CHAPTER 5 ~ BEAU'S POV

The heavy wood of the oak door vibrates against my back as Rhett hits his fist against the solid frame, and the loud noise echoes terribly inside my ears. I am trapped on the carpeted floor with agonizing cramps developing severely in my abdomen, and the distinct scent of my own slick is rapidly filling the enclosed space. Rhett just stated that he can smell my heat from the hallway, so my carefully constructed secret is completely failing. I refuse to lose my syndicate because of a biological anomaly, and I force my trembling hands to reach into my tailored suit jacket. I retrieve the plastic pill bottle, pop the white cap off with my thumb, and shake the four remaining experimental suppressants into my sweaty palm. I toss all four pills into my mouth at the exact same time, and I swallow them dry despite the bitter taste burning the back of my throat.

The heavy dosage is extremely dangerous for my liver, and Dr. Evans specifically warned me that taking more than two pills would cause severe physical side effects, yet I do not have any other options right now. I brace my hands against the floor and push my aching body upward, and my legs shake violently as I force myself to stand. I stumble toward the wooden door just as Rhett hits the frame a second time, and I quickly turn the metal lock to open the barrier before he actually breaks the hinges. The door swings open immediately, and Rhett steps into the room with a deeply furious expression on his face. He stops directly in front of me, and he inhales a very sharp breath as the dense air hits his senses.

"You are standing here producing the exact scent of an Omega in heat, Beau, and you need to explain this impossible situation to me right now," Rhett demands in a low, dangerous tone while crossing his large arms over his chest. He deliberately uses his Alpha aura to press down on my shoulders, and my hidden instincts scream at me to drop to my knees and submit to his authority.

I clench my jaw forcefully and push my own Alpha dominance outward to combat his pressure, and I lean my back against the wall to keep myself upright. "I am not an Omega, and I am not experiencing a natural heat. Vincent Rossi ordered his men to attack my eastern borders three days ago, and they deployed a highly illegal synthetic chemical gas during the ambush. The gas is a synthetic hormone disruptor specifically designed to mimic heat symptoms in Alphas, and it is meant to humiliate rival syndicate leaders."

Rhett narrows his slate-blue eyes at me, and he carefully studies the heavy sweat coating my forehead and the unnatural flush on my cheeks. He takes another step forward, and he invades my personal space entirely. "You expect me to believe that a cartel boss is using synthetic pheromones instead of bullets to win a street war? That is a very convenient excuse for a man who is currently sweating through his clothes and smelling remarkably sweet."

"You can believe whatever you want to believe, Rhett, but my body is currently fighting off a toxic chemical agent, and I require physical rest to process the toxin," I argue back smoothly, and I silently pray the massive dose of suppressants will begin working before he realizes I am lying.

The pills suddenly hit my bloodstream with a violent rush, and an intense nausea moves through my stomach. The artificial chemical blockers immediately begin to neutralize the sweet scent of my slick, replacing the pheromones with a sterile, completely metallic odor that severely confuses the air in the room.

Rhett notices the sudden shift in my scent, and his furious expression morphs into one of deep confusion. He opens his mouth to question me again, but the sound of heavy footsteps approaches from the hallway. Seth and Dean walk into the guest wing, and they immediately step inside the room to stand directly beside Rhett. I watch the way they naturally position themselves together, and I notice a very subtle intimacy in their movements. Dean casually rests his hand on the lower curve of Rhett's back for a brief second, and Seth stands close enough to brush his shoulder against Dean's arm. They act as a completely unified pack, and they clearly share a deeply private relationship that extends far beyond a simple business partnership.

"We heard the shouting from the front foyer," Dean says calmly, and he adjusts his wire-rimmed glasses while observing my pale face. "What exactly is happening inside this room, Rhett? The entire hallway smells like a mixture of raw panic, artificial pine, and something completely unnatural."

"Beau claims he was exposed to a synthetic hormone disruptor during a recent street fight, and he states the chemical is currently mimicking the symptoms of a heat," Rhett explains to his partners, and he never looks away from my face. "His scent was incredibly sweet just a few moments ago, but now his pheromones smell entirely chemical and metallic."

Seth frowns deeply, and he steps forward to look at me with raw concern instead of his usual aggression. He reaches his large, tattooed hand out and gently presses his palm against my forehead, and the unexpected physical contact sends a sharp, intense sensation straight through my feverish skin.

"He is burning up, Rhett. His body temperature is dangerously high, and his heart rate is entirely too fast. If he actually inhaled a chemical toxin, we need to get him into a cold bath immediately before his organs begin to fail."

"I do not need your help," I protest weakly, and I attempt to swat Seth's hand away from my face, but my arms feel incredibly heavy and uncoordinated. The extreme dose of suppressants is actively fighting against my natural biology, and the internal battle is draining all of my physical strength. My vision blurs slightly, and my knees finally buckle completely.

Seth catches my waist firmly before I can hit the floor, and he easily lifts my entire body into his muscular arms. I gasp at the sudden loss of gravity, and I instinctively wrap my hands around his broad shoulders to steady myself. The scent of burnt tobacco surrounds me completely, and my submissive nature desperately wants to lean into his solid chest, but I force myself to remain rigid.

"You are incredibly stubborn, Beau, and you clearly cannot stand on your own two feet," Seth murmurs gently, and he walks across the bedroom toward the attached marble bathroom. "Dean, go to the kitchen and prepare a large pitcher of ice water, and bring a few clean towels from the hallway closet. Rhett, turn the shower faucet on and make sure the water is completely cold."

Dean immediately turns around and leaves the room to follow Seth's instructions, and Rhett walks past us into the bathroom to turn the silver knobs inside the glass enclosure. The unified way they handle the situation without arguing proves their deep bond, and I realize I am dealing with three men who completely trust one another. Seth carries me into the bathroom and gently sets me down on the closed toilet lid, and he keeps his large hands resting on my shoulders to ensure I do not fall over.

Rhett adjusts the water pressure, and he turns around to look at me while wiping a stray drop of water from his suit sleeve. "We are going to help you lower your core temperature, and then we are going to monitor your condition throughout the night. You are not going to be left alone until this supposed toxin is entirely out of your system."

"I am perfectly capable of bathing myself," I state stubbornly, and I reach up to loosen my dark silver tie because the fabric is suffocating my neck. My fingers fumble clumsily with the tight knot, and I let out a frustrated breath.

Rhett slowly walks over to me, and he gently pushes my trembling hands away from my collar. He reaches down and carefully unties the silk fabric himself, and his knuckles deliberately brush against my heated skin during the process. The slow, methodical movement creates a strong feeling of anticipation in my chest, and I realize these three Alphas possess a terrifying level of patience.

"You are not capable of anything right now, Beau," Rhett says in a dark, quiet voice while unbuttoning the first three buttons of my tailored shirt. "We are going to take care of you tonight, but you should know that I do not believe your story about the synthetic gas at all, and I fully intend to uncover exactly what you are hiding from us."