Page 34 of Shaken Knot Stirred

“Moxie,” his voice could still hit me in all the right spots. I hefted the tray higher, hoping the alcohol fumes would snuff out his scent.

“No.”

“You don’t even know what I’m going to say,” Nico crossed his arms.

I gave him a “be so for real right now” look.

His eyes danced around my edges like he could see my aura and discern my innermost thoughts. Thankfully, he couldn’t. I couldn’t let him know about the scent match. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

“We don’t really have anything to say to each other.” I attempted to sidestep him and make my way to the bar. But he wasn’t having it.

“You’re in my bar and you’re in my home.”

“Beg’s bar,” I corrected him. “Same difference, right? You’re pack now. Did you change your name to Knightbridge?”

“I’d rather cut off my nuts.”

Electricity sparked through his aura. That was a lie. He was lying. But about what? He hated Beg. Beg hated him. Auras couldn’t lie about that. They were both doing damage to their auras with that sickly bond. Lana too.

“You shouldn’t have come back.” His voice was stern, but again with the lying. I rolled my eyes at him and tried to step around again. “Moxie, I’m serious,” he said, pinching the edge of the tray to redirect my movement. With two fingers, I plucked at his hand to remove it like it was slime.

“Well, this is all your fault,” I said, balancing the tray in one hand so that I could put the other on my hip.

A smile broke across his face, making him even more gorgeous despite the deep shadows around his eyes. “That’s rich, coming from you.”

“Nico boy,” I said with a weak attempt at mimicking Beg, “help or get out of the way.” I pushed the tray into his chest and spun on a heel.

Nico was angry, but he wasn’t angry at me. Not directly, at least. I wove between the booths, making a quick escape before his anger burned away and he had me bent over… a pool table.

The memory of Alistair in the bar, making a mess of me and the pool table flashed through me. That was just two days ago. It might as well have been a lifetime. I should have just gone home with him. I should have just broken all my rules and run away with him. I pinched my nose and rubbed it, trying to get rid of Nico’s scent before pushing into the ladies’ room.

All the breath in my body left me in a wash at the sight of Lana on her knees, her head between Cora’s legs. Cora’s elegant neck bent and exposed. Her moans were stifled like she didn’t want to make too much noise.

Lana stood suddenly, fingers still deep in Cora, and kissed the arch of her neck. She tongued and nibbled at the bite mark left by her alpha. Her deft fingers stroked her neck in rhythm with her hand moving inside the omega.

Lana’s hand moved faster, and she filled Cora’s mouth with her tongue. As Cora cried out, her statement necklace of sapphires and diamonds slithered from around her neck. Lana rocked Cora, bringing her down as she poured the necklace into the top of her boot.

I backed out of the room and left the door closed softly. I could feel my own slick start to flow. My knees shook with need. I touched the wall for balance, hoping I could get across the bar without another run in with Nico.

I looked up and Beg filled my vision. His aura, his scent, his general presence shifted the mood in Vig instantly.

Nico intercepted him and showed him something on his phone. I skirted the edges of the lounge. As I moved, Nico kepthimself between me and Beg. I pushed through the employees’ only door and ran back to the living quarters he shared with Lana.

I wasn’t going to make it. I wasn’t going to survive, let alone pay off Beg and escape, being so close to my scent matches and not being able to have them.

Chapter 18

Lana

I didn’t bother lookingup. I always knew when Nico walked into the room. I had always been told not to expect much from pack bonds. Betas didn’t have the right biology or something. Alphas and omegas could feel each other. The last thing I wanted was to share emotional space with my alpha.

“I could do seven.”

With effort, I turned my attention back to the table.

“Marius,” I said his name like I was talking to a wayward child. “It’s from Kin Jewelers, not a kiosk at the mall.”

“Exactly, which is why I can offer you 7,000. It’s not like I can resell it as is. Kin’s pieces are all numbered and registered.” He tucked the jewelry loupe back in his pocket and collected the necklace into a greedy little pile in front of him.

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