To win the war, she would have to wage a battle. Closing her eyes tight, she told herself that she could do this. “It’s not the paints. I was thinking of the Omegas.”

“They are safe, as per our agreement. My men watch over them from a distance.” Again he tasted her center, enjoying how she bowed from even a simple kiss over her pert nub.

Gasping, Claire answered, “Not those Omegas. The ones you shared with Svana.”

The man froze, hesitating before he spoke. “Why would you think of them?”

Claire forced her eyes open, lifted her head, and found Shepherd watching her very carefully. “I wonder if they were frightened or ashamed.”

Each word was growled. “They were all willing.”

“Somehow I think you misunderstand the meaning of that word. Estrous bends the mind.” She knew that better than anyone. “Did you speak to them before or after?”

“No.”

Then they were probably dead. “That makes me sad.”

Large hands accompanied an almost unsteady purr, Shepherd stroking her from her knee to hip. “Do not be sad, little one.”

Claire lay back, eyes once again on the ceiling. “I do not remember how to be happy.”

Leslie was on his couch, working on a COMscreen when Corday returned.

Her mouth was set and she was clearly displeased. “Another rendezvous with your Claire?”

“No.” Corday stripped his coat, his back to the Alpha female.

“Yet you smell of her.” Leslie scooted a little closer, her tone instantly light. “How is the Omega faring?”

Tired eyes, his face lined in disappointment, Corday could not muster any enthusiasm for Leslie. “Claire has—”

A knock sounded at the door, not Claire’s timid scratches but an arrogant bang. Gun already in hand, Corday motioned for Leslie to move out of sight.

“I hear you breathing on the other side of that thing, Enforcer.” The tiny view through the peephole showed an unwelcome woman. “Open up or I will simply turn the knob of the door I’ve already unlocked.” Maryanne smirked. “I am trying to be civil.”

Corday turned the knob, finding it was indeed unlocked, and opened the door far enough to point his gun at Maryanne’s face.

Maryanne sniffed and waved her hand at his petty threat. “I saw you skulking around the Omega’s trash heap. Low and behold, it was Enforcer stink she was wearing when she came to me. Now that I smell her on you, I see that I was right, as usual. Let me in, I want to talk to Claire.”

Teeth clenched, Corday hissed, “She isn’t here.”

“Bullshit,” the woman spat, looking over Corday’s shoulder to peer into the apartment.

“You have three seconds to tell me who you are before I shoot you.”

“Oh, shut up.” The blonde pushed past him. “I’m here to see my friend.”