Page 46 of Ready or Not

I was ready to settle down all those months ago before Andrew Landis fucked with fate.

“We can all agree that the heads of New York and Boston working collectively to kidnap omegas is the last thing we need,” Merrick mutters. “But I’m pretty sure that’s what has been happening. There was some chatter about shady groups trying to purchase privately owned omega sanctuaries…”

“When was the last time you slept?” Bishop asks Merrick.

Merrick shrugs, shoving up his glasses. “A couple of days.”

My eyes fly to Steele’s; the two of them are best friends.

He simply shrugs.

Now that I notice it, they both look rough as hell. Steele has a scar across his cheek from the explosion, but it’s the hollow look in his eyes that kills me. We’ve known each other for probably five or six years.

Refocusing on Merrick, I realize he looks even worse. The dark circles under his eyes and gauntness to his cheeks are new developments.

“We took out a lot of big players in Boston.” Merrick continues to type without looking up. “Even more mid-level handlers. The guys between the street teams, like Andrew Landis, and the big guys, like Alvarez. Don’t you get what I’m saying?”

Damn, maybe he does need a vacation. I mean, I kinda see the connection, but I’m pretty sure all of this could have been handled by a phone call.

“If the Andrettis’ main team was wiped out in our sweep, then chances are, the Barretts are going to help build it back up. It could be our chance to link them together,” Merrick says, still distracted by whatever he’s doing on the two computers.

“That’s true,” Holt says. “We’ll have to talk to Mercy about seeing what teams can be placed to monitor the two.”

“This is why it’s so important his family signs off on his inheritance.” My head shakes as I remember the conversations we had a few years back about taking out the wall. Going after the big guys means we can make more of a difference, but that’s also going to cost the big bucks.

Bishop shoves off the wall, walking around Mercy’s desk and looking over Merrick’s shoulder. His eyes fly to Steele and back to whatever Merrick is working on. “The two of you are taking a vacation.”

“What?” Steele scoffs.

“No,” Merrick says simply.

“Yes,” Bishop growls. “You need some time off to reset. We appreciate everything you’re doing, but if you don’t take time to get right, then you’re going to burn out before you know it.”

“You’re benching us?” Steele growls. “You’re not Mercy. You can’t put us on mandatory leave.”

“It’s not like that,” Holt says. “But the two of you look like hell.”

Merrick sighs, shutting his laptop and standing. “Fine. Put us on leave, but I’m not going to stop scanning for Landis. Your wife is pregnant. Major shit is going down in the skin trade right now.” He looks at Steele. “Come on. We can head to North Carolina and see what the owners of The Exchange know about the shady packs trying to buy franchises.”

“That’s not a vacation,” Bishop says.

“It’s as close to one as we’re going to get.” Merrick heads out the door and Steele follows.

Ranger’s eyes meet mine. “That’s why I had to bring them here. I missed it myself until I popped in to check on them. Merrick is intent on working himself to death until he has a heart attack or dies of high blood pressure. Steele is worse than you were in the months you spent without Vale. He’s taking unnecessary risks. I’m fairly sure he plans to go out in a barrage of bullets while taking down as many enemies with him as possible on the way out.”

“They’re grieving,” Holt says softly.

“They are,” Ranger agrees. “But I think this went well. They’ve been looking for an excuse to head back to The Omega Exchange. They weren’t clients, but they did spend a fair amount of time with some of the employees. I believe Wolfe and Vik used to work here…” Ranger glances between us, and I nod. I’ve worked with both of them before, but they quit years ago and started working at some private omega sanctuary. “Maybe they’ll find someone else who’s meek and needs protection.” He shrugs. “It’s that, or I imagine they’ll both be dead within the year.”

My gut drops, but my instincts are sure he’s right. We’ve all had our own stuff going on, but I do feel like a piece of shit for not realizing exactly how bad off they’ve been.

It seems to be a running theme in my life lately. I’ve dropped the ball in so many places that it’s probably time someone benches me.

I sigh, shoving out of my chair to follow them out.

Vale and my mom are still getting to know each other, and I need to be out there, making sure everything is going okay.

Bishop grunts, following me out. “I don’t like that it took Ranger fucking Cavanaugh to notice exactly how bad off they’ve been.”