Page 167 of Tangled in Knots

“You will go with them when they deal with their father as well,” Rory growls. Someone really doesn’t like me. I hope hegets a knot-eating disease. “You want to play with the adults, then that’s what I want.”

“You may as well make her bait,” Corbin says, and I sigh. He may not have meant to, but he just fucked up.

“Even better,” Rory crows. “If the omega is able to clean up this mess with Pack Dresmond, then I say we support the changeover in leadership.”

“I think that’s shitty, Rory, so I will add this as well,” Theo says. “When she comes back from this, we make her a permanent member of our meetings. She is mafia royalty because of her mother and her family, and also due to the long lineage of made men on her father’s side. We will offer her and Pack Dresmond our protection as well.”

“What happens if she decides to become their omega?” Patrick asks. “Allegiances shift.”

“Knots won’t change my allegiance to myself,” I reply. It’s been two hours since I walked in, and I’m exhausted. My polite, sweet button is broken.

“My relationship with Pack Dresmond is exactly that, mine. I would never ask crass questions about your pack or relationship, Patrick. I will hold the leashes for these men. However, I can assure you that if you ever hurt me, they will burn down this city and the next five in its vicinity. You don’t want to double cross me.”

Patrick pales as I gaze dispassionately at him. My feelings are already disconnected in many ways. I felt nothing outside of adrenaline and worry for myself when I killed the men in the alley last night. It would be very easy to lose myself without the people who joke with me, hold me tightly to myself and my humanity.

I care about others and their safety, like the people at the shelter. The men fraying the edges of my patience? Not so much.

“Taking votes now in favor of all the shit we just talked about,” Patrick says in a strangled voice. “Go.”

The vote is unanimous in support of both accepting me into the fold and throwing me to Rock as bait. I suppose this is the best I can expect.

“Am I needed for anything else?” I ask.

“You mentioned ROWS and finding a way to piss them off,” Corbin says, leaning forward. “Are you going to loop us into your plans, girl?”

The term ‘girl’ for the Irish isn’t meant in a bad way, and I know that. I can’t help it and yawn widely.

“Sorry,” I sigh. “Concussions are a bitch, and I’m tired. As soon as my plans become more than a simple idea, I will bring it to you. I would prefer to simply launch it and show it to you, since it’s a digital attack. The only weapons will be my words to counterattack the lies ROWS is telling omegas. I was very sheltered, Corbin. My only interaction with the outside world was the internet. If I had listened to the podcast they’re airing, it would be very easy to believe their lies. I won’t stand for it.”

“The world is constantly changing with the internet,” Corbin grunts. “If you’re planning to be a thorn in their side, be careful. They’re dangerous in a way that’s different from you or I.”

“I would prefer not to be kidnapped again, and the attempts are painful,” I remind him. “They remind me of circling predators, to be honest. Any countermeasures I post online will be anonymous. There will be no one to retaliate against.”

“You’re smart, I have to give you that,” Rory grumbles. “I still don’t trust you, though.”

“You don’t have to trust me,” I say. “Your sons are who you’ll need to worry about if you choose to do something with that distrust. Make good choices.”

Knowing I just scolded a man much older than me yet again, I decide I’m done for tonight. Glancing at Cian, he stands,grabbing my good arm through my coat to pull me up. I’ve been sitting for so long, everything is achy.

“We’ve taken a large chunk of Adira’s night, gentlemen. Say goodnight,” he says sternly.

The room bids me goodnight, and Cecil winks at me as I walk out with Cian.

“That went better than I thought it would,” I tell him once we’re back in the SUV.

Lips pursed, he makes a strangled sound. “A few times there, I thought you were going to throw your knife to get their attention, Adira,” he says, the strangled sound becoming a bowl of laughter.

Tiredly smiling, I groan. “Damon kept whispering to me every time my fingers twitched,” I tell him. “It’s really bad when he’s the voice of reason in my head.”

“You can hear him and he’s nowhere near you?” Cian asks.

“Yeah,” I murmur. “Our bond is very different from anything else that I’ve read. When I got shot, I really think I would have pulled him with me if I’d died. It’s difficult to be so angry with someone when you can feel all of their emotions.”

“Difficult as in to hold onto your anger?” he asks, pulling my seat belt into place carefully. I appreciate his care, because my arm and head are killing me.

“No, I can hold onto it fine,” I admit. “It’s difficult because his emotions piss me off. I don’t want to feel empathy while wishing I could set them on fire.”

“You’re a scary young woman,” Cian murmurs. “I’m very glad to be allied with you. I think the men we just left behind have no idea what to do with you.”

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