Page 134 of Tangled in Knots

“Better now that I have this,” I admit, lifting the cup. “The schedule is something to get used to.”

“You need sleep,” he says, brow raising.

I know he can probably see the circles under my eyes, since I don’t know how to hide them with makeup, so I refuse to try. The bar is dark enough to hide my secrets while I’m working, thankfully.

“I’m working on it,” I promise. “I plan to sleep in later than six tomorrow morning.”

“Things don’t get moving really at the shelter until at least eight, so that’ll be an improvement,” Aisling says.

Agreeing, I allow myself to get pulled into the hustle and bustle of setting up everything for the bar, the rest of the night flying by with the help of the constant stream of people needing drinks.

When I finally fall face down into my bed, I forget to wash my face of the alpha pheromone blockers, promising I’ll just do it when I wake up.

MORRIS

Wednesday Night

“Would you like me to come pick you up later?” I ask as I watch them get ready for Omega’s Haven’s charity event.It’s being held at a hall in downtown Minneapolis, not far from our rental. “I don’t really trust rideshares.”

The last part comes out as a grumble, because safety is always my concern. I plot out our exits, the best places to park, as well as any areas that could be a problem. I already found the plans for the hall, and ran through the logistics of it with the guys. My job is to make sure I’m not needed at all until they’re done with their mission or event.

“You’re coming with us,” Jed grunts, tossing a suit at me.

“Why?” I ask. “You don’t need me.”

“You’re a part of our pack, and it’s time to make sure everyone sees us as a unified front, Morris,” my alpha says. “We’re going to be networking with people and leaders who need to understand we are a better option than Rock, to lead his operation. They don’t want to meet with us, fine. However, we aren’t going away.”

“Attending community events like the charity will help them see we’re serious,” Kane says, fussing with his tie.

Walking over, I fix it for him, before stepping back and seeing his smirk. Asshole. He wanted me to come ‘save’ him to prove a point.

He needs me. I’ve been fading into the fringes lately, and it hasn’t gotten any better with time. I failed Adira, therefore it feels as if I’m failing everyone.

“Serious about what?” I ask, playing along.

“Minnesota families work very differently than Missouri does,” Kane says. He’s really fucking smart, taking the time to listen when no one thinks he’s paying attention.

“The families are involved with each other, they work together when shit is going sideways. Corbin and his brother were in a turf war a couple of years ago as an example, and the mafia heads had a meeting with their families under one roof to discuss it. They were entrusting each other with what was most important to them.”

“Sounds like a recipe for disaster,” I grumble. “One perfectly timed bomb, and the entire system crumbles.”

“They have what Missouri doesn’t,” Jed interjects. “Trust. They’re not worried the other person is going to stab them in the back, which is also why they don’t want to bring us in without knowing they can trust us as well.”

“It makes sense,” I admit. Damon is in his room changing, while I’ve been lounging against the wall, watching Jed and Kane dress. The two of them are so damn sexy, it hurts that I’ve been holding myself back.

I can’t get into anything sexual with them, because it feels wrong. I can handle an embrace here and there, but I feel undeserving of their love and affection. I’m barely sleeping, I can feel the drag of its consequences, yet can’t shake myself out of this funk.

“So, with the presented information,” Jed says cooly. Fuck, he’s going to pull rank. “Get dressed. We need you to come with us, be present. It’s a masked event, which will help with the tired eyes you’re rocking. After this, we need to find a way for you to fucking sleep, man.”

“Nothing helps,” I sigh. “I tried to drink a tea that supports sleep, and it made the nightmares even worse.”

“We fucked up, not just you,” Jed reminds me. “Will you please let us help? Kane beats the shit out of people, I’m aworkaholic these days to pave the way for as smooth of a turnover as possible, and you’re stalking the shit out of our omega. Trust me, going to this event will keep Adira safe. One person at a time, we’ll get people on our side.”

“Adira wants to help kill Dad,” Kane says. “She’s not made of glass, I vote that we let her.”

“Seeing him die may be what she needs to trust that she’s safe,” I mutter. “Therapy can’t help when your Boogeyman is alive and plotting ways to continually rip your soul away from you.”

“God, that’s exactly what he did,” Kane says, dropping down onto the bed. “There’s a spark left though. I saw it, I know it. We just need to fan it and let it burn.”

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