Page 56 of Hard Knot

His answering laugh is both reassuring and slightly worrying.

"That's my girl,” he encourages and squeezes my hand. “Let’s go meet Holmes.”

Hopefully, this goes relatively well.

First Impressions

~ELIZABETH~

"Eighteen rooms," I mutter, shaking my head as we enter through massive double doors that probably cost more than my entire academy tuition. "This isn't a house. It's a small country."

The foyer alone is bigger than my entire dorm building, with soaring ceilings that disappear into carefully crafted shadows. Everything screams designer chic—from the Italian marble floors to the avant-garde sculptures that look like they belong in the MoMA.

Black and gold dominate the color scheme, creating an atmosphere that's both intimidating and eerily beautiful. The walls, painted in the deepest shade of black I've ever seen, make the gold accents pop like stars against a midnight sky. Modern art pieces, all abstract and probably worth millions, hang at perfectly calculated intervals.

"This doesn't feel homey at all," I observe, running my fingers along a pristine black console table that looks like it's never actually been used. "It's like walking through an issue of Architectural Digest, but without the soul."

Felix, who's been silently observing my every reaction since we started this impromptu tour, lets out a small snort.

"Holmes was in charge of decorating," he says, adjusting his tech-enhanced glasses that I've been dying to ask more about since I first noticed them.

I’d even dare get a pair.

Carter rolls his eyes.

"More like he strong-armed his way into being in charge of decorating."

"Let me guess," I say, pausing to examine a particularly striking gold sculpture that somehow manages to look both beautiful and diabolically questionable. "No one else cared enough to fight him on it?"

"Something like that," Carter admits, his hand gliding along my back to my lower spine as he guides me through another impossibly grand room.

"Well, it's a shitty decision," I declare, earning shocked looks from both men. I’m sure they’re not used to a female’s open opinion.Especially an Omega no less."This place looks like one of those celebrity homes they use to show off their wealth on Instagram, but have never actually lived in. You know the type—where everything's for show, but you can tell no one's ever thrown a real party or actually sat on any of the furniture."

Carter bursts out laughing, the sound echoing off the high ceilings and pristine walls.

"Oh God," he manages between chuckles, "I hope Holmes doesn't hear that through the hidden cameras and speakers, or you're just going to make it harder for him to accept you."

"The cameras definitely picked that up," Felix confirms, though there's a hint of amusement in his usually stoic expression. "I could try to erase it from the feed if he's in a decent mood after your meeting."

"Hell to the fuck no, you won't!"

I stop walking, turning to face them both with my arms crossed. My hip cocks to the left—a stance I've perfected over years of dealing with entitled Alphas who think they can dictate my life.

Both men look surprised by my sudden defiance, which only fuels my determination.

"First of all, I'm not afraid of this Holmes dude," I declare, lifting my chin. "And second, there's no way Felix is tampering with anything because I'm not afraid of speaking my mind."

I gesture to the sterile space around us before pointing at Carter.

"You're into cars, right? Fast, beautiful machines that probably make your heart race just thinking about them. Yet there's not a single picture, model, or even a hint that someone in this house appreciates automotive excellence." I shake my head in disappointment. "That gorgeous Ferrari out there probably feels lonely as hell, parked in whatever museum-like garage you've got hidden away."

Carter's expression shifts from surprised to thoughtful as I turn my attention to Felix.

"And you," I say, pointing at him. "You're into gadgets and technology—which, by the way, I only know because Carter mentioned it, but I want to learn those details from you directly when I get the chance." I nod toward his glasses. "Those are pretty goal-worthy, and it's refreshing to meet a guy who keeps up with tech instead of just being obsessed with wrestling and whatever else makes them appear cool and growly to the rest of the world."

Felix's eyebrows shoot up above his frames, and I swear I see the ghost of a smile touch his lips.

"But again," I continue, spinning in a slow circle with my arms outstretched, "where's the evidence that anyone actuallylives here? Where are the personal touches? The little things that make a house feel like more than just an expensive showroom?"

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