Page 172 of Tangled in Knots

“Professor Royal is sneaky,” Damon says.

“Alright, then we’ll make flash cards with Damon while you take a nap. Finish your drink and go,” Duncan says. “You’re not going to be able to get anything done without some sleep.”

“Okay,” I say, refusing to argue. I’m exhausted and sore, and ready to throw in the proverbial towel.

I’ll try again later.

DAMON

Wednesday

Walking into class with Adira, I sigh as I glance over at her. She’s wearing a hooded sweater, under her coat, to hide her face, which is still pretty swollen and jeans, attempting not to attract attention. I swear Professor Royal somehow sees everything, so I don’t think that’s going to work.

“Please be sure to spread out,” Professor Royal calls out, and I take a seat toward the middle, three seats away from Adira.

The exams are handed out, and I go through it steadily, finding that the work spent creating flash cards was worth it. Duncan and Jed went through them with Adira and I until we knew all the answers in our sleep.

They did the same for our other exams without complaint, and Kane joined to help. Morris kept us fed with snacks and drinks, watching as we worked.

Callum came by to see what we were doing, and ended up helping Morris make dinner. I know the beta worries about how little Adira eats, but Callum helped him with food ideas.

They made a rosemary sweet potato chowder that tasted amazing, and the little omega ate every bite happily.

None of this is normal, but all I want is for Adira to be cared for and adored. She has that in spades. The last few days have been more of the same, and her head is no longer as sore.

Duncan told us before he left that Cian has every man in the families, looking for the hired goon, who got away the night Adira was attacked. The families decided it was the best gesture of good faith they could extend, to show they protect their own.

Adira is being accepted into the Minnesota families for better or for worse.

I’m so used to being on the fringes of mafia society, I haven’t paid attention to how the established old mafia families work. All I know is that if they fuck her over, none of them will be safe. Adira can happily hold my leash, as long as I can destroy those who hurt her.

Finishing my exam, I glance at Adira, finding she’s already gone. Frowning, I grab my bag and stand, walking my test up to the professor.

“Hey,” he hisses, leaning forward. He appears angry, cluing me in to the fact that he’s seen Adira. “Did you do that to her face?”

“No. She got jumped by men who planned to sell her at the auctions,” I say honestly and softly. It’s not a secret per se, but it’s no one else’s business, either. “Adira was walking home from work and fought them off.”

“Why is she here?” he asks, eyes wide. “Adira should be at a hospital.”

The last name clicks for me as I realize who saw her at the hospital. “She was seen in the emergency room by a Dr. Royal last weekend, Professor,” I tell him, waiting for it to click.

“Good,” Professor Wilhelm Royal says with a nod. “I would have given her an extension for this exam, as would everyone else. Adira was shaking with exhaustion just now.”

“Shit,” I mutter. “She has exams all day. Her professors piled them all up, giving her the other class off. Adira doesn’t ask for anything. She pushes too hard, and feels she needs to prove herself.”

“If she can fight the men off who did that to her, I hope she killed them as well,” my professor growls. “I don’t expect an answer, but I’ll take a nod.”

Holding his gaze, I slowly incline my head as minutely as possible.

“Good,” he mutters. “Don’t just stand there, go find the girl.”

Spurred into action, I walk out of the auditorium, pulling out my phone to call her.

Answer, little omega.

“I’m okay,”Adira says when she picks up. “My head is hurting me again, so I picked up some ibuprofen. I’m just going to hang out in the library between exams.”

“I have one more exam today, so I’m coming to join you. Being alone isn’t an option, beautiful,” I tell her. “I even promise to think to myself.”

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