Page 158 of Tangled in Knots

“I know, I just need to know what hurts first. Then, we can wash your hair, and put you to bed, okay?” Morris says soothingly.

“I don’t want to be alone,” she complains, making my heart clench. Fuck, I will give this girl anything she fucking wants.

“We’ll figure it out,” I promise. “If you want us all to sleep with you or just one, we’ll figure it out. There’s a lot of blood in your hair and —”

“It’s Lurch’s,” she says. “He bled like a stuck pig. I turned my head, but the asshole still drenched me in blood.”

I didn’t want to mention it, but her coat and pants need to be trashed. All of her clothes will need to be thrown out due to how much blood is on her.

“None of this is yours, outside of what Morris wiped from your face?” I ask, making sure.

“No,” she confirms. “I need Duncan to teach me how to not get so much blood on me.”

Adira Firestone is adorable. Most people would be losing their mind, because they killed someone, while she wants to make sure she does it better next time. So damn perfect.

Mine.

The growl rolls out from deep in my chest, and I realize this is one of the first times that I’ve felt how much I need her. I don’t care what happens, I’m not giving her up. She can have my leash, heart, and weapon. I just realized that she has all three.

She’s one of the strongest people I’ve ever met, and that’s what draws me to her. It’s really fucking sexy.

Now, I need my life to slow the fuck down, so I can spend more time with her, or I need to find a way to do my job to protect her while she’s at my side. She’s not a wilting flower, that’s for damn sure.

Adira can handle this life.

“It’s easier to keep the blood off when you’re standing behind someone,” I tell her. “As tiny as you are, you’re going to be up close and personal unless you have someone with you to force the people you’re killing to their knees.”

“Can I sign up for that?” Kane asks, pulling a small smile to Adira’s lips.

I really thought I’d never see her smile. Our circumstances didn’t offer the opportunity for Adira to smile, and after she closed herself off. I understand her reasons why, but I’m so glad she is finding her smiles again.

“My scalp itches from the dried blood,” Adira pouts.

“You mentioned something about your wrist, let me check it, and then we’ll get you washed up,” Morris says. “Is it the right one?”

It’s the only one that isn’t caked in blood from holding her knife, and she’s holding it protectively against her body. I canfeel my anger vibrate through me, the audacity that someone would hurt her, killing me.

“Yeah,” she murmurs, hissing as Morris picks it up.

“It’s a little swollen, Adira,” he says. “I think it’s sprained, but I’m not going to know for sure without an X-ray.”

“I hate hospitals,” she sighs.

“We’ll figure it out,” I promise her. “I’m sure someone can help us out who has an X-ray machine. I’ll ask around, and get it sorted, baby.”

“Can I wash your hair, Adira?” Kane asks carefully, his eyes bouncing over her body. It makes sense that he would ask, they’ve been semi intimate, and I can feel how much he needs to see that she’s alright.

There’s a manic glint in his eyes that never bodes well when I fight him. If she doesn’t have an issue with Kane helping her, then I’m good with it.

“Yes, please,” Adira says, yawning.

“We’ll be quick,” he promises, picking her up into his arms. “Guys, I think dragging a couple of mattresses into the living room may be best today.”

“I’m on it,” I promise, and while Morris cleans up, I work with Damon to get the beds set up. When she comes out in Kane’s arms, she’s wearing one of his long-sleeved shirts, and he's looking very pleased with himself.

As alphas, we’re always going to compete for our girl. It ensures she’s always taken care of and no one lays down on the job. My priorities are straight, I know what I’m working for.

We’ve all changed into clean clothes, so the scent of smoke doesn’t bother her, and make sure her arm and wrist are protected.

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