank Jo for that.”
Brooks’ eyes widen as his feet kick helplessly as Kole waits.
Kole squeezes tighter, making the beta’s eyes bug out.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” Kole snarls. “Thank her. Now.”
“Th…thank…” Brooks’ voice is barely a croak. “You…”
“That was not so hard, was it?” Kole’s grin is malicious as he drops Brooks to the ground without warning. The beta crumbles on impact, and then Sam and Kole are leaving the cell without a backwards glance. They stand sentry outside the cell door, waiting for Siren to make her move.
Brooks cowers in the corner of the room, and I find myself stepping behind her as she approaches him. Not for protection. No, she can handle herself better than anyone, as she’s proven time and time again.
Sam and Kole already proved their devotion by physically solving the problem. Hayden held her through it. Now it’s my turn to support her as she gets her closure.
When she kneels down in front of him, his head shining with sweat as he covers himself with his arms, I place a hand on her shoulder.
Jo has always faced confrontation with the same facade. A honey-sweet voice with words sharper than any knife. But rightnow? It’s all stripped away, leaving an omega who is finally facing one of her abusers.
Her eyes are dry, but her voice quivers with emotion. “You are going to die, Walter Brooks.” Her tone is soft, and it has him peeking out at her. “Not today, and maybe not anytime soon, but youwilldie. You will pay for every crime you’ve committed. Every indiscretion. At this moment, my only regret is that I won’t be the one to end your life. But tonight, that all goes away. Because whatever fate awaits you in the hands of Xavier Bowen?” A small laugh leaves her, making his face go even paler—nevermind the fact that we never intend for him to actually land in the grasp of the beta he’s so afraid of. “That shit is ten times worse than anythin’ I could ever think up. So when we hand you over, you’re goin’ to disappear from my life forever, and I willneverthink about you again.” A smile pulls at her lips. “Your actions, your words, every single experiment and test…it was all fornothin’. And I hope that when it all comes crashin’ down around you…that it’s my voice you hear, tellin’ you to rot in hell.”
With that, she stands, and lifting her chin high, she strides from the room. It’s not until the door is shutting behind us and we hear a sob rip out of Brooks’ throat, that she lets herself fall into my side. My arm wraps around her as we step over the pathetic remains of the mattress.
We walk out of the cell block, Hayden, Sam, and Kole behind us, and I can’t find it in myself to regret anything.
No, Brooks is just getting the very least of what’s coming to him.
By the end of the night, everyone else who deserves it will be on their knees at my omega’s mercy.
thirty-six
Jo
3:48 p.m.
Mabel hugs me tight. “You be careful now, you hear?” She sniffles, and a watery laugh leaves me.
“I’ve been in tighter situations before, Mabel-cakes, don’t you worry.” She only squeezes me tighter at my words, making Turnip squeak between us from her place in my jacket pocket.
“Oh!” Mabel lets out a shocked little laugh. “Sorry, Turnip.”
My little friend chitters, climbing out of my pocket and onto Mabel’s shoulder, where she nuzzles her snout against my sister’s cheek.
“You’re just a sweet thing, aren’t you?” she coos, rubbing a finger under Turnip’s chin.
