Page 108 of Tangled in Knots

“I don’t think I am,” I reply, opening the door to the math department. “I feel old and decrepit.”

“What if I promise you a self defense lesson and a nap?”he asks. “Would that be enough to tempt you?”

“And food,”Callum says.“I don’tcare if it’s a grazing plate. Crackers, cheese, what else?”

“Strawberries, bananas, and something sweet to dip them in?” I suggest. My appetite is getting better as long as I’m in a good place.

I hate that my anxiety and mood now have so much power over me. It’s difficult to keep my mind blank while eating, especially if I’m around other people. I’ve heard a few people mutter that I have an eating disorder at the shelter.

That’s not the case at all, food and I are simply in a complicated relationship.

“Got it,”Callum says. He doesn’t tease me for my choices in food. He and Duncan have kind of gathered that eating is difficult for me, and roll with what I want to eat.

“Thank you. I have to run into class now,” I tell them, starting to perk up.

I guess it’ll be nice to hang out with them. I’m still very much an introvert, and tend to keep to myself. The Kelly brothers at least won’t let me drift away.

KANE

I’m so tired of these damn meetings. I like to blow things up, torture people, and make them scream. It makes my dick hard.

Listening to these alphas drone on and on about the consequences of killing off Rock makes my head hurt. The chasm of power, can Jed handle the responsibility, yada yada. If he couldn’t, he wouldn’t be spending the time to ensure we’re successful.

Ultimately, our father is creating issues for the families, killing powerful people without cause. I heard a few people say that Jeremiah Firestone was innocent, and that twists my stomach. Did my father lie?

On the other hand, my little rabbit’s father was stunting her from maturing and her first heat. There are few altruistic reasons for this, if any. However, being a dick father and stealing from my father don’t have to go hand in hand.

Fuck. My moral compass goes around in circles instead of finding a true north, but I feel a twinge of remorse for being the reason Adira has nothing now.

A few of the families have asked about her now that her father is dead, but Jed and I have been playing dumb. It’s not difficult for me, since I’m the muscle.

“I’m going to the gym,” I grunt to Jed, feeling twitchy. We’ve been gone for the last few days, gathering influence and making pacts that will ensure no one will stand against us.

I put three bullets into three people’s brains yesterday, because they called us psychotic bastards who couldn’t find our way through a wet paper bag. No one blinked as their brain matter leaked onto the ground.

The mafia is made up of blood, power, and the weapons to keep it. They may talk a good game, to discuss all the reasonswhy we can’t hold power, but in the end they’ll agree. A world with Rock alive in it will burn, and I’ll strike the match.

We’re done gaining support in Missouri, and we’re taking a few days off, so that Jed can begin to contact the families here. Our reputation precedes us in Minneapolis, though. It’s going to be more difficult to get the mafia heads to believe that we come in good faith.

News that I shot a few people is sure to travel to Minnesota as well. Our father hasn’t called Jed once, and I heard that he’s at a brothel with his pack, celebrating. Sometimes, getting your dick wet will lead to your death. This is a prime example of it.

“Yeah, alright,” Jed says, yawning wide. There’s no one in the rental, and it’s almost two in the afternoon. “Is it awful if I crash for a few hours?”

“Nah,” I grunt. “Keep your gun with you, but you’ve been working your ass off with the families. You should rest. I’m going to change.”

Stripping off my clothes in our room, I pull on a pair of joggers, moisture wicking, long-sleeved shirt, and tennis shoes. A sweatshirt goes over my head due to the weather, and my wallet, phone, and keys get shoved into my pocket. I’ll shower and change when I get home.

Jed walks into the bedroom and faceplants onto the large bed, arms and legs spread wide. Snorting, I shake my head.

“Enjoy your nap,” I say, watching as he pulls his gun and holster and places it on the nightstand. “Good choice, the gun isn’t a good bed buddy.”

Jed’s snores follow me out the door, and I chuckle as I leave the apartment. My feet pound the sidewalk as I run the four miles to the gym, my muscles slowly unwinding from the stress of dealing with people.

I’ve also been in a car for long hours with Jed, and he’s a fucking nervous driver. It’s the reason Morris tends to drive.When we had a deer run out in front of us two days ago, I swear I saw my life flash before my eyes. I whooped and yelled through it, but I would miss Morris and Adira if I died.

My brothers, I would haunt their asses for the rest of my ghostly life. There’s no time to miss someone you know you’ll see again soon.

I feel more relaxed and less likely to lose my shit on someone when I open the door to the gym.

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