Page 49 of Hard Knot

And this...this feels like more than just standard record cleaning.

What happened to Jessie? What was your association with this Elizabeth? What role did you play in befriending the Omega who dances with such beautiful defiance?

To anyone else, they wouldn’t have thought about such a minor detail to be vitally important, but I know the way Felix works in his detailed analysis. When whoever is in or was in one’s life doesn’t have a full profile document created by Felix, it means they were “erased”.

Meaning, the person themselves or someone else in control of that person wants to ensure they’re kept in the shadows of the unknown rather than be re-discovered.

The pieces are starting to form a pattern in my mind, but it's not complete.

Not yet.

And if there's one thing I've learned in my years of strategic planning, it's that incomplete patterns can be more life-changing than obvious threats.

Either way, I’m prepared to test this Omega out.

Carter and Felix aren’t hard to win over, but me?

I’m one to never cower to an Omega.

Welcome To Our Grand Parade

~ELIZABETH~

"For God's sake, how big is this place?"

I can't help but stare out the window of Carter's Ferrari SF90 Stradale, my eyes wide as we pass yet another security checkpoint. The pristine gold exterior of the car gleams in the night with every passing lamp post, making me feel even more out of place in my dance attire and Carter's oversized blazer.

When I’d heard a knock on my door, I was drifting off after an hour of feeling completely buzzed out. Who would have thought not being with an Alpha that seems to set off your hormones like a firecracker would feel so daunting?

Suddenly realizing how quiet and lonely it is at my dorm.

I didn’t know how to feel when showing Carter my dorm. I didn’t feel embarrassed because it wasn’t like it was my choice to live in the crummy place. I could afford to pay for a nicer spot, but with such little possessions here matched with how staggering the prices get during the school months, it seemed more like a waste of money for a place I’m barely residing in.

Only to have a roof over your head during sleep…and even that isn’t fully functioning when you acknowledge the few holes and sunken panel part.

That was one of the reasons why I didn’t keep many valuables here. Just a trunk with my clothes and underwear, while I hang my uniform in the closet with one flimsy coat. I have to try and thrift a new one because the current one is barely puffed to be considered a coat fit for our winters.

I did worry when he didn’t want to leave.

His scent lingered in the hallway for so long, I wondered if he’d sleep there. Carter’s concern about my living space was uncalled for, especially when we’re still strangers, but I didn’t expect he’d come back an hour and a bit later telling me to dress up.

That I’m staying at their place tonight.

Their place…as in him and his pack.

If that doesn’t spell “stranger danger” I don’t know what does, but the same comforting sensation of safety still thrums through me when I’m around Carter.

As though my instincts are telling me that I’m completely safe in his company.

I can only assume that includes whomever is in his pack.

"Fifteen minutes just to get from one gate to another?" I shake my head in disbelief. "Then another checkpoint, and we're still not at the house? This is ridiculous."

Carter's rich laughter fills the luxurious interior. His eyes briefly meet mine, amusement dancing in those hazel depths as he navigates the winding private road with practiced ease.

"How else do you think three mafia drug lords are supposed to live comfortably under one roof?" he asks, that infuriating smirk playing on his lips. "We need proper security and space for all our luxurious toys."

"Toys?" I echo, my gaze sweeping over the car's immaculate interior. The leather seats probably cost more than my entire year's dance budget, and I’m trying not to acknowledge the starry-led light display above our heads. "You mean like this?"

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