Page 10 of Knot Beneath the Mistletoe

The cab door slams. The tow truck pulls away. The crowd slowly disperses, but their phones are still out, still sharing the town's latest entertainment.

"Enjoying the show?" Dominic says from behind me abruptly.

He slides into the chair across from me. Fifteen years of friendship and I still haven't figured out how he moves so silently, I don't hear him approach.

"Your guys do good work."

He grins, all sharp edges and he looks dangerous wrapped in his black expensive suit. "Former special forces tend to. Amazing how many find work in private security."

"Incredible how they always show up right when needed," I say sarcastically.

"I do love a good coincidence." He signals the waitress, who sprints over. Her Beta fruity scent floods as she takes in both of us. "Bourbon caramel latte, extra shot."

"Anything else?" She's batting her lashes so hard, I worry she'll strain something.

"Just the coffee." Dominic's smile is pure sin.

She actually stumbles leaving.

I chuckle. "You're giving her false hope."

"You're one to talk, stalker." He nods toward Ruby's bar. "Three days you've been here. Getting a little obsessive, aren't we?"

"Says the man who has Marcus' entire history, including his kindergarten report cards."

"He bit three kids and blamed a dog. Very telling." Dominic's expression turns serious. "He's dangerous, Gar. Not just spoiled-rich-boy dangerous. There's something wrong there."

I think of Ruby's face when Marcus threatened her at the festival. The fear she tried to hide. "Tell me."

"Three Omegas filed complaints against him in the last year for sexual assault and battery. All withdrawn suddenly. All moved away shortly after."

My growl makes nearby customers jump. Dominic continues like he doesn't notice.

"His father's got half the town council in his pocket. Local cops won't touch him. But..." His grin returns. "Federal agencies don't give a fuck about small-town politics."

"What did you find?"

"Let's just say the IRS is very interested in certain financial discrepancies at Daddy's company. Might take them a few weeks to fully investigate. Right around Christmas, probably."

The waitress returns with his coffee, all smiles.

"Thanks, darling." He winks.

"You're still a shithead," I tell him.

"Please. Like you weren't just marking your territory all over the festival." He sips his coffee. "Speaking of marking territory, Hannah and Lily weren't exactly forthcoming about her little matchmaking scheme, were they? Or why they wanted us on such short notice to try dating Ruby, but they made it clear this isn't a one-night stand. Ruby is looking for a long-term commitment, and that's why we agreed."

In truth, we researched her background before agreeing to anything, our trust issues demanding we dig deep. But the moment we laid eyes on her that busy night when we stopped in for drinks, we knew instantly she might be the Omega we'd been searching for. We've known Hannah and Lily, who we buy all our baked goods from, for years, so I trusted their judgment when they approached me for help with Ruby. They were well aware that Dominic, Knox, and I were bachelors without an Omega. One thing led to another, and here we are... stalking the girl.

"I think fear is stopping her from following her heart. Anyway, my first attempt could have gone better," I admit.

"Could have gone worse." Dominic's eyes fill with interest. "Did anything happen that I should be aware of?"

I can't help the longing rumble in my chest. "I kissed her. Fuck, she had me so switched on even before the kiss."

"And?" He leans forward, suddenly intense.

"And nothing's ever felt more right." I run a hand through my hair, remembering the way she tasted, how her scent had me rock hard in seconds. "It was like... everything clicked, but also like something was missing."

---