Page 110 of Seen Knot Heard

“It’s beautiful, princess,” I manage around the lump in my throat. I sink to my knees, pulling Quinn into a tight hug. “I love it. Thank you.”

She beams at me, her face sparkling with joy. “You’re welcome! I’m gonna draw lots more, ‘cause you’re part of our pack now. Forever and ever.”

Forever and ever.The words echo in my heart as I hold Quinn close, feeling the warmth of my Alphas’ attention on us. Hope spills through me. I want so much for this to be my forever. To call the Homestead home.

“Hello, hello!” a voice calls from the back hall, and a moment later, Kyle comes into view. His face brightens as he spots the basket on the island. “Oh, are those biscuits?”

Blake slides it down to him. “What brings you here? Shouldn’t you have a fishing pole in the water by now?”

“About to head out.” Kyle sets a stack of mail on the countertop. “I swung by the PO Box this morning. They were holding a couple of packages, so I figured I’d drop them off first and see what Holden had whipped up for the day.”

“Take some muffins from the sideboard, too.” Holden brings over a plate piled high with bacon and another with rounds of scrambled egg. “There’s enough coffee in the pot if you need a fresh thermos, too.”

“Won’t say no to that.” While Holden bustles around, Kyle cracks open biscuits to put together two breakfast sandwiches and wraps them in napkins. He turns to Blake and Nathaniel. “Want a ride down to the docks? Emily’s chomping at the bit to get started.”

Blake sighs and starts assembling sandwiches for him and Nathaniel. “That would be great, thanks.”

Nathaniel sorts through the packages. “A present for Miss Quinn Patel?” He arches a brow at the little girl. “What did you convince Uncle Dom to order for you?”

She giggles and bounces up and down, making grabby hands. “Gimme!”

Lips pursed, Nathaniel shakes the package next to his ear. “I don’t know… Could be dangerous. Maybe we should wait.”

“Uncle Nat!” she whines, jumping to grab for it.

Chuckling, he gives her the package, and she rips into it, revealing a new coloring book and a box of crayons.

Squealing in delight, she spins in a circle, clutching the items to her chest. When she stops, her shining eyes fix on me. “Aunt Chloe, you can have my other box of crayons, so you have your own!”

My chest constricts. “Thank you, princess. That’s so kind of you.”

“Hold on, it looks like Uncle Dom ordered something for Aunt Chloe, too.” Nathaniel lifts another package and bounces it in his hands. “It’s heavier than crayons, though. Wonder what it is?”

My pulse quickens, and I set my coffee cup down next to the picture Quinn drew before I come around the island. Nathaniel hands me the package, his fingers brushing mine in a fleeting touch that sends sparks racing up my arm. My cheeks warm as I turn the rectangular box in my hands.

What could Dominic have gotten for me? Is this a courting gift?

Quinn tugs on my pant leg. “Open it! Hurry!”

“Oh, I should wait until Uncle Dom wakes up,” I protest.

Blake props a hip on the counter, his expression curious. “It’s labeled to you, so it’s not meant to be a surprise. Open it.”

“If you think it’s okay…” I pick at the tape before Nathaniel pulls the utility knife from his belt to slice through it.

Smiling, I open the flaps on the box and reach inside. Tissue paper crinkles beneath my fingers, and excitement fills me when I recognize the edges of a laptop.

Did Dominic think I needed an upgrade after seeing my current laptop? When we were kids, he always had the newest tech before it hit the market.

Setting the box aside, I rip through the tissue paper to reveal a sleek, black laptop, and my breath catches, a wave of icy recognition crashing over me.

Memories flood back of being locked in the bedroom at Louie’s penthouse, the light of the screen my only escape, the dread every time the door opened, fearing it would be Louie.

“Chloe?” Blake’s voice cuts through the haze of fear. “What is it?”

I try to answer, but the words stick in my throat. With a sense of dread, I lift the top, half expecting the screen to light up like always. But the laptop remains dark, powered off. Instead, my eyes land on a slip of paper tucked inside, the white a stark contrast on top of the dark keyboard.

My heart pounds as I pluck it up, unfolding it with numb fingers as the scent of almonds and anise fills my nose.

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