Chapter Fourteen

 

Well, Omega had to give it to the man. He was strong as hell. Going three days without food and water was not easy. But add in the sleep deprivation and it could make a strong man go crazy. Omega had survived and lived through worse, so he knew what it was like. But Pierce wasn’t trained to put his body through that type of punishment. He had a new level of respect for the law enforcer. Turning him over to the Russians was not going to be easy, but he was under a contract and he’d honor it.

Omega turned when Ahtoh barreled through the main door panting and sweating. He was grumbling something in Russian about the fortress being breached. He wasn’t supposed to deliver Backhander until eleven o’clock tonight. It wasn’t even five yet. Regardless, no one should be here. There was no way the Beastmasters knew where he was, either. They hadn’t followed him. Omega swiveled back around to his monitors, rapidly hitting the keys to pull up the perimeter cameras. He had four around the small ranch-style house outside of Richmond, Virginia, it was very secluded, no neighbors within a quarter of a mile. No one knew where he was, not even his clients.

Three of his cameras had already been taken out. Omega watched the one camera he had left that looked over the approach to the backside of the home. A dark image went past it so fast; he had to be sure he’d actually seen it. He rewound the footage and watched it again. Sure enough, it was a man. One man. In all black, moving like a panther. He’d gotten past all of Omega’s sensors that were set out several hundred feet before reaching the house. This wasn’t a Beastmaster, nor was it a Russian. This wasn’t an ordinary man. Omega’s eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat. “That’s impossible.” Omega turned and looked at his prisoner. Pierce was watching Omega’s nervousness with curiosity and relief. But if the man knew who was coming, he’d be begging Omega to kill him now.

A loud thud hit the door and Omega heard three clicks before he barked at Ahtoh to get down. Omega jumped behind his metal desk and as soon as Peirce saw him do it, he crouched down behind his bed, tucking his face to his knees. Ahtoh wasn’t as fast. The steel door blew inward from the mini-explosive two seconds later and Ahtoh was thrown back into the room, hitting the wall with a hard thud. Omega peeked around his desk, waiting for the smoke to clear. The darkness walked past the door casually as if he were eyeing the Macy’s window display.  

“Alpha,” Omega whispered in shock. His hands were unsteady and his ears were ringing from the blast.

Ahtoh was working his way up from the floor, groaning and cursing in Russian. Omega watched Alpha turn the corner, his dark hood low on his face. Jesus Christ. Even his walk was intimidating. The only man in the world that gave Omega pause.

The giant was on his feet, taking staggering steps toward Alpha. He should’ve warned the man. Told him to stand clear if he valued his life. But Omega was eager to see Alpha in action again.

Pierce watched through the glass with tired eyes. He probably thought Alpha was with the Russians and here to take him. Pierce had sweated through his clothes, and his shaking with fear could be seen from a hundred feet away. It looked like he was having seizure the way his body jerked with every step Alpha took.

Omega stood and eyed the man that was once his partner… his teacher… his only brother.

Black cloak. Black tabi boots that made no sound when he walked. Black soft, cotton pants that made it easy to jump and spin kick to send a man flying across a room. He had no guns, no knives, his mind and hands were his weapons and they were far more deadly than any firearm ever made.

Ahtoh approached Alpha, his first slow swing with his massive fist was dodged easily and Omega almost wanted to laugh. He was doing nothing but insulting Alpha. The second swing, Alpha caught his wrist, twisted it so fast the snap barely registered with Ahtoh before Alpha spun, putting them back to back, leaving Ahtoh’s arm twisted at an awkward angle. The next move ended the giant’s cry. Alpha took his free hand, reached behind him and cupped Ahtoh’s chin in his palm, and yanked his head hard to the right, snapping the upper cervical vertebrae in a quick and painless motion. An instant, merciful death. Alpha didn’t bother to turn to see Ahtoh’s large body drop to the floor.

Omega stood still as Alpha approached the window and stared at a still trembling Pierce. God only knew what Backhander was thinking. That he was staring at death himself, there to take him.

After a few seconds, Alpha turned and faced him. His head slightly bowed but his back ramrod straight. His gait was easy as he approached. It wasn’t until he was directly in front of Omega that he spoke and asked the question that was on the forefront of his mind.

