OLAMIDE

That robe did finally come. I felt mad self-conscious standin’ up to step into it. Jason’s eyes on me had my stomach twistin’. The look on his face—like he was readin’ me—made me straight nervous. I didn’t know what was comin’ next, but that fiery chick’s pissed-off expression told me one thing, at least: I was still alive.

I took everything Jason said with a fat grain of salt. How a girl supposed to believe all that mess? My plan was to play along, stay low, wait for the right time to dip. My hair was still damp, and the cold air seepin’ into the bathroom told me we were somewhere way out.

With nothin’ else to do but stand there awkward while the brothers whispered, I started scannin’ my captors. The one who dragged me here, all Armani and danger, had a ring on his thumb with a crow insignia. Jason, the other one, was dressed down—old jacket, faded jeans, boots. That scar stretchin’ from his cheek to his neck was jarring. The third was the sulkin’ girl. She looked like a fighter. Grey camisole, black leggings, tattoo of the crow where the ring should’ve been.

“I hope you ain’t thinkin’ of runnin’?”

I jerked, eyes shootin’ to the voice. This witch really couldn’t give me no breathin’ space.

“Course not,” I stammered, eyes flickin’ back to the men to avoid Hellfire’s stare.

“Kerri, quit givin’ her a hard time,” Jason sighed, throwin’ me a nervous smile. I didn’t like it, but I took it.

“But—” Kerri started before Armani Dude cut her off.

“No buts,” he growled. “And wrap up that jealousy. You a goddamn Sentinel for fuck’s sake.”

So that was it, I thought. I didn’t know what the hell was goin’ on, but if she wanted Jason so bad, she could have him.

“I apologize, Alpha Devin,” Kerri muttered.

“Whatever,” Devin said.

My jaw dropped. How I not see it before? That beard must’ve fooled me. Devin and Jason were twins. Identical. While I reeled at the discovery, the men finished their talk and Jason led me outside. God, I almost forgot how to breathe when I saw where we were.

All the while I thought we were in some house. Turns out the bathroom was just a shed. We were dead in the middle of nowhere. Giant pines stretchin’ forever. A clearing held a black Mercedes. Escape? Not happenin’. My head still fuzzy from that karate chop, and I had zero clue where I even was.

Jason turned to his brother and girlfriend-wannabe, said his goodbyes, then grabbed my hand like I was bought at an auction and shoved me into his car. I was glad to be out from under Devin’s eyes, but now I had Jason to fear. And it creeped me out bad knowin’ he looked just like the monster who yanked me from my life. Didn’t stop me, though. Soon as the car was out of sight, I went for his neck.

I pictured my karate chop and swung. Without even lookin’ back, he caught my hand mid-air and twisted it. Then he slammed the brakes and sent me flyin’ forward, my head crackin’ the chair. Those cushions weren’t soft. The world spun when I tried to focus. Pain shot up my wrist like it was laughin’ at me for tryin’.

My breath came fast, eyes catchin’ his in the driver’s mirror. He was pissed, and my failed escape scared me more.

“I saved your life, and you try to attack me soon as I start the car?”

“What the hell you expect?” I snapped. “It’s normal to try savin’ yourself when you been kidnapped!”

Minutes ticked by in silence before he spoke again.

“I can understand your reaction, but you shouldn’t have done that. My plan is to protect you, not hurt you. You forced my hand.”

I tried not to think about how soft his voice had been back at the shed. Act or not, it stung. All I knew was I couldn’t just sit still. Sittin’ quiet left me in my head too long, imaginin’ what might happen, regrettin’ not tryin’.

Yeah, I noticed he was fine. Even with that scar, Jason’s small acts of kindness and that calm voice had a way of messin’ with my head. But I refused to admit it. My main fear was he’d hurt me, and not sexually either. That realization made me sick.

“Just let me go,” I tried the line again. “I told your brother I don’t care what or who y’all are or whatever y’all got goin’ on. I ain’t tryin’ to be no hero. I just wanna go back to my life. Please. I swear I won’t say nothin’ to nobody.”

I’d seen enough movies to know talkin’ gets you killed. Shapeshifters, aliens, whatever. These folks were omnipresent. It hadn’t escaped me that maybe this man was my only safety—the one person standin’ between me and runnin’ forever or endin’ up dead.

“I cannot take that risk. For your sake and mine. What’s your name, by the way?”

“None of your damn business,” I shot back. If he could read minds, fine, but he wasn’t gettin’ my name from my lips. This wasn’t no polite chat. I been abducted and fed lies just to survive. No way in hell—

Jason stomped the brakes again, turned the engine off. The interior lights flicked on, shadows and light playin’ over his face. His eyes glowed red, demonic. Anger twisted his features, like some feral beast was pushin’ through.

Before I could move, his big hand clamped round my throat and slammed me back against the seat. I scratched, kicked, punched, but he didn’t let go.

“This will not work,” he growled. “I saved your life. You belong to me now. You keep showin’ me attitude and see where it leads. I can make your life the darkest hell imaginable. Or I can show you kindness. Your choice.”

I clawed at him, breath catchin’. Words wouldn’t come past the squeeze on my throat. Jason was no less lethal than his brother.

“Are we clear!”

I nodded frantically. Only then did he release me. Like nothin’ happened, he started the car again. I coughed, gaspin’ for air. He didn’t even look bothered as he pulled back on the road.

“Let’s try again,” he said. “What’s your name?”

“O-Olamide,” I managed.

“Now was that so hard?”

My head screamed yes. In my mind, my fingernails were diggin’ into his skin. But out loud, all I could whisper was, “No.”

“No, Alpha,” he corrected.