Page 40 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

And I haven't even met her yet.

The passenger door to my SUV flies open, letting in a blast of frigid air and snow. Garrett drops into the seat, shaking snowflakes from his hair and carrying takeout bags.

"Got your usual from Mike's. Though why we had to drive across town when there are perfectly decent sandwiches near the brewery?—"

"You know why." My eyes haven't left Ruby as she disappears into her bar.

"Yeah, I do." Garrett's voice holds equal parts amusement and concern. "Knox's first attempt didn't exactly go as planned yesterday when the storm hit, yet he's already obsessed with her."

"And you couldn't resist swooping in yesterday afternoon, could you?" I tear my gaze from the bar's entrance to give him a knowing look.

He grins, unrepentant. "Fuck, man, I can't stay away. She's an addiction."

The scent hits me then—her perfume, mixed with her natural Omega sweetness, still clinging to Garrett's jacket. My jaw clenches.

"I can smell her on you."

"I know." He sobers slightly. "Look, Knox has his date tonight?—"

"And I'll wait my turn." The words come out darker than I intended. "I've gotten good at waiting."

Garrett studies me for a long moment before nodding toward the brewery. "Come on. Let's get back before this gets cold."

The drive to Garrett's place takes us through the historic district, past snow-covered brownstones, until we reach the converted warehouse he's transformed into one of the city's most popular craft breweries. The main floor is all exposed brick and weathered wood, with gleaming copper tanks visible behind glass walls. The scent of hops and barley hangs rich in the air.

Cindy looks up from the host stand, her mousey blonde hair pulled into a tight ponytail, her almond eyes absolutely stunning, as we stroll into the building. She's fantastic at playing normal, but I catch the way she scans the room before fully relaxing. Old habits.

"Your Saturday bookings are getting out of hand," she tells Garrett, falling into step beside us. "I had to add another seating area in the back room."

"You've got it handled." Garrett's trust in her is evident. "Everything else good?"

"Always is." She glances between us, professional but distant. "Need anything else?"

Garrett gives her a brief nod as she heads off to handle a delivery. I watch her go, concern etching lines around his mouth.

"Her brother called again," he says quietly as we climb the stairs to his office. "No sign of her mate, but..."

"You're doing the right thing, helping her." I flop down into one of his leather chairs. "If her fucker of a mate shows up?—"

"Then I'll do what I have to." Garrett's voice is steel. "Her brother will, too."

I lean forward, the weight of another problem pressing in. "Speaking of complications… what are we going to do about Marcus?"

Garrett's expression darkens as snow continues to fall outside his window, blanketing the world in white.

"Marcus is getting suspicious," Garrett says, taking his chair behind the massive, reclaimed wood desk. "He cornered me at The Crossings last night, asking why I've been hanging around Ruby's bar so much."

I let out a low laugh, but there's no humor in it. "What did you tell him?"

"That I like her bourbon selection." He runs a hand through his snow-damp hair. "But he knows about Knox's date tonight. Word travels fast in this fucking town."

The mention of Knox's date sends another surge of that dark possessiveness through me.

"Marcus needs to back the fuck off," I growl. "Ruby's bar isn't his territory, no matter what he thinks."

"You know it's more than that." Garrett pulls out a bottle of his latest experimental brew from his desk drawer, along with two glasses. "He's been trying to get his hooks into that property since before she took ownership of it so he can tear it down and build a towering apartment."

The beer Garrett pours is dark as coffee, with a head like cream. I take the offered glass but don't drink yet.

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