“Are you here to kill me, Alpha?”

Omega should’ve seen the strike coming. Should’ve been able to block and counter it, but he let Alpha grab him around his throat and push him back to the wall. He couldn’t see his partner’s eyes, but knew they burned with rage.

“To kill you.” Alpha’s growling voice sent flames streaking up Omega’s stomach. Fuck. “Why do you think I’d kill you? Huh? Because you’ve sold yourself to the highest bidder and betrayed your order? Because you’ve disgraced yourself and your master, which deserves a fate worse than death?” Alpha yanked his hood off so he could stare directly into his eyes. He tightened the hold on his throat – not enough to cut off circulation but enough to show his fury. “Or because you stabbed your only brother in the back when you left me to die in Istanbul? Fucking coward. It’s a good thing you don’t have on your cloak, because if you did, I’d cut it off of you.”

Omega wanted to be angry. But, Alpha was right… about him leaving him. His brother had started hinting at taking a discharge from the order and going on to live normal lives. Suggested that Omega find a nice women to settle down with. They would finally open their own martial arts school like they’d talked about when they were younger. Teaching the ways of the true master. Teaching discipline and honor.

But he’d refused. Alpha stayed and partnered with him anyway to keep him safe. They’d killed in the name of what was right. Taking out corrupt officials. Eliminating leaders that inflicted genocide on their own people. Their order was crusaders for the just. That’s how they’d run into the Beastmasters.

Omega reached up to knock Alpha’s hand off him but his fist was caught in a painful grip, and Omega instantly remembered which of them was the strongest and the fastest. It had always been like that, ever since they were teenagers. Raised and groomed to be killers. Then Alpha was telling him their lives could be different. They could be happy… live without fear of retaliation. After all they’d endured. All they’d lived through. Why was the thought of being normal the scariest thing in the world?

“If you were really loyal to me, brother. You would’ve come after me.”

“Why do you think I’m here?”

“Eight months later.”

“I wanted you to find your way back to the order on your own,” Alpha said passionately. “Come back with me. We’ll be celebrated and discharged together with our family’s blessing.”

Omega groaned. His big brother was right. Always was. He’d shamed himself and the order. He’d lost his way.

Alpha turned his tight grip on his arm to a comforting hug. “We’re going to get you out of this shit you’re in and then I’m taking you home, where you belong.”

“I’m a killer.”

“So am I. But it’s over now. And this job that you’re doing is going to end badly. You are going to take on the Russian mob, the DEA, and the Beastmasters on your own?” Alpha eyed him with that look he gave Omega when he wasn’t thinking rationally.

“I’ll deliver Backhander to the Russians and that’ll be the end of them. Then I’ll deal with Shot.”

Alpha stepped back and looked at Omega like he wanted to choke him for real. “They are not going to fuckin’ let it ‘be it’.” They’ll kill you… or try to. But you may not fare so well with the Beastmasters. We’ve encountered them before and barely got out with our lives. I was on the run and you were in a shady surgeon’s basement getting your fucking shoulder put back together. Their seer kept them right on our heels for six months before they finally pulled back. Name one other team that has been able to do that? Now you want to go head-to-head with all of them, again. Yes, they are older. But that only means they are wiser and stronger.”

“Shot has this coming. I know where his lover lives, as well as his son.”

Alpha glared at him. “Have you completely lost your mind? This is about revenge?”

Omega looked chastised and ashamed. Revenge was for the bitter and undisciplined. He knew that.

Alpha stood before him with that brotherly, loving look that Omega had secretly missed. “Eric. In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy, but in passing it over, he is superior. You are superior in every way. Don’t let that monster, revenge, take you down. Because if the Beastmasters kill you, then I’m going to kill them.”

“You’d go after them?” Omega asked with confusion and love.

“Every single fucking one of them. And I’ve already warned them.”

Omega startled. “What? You’ve spoke to them?”

“Yes. I’m returning Backhander where he belongs. Which by the way, did you know he belongs to the seer?” Alpha grilled him. “The only reason Hawk is not leveling this piece of shit house is because his emotions are keeping him from getting the visions he needs to find you. However, I don’t think that will last much longer. He knew who I was, but that didn’t stop him from putting his gun to my forehead… or trying to.”

