Page 250 of Psycho Pack

We all watch in tense silence as he stalks out of the bar and past the harried messenger, his men falling in behind him like well-trained dogs. Only when the clicking sound of his boots fades do I finally let myself relax slightly.

"Well," Whiskey mutters, breaking the silence. "That went well."

I can't help but laugh. Trust the fool to state the obvious. "If by 'well' you mean we didn't all die in a shootout, then yes, I suppose it did."

But he's not entirely wrong.

We got what we came for—Nikolai's agreement to join our suicidal crusade.

And now we might have a chance at getting Plague's brother back, too.

The timing is almost too perfect. Which means everything is probably about to go ass up for us.

But then again, everything's a trap these days.

The trick isn't avoiding them.

It's choosing which ones to spring.

I glance at Ivy, catching the way her eyes keep drifting to the door Nikolai just left through. I know that look. She's thinking about the Knight, about what Nikolai said about keeping him in a pit.

Another lost soul for her to save.

I venture closer, resisting the urge to reach out to touch her, even if at present, my instincts are aimed more toward comfort than anything else. "You did the right thing," I mutter so only she can hear. "We can help him, but first…"

"I know," she says, turning around to face me, her expression far more neutral than I was expecting.

But then, I really shouldn't be surprised.

She's had to watch suffering her whole life, while not being able to do anything to stop it. This time is no different.

Except that I promise myself it will be the last.

"We need Nikolai to stop the Council," she adds. "Then, he's fair game."

I nod, trying to hide my surprise. "Sorry I couldn't do more."

My words make Ivy's expression shift from surprise to something more contemplative. The way those endless ocean eyes study me makes my heart do strange things in my chest that I'm not entirely comfortable with.

"You actually mean that, don't you?" she asks softly.

I shrug, trying to maintain my usual nonchalance even as everything inside me screams to close the distance between us."I always mean what I say to you, little omega. Even when I'm being insufferable."

A ghost of a smile plays at her lips. "You're always insufferable."

"It's part of my charm."

Before she can respond, Whiskey's booming voice cuts through our conversation. "Hey lovebirds, time to go! Unless you want to stick around and sample the local cuisine." He eyes the questionable-looking plates on the tables of the few long gone patrons who weren't part of Nikolai's crew with obvious disgust.

"Coming," she calls back, already moving toward the pack. But then she pauses, glancing back at me over her shoulder. "And Valek?"

I freeze in my tracks. "Yes, little omega?"

"Thank you."

She leans up and presses her lips to my jaw.

Well, at least one thing is certain.