“We have some good fighters.” Owen twisted the register he had in front of him so that I could see the names. They blurred into one mass of letters.
I grunted, a wave of anger sweeping through me. I shoved the chair back with my legs and stood.
Owen sat back, his gaze steady as he watched me pace. “You okay, Con?”
“No, I’m not fucking okay! None of this is okay! I’m about to send hundreds of people to their deaths—again! Either their own or someone else’s. I’m sick of it!” I ran a hand through my hair, my fists clenching. Maybe smashing them into the wall would feel good...
Owen’s lips tightened into a straight line, and he exhaled heavily through his nostrils. “I know. So am I. But we have no choice. And we all need you to keep your shit together. What’s happening with Drake?”
I carried on pacing, my wolf’s snarls ringing in my ears. I wanted to break this fucking prison down with my bare hands and pull Ember to safety, but that was impossible. I cracked my neck, trying to get back with the programme. I appreciated my beta trying to refocus me on the only thing that might help us. “He got in the laptop, but he needs someone who can hack into their system. I don’t know anyone with those skills, let alone someone we could trust.”
The door clicked open and Ember’s sultry scent hit me. I wanted to rush across the room and yank her to me. My cock instantly hardened, ready for her. I ground my teeth, resisting my primal urge to take her right there, right now, in front of my beta.
Owen raised a brow. “You alright there, boss?” He smirked, clearly sensing my need.
“Fine!” But I was unable to drag my gaze off Ember. She was so fucking gorgeous, her curves, her emerald eyes and that fiery hair. My nostrils flared. I wanted to twist it around my fist while I fucked her over and over.
Her eyes dropped briefly to the obvious bulge in my jeans. “What do you need a hacker for?” Her gaze lifted and narrowed on my face, even though she had a little smirk curling her lips.
“Close the door.”
For once she didn’t argue.
“I have an idea I’m working on, and for it to succeed, I need someone who’s good with computer systems, or more specifically, hacking them.”
“My friend Charlie’s a hacker.” She shrugged a shoulder like it was no big deal. “I’m sure she’d help.”
I met Owen's gaze. He raised his brows slightly. “Worth a try.”
“What do you need her to hack?” Ember asked.
“I can’t tell you.”
That didn’t go down so well.
“Why not?”
“Because you don’t need to know. It will just put you at more risk.”
She crossed her arms over her chest which only served to make her cleavage even more distracting. I curled my hands into fists at my sides.
“Don’t you dare decide what I do or don’t need to know, you arrogant shit!”
Gods, the way her fire lit my body up...
“Tell you what.” Owen straightened from the table where he perched. “I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.” Grinning widely, he picked up the register and sauntered out, after nodding to Ember. I made a mental note to thank him later. It was painful being in the same room as my mate and not touching her. It suddenly crossed my mind that perhaps she didn’t feel the same.
“Why did he run off like that?” A frown marred her perfect face.
I covered the space between us so quickly she couldn’t escape my touch. I pulled her into my arms. “Because he knows how desperate I am to kiss you.”
She smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist, tilting her chin up. “Well, what are you waiting for then?”
I didn’t need another invitation. My lips came down on hers, groaning with pleasure at the softness of her mouth. Her sweet taste was intoxicating. I pushed my tongue between the warmth of her lips, exploring her luscious mouth. Lust fogged my thoughts so thoroughly it caused my cock to strain against my jeans to the point where it became painful. Heat shot straight through my blood. Gods, I wanted her. Unwilling to let her mouth go, I deepened the kiss, unapologetically dominating her. Her groan when I nipped at her lower lip sent a wave of desire barreling through my body strong enough that when she bit me back, I swayed.