Page 161 of Tangled in Knots

“I didn’t know about my eye,” she grumbles.

“The bumps and bruises are going to develop more today,” I tell her. “It’s nothing that will scar, not even your forehead cut. My vain little omega, you’re fine.”

“I like it when you call me yours,” she says softy, her eyes fluttering closed.

My heart pounds for a moment as I watch her, checking her pulse. I can feel her faintly through the bond too, and I slowly let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

“She good?” Callum growls, slowly rising.

“Asleep,” I reassure him. “I was worried for a second, because it was so abrupt.”

“Things seem to be going better,” Duncan says, moving to the other couch now that Adira is sleeping.

“Slowly,” I say, nodding. “It never feels as if I’m doing enough, and then I wasn’t there last night for her.”

“You can’t do that,” Callum says, also finding his way to the other couch. “Jed needed you, and the meeting was a trap.”

“Jed is getting worried,” I explain. “It feels like a ticking bomb is coming for us in the form of his father.”

“His father has been texting me over the last week,” Duncan says. “Rock offered to buy Adira back, and I told him she was my lucky charm. Can’t give her back now. I reminded him that Adira’s ability to get knocked up will take time as well due to the traumatic way she came to Callum and I.”

“Basically, we’re stonewalling him,” Callum grunts. “I’m worried too, which means it’s time to play dirty with the families. Cian is rounding up every senior leader who is a father or is packed up with an omega to demand a meeting. He’s planning to present Adira to them.”

“I have a feeling this will happen without Pack Dresmond,” I rumble. “Am I right?”

“Afraid so. I was on the phone with Cian Sullivan while we drove here. He’s insistent that we begin pushing the families even more now. Jed has been able to meet with one or two of them, but they don’t know why they should care about Missouri’s issues,” Duncan says. “A random trafficker kidnapping who they think is an unknown omega is enough reason.”

“This could have easily been Aisling a few years ago,” Callum says. “Cian sees his daughter in Adira, and he’s going to strong arm the families to fall in line. After that, it’s up to Adira.”

“Fuck,” I whisper. “When?”

Pulling out his buzzing phone, Duncan winces.

“Hold that thought,” he says. “Hello, Cian. Yes, I’m here with Adira. No, she’s sleeping, Sir. She just fell asleep.”

The door unlocks, and I pick up the gun I left within easy reach on the side table. Callum leaves his brother to talk to Cian, twisting to pull his own gun and point it at the door.

We’re all on edge, especially with the information that Rock wants Adira returned already. What the fuck is going on in his head?

Kane, Jed, and Damon walk into the apartment, ignoring the guns trained on them. They have bags in their arms, and Callum and I relax, returning our weapons within easy reach.

Noticing Duncan is on the phone, they quiet down quickly, moving to put things away as they listen to the one-sided conversation they can hear.

“Yeah, Pack Dresmond is here,” Duncan says. “I’ll put you on speaker now, sir.”

“We have a problem,”Cian says, his tone dark and angry. “A few of the families are getting together to discuss selling you out to your father to wash their hands of the both of you. This meeting is happening tonight, and there’s nothing I can do about it. I was hoping they would come around. They invited me as a sign of respect to put my two cents in, and I want to take Adira with me.”

Jed takes a deep breath, struggling with his emotions. This is a slap in the face to us, but the most important thing is Adira.

“She’s pretty banged up,” Jed says slowly. “I can see how this would help them to see the mess that’s happening in your city, outside of my father’s influence, but I would prefer she see a doctor before the meeting.”

“Oh of course,”Cian says quickly. “I have a family doctor most of us use in the area. I can either have him come to you, or we can make other arrangements.”

“I am very certain she has a sprained wrist,” I chime in. “Adira lost consciousness last night when she was attacked, because her face met with a brick wall several times. I stitchedup her cut, but I’d like her to be run through a CT scan. Her memory is intact, I’m being over protective.”

“Her face…Jesus. How bad is it?”Cian asks.

“Permission to send a photo,” Duncan says miserably. Anyone else would think he is speaking to Cian, but he isn’t. He’s asking us.

---