Page 112 of Seen Knot Heard

Fury sweeps through me, followed by depression. “So, why are you waking me up? It’s not like my being there will bring her any comfort.”

His beard twitches with annoyance. “Are you having a pity party right now?”

“Yes.” I grab for my pillow again, flopping onto my back. “You and Nathaniel were messing with the bond until two in the morning, and I was counting on having the morning alone to process everything before facing everyone. But thank you for discounting my pain.”

His expression softens, and he sits on the edge of the bed. “I’m sorry. If we could have blocked you from it, we would have.”

I stiffen. “I don’t want to be blocked from our bond. And I’m happy for everyone else that things are progressing with Chloe. But that doesn’t mean it leaves me unaffected. Just leave. I’ll meet you downstairs in a minute.”

“Got it.” Blake stands and heads out the door, closing it behind him.

With a sigh, I toss back the blanket and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, the hardwood floor cool beneath my bare feet as I force myself to stand.

I make quick use of my bathroom, don’t bother with my hair, and tug on a hoodie before heading out of the family side of the Homestead. My fingers brush the stair railing as I stumble downstairs. The voices of my bondmates drift from the kitchen, growing clearer as I near.

I push open the door and pause on the threshold, watching them for a stolen moment.

Blake hovers over Quinn while the little girl gives Sprinkles treats for tricks, Nathaniel helps Chloe assemble breakfast sandwiches, and Holden cleans up. They look like a family, and the ache in my chest expands, a yawning chasm of what they have while I stand on the outside.

Unable to resist, my focus returns to Chloe, where she stands at the island, her pink hair tumbling over her shoulders in tousled waves. She wears the same outfit from last night, the soft sweater clinging to her curves in a way that makes my fingers itch to touch.

When she beams up at Nathaniel, it steals my breath—wide and genuine, crinkling the corners of her eyes. It’s an expression I once knew intimately, one I’d draw from her with whispered jokes and stolen kisses.

Now, I’m an outsider, lingering on the edges as she shares that warmth with my bondmates. Even Kyle, casually munching on a chocolate muffin from the sideboard, seems to belong more than I do.

Chloe’s head lifts, catching me watching, and electricity arcs between us, a live wire connection that time and distance have done nothing to diminish. I’m drawn to her, a moth to a flame, craving the burn of her touch.

Then her gaze drops, taking away the moment of warmth. “Good morning, Dom.”

I swallow hard and come the rest of the way inside. “Morning.”

The laptop on the island draws me over, and I lift it, inspecting the slender device. It appears new, and when I tip up the box it arrived in, a charger slides out.

Why would Louie send a laptop? Is it a warning? A twisted olive branch? What’s the point?

I read the letter that came with it, and I clench my teeth. “I’m not sure a lawyer will take this as a threat, but I can at least have it on file.”

“Oh, I don’t think we need to go that far.” Chloe fiddles with the collar of her shirt, something she’s done a lot since coming back from the hospital.

She’s been doing that a lot since she returned, and I remember that she used to wear a necklace. Did Louie take it from her? Does she miss it?

My hand drifts to my pocket, wanting to check her social media for a picture, before I remember I left my phone upstairs.

Then her words register in my exhausted mind, and I frown. “We’re not moving forward with a restraining order?”

Chloe’s brow furrows. “No, I thought we already agreed that would be pointless.”

I rub my aching temple. “It would at least log a complaint in the legal system if something happens, so we could prove past behavior.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want to give him another reason to be mad.”

My hand drops to my side, irritation sharpening my tone. “Then why was I dragged out of bed?”

Surprise widens Chloe’s pink eyes, before she turns toward Blake for an answer.

“Holden’s going to dig through the laptop to see if any spyware was installed on it.” Blake takes the bag of treats from Quinn. “And Nathaniel and I need to head down to the job site.”

Which means someone needs to be available to watch Quinn. “Understood. You guys can head out.”

---