Holyshit.
Jason’s right. I’m one of the elite now.
I can experience any Omega I want.
Including the one in the backseat.
The one who looks like her world is ending.
“What’s your name, ma’am?”
She shakes her head and sighs. “Olive,” she hisses. “And congratulations on yourbounty.”
My partner heard her.
“You lucky son of a bitch!”
I turn off the radio.
Olive stifles a sob, and I grip the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles turn white.
My heart thuds in my chest as reality comes crashing down on me.
Just for turning this Omega in, I’m rich beyond my wildest dreams.
I glance in the rearview mirror, meeting her pained expression.
Her eyes are empty and dull, her beautiful scent soured.
Something feels wrong, as we pull up toEden,the iron gates opening for us. Photographers surround the car, their cameras flashing as they try to capture a picture of the redheaded girl in the backseat of my squad car.
Why isn’t she happy? She’s going to be a celebrity. She’ll be one of the elites.
“You know, they’re going to take care of you here,” I try, but she shakes her head.
“You don’t get it,” she whispers. “I don’t need to be taken care of.”
Her words baffle me as I pull up to the luxurious building, parking next to a giant marble statue of the letter “E.”
The valet looks confused as he walks up to the squad car, and I motion my hand for him to move back. After exiting, I open the door and help Olive out. I remove her handcuffs, noticing the sour look the valet gives me.
I shouldn’t have put handcuffs on her.
“You can walk in with us and give your statement,” he says coolly. “And then we can discuss the next steps.”
I’m wholly unprepared for this.
But as we enter the building and a strong, sweet scent ofOmegahits me, they whisk Olive away before I have time to say goodbye.
An ache grows in my gut, and the feeling that I’ve done something horribly wrong resurfaces.
But it’s too late.