Page 61 of Knot All That Glitters: Part 2

At the time, I didn’t care where he was going so long as he wasgoing. But now I’m wondering why I never thought it was strange that he went there so many times, but he never forced me to go. More times than I can count, he dragged me to business dinners and parties and meetings all over the city, but never here.

Why would Hale have a key card for a business that my father frequents? Why hadn’t I thought to look it up before? To find out where my father was spending his time?

Glancing over my shoulder like I might get caught, I reach for the slim plastic item and tuck it into the waistband of my leggings before quietly sliding the drawer closed. A thumpsounds from overhead and I hurry out of the office and into the kitchen, where I strain my ears and blindly grab a glass from the cabinet. If an alpha comes down the stairs as I’m going up, I’ll need a reason for being out of bed.

The thud of bare feet on the hardwood floor sound from behind me as I shut off the faucet. “Everything okay, angel?”

I congratulate myself on not jumping a foot in the air at Tic’s voice and turn to face him with a small smile on my face. “Yep, just thirsty.” I hold up the partially full glass in my hand as proof of why I’m sneaking around the house at night.

I’m not sure he buys it, though. He gives the cup a look that’s not quite a scowl but is pretty close. “Are you sure that’s it? You aren’t having trouble sleeping for any other reason?”

He’s digging for something, but I’m going to pretend like hell I don’t understand that. “Nope.” I make a show of drinking all the water and then putting the empty glass in the dishwasher.

He’s still standing there, staring hard at me like he can tell I’m lying, and if he just looks at me long enough, I’ll crack under the pressure and spill. But I’m made of sturdier stuff than that, I’ve had to be thanks to my father. He could flay skin with his glare, and I always withstood it… well, until he ordered me to tell him the truth.

I skirt by him and he turns his body toward me as I pass by, his fingers reaching out to brush over mine, drawing me to a stop next to him. “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to talk about, angel?”

I blink up at him, tilting my head. “Are you going to let me in on your plans for my father?”

His lips compress into a tight line and disappointment swells in my chest. Though I shouldn’t be surprised. I pat his taut stomach, just barely refraining from tracing his abs with my fingertips. It’s not fair that I’m still so attracted to these alphas. Not fair that all it takes is the barest brush of skin on skinto make me melt. Not fair that their scents are still the most comforting thing to me.

“Then no, Tic, I don’t have anything else I want to discuss with you.”

He gives a jerky nod and I pull away from him, only to stop with his hand on my elbow. “Just… don’t do anything rash, okay, Haven? Please.”

I resist the urge to stiffen, to give any sign that I am planning on doing something rash. He can’t possibly know that. The key card is burning against my hip, a brand, a flashing neon sign of just how rash I can be.Willbe.

Externally, I give him that same small smile. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

He holds me in place for a moment longer before letting me go. I hurry up the stairs, back to the safety of my room where I will look up the club name emblazoned on the keycard and from there I’ll make a plan.

I feel Tic’s eyes on me the entire way.

Chapter 19

She’s Getting Suspicious

It takes a lot to make me angry, really truly angry, but overhearing Ren tell my omega she should use a scent matching service has had me stewing for fucking days. Literally.

Every time that spark of anger swells, I have to tell myself that it makes sense. Ren is just looking out for her best friend, wanting what’s best for her, and she thinks wearen’twhat’s best. It’s not like I can blame her for that, either. We did drug, lie and manipulate Haven into giving us what we wanted.

No one would look at our past actions and think we’d be a good pack for an omega. Hell, if Haven went to the police, we could face criminal charges for what we’ve done. There’s certainly enough proof of it on Jude’s computer, in her medical records of the shit we pulled. Just her testimony might be enough.

But Haven wouldn’t do that.

She’s too good.

Too forgiving.

No, that’s not the right word. She’s toounderstanding. She knows why we did what we did, understands our motivations enough that she won’t turn us in to the cops, but she hasn’t forgiven us. Not yet.

Fuck. I hope this is a “not yet” situation and she’ll get there for us eventually.

I need her forgiveness, crave it like I crave air when I’m at the bottom of a pool.

That’s how it’s felt for the last few weeks. I’m a drowning man and Haven is air. I greedily suck down whatever small sips of relief she’s willing to give me and, goddamn, those are few and far between.

It’s becoming a problem. A big one.

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