Page 124 of Knot Like Other Girls

I approach the cutting board where a small heap of fresh parsley and dill waits. The knife is heavier than I expected, perfectly balanced and wickedly sharp. It slices through the herbs like air. These men don't do anything halfway, I'm realizing.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, reminding me that I still exist in the outside world. I wipe my hands on a dish towel and check the screen. Another text from Skye.

[I swear to god if you don't give me SOME kind of proof of life soon, I'm calling every emergency service in Washington state.]

I laugh, shaking my head at her dramatics. "I should probably check in with Skye before she sends a SWAT team after us."

"Send her a photo," Troy suggests, stirring his mac and cheese mixture. "Show her the place."

That's not a bad idea. I snap a quick picture of the living room with its massive fireplace and cozy furniture, then swivel to capture the stunning view out the windows. For good measure, I take one of Troy cooking, his muscular arms and broad shoulders on perfect display as he leans over the stove.

[PROOF OF LIFE. And yes, that's Troy cooking dinner. Yes, the place is this gorgeous. No, you cannot invite yourself over.]

I add the last part knowing full well she'd be planning her visit already. The safehouse is meant to be secret, after all.

Her response comes instantly.

[OH MY GOD. 1) I hate you, 2) I'm so happy for you, 3) I still hate you, 4) THAT VIEW THO, 5) is that TROY'S ASS in chef mode?? I can only see his back but 10/10 would bite]

I laugh out loud, shaking my head. "Skye approves of the accommodations," I report, deliberately not sharing her more colorful observations about Troy's posterior.

"She's welcome to visit," Roman says unexpectedly. "Once we've established security protocols for visitors."

The casual acceptance floors me. Braxley rarely allowed my friends into his space, always complaining about his privacy and the messiness of having "random people" around. Yet here's Roman, offering to let Skye into their private sanctuary simply because she matters to me.

"Really?" I can't keep the surprise from my voice.

Roman looks slightly puzzled by my reaction. "Of course. She's important to you, which makes her important to us."

The simple statement hits me harder than I would have expected. To be considered, to have my connections valued—it'ssuch a small thing, really, but it feels monumental after months of having my preferences dismissed or ignored.

"Thank you." My voice comes out a bit hoarse, and I clear my throat. "That means a lot."

"Don't thank him yet," Troy warns, grin widening. "We'll make her go through the same security screening as foreign dignitaries. Fingerprints, retinal scans, the works."

"Polygraph too," Liam adds with mock seriousness. "Standard procedure."

"And the blood oath," Savva contributes, not looking up from his tablet. "Can't forget that."

I laugh, returning to my herb chopping with a lighter heart.

"Almost ready," Troy announces, peering into the oven. "Mac and cheese needs about five more minutes. Who's setting the table?"

"I will," I volunteer, finishing with the herbs.

"I'll help," Cole says, the first words he's spoken in a while.

We move together to the large dining table situated near the windows, grabbing plates, cutlery, and napkins along the way. Cole seems to know where everything is, retrieving everything we need from cabinets and drawers.

"You come here often?" I ask as he hands me a stack of plates.

His mouth twitches at the unintentional pickup line. "When we can. More in winter."

I set the plates around the table, imagining these five powerful alphas holed up here in this warm haven during snowstorms. Can't say I'd mind that at all. "What do you do up here in winter?"

Cole shrugs, laying out silverware with precise movements. "Fish through the ice. Read. Savva always tries to teach Troy chess, but that's a lost cause. Roman works. Always working." There's no criticism in his tone, just matter-of-fact observation.

"And you?" I press gently. "Besides ice fishing."

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