Page 140 of Tangled in Knots

Pulling out his phone, he blows out a breath.

“Fuck it, he should still be up,” he mutters, hitting a button to call someone.

“Wait,” I start, but someone answers the call.

“I assume there’s a reason for a call at midnight, Caelin,”an older man says. “Is my daughter alright?”

“Aisling is fine, Sir,” he says. “I’m sitting across from someone you may want to meet soon, though.”

“Guessing games are for the morning hours with coffee in front of me,”Aisling’s father growls.

The words make me snort under my breath, covering my mouth.

“You may as well introduce yourself, girl, since you find me humorous,”he says.

“I’m Adira Firestone, but I was sold to Callum and Duncan Kelly at auction, so maybe keep my name to yourself,” I suggest.

Caelin’s lips twist angrily, and I wonder how much he knows about my story. He is Aisling’s pack, after all.

“The Kelly brothers don’t attend auctions,”Aisling’s father says slowly. “If they’ve suddenly received a lobotomy, then I need to know that as I consider them friends and decent alphas.”

“They were doing the Dresmond pack a favor,” I explain. “It’s a very long story. Rock Dresmond told me he would leave me alone until the Kelly brothers decide they’re tired of me. Since Duncan and Callum aren’t interested in returning me to Rock for various reasons, he’ll be waiting for a long time.”

“Does this have anything to do with why Jed Dresmond is looking for support in his bid to overthrow his father?”Aisling’s dad asks. I really should ask what his name is, but he’s a little intimidating.

“It does,” I confirm. “As long as Rock is alive, I won’t be safe. Various people have been telling me there was no reason for my father to have stolen from Rock, which is why he sent his sons to kidnap me and blow up my house after they killed him.”

“This explains a lot. There’s been a lot of conversation about you recently, young lady,”he says. “No one wants to give Jedand his pack an inch due to the things we’ve heard they’ve done in Missouri. We are much more tight knit here in Minnesota. We don’t need to worry about backstabbing packs.”

“I don’t believe that’s their intention,” I say. “Damon Dresmond enrolled in college to begin a degree to start a legitimate business, and Jed’s concern is that you’ll back him up, instead of creating a vacuum for power when he kills his father. Otherwise, it’ll cause the issues you’re worried about, I expect.”

Caelin hides a smile as I lay it out for his boss. I may not have had much to do with my father’s work, but I can see the possible issues just the same.

“Adira, I will throw my support behind the pack if you have breakfast with me,”Aisling’s father says. “I have a thought I want to lay out for you. The Dresmond pack is a wild card, while Minnesota knows your name in line with what you represent. A misplaced mafia princess. You were never supposed to be hidden away by your father.”

“I still don’t really understand my father’s actions,” I admit.

“My father may,” he says. “He knew your father when he was younger, and may have a little more insight.Is tomorrow morning alright?”

“What time is closing tonight?” Caelin asks, jumping back into the conversation.

“Two in the morning,” I sigh. “Well, that’s last call, and then I rarely leave before three.”

“You do this every night?”Aisling’s father asks.

“Yes. I’m so sorry, Sir. You know my name, but I don’t know yours. It’s really throwing me off,” I admit.

“Cian Sullivan,” he says, sounding a bit abashed. “I’ve gotten very used to people knowing who I am. It’s my fault for assuming when you aren’t part of our circle yet. It’s a humbling experience, Adira. Since you’re finishing so late, tell me what your day looks like tomorrow?”

“I have a class at eight in the morning, and I’m at the University of Lyon campus until about two in the afternoon, since I have to run by the library to do some research for a paper,” I explain to him.

“You’revery busy,”he observes. “I propose an early dinner. Are you working tomorrow? I feel as if I need a road map for your schedule, my dear.”

Chuckling softly, I enjoy the way the amusement bubbles inside of me. Damon sends a sensation that feels like a hug, pulling a happy sigh from me. My connection is weaker with Morris, but I can feel his curiosity about why I’m laughing. It only took a little over two months to have a genuine moment with a stranger.

Life is strange, especially when trauma feels like a large part of your existence. It gives me hope that things can only get better from here.

“I’m not working tomorrow,” I reassure him.

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