Page 116 of Knot Happening

“We like to be prepared for anything, Little Omega.” Declan turns in the passenger seat so he can glance back at me. I can tell by the clench of his jaw that he’s tense, though.

“Don’t worry, Tatum. We brought Winnie as backup,” Kodiak says, but when he catches the confused look on my face from the mirror, he adds, “The Winnebago.”

“Okay.” I don’t really know what else he expects me to say to that. I don’t even really know what he means. Why would I need to worry, and what kind of backup? And how does a Winnebago help?

“Ghost thinks Keslor has something planned, but we didn’t want to disappoint you. We know you’ve been looking forward to seeing your mom. And we can’t spend our lives hiding you in the nest,” Declan adds, when it’s clear through the bond that I’m only more lost than before.

“Wrong.Theysaid we can’t hide you away in the nest. I firmly disagree.” East grumbles, tightening his hold on me. Pressing a kiss to his cheek, I just shake my head. I’ve learned not to try and argue with Easton’s instincts.

“Tatum likes when we’re a little possessive, but she also likes her independence.” Hayden tells East in a tone that suggests they have had this conversation before. I glance up at the blue-eyed Alpha, who rewards me with a kiss. “She knows what she wants, but not always how to get it. I know you like being told what to do and how to do it, Starlight.” His words are a breathy whisper, and now is not the time to be getting turned on.

We’ve just arrived at There For You when Declan curses, drawing my attention away from Hayden. I turn to see him staring at his phone.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, glancing between the four of them.

“How the fuck did he get here so fast? Omegas, get inside. East, protect Tatum.”

“What–” but I’m cut off when Hayden grabs my arm and drags me out of the back seat. Easton scoops me up in his arms and carries me into the building. “This is ridiculous! Put me down, I’ll walk! What is even happening?!” I growl at him. “Who’s here? Keslor?”

“Yes.”

“Well, fuck.” I grunt, looking back over Easton’s shoulder since he firmly ignored my demand to be put down. Through the front door windows, I watch as a Winnebago parks across the street, and my Alphas start pulling things I can’t see out of the back of their truck. “What’s in Winnie?”

“Guns. Smoke bombs. Non-lethal flash bangs. Vests.” Easton sets me on my feet and pulls his hoodie down at the collar to show me.

We’re around a corner now, out of sight of the front window as their guards all hustle to different areas of the bottom floor.

I glance at the secretary, who sends me a nervous wave. She nods at the guard closest to her with familiarity. Easton tries to push me into a utility closet, but I smack at his shovey hands. Someone hands him a vest as they pass, and he swiftly tugs it over my head. Okay… Shit’s getting very real.

“Sir, the back exit,” a heavily armored guard says as he approaches where Easton and I wait. He gestures back behind the secretary to a hall that leads around the corner. East considers that for a moment, before nodding.

“He’s too focused on getting to them so he can lure out Ghost. Come on.” East laces his fingers with mine and tugs me along behind him; that's when I see the gun strapped behind him.

“I should have a weapon.”

“I am your weapon, Sweet Sparrow. If anyone gets too close, I’ll blow their brains out.” He takes the opportunity to kiss my temple, before pulling me out the back door.

“I’ll need to give Connor a raise. He said he could easily get inside, and that no one would even suspect he wasn’t supposed to be here, but I doubted him. My mistake,” a voice I’ve heard before says in a far too cheerful voice. My panic and fear grip the bond tightly, sending out a cry for help.

I can tell they feel it, when their own panic shoots down the bond and into my heart.

Easton has me shoved behind him the moment we’re a single step out the door. He reaches for the gun at his waist, but Keslor shoots off a warning shot that hits the building with a bang, and I scream.

“None of that, now,” he warns us tauntingly. I cling to Easton’s back, suddenly very glad for the vest. It won’t do anything to protect us from getting shot in the face, though. Easton raises his hands in the air, blocking me from Keslor’s sight. “Now, hand over the Omega, or I'll shoot you and take her anyway. If you’re both dead, well, I guess that’s fine, too. Seems my merchandise has been spoiled.”

I risk a glance around the side of Easton’s body. My heart stalling at the sight. Keslor aims a fucking rifle at Easton, and my entire world zeros in on the fucking asshole. If he pulls the trigger, Easton will be killed…

“Uncle. What a surprise to see you.” Despite the nonchalant delivery, I can feel his fear and uncertainty through the bond.

“Nephew, why am I not surprised to find my prized killer distracted by pussy. You of all people should know how this plays out.” The menace in the Alpha’s voice has my flight instincts in overdrive.

My mate takes a breath and focuses on his uncle’s approach. He keeps me tucked behind him, and I can feel the tremble in his shoulders.

“Easton…” I whisper, the terror clear in my voice.

“When he pulls the trigger, run for the others, Tatum. Leave me, and run,” he hisses.

“No, East, no, never–”

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