“We can take them, Alpha. Me and you,” Omega said excitedly.

“Why do you want to kill men that have done nothing but fight for their country? It is no different than the way we fight for our order. Then you want to turn Backhander, a law enforcement officer, over to foreign terrorist to be beaten and tortured for money? Are you still my brother? Because the man I trained with wouldn’t be making these kinds of errors in judgment. I don’t recognize this person in front of me now,” Alpha rasped.

Omega dropped down in his chair looking defeated. “I don’t know what the fuck, Alpha.”

“Is this because of what I suggested? Is this why you’ve went rogue? Because if it is. I’ll give you your space. I can’t say I won’t protect you anymore, but I won’t pressure you, if this is going to be the result.” Alpha’s brown eyes were downcast as he made his suggestion.

“No,” Omega whispered.

“No, what?”

“No. I won’t continue on this path of destruction. No, I should’ve never fuckin’ run from my destiny like a coward.” Omega looked torn and lost, but he looked that way because he’d felt so lost without his other half. “I’ll go back with you, Shaun.”

Alpha looked up at him, looking for Omega’s sincerity. The moment he recognized it, Alpha hugged his brother to him. Omega could feel the love from him radiating through his soul to his own.

“I love you, brother,” Omega whispered.

Alpha smiled at him and it was like someone had let the damn sun in. Omega’s world had been dark for months without his partner. The deadliest man in the world was his brother and he loved him, had come for him to take him home. Omega’s frosty glare turned warm at the promise of a better life.

“I need to get Pierce back to Hawk in the next eight hours or else all bets are off.”

Alpha turned and left his hood off as he approached the glass door to Pierce’s room. The small man shook his head no, as if that would keep anyone from coming in. His eyes were bloodshot red and his face looked dull and sallow. Not at all like the pretty man he’d intercepted in that restaurant.

“He refused to eat or drink, didn’t he?” Alpha asked Omega, looking at Pierce’s exhausted form.

“Affirmative. And he hasn’t slept,” Omega answered.

“Hmm. No wonder the seer fancies him so. Tough little bastard. Strong and loyal to a fault. Perfect companion for a SEAL.” Alpha opened the door and quickly put his hand out in front of him in a calming gesture. Pierce was curled up against the corner of the room, crouched down on the floor. At this point he knew Alpha was partnered with Omega. He’d killed the giant as easily as if he was killing a bug and had hugged Omega. Now he was coming into Pierce’s room.

“Backhander. I need you to get up and come with me. Hawk sent me. I’m taking you to him.”

“You’re… lying.” Pierce’s voice cracked from dryness. “He’d never… send… anyone. He’d… come…. himself. Go… away”

Alpha pulled out an untraceable and dialed a few numbers. A deep voice came onto the line and Pierce’s eyes widened just slightly. “Dane,” he sighed.

“Pierce! Baby, are you okay? Can you tell me where you are? Are you hurt?”

“Whoa. Slow down, Seer. He’s not hurt, he’s just tired and dehydrated. I want you to tell him to come with me. He doesn’t trust me.”

“Tell me where he is and I’ll come and get him myself!” Hawk roared into the phone and it made Pierce’s dry lips turn up into a small smile.

“Stick to the plan,” Alpha said back calmly, Hawk’s rage doing little to faze him.

“Pierce can you hear me?” Hawk said a little more soothingly.

“Pierce go with the man in black, he’ll bring you to me.”

“You trust… him, Dane? He’s… with O. They’re… partners,” Pierce choked out. He tried to stand, but couldn’t. His legs giving out on him.

“I trust him to bring you to me, baby. Pierce, drink some water, please.” Hawk’s tone was pained, and Omega found himself feeling ashamed.

“Omega. I swear to God. If he’s hurt. I’ll make it my life’s purpose to hunt you and –”

“Okay. Settle down. No need to make threats. Be there in an hour and a half.” Alpha ended the call.

“I’m coming with you,” Omega said definitively.

“Yes. You’re not leaving my sight. But when we get to Hawk’s you are not to get out of the car. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

Just like that. They were back to Alpha and Omega.