Becker had to admit, the plan didn’t sound nearly as good when she put it that way. But it was the only one he had, so they were going to have to make it work. It was either that or go back to his raiding-the-loft idea, and Jayna had already made it clear that wasn’t an option.
“You said Liam has been recruiting every omega he can find,” Becker pointed out. “Why wouldn’t he take me in?”
“Because you don’t look like an omega.”
“What does an omega look like?”
Jayna frowned. “They’re big, strong, and aggressive. And more often than not, they’re cocky and arrogant too.”
“So far you’re describing my entire pack and me to a tee.”
She thought about that. “Maybe so, but it still won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“Because omegas aren’t so hot.”
Well, damn. Becker grinned as a blush colored her cheeks. “Are you saying I’m too hot to be an omega?”
“No!” she said quickly.
“No, I’m not too hot to be an omega? Or no, I’m not hot at all?”
He couldn’t help teasing her despite how serious the situation was. It was too much fun watching her get flustered.
She ignored his question. “Omegas have control issues—everybody knows that. But nobody is going to believe you’ve ever had a problem staying in control of yourself.”
Becker probably should have left that one alone, but he couldn’t. It was just too good to pass up. “I’ve never had a woman complain about my lack of self-control, but I really don’t see what that has to do with getting people to believe I’m an omega.”
Jayna looked confused for a moment; then she blushed even deeper than she had before. “Stop it, Eric! I’m serious. Why would you even consider walking into that place of your own free will? It’s insanity.”
His smile melted away. “Why would I go in there? Because it’s the only way I can think of to keep you safe. You’ve made it clear you won’t leave without your pack mates, and they aren’t ready to walk away from your so-called alpha. I don’t have a choice. If you won’t come out, I have to go in.”
Jayna regarded him thoughtfully. He hoped she wouldn’t ask him again why he was doing this. Because he really didn’t think it would be a good idea for him to tell her that he thought she was The One for him.
“Okay,” she finally said. “I appreciate what you’re doing, but I still think you’re insane. Just don’t expect Liam to welcome you with open arms. I don’t care if you do call yourself an omega—one look at you, and he’s going to view you as a threat to his leadership of the pack. You scream dominant male. He’s going to want you gone—fast.”
Okay, he’d concede that was definitely a flaw in the plan he and Cooper had come up with, but maybe not a fatal flaw. He frowned as something struck him.
“I thought you said Liam was paying off a debt to the Albanians,” Becker said. “Why would they listen to anything he had to say?”
She wrapped her hands around the cardboard cup as if warming them and didn’t answer right away. “I think Liam lied about that. I don’t know if he approached the Albanians or they found us, but I have a feeling he’s working for them of his own free will. And before you ask, no one else in my pack is aware of that, and I don’t want to turn them against Liam unless I’m absolutely sure I’m right. That’s why I didn’t say anything about it to you yesterday.”
Okay. That changed things a little bit.
“Regardless of whether Liam is there of his own free will or not, the Albanians are still calling the shots, right?” Becker asked.
She nodded. “Definitely. Kostandin makes nearly every important decision about the pack and how we’re used, and I’m pretty sure he isn’t all that impressed with Liam.”
Becker grinned. “I think you’ve just figured out how to get me into that loft.”
“I did?” Jayna asked with an absolutely adorable look of confusion.
Who was he kidding? All of her looks were adorable.
“You did.” His grin broadened. “We make sure that you introduce me to Kostandin first. If I impress him, I’m as good as in.”
*
Jayna poked her head in the front door of the lobby only long enough to confirm that both Frasheri and Kos were in there before motioning to Eric. This plan of his was crazy, but it was too late to turn back now. Even as she took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves, the big SWAT werewolf came bouncing up the steps like he owned the place, backpack slung casually over one shoulder. How could he be so calm when he was walking into a building full of criminals and omegas who would gladly kill him a hundred times over if they even got a hint he was a cop?
The Albanian guards at the door immediately reached behind their backs for the guns they kept holstered there.
“Don’t be stupid,” Eric said with a growl so deep Jayna felt it vibrate in her chest.