My arms snap out, one hand clamping around his mouth and the other around his chest to keep his arms from flailing. This fucker won't get one punch in—he's done enough damage to the lives of many. I won't be his last punching bag for his fucked up life.
Ignoring the ache in my shoulder where one of his lackeys shot at my omega a few months ago, I drag him back into the alley. His grunts and weak attempts to escape make me nauseous. I thought about giving him to Trent for some well-deserved torture, but just knowing he's still breathing right now makes my gut roil with anxiety.
I can't let him escape. This ends here. I'll get my closure and my family will be safe.
White knuckling the hilt of the knife in the hand across his chest, I speak my piece and tell him the one thing a monster like him never wants to hear. "You've been defeated by an omega. Even though you had me in tatters, you were never going to break her. Omegas are the strongest of us all. Rot in hell, motherfucker."
With that parting blow, I pull my arm back, dragging the knife through the meaty flesh of his throat. His blood sprays through my hand, covering his mouth as he drowns in it.
I hold him for a few beats longer to really ensure his suffering, but when his body weight sags, I drop him at my feet. Sticky with blood and trembling with adrenaline, I glance down.
"Easy cleanup," I mutter, having forgotten about the tarp but glad we were on it anyway. Wiping the blade on my thigh, I glance up and everything stops.
Green and blue flit through my vision with an energy I've never seen from my mate. It snaps and vibrates around her shadowed form a few yards away. "Vivian?"
Thirty-Four
Vivian
The vibrations in my veins forced me to sneak away from the other three guys and Trent. After Kade found Trent’s truck, I barely lasted more than thirty seconds from the time the four of us jumped out of our vehicle and descended on Trent. I knew where to find Riot, and judging by the blood thirst in the bond that he wasn't hiding, I knew what I would find.
It didn’t matter that my mates were chasing me and demanding I come back—the need to see this through with Riot was more important. This was the end ofourstory. He was closing the final chapter on our hell. For me. For us.
If I were in a different mindset without adrenaline driving me to watch my alpha murder someone and my feral gene riding me, I would cry. Instead, in the mouth of the dark alley as I watch Riot slice the monster's neck open, I smile.
An arc of sparkly red sprays through the air, drawing me in and pulling a pleased hum from my chest. I heard every word my alpha said to the man who orchestrated our torment. Damn fucking right we're the strongest.
You've been defeated by an omega. Even though you had me in tatters, you were never going to break her. Omegas are the strongest of us all.
I may never have thought that about myself, but I sure as shit have believed it about the rest of us. Now, with everything that has happened and the things I've survived, I believe Riot's words. I believe in myself.
There's a small voice in the back of my head that tells me I shouldn't be enjoying this, and definitely not thinking Riot looks hot as fuck covered in blood. It doesn't matter. Standing over the body of a demon who has hurt so many people, Riot looks like an avenging angel.
"Vivian?"
The sound of his voice sends me running. He probably thinks I'll bolt in the opposite direction, but I would never. Sprinting toward him, I jump over the dead man and into my mate's arms, forcing him back a few steps.
My voice is caught in my chest, but there are plenty of other ways to show him my appreciation and love. With my arms around his neck, I pull down the black mask that covers his nose and mouth, then press my lips to his.
The sound of his knife clattering to the ground bounces around in my mind. It's a call to the scarred parts of my psyche that it's over. I may not know the details about the investigation, but the leader who ran the specific group that hurt us, held the control, is dead.
Digging his hands into my hair, Riot plunders my mouth like a man starved. It feels like a celebration and relief mixed into one kinky, slightly gross, all-consuming kiss. "Firefly, you shouldn't be here," Riot whispers, pulling back much to my displeasure.
One blue eye, one gold, study my features with a nervousness I expected. It's not every day your omega watches you kill someone, I suppose. My feral omega pushes forward a bit, needing to show my alpha that I'm okay. I'm better than okay. A chill pricks my canines as a smile lets them free.
"Oh, I see," Riot growls with a grin of his own. "You're full of surprises, dirty girl."
Suddenly there's a flash of movement beside us, startling a deep growl from my chest. I cling to Riot and bare my teeth at the threat, only for a sharp spank to land on my ass.
"You're in so much trouble, Omega," Kade snarls. My breath hitches when his arm bands around my breasts and his chest presses into my back.
"Kade—" Riot starts, but our pack alpha cuts him off.
"No. You're in trouble too. I should have known why you wanted Trent's phone number. Let's fucking go."
Kade's warmth disappears, allowing a small amount of emptiness to expand in my heart. I knew he would be mad when I ran, but the dominance in the bond worries me a bit. Not for my safety, but because I feel bad for scaring him so badly.
Riot walks us out of the alley without a word, and when I watch over his shoulder, I realize someone took the body and knife away. Gone is that era. The entire walk back to the vehicles is silent, and I feel more than see my pack’s eyes on me as Riot continues to hold me.
