Page 180 of Tangled in Knots

“He’s an animal, he’ll believe it. Rock rules with his cock,” Duncan mutters. “Do you need anything for your head orsomething to eat? I feel like shit about having to put you through this.”

“No, I’m fine,” I reassure him. “I’m exhausted and my body hurts, but that’s nothing I can’t handle.”

I’m going to have to put away my wrist splint and sling to make myself look more normal. My face, Duncan and Callum can play off as having hit me. The bump is almost not noticeable anymore, and my black eye is turning lovely shades of green and blue.

It’ll be easier for Rock to believe that I pissed off the Kelly brothers in some way. It doesn’t even have to be anything big, because I have a feeling Rock has a hair-trigger temper. Any little thing would set him off.

“I’ll make something for the aches once he’s gone,” Duncan says.

“I’ll pass if it's tea,” I tell him, wincing. “I don’t think I can drink any without being reminded of being shot.”

“It’s not tea,” he mutters. “My grandmother has a salve she taught me to make. It’s good for pain, and won’t alter your mind in any way.”

“Thank you,” I tell him with a small smile. “I know you wouldn’t do anything bad to me, but I’m still kind of paranoid.”

“Aye, I can understand that. Alright, we should have a few minutes till he gets here… ah, fuck,” Duncan curses as the gates open to show an SUV with dark, tinted windows in the driveway.

“Let me guess, you didn’t randomly get an SUV and neither did Callum,” I mutter. “Help me get this off!”

“Calm down, we’re okay. He can’t see through the front windshield,” Duncan says, reaching over to help me get the sling off. I’m able to take off the wrist splint, leaving it in the middle console for him to close.

My overnight bag is in the back on the floor, and Duncan pulls a blanket off to cover it. Nothing to see here, folks. Nothing at all.

“Breathe, Adira,” he reminds me. “No matter what, remember to keep the oxygen flowing, okay? Nothing good happens to passed out little omegas.”

“Very funny,” I sigh, knowing he’s right. I can’t lose my shit.

“If Rock asks, we went to dinner with colleagues,” he says. “I’m angling to get a bid for a construction job. The city is a bit corrupt in how they run things, but money talks. That’s why I was in Minneapolis today.”

That makes sense. He and Callum wear many hats, always busy, yet they always make time for me. I hope they find the girl they lost one day. It doesn’t feel fair that they’re such good men, yet lost the most important person in their lives.

“Be careful getting out of the truck, Adira,” he growls as he puts the car in park and turns off the engine.

Nodding, I open my door, grateful Duncan releases the seat belt. I wish the bastard who attacked me had sprained my left wrist instead, because it hurts to bend it at all. Carefully holding the side of the truck, I manage to get out without slipping. One of them usually helps me, but I can’t be given any special treatment today.

“Hello,” Rock says, getting out of his vehicle. “I didn’t think I’d beat you here. Callum just let me through the gate.”

The brother in question opens the front door, nimbly walking down the stairs toward us.

“How was the city bid meeting?” Callum asks, smiling as we close our car doors and walk closer.

“I think we got it,” Duncan says. “I think Adira is our lucky charm.”

I stay quiet, watching as Rock’s eyes land on my bruised eye. The stitches aren’t really visible due to how I’m wearing my hair, the waves covering my forehead.

“I’m glad you think so,” Rock says as we walk up the stairs into the house. “Has the sheen worn off the jewel already, though? That’s quite the shiner.”

“A disagreement Adira was punished for with my fists and cock,” Duncan says cooly. He sounds like another person, and my skin erupts in goosebumps. I keep a neutral look on my face, letting my hair hide me as I drop my chin.

I can play submissive if I need to.

“So you’re sure you’re not ready to sell her back?” Rock asks, grabbing my right arm and pulling me sharply toward him.

While I’ve started healing, constantly being jostled isn’t doing me any favors. I grit my teeth, my eyes widening as I gaze up at him. His cruel fingers pinch my chin as he moves my face to be able to see me better.

“Or are her cock sucking skills really that great?” Rock asks. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen her do it. Once a whore always one, drop to your knees and take out my cock, girl.”

“I don’t enjoy sloppy seconds,” Callum says, his arms wrapping around my waist. I’m now sandwiched between them, and I almost hiccup in a breath in an effort to do what I promised Duncan that I would. “So I’m going to have to decline on her behalf. Duncan and I have plans for her.”

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