Page 130 of Tangled in Knots

“Ready?” Damon asks, pushing off the counter. I think he watched me take every bite, as invested as the Kelly brothers are in feeding me.

“Ready,” I agree as I stand. Callum grabs my plate and shoos me away, moving to the sink to wash it.

“Go straight back, there’s a pathway outside to the shooting range,” Callum says to Damon. “While the path is covered, it’s still cold. The range is closed and should be warm enough not to need coats and gloves once you’re inside.”

I hadn’t taken off my coat yet, knowing I’d be going outside again, and pick up my mittens to keep them warm for the walk. I’m not built for this weather, unless I’m parked in front of a fire reading.

“I remember where it is,” I remind him. “Unless you feel like walking us out.”

“I doubt he’ll try anything. The house and grounds are safe, and —”

“Callum, I hope you’re kidding,” Damon complains. “One, I’m right fucking here. Two, I’m trying to fix things with Adira, not get stabbed. I really just want to hang out, spend time with her.”

“I just wanted you to affirm that. I need to know that she’s safe with you,” Duncan says with a smirk.

They walked him right into admitting how he feels and what he wants. It wasn’t necessary, but I can see they want to be very clear that I’m under their protection.

“You’re both assholes,” Damon mutters. “I’m sure there are cameras all through the house to ensure Adira’s safety. That’s what I’d do, anyway.”

“As long as we understand each other. Now that you know how far my brother and I are willing to go for Adira, we’re good,” Duncan says, uncaring that he’s poking the alpha.

Tugging on my mittens, I roll my eyes as I begin to leave the kitchen. Damon will follow or catch up, but they’ll spend the entire time I’m supposed to be practicing, arguing instead.

“I’m surprised the guys haven’t asked you to move in,” Damon says mildly. It must be something he’s been thinking about, since it’s kind of out of the blue.

“They live pretty far from the city, and I’d have work and school to travel back and forth for every day,” I tell him, not really confirming or denying.

Occasionally, the Kelly brothers take the decision out of my hands and drag me back here, but it’s usually when my emotions are all over the place and I need the extra support. I’m really glad I was here early this morning when I had the nightmare instead of scaring people at the shelter.

I need to lock things down.

“Mmmhmm,” Damon murmurs. “You’re juggling a lot of things, little omega. I hate to say it, but they’re good for you. They take care of you in a way you won’t let us.”

“You know the list of reasons why I won’t,” I mutter, opening the back door to the path to the shooting range. It’s on the other side of the property, and I swear this place reminds me of a maze.

“Maybe, but I would like that list, so I know how to prove it no longer has weight,” he says. “And if the item is true, I want to work on disproving it through my actions.”

“How very non-alpha of you,” I sigh. “I thought you all beat your chests about how you never make a misstep.”

“That was before I fucked up through association,” Damon says. “I owe you a great many things because of it.”

“Here is my list of betrayals that I’m laying at Pack Dresmond’s feet,” I say, taking a breath to give myself some space from what I have to discuss. If I can pretend it happened to someone else for just a moment, I’ll be able to get through it.

I believe that’s a bit of disassociation, but it’ll have to do.

“You slept with me, bonded me, and still planned to sell me at auction. Next, you shot me and talked about me while I was passed out. Jed complained the entire time about keeping my ass alive too, so I wouldn’t drag you down with me.”

“Not completely accurate, but yes,” Damon says as we walk.

“I was gaslit, drugged, and manipulated into trusting Morris, because I had to depend on him for everything,” I continue. “He took me to the bathroom, fed me, and gave me a tea I thought was to help me heal faster. Instead, it was also drugged.”

“I didn’t know that,” Damon rasps. “They kept me out of the details, because they didn’t want my feelings and thoughts leaked to you. After the auction, we agreed that we wouldn’t keep secrets from each other.”

“How lovely for you,” I sigh, finding that this conversation is draining me of energy.

“I want the rest of the list, please,” he says gently. “I’ll stay quiet.”

“Morris woke me up early the last morning we spent at his sister’s home and gave me an ultimatum: to choose my poison, because he needed me unconscious for the drive to the safe house and auction,” I explain to him.

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