Page 22 of Beautifully Scarred Omega

“You better keep your word, Griffin.” I meet his gaze steadily. “Because I’m going to crack this case in record time.”

Declan grins. “Looking forward to it.”

“So am I,” Griffin says, and this time he does almost smile. “Now get out of my office. You have packing to do.”

I turn on my heel and head for the door, my mind already racing through logistics. What to bring. What cover story to memorize.

I’m halfway down the corridor when Declan catches up with me.

“Sophie. Wait.”

I pause, turning. He’s got that look on his face, the one that means he’s about to say something sincere, which always makes me uncomfortable.

“For what it’s worth,” he says quietly, “we’re not trying to punish you. We’re trying to keep you alive.”

“I know.”

“Do you?” He tilts his head, and I have a feeling those eyes are seeing more than I want him to. “Because the Sophie I know doesn’t make mistakes like the one you made at that gala. And I’m wondering what changed.”

“Nothing changed,” I say, and I sound defensive even to my own ears. “I’ll be fine, Declan. It’s just babysitting duty. How hard can it be?”

He doesn’t answer. But as I walk away, I can feel his eyes on my back, and I know he’s not convinced.

And to be honest, neither am I.

CHAPTER 8

Max

“You’re sending us a girl.”

Griffin Hayes sits across from me in my office, completely unruffled by the skepticism in my voice. The alpha of Pack Hayes, CEO of Sentinel Security, and apparently, the person who thinks the solution to our sabotage problem is an omega.

“I wouldn’t call her a girl,” Griffin says, his tone mild but pointed. “But yes, she’s female.”

I lean back in my chair, studying him. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows behind me, the Synthera grounds stretch out in the early morning light. It’s Sunday, the one day of the week I keep to myself. Instead, I’m having this conversation.

“Let me get this straight.” I keep my voice even, trying not to let my frustration show. “You think the best person for this job, finding out who broke into a multibillion-dollar biotech company, is an omega. A female omega.”

Griffin nods. “I do.”

Finn shifts in the armchair to my left, curiosity written all over his face. Ethan stands by the window, arms crossed, his expression thoughtful.

“See, we don’t doubt she’s good at her job,” Ethan says carefully. “We’re just failing to understand why her, specifically. Surely you have other agents, alphas, betas, who could handle an investigation like this.”

“I have plenty of agents.” Griffin’s voice is calm. “None of them are Sophie. She’s completed more successful operations than anyone else on my team. She’s been with Sentinel for over a decade, so she’s not just trained; she’s battle-tested. She reads people better than anyone I know, earns their trust, and gets information out of them before they realize they’ve given it up.” He pauses, choosing the next words carefully. “And she is, without question, the most lethal person on my team.”

“What makes her so... lethal?” Finn asks, leaning forward. “That’s an interesting word choice for an omega.”

I glance at him, then at Ethan. The same curiosity I’m feeling is reflected in both their faces. Because Finn is right, lethal isn’t a word typically associated with omegas. Omegas are supposed to be gentle. Nurturing. Soft.

Griffin meets my eyes directly. “What makes Sophie dangerous is that no one sees her coming. She looks like exactly what people expect an omega to be, small and easy to underestimate. People trust her. And by the time they lower their guard, it’s too late.”

An omega who weaponizes her own designation. I’m not sure I believe it. In my experience, omegas aren’t built for that kind of work.

“Fine,” I say finally. “We’ll take her.”

Griffin nods. “As you requested, she’ll start tomorrow.”