Page 11 of Knot So Sweet

"Not to mention," I continued, "Ghost is also my match."

Julia’s eyebrows shot up, and she stared at me in disbelief. "Oh damn, you’ve got a real mess on your hands. Talk about a double whammy. No wonder you’re so on edge. Well, more than usual. So when do you move in?"

"I'm not," I protested.

"Fine, fine." She waved me off, not believing me in the slightest. "Let's see what happens when Viper starts to court you. When will you see them next?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows dramatically.

I chuckled at her antics and shrugged. "After my tattoo session tomorrow. I’m going by to make sure he’s still having Pixie set up the cameras and added security."

She whistled. "Oh shit. What's Benny boy gonna say?"

I gnawed on my bottom lip. "It's not a big deal. We weren't actually more than fuck buddies anyway."

Julia frowned. "That sounds complicated as hell. I can't wait to see them sweep you off your feet, bitch. You deserve to be wooed."

I chuckled. "Not going to happen." I'm not sure she believed me, because even as I protested, a flush took over my cheeks.

I'm blaming it on my impending heat. I am not fucking blushing.

Her gaze softened with a touch of sympathy. "Hang in there, Candi. You’ve got this. And if you need a distraction from all the alpha drama, just let me know. I’m always up for some trouble. I miss you something fierce, lady."

"Thanks, Julia," I said, feeling a bit more at ease. "I might just take you up on that." Just then, Julia glanced out of the window and squealed. "Showtime," she said, her voice low and serious.

I followed her gaze and saw Owen’s town car pull into the parking lot across from the diner. My heart raced as I processed the sight of Owen arriving.

"Let’s find out what you’re planning, big brother," I murmured, gripping my coffee cup tightly.

A few seconds later, an SUV pulled in, parking behind Owen’s car. The doors swung open, and out stepped Sean Cromwell, Lincoln, and Roman—Julia’s brother.

My eyes widened in disbelief as Julia took in her brother’s pack with a frown. "That can’t be good," she said, her voice laced with concern.

I cringed, nodding in agreement. Either the Cromwell pack was working with my brother, or there was about to be some serious drama unfolding across the street.

"You want to go find out?" I asked, standing up and tossing a few bills onto the table for the coffee. She might be one of my best friends, but she deserved to get paid for her services. Even if all she did was poke fun and drink a stale cup of coffee with me.

Julia’s grin widened, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Hell yes. Let’s crash this party and see what’s going down."

Chapter 5

Candi

As we huddled behindthe garage, the muffled conversation from inside remained frustratingly out ofreach.Damn it.My attempts to make out the details only deepened my frustration.

"What are they saying?" Julia asked, her voice tight with impatience.

"I don’t know yet. I need to get a closer look," I replied, wincing as I tried to climb on a stack of pallets behind the shop. Being so damn short wasn’t helping. "Owe, fuck!"

"Shh!" Julia hissed, her eyes darting nervously toward the garage entrance. "Is the window unlocked?"

"Seriously? You’re shushing me? And how the hell should I know? I can’t even reach it," I growled, balancing precariously on the unstable stack.

This wasn’t working.

"Well, there’s got to be something we can use to boost you up. Or I can lift you?" Julia suggested, a hint of determination in her voice.

"No way. You’re not picking me up. You’re pregnant," I protested, shaking my head firmly.

"You sound just like Roman," Julia grumbled, though her lips twitched with a faint smile.

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